Adam&Audrey

Rule #6: SOS Please, Someone Help Me

Rule #6: SOS Please, Someone Help Me

I unwrapped the wax paper around my sandwich and took a big bite. Yum. The taste of the tender chicken mixed with the garlic sauce, ketchup, tomatoes, cucumber, salad and the slightly fried bread burst in my mouth and I let out a throaty moan.

“That must be one heck of a sandwich.”

Nodding with my eyes closed, I spoke through a mouthful of food. “It is. I need to tell Audrey I love her more often.”

The sound of choked laughter made me open one eye to see May giving me an amused smirk. Ignoring her I took another bite and leaned against the thick trunk of the (now-bare) maple tree in the university courtyard. Wait a minute – university. May was here? At my university?

Frowning, I stood up from my spot beneath the tree and brushed off some crumbs from my jacket. Using my free hand as shade from the winter sun, I squinted down at her. “What’s up, boss? I thought you didn’t go to college or university? What, did the education monster finally get you?”

She threw a snowball at my forehead, the cold bits of ice separating and dripping down into my eyes. Spluttering, I rubbed a hand over my face, wiping away the cold snow. “I told you not to call me boss!” she said triumphantly.

“Why you little –” Stuffing my sandwich into my bag, I leaned down and scooped up some white revenge with my mittens. Shaping a ball with a glint in my eye, I turned to see May’s eyes widen and her feet begin to move backwards.

“Um, Adam, you know, I was thinking –” Her body turned halfway to go into sprinting mode but before she could make a run for it I lunged, grabbing her around the midriff and mushing the snowball on top of her uncovered hair. She squealed and struggled in my grasp, her foot tangling with mine and sending us both sprawling to the floor where we erupted in a fit of laughter.

“Well, isn’t this a pretty picture.”

May and I looked up to see Nicole standing over us, a haughty smile on her face. Twirling her plaited hair around a gloved finger, she cocked her hip and raised an eyebrow. “So, first me, then Audrey, and now this charity case? I’m beginning to wonder why Audrey felt the need to set you up in the first place.”

I stood up, taking May’s hand and pulling her up with me. The girls eyed each other, fire blazing in their eyes. Nicole was a good head taller than May; her little pink beret and white mink coat clashed with May’s Ugg boots and long fox-fur overcoat.

“Nicole, what a pleasant surprise!” I said cheerfully, keeping a hand on May’s shoulder to keep her from clawing out Nicole’s baby blues.

Charity case, my foot. The steamy French Vanilla scent that was thawing the air around us and emanating from the Starbuck’s cup Nicole had in her hand was all May’s family. Turns out May’s dad wasn’t just the manager of the branch I was now cashier in, he actually owned the franchise. Nicole would be grovelling at May’s feet if she knew who she was speaking to.

The blonde just raised her nose disdainfully and ‘humph’-ed before turning on her heel and stalking off to her little Barbie clique.

I let go of May’s shoulder and she relaxed before tensing again, muttering unintelligibly under her breath, a crease forming on her forehead as she glared after Nicole.

“Hey, forget her,” I murmured in her ear. I turned her by the shoulders and used my thumb and index finger to smooth out her frown lines. Her eyes zeroed in on my fingers before she pushed me away and huffed, crossing her arms.

“I’ve only met her twice and she just – ugh!”

I had to smother a chuckle at her aggravation, but was saved from having to answer as Audrey’s voice was heard calling out my name.