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Chapter 12

When I return home, I immediately head up to my room, attempting to avoid my parent's questioning, wondering if I was alright. Needless to say, I failed.

"Did everything go alright at Harlie's?" My mom asks.

"Well, Arthur's girlfriend's having a kid," I state.

"That's wonderful! Did you sleep alright over there?"

"Yes I did, now can I go upstairs?" I ask.

"If you must!" She responds.

I jog up the stairs and I feel my phone buzz in my back pocket. I pull it out to see Cole's name on the screen, calling me. 'Answer it!' Was my first instinct but then, of course, I remembered Friday. I clicked ignore and continued to my room. I throw the bag with my clothes for the party, into my closet. I then run and jump on my bed, turning the TV on to watch some Netflix. My phone goes off a second time and Cole's name shows up again, I click ignore again and continue watching Ghost Adventures on Netflix. The next thing I know, Cole's texting me, "I know you're ignoring my calls" and "We really need to practice for our presentation" That's what got us into this mess.

I turn off my phone and turn up the volume of my TV, fading off as my head hit the pillow.

"Audrey?" I feel someone shaking my shoulder. "Audrey, are you awake?"

I squint my eyes open and see Cole kneeling by my bed, I internally groan, faced with conflicting feelings. "Yes, I'm awake, that's why my eyes are closed." I reply sarcastically, rolling over.

"Audrey, I know you've been ignoring me but we're presenting tomorrow and we really should practice."

"Last time I checked, we were all set to present." I say, eyes still closed.

"Please just practice once." He begs.

I open my eyes and turn back towards him, lying back on my elbows, "If you insist," I sigh. I still loved him...

"Thank you!" He sounds relieved.

As we practice, he stays standing at the side of my bed, pacing now and then, reciting the notecards in his hand. He rarely looks at me as his eyes dart from the ceiling to the notecards, to the wall. My eyes don't leave him and at this moment, all my anger towards him disappears.

When it's my turn to speak, I keep my eyes locked on my notecards and Cole still paces by my side. When I glance over at him, my words seem to stumble and he looks at me, causing my eyes to dart back to the cards in my hands.

We finish with few mistakes and Cole just stands there awkwardly staring at me. "What?" I ask.

"Good job, I—I'll see you tomorrow." He heads out my bedroom door, pocketing his notecards.

I'm dreading the party.

Monday rolls along and the only thing that gets me up is the thought that Tuesday's my last day... Alright, alright and Cole.

I barely even try today with my outfit; I wear my usual jean shorts and a band t-shirt with my black converse. My makeup consisted of only concealer, foundation, mascara, and lip gloss. I bring only a small canvas tote bag with me to school with a notebook and some writing utensils in it, along with a water, of course.

I grab a coffee on my way out the door, thanking the Lord that my dad had gotten an extra this morning when he came home from the gym. I jump in my car and head towards the school.

When I walk into the school, I'm overwhelmed with a greeting from Harrison. "There's my girl!" He shouts, swinging his arm around my waist.