"Hey, Aves, wait up," Matt called, jogging after the brunette in the hallway. He dodged around a few people, narrowly missing barrelling into an older lady, before catching up to her.
"Hey," Avery said, flashing him a smile when he was keeping stride beside her.
"How was class?" Matt asked.
"Same old, almost done, so can't complain really," she nodded. "How was work?"
Matt shrugged. "Likewise, can't complain. You going out tonight?"
"Not sure yet," Avery replied. "Lo wants to grab dinner, and then we don't have any solid plans. What about you?"
"Dan and I were going to get dinner... might if we gatecrash?" Matt asked. "Think Dan's a bit lonely these days."
"Didn't work out with his lady?" Avery glanced at Matt again. "And no, I'm sure you guys can join us. It was nothing fancy, just food court stuff."
"Cool," Matt said. "Yeah, I think they'd been on the outs for a bit, and now... it's just over."
"Must be the season for it... I think Lo and Patrick are almost done too," she confided. "I think they're just growing apart. And you, what mischief have you gotten up to with the ladies lately?"
Matt chuckled. "You know me... I'm cheeky and lovable. But somehow, still single."
They stopped out the front of Avery's quarters. "Well, this is me."
"Indeed," Matt grinned. "So, what time for dinner? I'll rustle Dan up."
Avery looked at her watch. "I was heading over to Lo's around sixish, so... meet you guys there?"
"Sounds good to me, Avie-Ave. See you then."
~*~*~*~
A few hours, a shower and a fresh change of clothes later, Avery was heading down to Lo's living quarters.
"Hey," Lo called out to her, closing the door behind her. "The place is a mess and Mom gave strict orders to not let anyone in."
Avery grinned. "Nice. Oh, Dan and Matt are crashing."
"Sweet," Lo nodded. "And here they are now."
Dan and Matt appeared from around the corner, holding balloon flowers. Dan gave his to Lo and Matt gave his to Avery.
"Ladies," Dan chuckled, while Matt just wiggled his eyebrows.
"Gentlemen," Lo replied, laughing. She took Dan's offered arm and started off in the direction of the food area.
Matt held his arm out for Avery and she eyed it. "Come on, I promise not to feel you up."
"You can't promise that," Avery teased.
"I know," Matt winked. "But I'll try your breast... I mean, MY BEST!"
~*~*~*~
The group dropped Dan off at his place first, then Lo, and then it was just Matt walking Avery back to her quarters.
"I'm glad we're all friends again," Matt said, looking at Avery from the corner of his eye.
"Same," Avery smiled. "Took us a bit, but... we're all grown up now, I suppose."
They reached Avery's place and she dug out her card to swipe the door.
"You wanna hang?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure, I've got no plans," Matt answered.
Avery opened the door and flipped the light switch. "Want anything to drink?"
"Nah, I'm a cool cat, Aves," he replied, flopping down on the couch.
"You're an idiot," she grinned, settling down on the armchair next to the couch.
"Confession," Matt said, sitting up to look at her.
"Uh-oh," Avery smirked. "Am I going to hit you after this?"
"You always want to hit me," he chuckled. "But... umm.. maybe? I kinda... I saw you, yesterday."
"Yeah, I know, we all had lunch, as usual..." she looked confused for a second.
"No, I mean... I saw you after that."
"Creep," she laughed.
Matt blushed slightly. "Not like that! I saw where you went that afternoon."
It was Avery's turn to blush. "Oh."
"You auditioned?" he asked.
She was silent for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "But please don't tell anyone."
"Did you get a spot?"
She nodded again. "And again, please don't tell the guys. Not even Lib or Lo know."
"Why?" he asked. "Is it that scandalous?"
Avery shrugged. "I don't know. I'm a bit... I don't know. I get weird about performing."
"Is it a strip show?" he joked. "Because you know that Josh and I will have to be there for that."
"Idiot!" Avery smacked him over the head with a pillow. "And no. I'm... I'm singing."
Matt contemplated that statement for an idiot. "Well... I'd personally rather watch a strip show, but I will come along. I'm sure the others would love to as well."
"I'm not telling the others I'm in it, so hopefully they won't plan on going," Avery said honestly.
"Why?" Matt twisted in his seat to look at her.
"I don't know," she replied. "I just... I don't want you guys to see me and then laugh."
"We would never laugh... to your face," he joked, then went serious. "Aves, you know we would never. We're your friends, we'll support you with whatever you do. Haven't we proved that before?"
"I know, I know," Avery said quietly. "It's just... I've never performed for anyone before... with the exception of the audition, and Ike's heard me play, and Lo overheard some singing, I've never... put it all out there. I've never..."
Matt nodded. "I guess I could see why you'd be nervous. But we want to be there, cheering and yelling for you. You're our Avery."
Avery smiled at that. "You know, you're quite lovely sometimes."
"I have my moments," he laughed. "But... the point still stands... my point... sorry, back to being serious... everyone else would want to be there for you as well."
"I know," she nodded. "I guess... I mean, I grew up with my Ike, Tay and Zac being fairly amazeballs at music. All my siblings had talents other than their powers... not that I'm not grateful for my telepathy skill, I am, but... I guess I always felt like the odd one out. Like I wasn't seen for who I actually was, more just... for what I had the potential to be."
Matt went quiet, thinking about what she said. "I see you, you know."
Avery looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I see you. I've always seen you," he said simply. "You've never been Avery the Telepath, or Avery the Sister of the band Hanson, you've always been Avery Laurel Hanson to me. So... I see you."
She smiled. "Thank you."