Chapter Text
It was a typical Wednesday evening for Ava.
She was lounging around on the couch in unbelievably snug pajamas whilst watching the latest episode of ‘The Great British Bake Off’. Remote in one hand and a bag of chips in the other, when her phone pinged. A message from her friend JC that read:
You’re welcome.
“The fuck?” Ava straightened up almost immediately and replied:
Huh?
You sent your message to the wrong person again!
She and JC have been friends for years now. So, a random message like this wasn’t unusual. Especially when the latter had his boyfriend, Michael’s name, registered as AMichael on his phone. Something about wanting him to be the first thing he sees on his contact list. To which Ava lovingly responded in between fake exaggerated coughs “so gay.” This earned her a friendly thump on the back of her head. Ava sent a response and rubbed the same spot as she recalled the memory.
I’m not Michael, you idiot.
Her phone pinged again.
Nope, I didn’t bitch. It was meant for you.
Also, I know you are, but what am I?
Eight, JC. You are EIGHT!
Well then, I’d like an explanation, because I’m lost.
Just wait.
What do you mean?
JC?
Hey, don’t ignore me!
I know you’re reading this!
After a few more seconds of waiting Ava decided to let it go. “Such a weirdo.” Ava grumbled under her breath as she reached for the remote once more, and then her phone rang. Confident that it was JC on the other end of the line, Ava answered feigning mild irritation.
“What? What? What? What do you need? Huh? Whaaat?” She had her heart and mind set on hearing JC’s usual banter in return. So, imagine Ava’s surprise when in lieu of her bestie’s annoying voice A British woman’s nervous but nonetheless sultry voice chimed in her ear. “Oh, I’m sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?” The poor panicked woman answered.
“I knew I should’ve sent a message first. I apologize. Have a good night…” The unidentified voice continued. Ava glanced quickly at her phone Unknown Number it showed.
Shit.
She just triggered an unknown person’s panic response without meaning to. Nice one, Silva. “Hey, hey, no don’t apologize, I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.” Ava explained, trying to rectify her mistake. “I was messaging back and forth with a friend and so when I heard my phone ring. I thought it was him calling to be more annoyingly vague.” She was met with complete silence for a second and thought that the unknown caller dropped the call. “Hello? Are you still there?” Ava checked, “I’m sorry.” making her guilt known.
“Uhh, yeah. I’m still here.” The voice came back calmer than before.
“So… to what do I owe this very random phone call, stranger? This isn’t a 'scream' situation, is it?” suddenly all the horror movies Ava has ever seen played at high speed in her mind. I swear to god, Ava. if your life was a thriller movie you'd die immediately. her inner monologue berated her. But she immediately relaxed when the person at the end of the line replied,
“I’m sorry, A what situation?”
“A scream situation, you know the horr-… you know what never mind.” Ava waved her hands as if to try and wipe their slate clean. If this person doesn’t get the reference, then, there is no way this lady could be a killer… stop digressing, Silva.
“Uhm, Who are you again?” Ava asked, a way to force her brain to refocus on the conversation at hand. She stood up planning to get herself a glass of water.
“Oh, It’s Beatrice. Beatrice Lim… anyway I-” Beatrice stopped mid-sentence.
“Hello? Ava? Are you okay?” She asked, confused, and worried. Beatrice could’ve sworn she heard a thump from the other end of the line and she wasn’t wrong. Ava being the ever-loving clutz that she was, hit her pinky toe on the foot of her coffee table upon hearing Beatrice’s name.
What could lead Ava to such a painful oversight of her surroundings you ask? Well… she’s only ever pined for Michael’s classmate (Beatrice aka mystery caller) from afar. To accurately set a mental image, (mean girls edition) it’s Cady crushing on Aaron, like “On October 3rd, He asked me what day it was…” level of crushing except she has never spoken to Beatrice, Because Ava feared that she’d make a fool of herself…
let’s be honest though, her fear was justified. for Ava, her silently rolling around in pain with her knuckle in her mouth trying to shove down the yelp of pain clawing its way out of her chest… was proof enough. Ava mustered up all her strength to respond coherently.
“B-Beatrice… you mean Michael’s friend?”
“Yup, that’s the one.” Beatrice answered, excitedly.
“H-heeey, Bea… What can I help you with?” Ava slowly sat back up. Internally screaming at herself that this was in fact happening and that it was not a product of her imagination.
“Well… as you may know, Michael’s birthday is coming up…” right off the bat Ava had no idea what Beatrice’s beautiful mouth was talking about… the calendar from Ava’s laptop reflected November 28th, 2023, Michael was born in April…
Beatrice continued “and for some odd reason JC pulled me aside this afternoon before my chemistry class asking for help in organizing the surprise party. He thought maybe I can support with keeping him in the dark, as well as gathering some stuff up… anyway to make the long story short, he gave me your number, saying that you know Michael better than the both of us do and that we can get you to help with planning and executing the whole thing. He said you’d be down for it.”
Oh, Ava was down alright, down bad... for her!
Ava was about to come clean about not knowing anything, when realization struck her… JC’s text, her eyes widened, that heaping pile of glorious gayness was setting her up! and as if summoned by Ava’s epiphany of the truth, JC plopped next to Ava on the couch, the man must’ve been a cat burglar in his previous life. because Ava did not hear him come in.
JC made this seconds-work of chaos worth it though, by snatching Ava’s phone out of her grasp.
“Hi Beatrice!” JC chimed, whilst pushing Ava away by her forehead and not letting her get her grabby small hands on her own phone. “Yeah, sorry I just got home. Ava threw her phone at me asking to take over because she had to run to the washroom. Anyway, again I appreciate your guys’ help with this surprise. I’ll have her save your number and pencil in your excursion on her calendar… Does this weekend sound good for you?”
Ava kept reaching for the phone hopelessly, she was about to scream when JC placed his man hand on her mouth. “Oh, okay. You’ll keep it free for Ava and you’re okay with picking her up here? Fantastic, I’ll let her know! Byeee, Beatrice!”
JC ends the phone call and yells at the top of his lungs.
He looked to his left and realized that Ava is biting his hand.
Michael entered the apartment running. “JC? What’s wrong babe?!”
He looked left and right in panic and saw the two on the couch. “Ava let go of my boyfriend’s hand…"
"Uncle! Ava, Uncle!” Michael pleaded frantically.
Ava calmed down and did what she was told. But the angry expression on her face remained. She moved back allowing Michael to sit on the couch with her and JC. The two put a bit of distance between themselves and Ava, terrified that she may attack again…
Ava crossed her arms and whispered through gritted teeth “One of you… start… talking.”