Project Runaway

Chapter 4

Arty and Andrew talked as we walked. Ingrid was whining about a project for Mr. McCaughey's class or something but I wasn't listening. I was thinking about yesterday with Audrey. Technically earlier this morning.

"Young!" A voice boomed my last name. I turned around and Jacob was storming towards me. "Where is she!" He yelled and slammed me into the lockers. I pulled myself to my full height, facing him properly now.

"I don't know. But if you think I'd tell an asshole like you where she is you'd better wake up real soon." I snapped coldly. He slammed his fist into my jaw. I didn't say or do anything, but I did want to hit him back just as hard.

"You were there. Where. Is. Aubrey. Storm." He snarled. Oh no, not Aubrey. She's mine. You won't touch the girl I love.

"I don't know. But I swear to god If you find her, if you lay a finger on her I was find you and personally make sure you never touch another girl again." I snarled back. He slammed his palm into the locker by my face, attempting to make me flinch but failing. He stormed away.

"Young." Landon narrowed his eyes and walked towards me. "You were with her?" I gave a stiff nod and another fist hit my stomach. I pushed away the urge to cradle my stomach. "She superglued my hands to my balls, dude. If I find her-" I grabbed his shirt and narrowed my eyes.

"Join the club of people waiting for me to give a flying fuck about what happens to me with Jacob. If you touch her you're already dead." I said and shoved him back. Ingrid's eyes were wide, so we're Arty and Andrew's. They knew I didn't like to swear. I stomped off until a gently hand tapped my shoulder. "I swear to god If you have an issue with me you can go sit the hell down with the other assholes waiting for me to fucking- Oh. Hi Onyx." I muttered and kept walking.

"Hey. Was she mad at me for something?" She asked while wiping her palms on her jeans.

"No, Onyx. I promise. Just returning the paint prank you pulled on her a few years back or something." I muttered and rubbed my face In an attempt to wake up.

"Will Austin Young please report to the office." A secretary said over the announcement.

"You did it now man!" Andrew yelled with a huge grin on his face. Asshole. But he's my best friend 

"Why is the world against me!" I screamed in response and people in the hallway laughed. I walked into the office and my parents, Audrey's parents and two officers were waiting for me.

"Austin, this is Detective Rogers. Audrey's missing." Mom said gently. I dropped my book bag and shook my head.

"What do you mean missing?"

"She ran away again. Here. She left it for you." Her mom handed me an envelope. I tore it open slowly with my shaky, shaky fingers.

Austin,

    You're reading this so I've ran. Ran away from the town and I'm not coming back. Not on my own at least. You're smart, you'll know where to find me too if you were listening that night. Get your friends, Onyx, then come get me.
 

                     Aubrey Storm

I stuffed the paper in my pocket. "She wants me to go get her with a few people. I'll be gone a while." I said.

"Absolutely not!" Mom yelled. "I second that." Mrs. Storm sniffed haughtily.

"Mom-" She cut me off. "No. Get to class Austin. Now-" My turn. "No, Mom!" I yelled. They all froze. "I need to find Aubrey." Realisation shone on her face. "Honey, you better let him go." Dad said with a chuckle.

"Fine. Go get some money for him Aaron." Mom groaned. Dad left to the bank. "I refuse to let you chase after Aubrey!" Her mother shrieked. "Are you gonna stop me?" I demanded. She struggled for words.

"Go get her." Her dad smiled.

"Three out of four. You loose." I said to her mother. "I'll be back." I said and ran out of the office. I went to Biology and saw all my friends sitting there. "Arty, Andrew, Ingrid! Come on. We're finding Aubrey." I said and they got up to follow me, ignoring the teacher. "Onyx. C'mon." She smiled and got up too.

"What about me!" Liv cried. We ignored her and kept going. I tried not to run back to the office with them and almost failed. I burst in and Dad shoved money into my pocket.

"Find her son." Mr. Storm said sternly.