No Guidelines

Chapter 13

16, Nov. 2015 Mon
Adrian

Couples abound this time of year in high school. They were around every corner he turned. It didn't bother him too much but it was something he noticed recurred constantly. It was the same too for every February and May. He walked into the crowded hallway of the 3rd floor. It looked—bluer than usual.

He slicked his damp hair back from the rain and cleaned his glasses on his shirt. On his way to his locker were more flyers posted on the dim yellow walls about the winter formal. To his dismay, Natalie was the first person that came to his mind at the sight.

Adrian reached into his pockets to put on his earphones, keeping his eyes locked on his selection of songs until he found one that fit the mood. The crowd seemingly vanished away and before he knew it he was at his locker, turning the lock and grabbing his books on autopilot.

"Boo!" A rough grab of his shoulders startled him into awareness. It was Natalie with Jacob. His heart raced at the sight of them, but he managed to pull himself together, chuckling at the greeting.

"Jeez guys, scared the shit out of me," he said, closing up his backpack. "Glad to see you guys are feeling much better."

Jacob flexed his arms, stretching his cross-country jacket. It was like he got a smaller size on purpose; solely for showing off his muscles. Natalie still fashioned his worn-out hoodie. On her head was a beanie and she wore a scarf. It reminded him of Audrey's latest outfits. I wonder if they planned it, he thought.

"Never been better," Jacob said.

"Yeah, if anything I feel bad I got Audrey sick," Natalie said. Natalie had a very bouncy Aura this morning, holding her hands behind her back as if she had a question to ask. Adrian was concerned, to say the least, unsure of what to make of it.

"What's up?" Adrian asked.

"We haven't done our study group thing in a while. I still need help, you know."

"I thought that was just for the one test," Adrian replied.

"No way! I wasn't going to get magically better after that!" She playfully shook her head, resembling that of a child. Adrian rubbed the back of his neck. The corner of his lip rose to his cheek as they tightened. He gave it genuine thought. "I'm not sure if I can find time at the moment," he said.

Natalie grabbed his hands in hers, holding them up. Her fingers squeezed his palms gently. It'd be embarrassing for him if she could feel the sweat from his palms. She looked into his eyes, begging him with that look she gave back when she had first noticed him. A pang of guilt hit his chest at the thought of enjoying her touch. At the thought of holding her hand longer. He didn't. He pulled away—back to rubbing his neck. He faked a laugh and caved in.

"Okay, Okay! Only cuz Jacob will beat me up if I don't," he said, nodding to Jacob with a smile. Jacob winked at him, giving a thumbs-up of approval.

"I'd never hurt my little bro!" Jacob said, reaching out his fist for a bump.

Natalie rushed Adrian for a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her scent smelled of her perfume but also Jacob's scent. Not a bad scent, but strong. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Adrian smiled. It was great to see her happy. "It's no problem," he said.

"Great! We'll see you at lunch!" Natalie said. She rushed back to Jacob's arm and the two left Adrian just as fast as they had entered. He blew air from his mouth and threw his backpack over his shoulders. Not far from where he was, was Audrey and the rest of the girls. Minus Danielle—who was probably with her other friend group. Audrey was in her normal cardigan, plus the added scarf and beanie she started wearing. She and Nat must be twinning lately, he thought.

Audrey turned her gaze over to him, and she weakly smiled. Then turned away and blew her nose. It was loud. When he got closer she turned around. "Good morning Adrian," she said. Adrian pressed his lips together to form his signature smile. "Good morning, how are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm fine, doing much better than the weekend," she said. She cleared her throat. From her nose down was hidden behind her scarf. It muffled her voice only slightly. A sudden jolt of enthusiasm struck her, coming from seemingly nowhere. "Guess what tho!"

He couldn't help but smile at her. "Oh, I'm no good at guessing," he said. He paused a moment, exaggerating his thinking face for her. "You got a date for the formal?" flushed cheeks became visible as if her scarf had bled onto her skin. She stuttered her words.

"N-No!" she said. Her eyes glanced to the ground, then back to him. Sam came from behind her, getting close as if she wasn't worried about getting sick. She probably wasn't.

"Looz got a job!" Sam said excitedly. Adrian looked at Looz with awe. His mouth was cartoonishly open wide. "Really?" He asked.

Looz nodded, looking very pleased with herself. "I'm working at a grocery store near where I live."

"It won't get in the way of school will it?" he asked. She shook her head. "I should be able to balance both." Adrian nodded. "Well, congrats!"

Audrey cleared her throat again, announcing her turn to speak. Adrian could hear the phlegm in her throat. "But about the formal, do you have anyone to go with?" she asked.

Adrian felt the blood rush to his cheeks. It shouldn't be embarrassing but it gave him a nervous feeling. One that scratched at the back of his mind. "Me? I don't think the girls are ready for me, too shy—" He was cut off. A random passerby.

"Hey Audrey," the boy said in a passing comment. By the look in Audrey's eyes, she must've smiled. She waved a cute, small– but energetic wave to him. He didn't stay to talk, he just said hi and was gone.

"Who was that?" Adrian asked. Audrey shrugged her shoulders. "I have no clue, people have been saying hi to me more lately and complimenting my singing."

"Wow, look at you," he said. He couldn't help but smile, seeing how happy Audrey looked, how far she had come.

"You were saying about the girls, ladies man?" Looz said to him. She had a cheeky grin, one that flustered Adrian.

"Oh-uh nothing, I don't have a date is what I meant."

"Maybe you could go with Looz, Danielle, and me," Audrey asked.

"All three of you?" he asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You know like a friend group thing," Audrey added. Her scarf bled into her face again.

"Yeah, no funny ideas Parker," Looz said. Adrian scoffed. His face turned red as well, embarrassed at what they must've thought he was thinking about. "No funny ideas here Ms. Nava," he said. He knocked on his head and mocked an echo sound.

"So..." Audrey said. She held her hands behind her back and twirled her foot. It really did remind him of Natalie. Stop it Adrian, stop thinking of her, He thought. "Yeah, sure! It beats staying home alone that night." Although covered by her scarf, Adrian could sense the wide smile on her face, she seemed happy.

"Wait till my mom hears I have three dates for the formal, she'll flip!" he said.

"What did I say, Parker!" Looz said.

"Kidding!"

Authors Note
Hey! Long time no see! I was procrastinating too much. I don't know if it was fear or feelings of inadequacy but I was in a writers block and art block. But I'm trying to change my mindset. If I believe I can succeed and overcome any and all fears then I will do it! 13 is finally done and will be updated weekly on fridays! Working on chapter 14 now (5/19/23)

What do you think of the story so far? Who's your favorite character so far? And questions comments or concerns? I'd love to hear it all!

Songs
Name: Artist
Someone To You: The Banners

Editors
Elem
naomi14
Eric_Authority
My editors/beta readers are amazing! I love them so much and they really help keep me motivated! For the ones that have a Wattpad account please give them a follow!

Next Chapter
Audrey picks out a dress with her mom and siblings