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Chapter 15-7

Audrey

Everything seemed to float around her, as if the world existed outside her presence. As if she wasn't really there, only just watching from a screen. She waited for Adrian to respond since his messages kept her company. She broke away from Jacob and the others to take a breather.

Everyone was outside, sitting around a fire, roasting marshmallows and laughing the night away. Natalie was gone for a while—still presumably upstairs with Emma and Micah. Audrey sat opposite to a couple in the living room. They were too busy making out to notice her. She went on her phone to read while she waited for Adrian.

Finally, she received a message.

Messages

Adrian: Sorry for the lag, was eating dinner with Mom and Grandma.

Audrey: Its okay.

Adrian: How goes the party?

Audrey: Nats with Emma and J is with the Lacrosse guys outside.

Adrian: Left you for the wolves did they?

Audrey: No, They wouldn't. I hope. My social battery just needed a break.

Audrey sighed and looked at her surroundings. Alone again except for the couple in front of her. Amazing how two people can be so engrossed in each iother that they don't notice their surroundings. Laughter from outside caught her attention again. It looked fun but she just felt empty.

She stared at her phone, waiting for Adrian to respond. Wishing that he were here. She looked up again at the couple. It was awkward just being there. She wanted to move—But in truth, she was captivated. Captivated by their love and passion. She wanted that too. That could be her and Adrian. A buzz from her phone brought her back to reality. No one saw her but she still felt embarrassed she spaced out in their direction.

Messages

Adrian: is it actually or you just don't want to be around them?

Audrey: Maybe...

Adrian: maybe?

Audrey: Well i do want to be around them but i just feel like an outcast.

Adrian: then why don't you join them? Add to the conversation?

The answer was simple. She didn't want to. She liked being ignored because it gave her more time to text Adrian. It frustrated her to not have him here. Or any of her friends. Why wasn't Adrian invited? Or Sam? Or Looz or Dani? Why was it just her alone?

She looked at the other kids around her. Laughing and drinking like they didn't have any other care in the world. Living life like nothing else mattered. It did seem enticing to Audrey but she wanted that with Adrian. She wanted to laugh away the night—the stresses of school and grades and life—-with people she wanted to be around. With him.

Messages

Audrey: Maybe i just enjoy your company..

Adrian: want me to pick you up?

Audrey: Could you?

Adrian: no, sorry. Bad joke, my bad.

  Audrey rolled her eyes at that but snickered to herself about it. How cute, she thought. The couple must've had too much to drink because the boy started groping her chest. Audreys face turned redder than ever and her eyes nearly popped out of her sockets. She was about to get up and go when Chris came in.