Hold On [The Prequel to Slipping Through My Fingers]

[Phili]

Avril walked up her street for what felt like the thousandth time that day. It was the only thing that she could really do on a hot summer day besides go home. And she couldn’t go home. Not with her mom gone.
Not that it was any better with her mom home, but at least while she was around there was the illusion that everything was going to be OK.
Tammy, who Avril knew had been watching her for half the day until her dad had come out with about 20 skateboards in his arms, finally glided over. Her arms were shaking at her sides when she slowed herself to a stop at Avril’s side.
Avril looked distastefully at the pink that seemed to glow from her friend’s skateboard.
“Hi Avril! Do you wanna skateboard with me? My dad’s teaching me and it’s really fun!”
“I don’t know how… and I don’t have a skateboard,” Avril looked longingly over at the pile of curved black boards. It sure looked like fun. Not to mention, Deryck Whibley knew how to skateboard.
“That’s OK. Daddy has, like, 5 and he can teach you too,” Tammy grinned.
Avril bit her lip, mainly so she wouldn’t seem too eager, before saying, “Well… OK.”
“Yay! You’re going to love it, Av,” Tammy pulled Avril over to her driveway where her dad was essentially gliding in circles around a rock.
“Dad, Avril wants to learn too.”
Tammy’s dad grinned. “No problem.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Of course, sweetie,” her dad gave her hug and ruffled her hair.
Avril watched the interaction and felt a pain stir up inside of her. When she realized that she had been silent for the past two minutes, she blinked a few times to push away the tears then muttered, “Thanks, Mr. Brinkley.”
He handed her a board and she hesitantly put her foot on it. When she lifted her other foot it instantly slipped from underneath her and she crashed to the ground.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she held her elbow. She was so embarrassed. Ajax was a small town and, because it was so warm, everyone was out on their front lawns, all positioned perfectly to view and hear her disaster.
Tammy’s dad helped her up and reached to look at her elbow.
“No!” Avril pulled down the sleeves that she had absent-mindedly rolled up.
“But, Avril, I need to make sure you’re OK.”
“I’m fine. I want to go… to go back to what I was doing.” Avril started to walk away.
“Av!” Tammy grabbed her hand, “I know what happened embarrassed you, but everyone on the planet had made that mistake. It’s fun once you get the hang of it. And walking around and doing nothing is no fun.”
“I really don’t…” Avril gazed down at her house. Her father had left the house and was looking up and down the street. She turned away and smiled at Mr. Brinkley.
“That’s more like it,” he grinned back.
“So how do you get on it without falling?” Avril asked. And how do I get through tonight without running into my dad?

[punkrocker22]

gr8 update. poor av. her arms must be all bruised

[ktg205]

i thought i commented this update a couple days ago, guess not. i'm glad she's sticking with it even if it's only to stay away from her dad for the time being

[xx Leila xx]

poor avril...i hope her dad doesn't hurt her

[xcamberx]

great update...wait wheres her mom?

[Phili]

^Her mom's out of town.

[Avril 41]

awesom update poor Av..... more please

[xcamberx]

oh ok thanks

[ktg205]

bump