The Complex Law: Young Adult Dystopian Page-Turner (The Complex Trilogy Book 2) by Heather Hayes

Author:Heather Hayes [Hayes, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AH Digital FX Studios, INC
Published: 2018-10-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The next day is rainy and gray. We stay inside and try to find any information on Avra's parents that we can on the computers. We find a newspaper article with a list of parents who had signed a petition to get their children back the year we were taken.

"Did the petition change anything, Ernestine?"

"No. The petition amounted to nothing."

"At least we know that these parents want their children back."

"I know almost every name on this list. I was the one who riled them up. I'll go check on the three names I don't know. We'll hope one of them is Avra's family."

After a four-hour jaunt outside, Ernestine returns sure that the unknown people aren't Avra's parents.

"What does that mean, Ernestine?" Avra sobs.

Ernestine wipes the tears from Avra's cheeks. "I'm guessing that your parents just aren't the type to cause trouble. They accepted the government's ruling and moved on."

"They didn't want me."

"No. Don't tell yourself that."

Avra lays her head on her arms at the kitchen table. "It feels impossible."

"Well, we aren't giving up. I will personally visit every last name on the complex's affected family list even if it takes years. You, and your parents deserve to be reunited. Fourteen years is—so long."

Avra starts sobbing again. "Th-thank you."

I wrap my arms around my best friend and let her cry on my shoulder. I meant to find her parents first, but she will be last, if we find them at all.

"Let's go in our room. I want to braid your hair."

"Okay."

She plops down in the chair at our vanity and refuses to look in the mirror. "Avra, are you okay?"

"Not really."

"How is the new medicine my dad gave you working?"

"It's fine. It works a little bit better than the complex medicine. I'm still too weak to go to visit parents though."

"I think the timing has been unlucky for you. You'll be strong on a visit day soon."

"I hope so."

"How are your cooking lessons with Freda going?"

She smiles for the first time today. "Cooking with Freda is the best. She is so nice, and we make the yummiest things ever. Did you like the three-layered brownies we made yesterday?"

"Yes. I ate three of them."

Avra laughs. "Maybe that's why we didn't get snacks in the complex. People like you can't control themselves."

I laugh too. "Yeah, probably. Don't make them so yummy next time."

"Will you paint my fingernails, Elira?"

I think longingly about Garth sitting in the great room for a second, but I want to support my friend. "Okay, choose your color."

•

The next day Mom and Dad bring down hot cheesy sandwiches and smooth red soup for lunch. They seem really happy today. They both hug me and then each other. While they are so close they lean into each other and touch lips. All of us teenagers watch the whole exchange and sort of jump in surprise. I feel intrigued and embarrassed at the same time. It's so weird.

My dad breaks the uncomfortable silence. "What's the matter? Have you guys never seen a kiss before?"

Rocky clears his throat.

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