The Idea

Ava, Lucia, and Mat watched as Lucas ran to his room. Ava turned back to them to see his mom and dad looking deep into each other's eyes. Ava felt uncomfortable so she shifted slightly to catch their attention.

"Mom, I'm going out."

"At this time of the night?" Mat questioned.

Ava glared at him.

"I wasn't talking to you. And you have no saying in where I go or what time I go. You don't control me," Ava snarled.

"So, MOM. Can I go?"

"Yeah, sure. Just come back soon, and if anything happens call me. Okay?"

"Okay. Bye."

But Ava didn't receive an answer. So, she just walked out of the house to her special place. She sat on the swing and waited for the arrival of Noah. She waited for half an hour until she saw him walking down the road. Her face lit up, thankful that he gave her a second chance.

"Hey Noah," Ava shily as Noah walked to the swing next to her.

He put his hands in his pocket and stood there, not making eye contact.

"Noah? Can you please sit?"

"Ava just tell me, you're wasting my time. If you're not going to tell me then let me go back home," he coldly expressed.

"No please don't. I will tell you. Just... Please believe me. It might sound dumb or like a joke, but I am dead serious."

"Ava, you're wasting time. Say it. Whatever you have to say can't be that bad."

"I think I'm seeing ghosts." Ava bluntly said with a weak voice.

Noah silently laughed and looked around. He looked at her with frustration.

"Really Ava? You think I'm going to believe that. This is some kind of joke. There is no such thing as ghosts. So, you better start explaining things before I leave."

"I heard Annie's voice twice, I've been seeing kids and people that no-one else can see other than me. I-I don't know what's going on. It-It's really scaring me, and I wa-want to find out wh-why it's ha-happening to me." Ava stuttered as she started trembling.

Noah notices this and quickly knelt down in front of her. He lifted her chin making her have eye contact with him.

"Everything is going to be fine," Noah reassured Ava.

"D-do you be-believe me" Ava asked.

"I do, Ava. Please just calm down."

"Why is this happening to me?" Ava cried.

A few seconds later Ava started hyperventilating. Ava looked worried and her breathing got quicker and quicker.

"Wh-what's going on?" Ava quickly said.

She started crying as her breathing got faster. She looked at her trembling hands. Noah took Ava's hands in his.

"Hey, Ava. Ava. Listen to what I'm saying ok?"

Ava rapidly nodded.

"Everything is going to be fine. We'll find out what's going on together, ok?"

Ava nodded as she stopped crying.

"Ok. Look at me."

Ava looked at Noah.

"This is just a panic attack. We can get it under control. You just have to follow what I'm doing." Noah explained.

Ava nodded and followed what he was doing.

"Just take deep breaths in and slowly breath out."

Ava kept doing it for a few minutes until she was calm. She looked at him with red eyes.

"Thank you." She whispered.

Noah sat in the swing next to her, Ava watching his every move.

"No problem. Is everything alright apart from that?"

"How did you know how to handle that?" Ava asked ignoring his question.

"Oh, my sister has panic attacks sometimes. So, I learnt how to help someone go through it in case it happens to her and she needs me."

"Oh ok. Sorry I asked."

"Don't worry about it. I trust you. By the way, why does your voice sound so strained?"

Ava looked down. She knew she had to tell him the truth. It was hurting her. Noah turned his head to the side waiting for an answer.

"My dad came home."

"Seriously? Did he hurt you?"

"No. But it brought back a bad memory. The first time my dad accidentally hit me because he was too drunk. And I've been shouting so my throat is a bit sore."

"I'm so sorry Ava. I didn't know. I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's ok. You shared something with me, so I returned the favour."

"Anyways, I have to ask you a question.""Shoot," Noah replied.

"So, I want to go to this lady who could probably give me answers as to why this thing is happening to me. I don't want to go by myself so would you like to come with me?"

"How far is it?"

"It's 20 minutes away from here on a bus. And we would be going on a Saturday in the morning."

"Okay. Can I know the name of the place?"

"The name is Hanging Hill Lane. Would you really go with me?" Ava happily said.

A bright smile on her face.Noah slightly frowned at the sound of the street name.

"Yeah sure. I have no plans on Saturday and I'm always down for a little adventure."

"Ok, that's great."

Noah smiled as he saw Ava's beaming with happiness.

"Oh. Also, Ava. I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier today. I shouldn't have just assumed the worst of you."

"It's ok. I would have been mad at me too. If you want, we can still get ice cream next week after school."

"Yea, that would be awesome. I-I mean yea. Cool."

Ava laughed at his reaction.

"You're such a dork," Ava said as she giggled.

Noah playfully rolled his eyes at her statement.

"Come on. It's getting really late. I'll walk you home."

Ava cheerfully nodded. They both walked away from the park and walked close to each other. Enjoying their comfortable silence. When they reached Ava's house, they both turned to each other.

"I'm glad I decided to come to meet you," Noah stated.

"Me too," Ava agreed.

They both stood there admiring each other's presence. Ava couldn't hold the urge, she walked up to him and pulled him to a tight hug. Noah was surprised at first but then returned back the hug. They both stood there on the walkway, hugging each other for a few minutes. Then Ava broke the hug.

"Thank you for giving me a second chance."

"Everyone deserves a second chance. Especially you."

Ava blushed at those words.

"Did I just say that out loud?"

"Yup," Ava answered giggling.

Noah looked down rubbing his head in shame.

"See you at school?" she asked.

"See you at school, Ava."

He watched as she entered her home. Thinking how he ended up meeting her. He walked back home happy that they made up.

Ava entered her house to see her Dad sleeping on the sofa. She shook her head pondering how her life came to be this messy. She walked to her room and laid in bed thinking about what could happen on Saturday and what could be the reason for all the supernatural things that are going on. Then there was a sudden knock on the door.