Respite - HS

In Case I Fall...

Harry Styles.

"So, you're telling me, you've lived here for almost your entire life and you've never been ice skating?" I ask in shock as I walk throughout Audrey's store. 

This past week and a half I've spent pretty much every day with Audrey. 

It's been the most fun I've had in a long time.

I practically know the whole store like the back of my hand now. I still have trouble around town sometimes so I make Audrey come with me anytime I have to go somewhere. She's even introduced me to the other locals and I've managed to make a couple friends.

So far my break from work has been nothing but bliss.

Audrey smiles, organizing a stack of records, "I never said 'never been' I did it once and broke my arm. Haven't since then."

"When does their flight get in?" She asks brushing past me. Her hand resting on my side to signal her presence behind me. I catch the smallest whiff of her perfume and I can't seem to think straight.

"H?" 

"Oh uh, four I think." I smile at her weakly. 

Audrey squints her eyes at me but nods. 

"I'm excited you're here for all the traditions. I'm always a third wheel, I never have anyone to partner up with for stuff." She beams, moving to the counter to count the register. 

The whole time we've spent together none of it was spent talking about Max. 

It honestly seems like a sore subject, but I can't help but feel bad for spending so much time with someone's girlfriend.

I clear my throat, "So how long have you been with Max then?" I bite the bullet and ask.

In a matter of seconds I can see every wall I've worked to break down, stand straight up again, hiding the Audrey I've come to know. 

She stands up stiffly, "Oh. Uh we've been together almost a year." 

I walk closer, "How'd you guys meet?"

She doesn't make eye contact with me, "He's from Denver. That's where my parents and I moved when I went to school. We met in our math class."

I nod, taking in the information she seemingly does not want to share. 

"Aud?"

She looks up at me across the counter with a pained look on her face, like she was just reminded of something she's been trying very hard not to think about.

"Is everything okay? Like with the two of you? I know it's not my place but... you seem upset." I settle on. 

Her eyes start to get teary and it takes everything in me not to collect her into my arms.

"Uh, yeah, yeah. It's all good. Thank you for checking on me though." She laughs humorlessly and I frown.

I'll let her lie, but we both know that it's not good and there's definitely been something going on.

I walk around the counter slowly and tug on her hand, bringing her closer to me. "You can talk to me about anything you know that right? I know Serena's your person and everything, but I hope you can see that I'm here for you just as much as she is."

I go to hug her but she stops me, hands shaking. "No. Please don't." 

I try not to let her rejection sting. I'm a very touchy person, it's the only way I know how to comfort people. Her shaky hands go to wipe the one stray tear off her cheek before going to tuck and untuck her hair behind her ear.