Murderville - Audrey Jensen

Chapter 4 - Stars

(Warnings : Mentions of mental health issues, mentions of death
Word Count : 2122
Song : Youth, Daughter)

Vicki threw a handful of popcorn into the air, twisting her head this way and that to try and catch every piece she could. Despite her best efforts a few kernels managed to find their way into her hair and onto her jumper.

Audrey watched with an amused look on her face. The resemblance between the girl and Noah was hilarious.

"Attractive" She snorted, making the ginger finish her mouthful, a light blush on her cheeks.

"Sorry" she apologised, quietly "It's something I've done since I was a kid. I know it's a bit weird but-"

"It's more fun that way?"

"How did you know that?" Vicki frowned, leaning forward "Can you read minds?"

"It's something Noah does" Audrey explained, shoving the girl lightly on the shoulder "And he always gives the same dumb excuse"

"Must run in the family"

Vicki hopped up onto the counter, reaching her hand back into the box of popcorn with a sigh. She had felt sick to her stomach all day, but the snack felt strange in her mouth. She was eating it more for the texture than the calories it would give her. Popcorn had always been one of her favourites. And her brother's.

The thoughts of her brother turned the sweet taste in her mouth bitter and she stopped eating, grabbing a napkin to wipe her fingers and her face. After a few short conversations, the pair had arrived at Audrey's work. Her shift wasn't till much later but if her father found out she'd skipped school just to go home he wouldn't be too pleased, so she had called her boss and picked up an extra shift. The small girl had brought Vicki to the counter and let her mull about, paying for some snacks for her to munch on whilst the two sat in a comfortable silence. They had compatible personalities, quiet and brooding, meaning there were fewer awkward silences compared to their drive in. They'd finally worked out how to be comfortable around each other after a few hours just the two of them. But one thing was still annoying Vicki in the back of her mind, making the girl trail her fingers over her jeans in a calming motion. She was unsure how to address the problem without coming across rude or offending her new friend.

Luckily for her Audrey seemed to sense there was something locked inside that big brain of hers, some question that begged to be answered.

"You okay, Carrots?" The girl had been using the nickname to pester the girl for the past few hours, trying to make her crack a smile. It didn't exactly work, but it definitely made her feel better.

"Don't take this the wrong way..." the girl started, trying to find the right words "But why am I here?"

"What do you mean?" Audrey frowned, crossing her arms over the counter top.

"Why did you take me here?" Vicki asked "Why did you offer me a ride home? Why did you even care?"

Audrey thought for a moment, chewing at her lip nervously.

"I saw that look, when you ran into me" she confessed "Like you were about to crack. It's the way I've felt all day"

She paused, inching a little closer.