The Untitled Audrey Project

Untitled Part Nine

As Connor had expected, the next day he was questioned by Keith and Mia on why he did not show up to the party. He was tempted to tell them that he had a way better time then he would of if he had gone, but instead told them he felt sick. Of course, they did not believe him but he was not questioned about it for the rest of the day.

Now, Connor sat outside the school with Keith under a tree, cigarette smoke in the air. He pressed his back harder against the trunk, exhausted by his school work. He was not used to doing so much work, especially in such a small amount of time compared to the other students. And it certainly did not help that Connor and his dad spent every minute together arguing. Last night, after getting home from the beach, their fight was so aggressive that Connor punched a hole in his wall which sent his dad off even more.

Keith and Connor watched as Mia wrapped her arms around Peter's neck and pulled him close for a kiss. Peter's hands trailed down her waist and stopped at her butt, squeezing it through the black fabric of her skater skirt.

Keith grimaced, before making a sound of disgust. "I'd look away if it wasn't kinda hot." He said and Connor shook his head.

"What's wrong with you, dude?"

"What? Have you not seen porn? It's like a real life porn movie." Connor could not tell if he was joking or not, but Keith didn't smile.

When Connor looked forward again, he saw Mia walking towards them, a proud smile on her face.

"Why do you hang out with him?" Connor asked as Mia sat down in front of the two boys, immediately picking up strands of long grass.

"Stupid question." Mia plucked a tiny yellow flower from the dirt and held it up between her eyes before letting go of it, watching it float away from them. Connor could tell she really was in love, but he couldn't care less. Peter did not deserve to be loved.

"Didn't you see what he did to Audrey?" Connor frowned at the one that was supposed to have the biggest heart as she usually did.

"He didn't know that Audrey was-" she hesitated for a second, "balding, okay?" Mia said defensively and Connor rolled his eyes at her excuse for him.

"So what? You don't just go up to people and do that, balding or not."

"Wow, you and Audrey, huh?" Keith nudged Connor, annoying him tremendously.

"Shut up, I'm just a decent human being that knows it's wrong to do that."

Silence fell upon the trio as Keith and Mia stared at each other, communicating telepathically. Connor waited for them to say something, but all that the two did was burst out laughing hysterically. Keith spat everywhere, spraying both Mia and Connor with his bodily fluids, making Mia screech and fall back.

"Keith! You feral!" Mia wiped at her face as she sat up again.

Annoyed by them, Connor did not respond nor react. He just closed his eyes in disgust, before reopening them to see beyond Mia's head. Audrey walked out of the main building and made her way across the field to get to the other one on the other side.

"Hey, Audrey!" Connor could not stop himself from getting up and jogging towards Audrey, leaving Keith and Mia stunned.

Audrey came to a sudden stop and turned to face Connor as he ran towards her. "Oh, hey Connor." She said, trying her hardest to give a genuine smile.

"Hey, hi." Connor had a goofy smile on his face, which helped Audrey finally smile at his adorableness. "What's up? What're you doing?"

"Uh, I was thinking about going to the library to study-" Audrey said and Connor noticed how pasty her skin appeared to be. It was not the same as last night at the beach, where she almost appeared to glow.

"You okay?" Connor asked with concern, and Audrey cleared her throat quickly.

"Yeah, why?" She smiled again, and Connor felt his own smile falter.

"You don't look too good." He said and Audrey's eyes moved from the ground to over his shoulder, then back at his eyes. She looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Well, I am sick, Connor. It's hard to look good when you don't feel good." Audrey chuckled as if it was funny.

"Right, sorry." Connor slowly looked over his shoulder to see Mia and Keith watching them with curiosity. "Uh, is there anything I can do?"

Audrey shook her head. "No, I'll get over it eventually. Thanks, anyway. I better get going." Audrey moved to walk past him but Connor gently grabbed her arm.

"Wait, I don't think you should be alone." He said before letting go of her. "Come sit with us."

"Are you sure?" Audrey did not look too sure as she glanced quickly at Connor's group of friends.

"Yeah, come on." Connor walked first, expecting Audrey to follow immediately. When he looked back to see if she was, she still stood there. He gestured for her to come, and she hesitated at first but finally did.

Connor reached his friends first, and told them to "be nice" quietly, making sure to send the message to Keith especially.

"Audrey, hey!" Mia was the first to greet her as she sunk down between her and Connor, a friendly smile on her face.

"Hi, Mia, isn't it?" Audrey asked unsure.

"Yep, that's it. And that's Keith." Mia pointed to the brunette who did not appear to be himself. He looked contained, and barely smiled.

"Hey." He said.

Awkward silence washed over them, before Connor decided to be the first to break it.

"So, uh, what do you think we should film next?"

"I don't know how far you're willing to go," Audrey thought for a second, "but I saw an ad for a carnival happening this weekend?"

Connor nodded in agreement. "That sounds good, I think we could film some really good things there."

Keith cleared his throat on purpose. Connor narrowed his eyes at him.

"What about us?" Keith asked.

"Oh, sure! You two can come if you want!" Audrey chirped happily.

"But it's for a project, so you better not mess us up." Connor added.

"I'm sure he won't." Mia said as if she was the parent of Keith.

Keith mumbled something before pulling out an unlit cigarette from his jean pocket. As soon as he placed it between his lips, Mia signaled for him to put it out by shaking her hand towards her neck. Keith's eyes traveled to Connor who looked irritated, then to Audrey who stared down at her lap uncomfortably.

"Sorry." He finally said as he placed the cigarette back into his pocket.

"No, don't be sorry." Audrey said, looking up again.

Once again, awkward silence. "Okay, so Saturday it is then?" Mia asked as if this plan revolved around her. Deep inside, Connor really did not want Keith and Mia to come as he felt that they would embarrass him and Audrey and also get in the way of filming.

"I'll pick you all up at six." Keith said and Mia pinched his cheek.

"So generous." She taunted and Keith whacked her hand away.

He wasn't a believer, but Connor prayed to God that the day would go well.