Project Runaway

Chapter 1

I never thought I'd find myself loving Audrey. She's beautiful, a mystery in a mystery, an adventure. A girl known for her adventures when she ran away. I'm me. Boring, predictable inside predictability, invisible. Now, I believe everybody has their calling. Whatever that may be, she's my calling.

"Man, c'mon. You're doing it again." Andrew said pushing met forward in the direction I was supposed to be going.

"I mean, yeah, you have a thing for auburn but-" I shot Arty a death glare dangerous enough to level any war field.

"Audrey. Her hair isn't even auburn! It's red!" Exasperation poured from my voice.

"Typical. Red hair, green eyes, pale skin. You're in deep shit, Austin." Andrew sighed.

"He acts like he loves her for God's....," Arty froze and looked at my blank but annoyed expression. "Austin!" He gasped. "You're in love with this girl? Man you are in deep shit." He agreed. I was. I was in love with Audrey Storm and I have been for a long time. From the time we got a new girl in our class in fourth grade who picked me for her buddy on the field trip, until now. My senior year in high school at Wauseon. Since we got new neighbors across the almost-too-narrow street with a little red head of loose curls bouncing as she skipped into her new house, and probably until I'm six under. I took a quick peek at her as we passed and time slowed to a near-stop. She was between her two best friends, Liv and Onyx, with her boyfriend Landon a few feet away talking to his friends. Liv had long blonde waves and a thin, tall frame. Onyx had jet-black hair and tan olive skin with a curvy, short frame. Opposites, but Audrey was slightly taller than the average girl and curvy but not as curvy as Onyx. She connected them. She was what made their world spin around. Her lips that naturally curved down were curved down more than usual, obviously in an unhappy look. Her usual bright, glinting eyes were dull.

"Austin!" Ingrid yelled and grinned. She ran and jumped throwing her arms around my neck. I kissed her cheek.

"Injury and Autistic. The only two in the school who still haven't come out of the closet." I looked at Dylan and rolled my eyes mentally.

"Back off, Dylan. Or was it Derrick, since we're forgetting names here and there?" Aubrey's voice was icy.

"Back off Storm cloud." Dylan snarled. "I don't think so Dylan. Go pick on someone your own size. Leave my friends alone." She stepped between me and Ingrid and put her arms around us. Up close you noticed the little imperfections normal people said ruined an appearance. They only accentuated her beauty. The way her bottom lip poked out like she was about to pout. Her top lip a bit too full for her bottom. The splash of freckles across her high-set cheekbones and slightly crooked nose that wouldn't be crooked, if not for breaking it a year back. Her crooked smile. It made her. Dylan scowled and stomped off.

"Thanks Aubrey." Ingrid smiled.

"Thanks." I muttered.

"No problem. Austin. Hey, meet me at the oak in your front yard at 1:44?" She asked. Ingrid shot me a wink.

"Sure. Can I know what it's about?" I asked trying to keep the shock out of my voice.

"Nope." She smiled her pearly whites and crooked smile and ran away, her hair bouncing like a red flag after her.

"What was that about?" Ingrid asked with a stupid grin on her face.

"I honestly don't know, Ingrid." I said as we starter walking again.

"So, can you get through Chemistry with me or are you gonna have that damn twinkle in your eye the whole time?" Ingrid sighed.

"I'll stay with you," She grinned and I rolled my eyes. "The best I can. You didn't let me finish." She ignored me and pulled me off to Chemistry like it was Christmas again in there. We walked in and, unfortunately, it wasn't any different than a normal end of the day. Except it was so much more different than a normal end of the day. I'd fallen for Aubrey all over again the minute she spoke, but then she put her arm around me and my heart stopped. It's unnatural, for someone so.... me to be so moonstruck over a girl so.... Aubrey Storm. It isn't natural. Which makes it perfect in my opinion. Or maybe I'm just too damn far under the water to see the surface clearly.