Mistakes

Mistake #2

Over the course of two years me and Audrey didn't talk much. She occasionally talked to me, but nothing more than small talk. I never noticed the changes in her. She seemed to be shrinking, not literally, but she talked less and less. She never looked up in the hallways, she never raised her hand in class, and sometimes she would disappear for a while. No one knew why, but honestly no one cared. That isn't my second mistake, not caring, my second mistake is much worse.
-<--------------------------------------->-
"I want you all to make a model of the human brain," Mr. Wright ordered his voice reaching every corner of the room." You will work in partners-, no you do not get to choose." He adds as many students' hands shoot up.

A loud groan came from almost every mouth in the class. I looked around the classroom wondering who I might be partnered with. My eyes fell on Audrey, she looked nervous yet relieved, slightly chewing on her lower lip, giving it a slight pink color.My attention was on her for only a moment until I continued to survey the class room.

" Ariana, you're with Drake." Mr. Wright's loud voice bellowed.

" Are you kidding me." Sighed an annoyed latina girl as a caucasian boy approached her with an exasperated look.

" Lavender, you're with Emma." Two excited squeals from the best friends.

After many more names were called I finally hear mine," Jared, you're partners Audrey."

I glanced over to see Audrey, wearing a pale pink floral shirt with a matching hijab that complimented her pale complexion, with skinny jeans that had rips and tears that exposed black tights she wore underneath them through thin threads, she looks nice in pink, I noted to myself. She started to gather her stuff and headed over to the desk next to me. As she sat down she gave me a weak smile that didn't match her eyes.

" So do you know what you want to do?" I asked her after long moments of silence.

" Um, I was thinking we could make a model out of wood, my dad owns a workshop." She answered busying herself by opening her text books avoiding my eye.

" That's a good idea,but I have no idea how to carve wood." I said with a forced laugh as I studied her.

" That's ok, cause I know how." She said slowly finally looking at me, I have to admit I was a little surprised, she didn't seem like the wood carving type, she chuckled at my obliviousness.

" Oh I'm sorry I should've put the two and two together." I said scratching the back of my neck, slightly embarrassed, a few moments later the bell rang and a large group of students rushed past us to get to their next class.

" Yeah it's fine, so I'll message you the address and we'll meet there at six, does that work?" She asked already packing up her stuff.

" Yeah that's fine." I said, but she was already out the door.

-<-------------------------------------->-

Later that day I got a very vague text from Audrey.

"The shops on Rose Street, don't worry you can't miss it"

I have to admit I was a little annoyed that she didn't give me the whole address but she was right, there was no way I could miss it. In front of what would've been a normal building sat a huge colorful sign that just read, " Wood Shop", in neon colors. Other than its blinding sign, it was an ordinary wood shop, it had shelves lining the walls with beautiful, extravagant sculptures. There was one of dolphins, another one an old fashioned airplane, there was one of a little girl with balloons, others with complicated twists and turns to make beautiful sculptures. I slowly worked my way to the back of the shop still in awe of the jaw dropping art. I finally reached the back of the store where I saw a worker in overalls and a welding mask cutting wood with a mechanical saw.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Audrey, I'm supposed to working on a project with her!" I yelled over the loud whirring of the machine.

The worker shut of the machine and it let out a loud mechanical groan before falling silent and then the worker lifted up their mask revealing Audrey. She was covered in sweat and seemed exhausted she set her mask on the table and walked over to me.

" Hey, I was wondering when you were gonna get here." She said with a laugh, she looked completely different. Today she wore a dark blue hijab that matched her overalls, but she almost looked, well, happy.

" Yeah sorry, there was really bad traffic." I lied scratching the back of my neck, I'd spent almost fifteen minutes admiring the sculptures. I made my way inside and noticed a number of other sculptures that looked like they still needed work." Did you make all these?"

" Yeah and all the ones outside, my dad injured his hand a while back so I've been running the shop." She mumbled quietly clearing off a desk for us to work on.

I walked over to the desk and set my bag on top.

" I am gonna grab my stuff I will be right back." Audrey said walking out of the room.

I started looking around, I could see all the unfinished sculptures resting on tables and shelves. There was saw dust littering almost every inch of the room. I ran my finger on the table leaving a line in the the saw dust. I started walking around. It was't long until I noticed two bottles of pills sitting on the cabinet. At first I thought it was her dad's, but then I started reading them. The only words I could really understand were one her name, and antidepressants and anxiety. That's when Audrey walked in. It all happened so fast, I didn't have time to process. I dropped the pill bottles. I heard a loud crack and then the sound of all the pills scattering on the filthy floor.

" What the-!" I heard Audrey exclaimed jumping back slightly at the loud crack.

" Look, I can explain-" I started, but then I noticed Audrey wasn't looking at me, her wide caramel eyes were fixed on the shattered bottle and dispersed on the dust covered floor.

I was so scared that Adeelah was going to yell or scream, but she just stood there staring at the pills. It felt so long, but it couldn't have been more than two minutes, it felt like seconds trapped in an eternal loop. The seconds lasted for days and I could notice her breath was heavy, as if a thousand pounds of weight were pushing down on her chest. I could feel my insides tightening, my chest contracting in fear of what might happen. The weights of the situation pressing down in me. It was moments, horrifying moments, until she finally spoke.

" Please. Leave." She whispered calmly, but anger was hidden deep in her throat I hesitated for a moment, considering apologizing, but I didn't I was to scared to say the wrong thing.

Those moments, those stupid, horrible, moments changed my life.
My second mistake, leaving.