No Guidelines

Chapter 10-2

5, Nov. 2015 Thu.

  Audrey's heart raced. Her feet stomped as she hurried down the steps. The red scarf around her neck flowed gracefully behind. Her hair matched its flow. A smile broke onto her face even as she struggled to catch her breath. Cold air rushing to her face assisted her run in making her cheeks rosy. She dashed across the courtyard and leaped onto Adrian's back.

  "Hey, you!" she said.

  "Oh shit!" He exclaimed. "Audrey, you nearly dropped me dead." He readjusted his bag as he continued removing the lock from his bike. He gave her a friendly smile, one that quickly vanished. He focused on his bag as he finished putting his lock away.

  "But about yesterday, I'm sorry I didn't make it to the club," he said, "I  just wasn't feeling up to it."

  He waited a moment, letting her catch her breath. She still smiled, her hands clasped together above her head as she took deep breaths. He smiled back at her.

  "Why the rush?" He asked.

  "You've seemed distant lately," she paused, releasing a short shaky breath. "I wanted to see if you were alright."

  They walked towards the school exit. He held his bike to his right side as Audrey followed along on his left. He would occasionally look at her but mostly focus forward. Moving his way around people. Audrey took the chance to just admire him. Observing the tiny details of his face and the minute gestures he'd make.
 
  "It's just personal things I guess. I don't mean to trouble you," he said.

  "It's no trouble at all, that's what friends are for."

  He smiled again, one that didn't match his eyes. Audrey's heart sank briefly, but only for a moment. She focused her mind on her goal.

  "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?" she said, "help take your mind off things."

  A slight change in his eyes appeared. A very small change but it was there; however small it may have been. Audrey smiled and nudged his arm.

  "C'mon it'll be fun!"

  He chuckled, something that felt more genuine to her. "What did you have in mind?" He asked.

  Audrey froze. What did I have in mind?  She needed to think fast and take into account all the luggage they pulled. It'd definitely have to be biking distance. As if on their own, her thoughts wandered over to her arms around his waist as she leaned into his back. A thought that almost made her giggle in excitement.

  Focus Audrey!

"Why don't we just go to the park?" She asked.

  "Alright then," he said. He positioned himself on his bike. "I'll race you there!" And sped off.

  "Hey!" she shouted.

  He stopped in an instant after her reaction. He laughed. "That's for scaring me earlier!" His face held a brighter expression than the ones before. He handed her his helmet. It was nice to see a warmer look on his face.  Off to a good start.

  It was just like her daydream. The perfect autumn weather above with just the right amount of orange and yellow foliage falling from the trees. The chains from the bike made a constant cranking sound, barely audible through the wind flying past her ears. She thought of resting her chin on his shoulder but felt it'd be too intimate. His backpack being in the way was a sure sign of fate telling her she was right about that assumption.

  He stopped at the crossroad just before the park. He took deep breaths. Reaching over his shoulder motioning for water. Audrey removed the half-drunken bottle from his bag and handed it to him.