Stranger Love (Discontinued)

1: First Day Back

Audrey's PoV

I sit in the schools gym weight lifting while other done gymnastics, athletics and even yoga or whatever it is. Music playing through my earphones has be buzzing, blood boiling and pumping around my body quicker than last week. First day back at school and the first thing I'm asked is I was okay. Of course I'm okay. They keep asking me, telling me I should at least see a therapist, talk about it with someone. Well, I simply said "fuck off" and that was that. Everyone in my year has got that reply. Not only is that bothering me, but Stacey is getting the same amount of attention from her friends because she's had several breakdowns for the pass three weeks.

I'm not jealous of her getting attention. The rich bitch always gets attention. It's the fact that the breakdowns she's having are due to my sister's suicide. She never hung out with my sister! They never even talked! Stacey never said a word or acknowledged my sister's existence. So why the fuck is she upset about her death? I've asked several times but got no answer. I know I can be intimidating but if I knew why then I'd be less of a bitch to her. Jessica never even got this amount of attention after disappearing for two weeks without a trace. No one knows what happened or where she went during that time but she's never took part in gym since. She's still as confident as usual, though.

I notice a few guys staring and pointing to me. Smirking flirtatiously, as if I'm interested in their all muscle no brains shit. I fire my middle finger up at them as I continued, causing them to laugh at me. I then look to a boy who done table tennis with a jock who was somewhat smart. The kid was skinny and fragile looking and very nerdy. Light brown hair all curly and short. He's what most would call a weirdo and a freak. I do but I like him. Something about him is cute but telling him about it is more challenging than I thought. Unlike him, I'm a punk who many people fear as I'm known for being a bit aggressive sometimes.

I finish up and down my bottle of water. I'm sweating buckets and my arms sting but the feeling is beyond great. It means I'm doing it right. It helps with my anger, helps me calm my nerves. I take out my music and head into the changing rooms, grabbing my towel and soap and heading to the showers. With my bag. After a quick clean, I'm out and sitting on the bench to dry out naturally with the towel around me, of course. I have a cigarette lit between my fingers as I sit and stare into space. "You shouldn't be smoking in here," says a familiar voice. I turn my head to see Taylor who was a brunette, same height as myself. A rich kid who likes to rub shit in people's faces and flex her life onto others.

"Fuck off," I say. "I don't need to. I'm here to change." "Yeah, and look at you now. A snobby little bitch who treats everyone like a slave," I reply. She scolds me with that funny look of her. I know she got the joke and I'm sure she'll be laughing at it later. "You can fuck off now," I say. Taylor throws up her hand and walks off. I never understood why she is who she is. I assume she gets that shit from her parents who are more posh than her. The Richest family in town is her's so I believe it's some sort of fear she has of disappointing her parents.

I'm a few hours later, fists bruised and painted a little red. I couldn't take her shit so gave her a lesson. Blaming me for my sister's suicide was a huge mistake because I loved my sister. She was always there to try and cheer me up. Made me forget about the troubles I faced before such as possible depression and suicidal thoughts. She's really helped with that. I don't want my parents feeling the pain of losing their children. Losing Sophie is difficult enough. What's worse is we don't know why she done it. No note. No text. No message of any kind.

Dad sat in the dining room looking like someone who thinks they've failed everyone. Mom's just the same. They've been quiet recently as expected. I'm not sure if they're worried about me or not and I honestly don't want them to. "Hey, dad. You alright?" I ask as I head into the kitchen to clean my hands. "What have we told you about the fights, Audrey?" He sighed. "Taylor accused me of pushing Sophie. You think I'm just gonna stand and take that shit?" I ask rhetorically. "Fair point... As long as you didn't hospitalize her."

His eyes had dark patches under them and the whites of them where a tad bit red. A few alcohol bottles and cans sat around empty and the piano books sat on the pianos little stand collecting dust. He hasn't had the motivation to play in a few weeks. Mom tries getting him to play something but her can't. He physical can't. I fill a glass of water for him and sit it in front of him. "She also called me a dyke," I say quietly before walking on and up to my room. I light another cigarette and throw my jacket on the hook by my door only to then sit by my window and look up to the clear blue sky.

A small flickering white dot sat against the blue background. It only appeared a few days ago and scientists say it's a meteor no bigger than a mini van. Heading straight towards us with no slight change in direction. Everyone in Burrough Woods finds it amazing to see as it's always there until the clouds show up. I've seen Jessica gaze out the window a few times in class, admiring the single lonely star during the day. I find it amazing, a great photo opportunity when the morning sun hits her face, making it seem like the farm girl was an angel in disguise.

I turn my head to face my mirror on the other side of the room. The woman I see isn't attractive. Taylor is right. I really do look like a dyke. Black punk outfit, a few tats here and there. Piercings on my ears and nose and short white puffed up hair that only adds to the villain like appearance I have. I'm also quite muscular but I'm smaller than Jess who's, at most, six foot two. Tallest girl in school. I'm only five foot seven. I sigh and move to my bed after finishing my cigarette. Thinking about Jess is somewhat normal now even though we haven't talked to eachother. Sometimes I'd catch her looking at me from a distance but I'm sure it's just coincidence.

Did I mention every guy wants to be in bed with her? I understand why. She's naturally attractive, even with a load of freckles, a little bit of acne and a slightly scarred jaw. Her skin is softer than a babies. Hair voluminous and pale cream-like blonde reaching down to the middle of her spine. She reminds me of my sister in a way but Sophie was more chatty and active. Jessica is just... Not who she used to be. Speaking of Jess, I receive a message from her. How did she even get my number? Ugh, probably my mom. I know they met in the hospital once.

"Were you paying attention in McGregor's class?" She asks. I smile a little, first time in a while I properly smiled without forcing it. "Surprisingly, yes," I reply. "Good because I don't know what he said after the introduction. I need to know so I can finish this homework we were given." Homework? I don't remember getting- oh wait, I left early. I blame Taylor for that. "I forgot about the homework. It'll be better explaining it in person. Wanna hit the library in an hour? Doesn't close 'til  eight." I wait a minute in silence. The thought of Jess not doing homework is honestly funny. Forgetting about it to.

"Not sure if that's a good idea. A farm girl hanging out with the so called witch of Burrough Woods?" I laugh a little out loud, probably scaring the shit out of dad downstairs. "If I'm a witch then I guess I'll have to cast a spell on you. Come on, Jess. Just for an hour to catch you up." I stupidly added a winking face and I regret it more than I regret getting a nose piercing. I don't want her to think I'm into her or something. Is it even flirting? Shit, did I actually flirt with her? Damn, I'm getting more tired by the day.

"What? I mean, sure. Okay. See you soon, Audrey." I slide my phone away and spray on some perfume, pop a mint and throw on my jacket then head downstairs. "Leaving already?"  Dad asks. "Meeting with someone from class. They need help on something. I'll be at the library," I say before leaving and climbing into my black Cadillac. The car I originally wanted was pass the budget. This was close enough to what I wanted. I'm oddly nervous to meet up with her. I've not hung out with anyone in over two maybe three years. I've been lonely, only ever had Sophie. Maybe having Jess around might improve my mental health. Only one way to find out.