Living Arrangements

Chapter Ten: Go away

CHAPTER TEN: GO AWAY

Caroline groaned at the sound of the doorbell and dragged herself down the stairs half-heartedly.

"You're coming out like that?" Aubrey asked incredulously, glancing down at Caroline's dishevelled pyjamas.

"Out?" Caroline repeated sheepishly and although Aubrey tutted, Caroline could see the amused smile she was trying to hide.

"Guess we're staying in then." Reaching up, she unravelled her scarf from around her neck and Caroline opened the door wider so she could step inside.

"Hold the door please." Aubrey glanced back curiously at Caroline, who was currently staring at the girl running up their pathway with a mixture of confusion and resentment.

"Michelle, so great to see you again." Drake jogged down the stairs behind Caroline to take the girl's bag and coat and she smiled awkwardly at Caroline, whose eyes narrowed into slits.

"Hope you don't mind," Drake called out as Caroline turned to walk up the stairs.

"I invited a friend over." Aubrey saw her body stiffen a little, but the movement was so small she doubted Drake had noticed.

"Why would I mind?" Caroline continued to her room in silence, falling dramatically onto the bed the instant Aubrey had shut the door.

"Of course I flippin' well mind you idiot." She grumbled under her breath, wishing she'd had the confidence to say it to his face. It was like last year all over again. Sitting gently beside her, Aubrey slung her arm over her friend's shoulder comfortingly, unsure what to say.

"Can I ask what happened? You guys were getting on so well yesterday." Caroline paused hesitantly. If she told Aubrey what Drake had told her, she'd only live up to his accusation of being untrustworthy. He may be acting like a jerk to her right now but it was his story to tell, not hers.

"He told me about his past." She deliberated over her words slowly, careful not to give away anything specific.

"Then yesterday, when that guy was an absolute douchebag, I didn't stick up for him because I wasn't sure that he was ready for anyone else to know." Aubrey's face became pitying and Caroline looked away.

"You did the right thing Caroline," Aubrey assured her,

"and Drake will be able to see that too, once he stops sulking." Caroline smiled, amused by how childish her friend was making him sound. Then again, when she thought about it, she was being quite childish as well.

 "I just don't get how he managed to make this my fault." She thought out loud and Aubrey smiled lightly at her obliviousness.

"Because he likes you and guys always have to turn that into something way more complicated than it is."

Caroline remained silent, but Aubrey had noticed the faint blush that had risen in her cheeks at the mention of Drake's feelings for her.

"and judging by that look, you feel the same way and you're being just as much of an idiot." Caroline pursed her lips in embarrassment and Aubrey rolled her eyes at how ridiculous people could be sometimes. She'd never understood how relationships went through so many problems. She'd always assumed that if the two people really loved each other, they'd be able to overcome anything.

"I shouldn't like him." Caroline finally replied, her voice almost silent.

"He's nothing I ever wanted in a boyfriend." Aubrey laughed, earning her a sharp glance from Caroline.

"Really, so he's not hot, funny, clever, honest..." She trailed off, clearly able to tell by the look on Caroline's face that she'd made her point.

"His image isn't what you expected in a boyfriend." She corrected her, standing from the bed as the look in Caroline's eyes became distant.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Caroline nodded, a small melancholy smile spreading across her lips. Aubrey grinned and exited her room, shocked to bump into the same girl who'd chased them into the house.

"Sorry." She apologised hastily before running down the stairs and out of the door. Aubrey glanced back to the guest room where Drake was staying curiously before a small smile appeared on her face and she followed the girl out of the door.

* * *

Hearing the front door slam, Caroline lay her head back on her pillow softly, bending her legs and curling her toes into the mattress. As much as she wanted to believe everything Aubrey had just said, she couldn't bring herself to hope.

Drake made her feel things she'd never felt before, in good and bad ways, but the fact that he couldn't trust her seemed to overpower everything else she felt at the moment. It still didn't feel like she'd done anything wrong and couldn't bring herself to apologise for something that was his fault.

 Pausing outside Caroline's door, Drake thought for a moment. He may have been a little rash in his accusations against Caroline. Neither of them had handled the situation in the best way, which was odd for her. He'd always known her to be so collected and organised and yet when he'd been with her, she seemed frazzled and nervous.

He couldn't help but hope that some of that was his doing, that maybe he affected her more than she was letting on.

Shaking his thoughts from his head, he pushed open her door, smiling at the sight of her lying still on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"I thought your friend would still be here." At his voice, Caroline raised her head and smirked coolly at him.

"I would've thought the same." She replied and Drake returned her smirk.

"Nah, I only needed something from her quickly."

In truth, Michelle had accidentally picked up one of his textbooks and he'd needed it back, but it was just so damn fun to see Caroline's reaction. Her cheeks heated, her eyes narrowing at him quickly before she glanced away.

 "Please go away Drake." Her voice sounded weary and Drake stepped forward instinctively before realising what he was doing.

"What, no witty comeback this time?" He asked, meaning for it to come out playfully and grimacing at how much of a dick he'd sounded.

"Go away!" Caroline yelled and Drake could've sworn he saw a flash of sadness as she glared at him. Nodding, he stepped backwards into the hallway and closed the door, leaning his head against it for a moment before walking away.

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So, I hope you enjoy the update but here's the thing. I have GCSE's coming up in a fortnight and they spread out over the next month, maybe two. I will be trying in my spare time (what little I have) to finish this book, since there are only five or so chapters left. However, after that, I will not be uploading or online for a while. At least, I shouldn't be. If you see me here, please tell me I should be revising lol.

Anyway, enjoy

- Lena