The Untitled Audrey Project

Untitled Part Eleven

When Saturday rolled around, Connor woke up feeling excited. He never felt that, so he was caught off guard by his enthusiasm. That was, until, he remembered that Keith and Mia were coming. He didn't understand why he felt that way, why he didn't want to hang out with his friends. He never wanted his friends to stay away from him before.

At half past six, Keith pulled his car up Audrey's driveway, fashionably late and already holding Connor and Mia hostage in the car. Connor sat in the front while Mia sat in the back, claiming that she wanted to sit next to Audrey.

"I'll go get her." Mia said as she hoisted herself out of the car and jogged up the driveway. Keith lowered his head to get a better look at her house.

"Man, her parents must be rich." Keith commented while examining the modern home.

"Don't know, don't care. They may be rich but they're not happy. Not when their daughter's dying." Connor muttered, hoping that the theme of happiness over wealth would get through Keith's thick skull.

"I'd be happy if I was rich no matter what else happened in my life." Keith scoffed a laugh, making Connor cringe.

"That reminds me, look what I've got." Keith sang as he reached across Connor's lap and opened the glove box, revealing a black water bottle.

He held it up to Connor. "Vodka." He said and Connor's eyes immediately widened.

"Keith, no." Connor tried to grab the bottle from his hand but Keith quickly pulled back.

"Uh, Keith, yes." Keith mocked, popping the lid up and taking a swig. Almost immediately, Connor could smell the bitter alcohol.

"Are you fucking stupid? If you get caught, you're done for!" Connor exclaimed, aiming towards insulting Keith into not doing it.

"First of all, why are you acting like we've never done this before? And secondly, I'm not forcing you to drink. I can do whatever I like, thank you very much."

Connor responded by exiting the car and walking around to the driver's side. He opened it, making Keith look up at him smugly.

"Get out. I'm driving." Connor said and Keith scoffed in annoyance, but surprisingly listened.

Connor huffed in frustration as he adjusted the seat and rolled down the windows to get the smell of alcohol out of the car before Audrey sensed it and changed her mind on coming.

Finally, Mia came towards the car, still chatting to Audrey who wore a white beanie. Connor felt himself smiling for a split second and Keith noticed, his drink bottle to his lips.

"What are you, in love with her or something?"

Connor glared at him in response.

By the time they had arrived at the carnival an hour later, Keith was already proving he was more than tipsy as he fell quiet, something he usually did before he lost his mind. Connor knew that Audrey had not noticed yet, but Mia certainly had, sending Connor a shocked look after talking to the boy.

Connor wanted nothing more than to leave Keith in the car, take away the keys and let him sleep until he sobered up. There was no way Connor was going to be taking care of him tonight, so it was up to Mia.

"Got everything?" Connor asked Audrey as she leaned into the car, gathering her bag.

"Yep, camera's fully charged." She replied as she pushed the door closed.

Mia pinched Connor's arm and pulled him closer to her. "What's up with Keith?" She whispered through gritted teeth, her blue eyes darting to the boy who was stumbling all over the place.