No Guidelines

Chapter 16-2

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Their moment couldn't last unfortunately. The minute the Bell rung for 3rd period,
Audrey Spaced out. Back in her empty sea of darkness—floating until she made it home. Looz dropped her off because her parents were too busy packing.

"So when are you gonna stop ignoring Nat and J?" Looz asked. She was focused ahead
on the road ahead of her and as always was straight with her questions.

"They're better off without me." Audrey replied as she watched the scenery go by.

"C'mon, you know J cares about you and I know Nat does too."
"How would you know that? And since when did you start calling her Nat?" Audrey
turned to look at Looz, only being brave enough to do so because she couldn't glare back. She would if she could.

"Because he's J, he broke up with Kristina for you in middle school just because she
didn't like you—"

"I remember, I was talking about Nat."

Looz blew air from her mouth. "Feisty aren't we today." Audrey apologized softly.

"It's okay, and I know because she's been texting me all week to check up on you," she said.

"She has?"

"Yeah, I told her you just needed space."

Audrey contemplated her recent actions. Maybe she overreacted. "I-I just got tired of feeling like a joke to them. Feeling like–"

"Audrey, babe..." Looz shook her head. She smiled and brushed her hair back with one hand. "I never thought I'd say this but Natalie isn't like that bitch Emma. She's not fake like the people she hangs around—why she hangs out with them I don't know—but you know I'm never wrong about these things."

Audrey was surprised to hear Looz say this. Just two months ago Looz was ready to fight her and now she's defending her. Looz continued, "There's something about her that I like. Like she was exactly who you needed for you to be... you."

Audrey was dumbfounded at what she was hearing. "I was always me, I was happier before everyone else knew me."

"God Dri, listen to yourself. There is no way that you actually believe what you're saying to me is true."

Audrey didn't say a word. Her lip trembled as tears filled her eyes. Looz was right. She didn't believe it. At least not wholly. There were times she wanted her old life, but She liked who she was with Natalie. She enjoyed when people would talk to her and compliment her. Enjoyed doing the things she dreamed about doing, living the High School life she would see in movies.

Sorry was all she could say after reminiscing about the past couple of months. Looz nodded. "It's okay Dri. I just don't want to see you regress."

Audrey nodded and wiped away her tears. "Thanks Looz."

Audrey got home and just as expected her mom was panicking about everything. Just as she does before big events. Her dad seemed stressed too, trying not to lose his temper. "Oh! There she is!" her mom exclaimed. She ran into her for a hug.

"What took you so long! We're running late!" she said, holding Audrey tightly by her arms.

"Honey, we're not late, she got here when she was supposed to," her dad said. Then he turned to Gabriel. "Gabe, make sure your things are packed into the car, we are going now." Gabriel was being pouty, no doubt upset he couldn't stay and be with his friends. Audrey felt bad. She really did try to convince their mother to let him stay but it wouldn't work. She was lucky she even got to stay—even if she decided to ditch the christmas show. Still, Audrey couldn't help but feel that Gaberiel was mad at her.
"Hey Gabe," Audrey said. She helped him with some of his stuff.
"It's fine, I got it." He snatched his bag away from her.
"Look, I'm sorry I wasn't able to convince them to let you stay, I'll make it up to you. okay?"

His Attitude was getting to her but she just hugged him instead of lashing out. She didn't know why all of a sudden, maybe the Christmas spirit, but she just wanted to hug him. This caught him by surprise.

"What! get off of me!" He cried out. he squirmed and wriggled to try and get free.
"I love you gabe, I'll make it up to you. Big sisters promise."

He finally got loose—rather Audrey let him go. He looked annoyed and patted himself off. "You better! Love you too weirdo." That's probably as close to affectionate as they were going to get.

From down the hall, Her father was walking with Kitty's bags. Kitty was zooming down the hall calling for Audrey. In her hands, she held a thin looking present. Like a sheet of paper. It was wrapped only in colorful newspaper. "Audie i have a present for you!" She called out.

"Oh honey, no. Wait for after christmas," her mother said. Kitty shook her head. "No! I don't want to wait, i want her to see it!" Her mother smiled. Even in her panic she still had time to take out her phone and record this moment.

Kitty handed Audrey the thins package. "Here Audie, Merry Christmas!" Audrey smiled at how cute it was. How here little sister thought to get hersomething. Audrey unwrapped it, revealing a crude drawing of her and kitty holding hands. Above, in big little kid writing, it said "I love you big sister!" Audrey couldn't help but tear up for what felt like the hundredth time today. But this time it felt good. She squeezed kitty with so much love.

"Thank you kitty! I love it! It's going on my wall."
Her dad came back in from putting everything in the car. Her Grandma walking in behind them. Panic reared it's ugly head again. Her mom started rushing everyone out.
Audrey was going to miss them but she looked forward to all that quiet time. She needed to reflect asnd re-evaluate herself.  She stood by the driverside window, where her dad sat.

"Your grandma will be back to watch over you in a bit, are you going to be okay?"

Audrey nodded, "Yeah dad, i'll be fine."

He smiled at her and gently pinched her cheek. "That's my girl. I love you."

"I love you too dad, I love all of you!" Audrey waved them off and now she was alone. That what should have been but Natalie caught her eye. She was walking down the street to Audrey.

"Hey," she said causally. Very soft and cautious. "Can we talk?"
Audreys whole body tensed up. Her hands were in her cardigan pocket. Her arms tucked close to her sides as if she were cold. The evening sun warmed the both of them as they stood on Audreys driveway. Natalies eyes glimmered a soft brown in the light. Audrey nodded, "wanna come inside?"

"I can't, just wanna clarify things," she said. She pointed to her house. "I got Jacob consoling Emma at my place."

"Consoling? What happened?"

Natalie struggled to look at Audrey. It was obvious to Audrey that she had been crying and didn't want her to point it out. "We had a little fight," Natalie said.

Audrery stayed silent. She had a feeling she knew what it was about otherwise there was no point in Natalie being here. Natalie continued, "I got angry at how shes been acting torwards you and things got heated and emotional."

"Why was Jacob there?"

"I needed him to help prove to her that you're not the person she thinks you are. After a while we finally worked things through and she wants to apologize to you," She said.

Audrey picked at her thumb Agressively, causing it to bleed. "Then why isn't she here?"

Natalie scoffed. "I know, i knew you were gonna ask that. She said she was too indecent for anyone else to see her that way. But tomorrow for sure."

Audrey didn't buy it. Not for a second. At least not about emma. But she liked that Natalie came by to talk to her. That Looz was right about her and that Natalie defended her to her best friend. She didn't have to do all that, not for someone who wasn't important. 

"So what do you say? Friends again?" Natalie asked. She stood in pretty much the same stance as audrey, Hands in pocket and closing herself off for warmth. She had a smile that looked like it took a lot for her to wear.

"Im sorry," Audrey said. Her eyes glistened but she shed enough tears today. Insead, she smiled too. "I'm sorry i'm like this. I'm sorry i cut you off and I'm sor–" Natalie hugged her. Nothing else needed to be said. She was always her friend.

Authors note
Sorry for any grammatical errors! (Not that I think any one is reading this at this point in time.) I'm just uploading the rest of the story! Almost missed today's upload! Had a busy day and was tired! New update tomorrow!