THE COMPLEXITY IN HER CHARACTER

HIS OBSESSION

Audrey's POV

There I stood in The Hayes garden or should I say AJ's garden totally confused. I felt like the air was denser than usual and it was suffocating me. Indeed the truth is a bitter pill to swallow.

What a dinner it was. I was facing the window and staring at the trees while AJ was driving me home. ‘home', the sound of that made me tummy ache. I didn't know if I should go back home where everyone lied to me including Rosa or if I should stay with AJ who seems rather confused about the whole thing. After he confessed his feelings to me I didn't know when I started to laugh. I really hope it didn't come out as mockery because laughter has always been my pain absorber. It was like in just a few hours there was an outburst of emotion and I really need time to process everything to avoid over reacting but I feel bad for AJ I wonder was going on in his mind. I really want to look at him and tell him that I understand. I want him to know that I'm really not holding anything against him. I promised not to judge him and I think I just did the opposite but I can't tell him now, maybe tomorrow because he needs to understand that I'm not in support of his actions.

Breeze blew towards my window making the curtains dance and the pages of my book started to run. I looked outside through the window of the guests room as I refused to have that conversation with Rosa this night. The weather became windy and breeze started blowing, how fascinating? I really wanted to call AJ just to know if he had reached home safely but I wasn't sure. I should have just told him how I felt about this whole thing instead of making him look stupid. Oooh, poor AJ.

I'm pretty sure I'm not overthinking this cause it's 3am and I'm still staring at my phone in confusion. What should I do?

I honestly couldn't help but stare at the door and my heart was drawn to two things. Firstly to talk things out with Rosa and then ask for help before I do something stupid.

Poor Rosa I didn't even say a word to her when I came back and I didn't say goodbye or even a common thank you to AJ all in the name of my values.

I closed my poem book and put it on the bed stand as I went to meet my Habibi only to find her sitting on the floor by the hallway. I felt like the most wicked person on Earth, her eyes were puffy and red. She was obviously crying for a long time and I didn't think twice after seeing her like that I ran up to her and hugged her as she continued sobbing on my chest.

Hey! it's alright Rosa, this is all uncalled for. I'm really sorry for making you feel bad it's just that...

I know, Rosa interrupted

when I saw the mood you came back home with I knew something was off so I ran up to AJ to ask. He looked so sad Audrey, like someone who's source of livelihood was snatched away. He could barely form a word but he later said something about telling you the truth and it ran a bell. Audrey I'm sorry for lying to you but I just thought that it was best if you didn't know about the sick dare to avoid this but I guess the truth is necessary and it always comes out anyway but Audrey I promise to be a hundred percent honest and transparent to you at all times.

It's all right Rosa I was just trying to understand everything AJ said, he's actually Evan's step brother and now everything finally makes sense except from Evans being brutal to me out of no where. I guess I'll have to figure that out another day but now I really have a bad feeling. Should I call him?

Of course you should just so he can calm down a bit before he hurts himself.

Rosa said that once but I heard it twice, remembering he lives alone in that big mansion and now with a broken heart I hurriedly dialed his.number but it went to voicemail. I kept on trying his line and Rosa called his friend also but none of them were picking up it was literally 4am. They were probably fast asleep but neither of us could possibly sleep. Living the house by that time was insane so all I could do was to pray that AJ was alright, safe and at home.

Rosa and I didn't actually get rest that night but it was morning and that was all we cared about. I really hoped to see him in school today or I was going to drive to his house. Thank goodness that day was games day so apparently I could wear just anything. No time to look pretty today I told myself as I hurriedly rushed into the car and kept on blowing the horns for Rosa who came running with her sneakers in her hands.

There was a heavy silence in the car until Rosa linn broke it by saying it's going to be alright. How could she be so sure, if anything happens to AJ I wouldn't forgive myself. The words felt heavy to come out of my mouth. I packed in the parking space and that's right I drove. Luckily for us AJ's friends were all gathered in one spot so we approached them. Rosa walked straight to Leo and their fingers intertwined. Focus Audrey.

Good morning guys please is AJ in school. What happened? Leo asked me back instead of answering so I repeated myself for clarity sake and Evans replied saying he hadn't shown up and that was when Leo said he's number was switched off so he went to his place before coming to school but AJ wouldn't open the door so he just gave him space thinking he will come around.

What the hell, like how do this boys even think. I gave Rosa a wink which she interpreted as cover up for me because I'm skipping school today so she nodded back at me.

I rushed into the car and drove off almost forgetting to even put on my seat belt and in no time I was there. The fact that he's car was parked well was a good sign. I walked to the front door and unexpectedly found the door opened. I walked myself in and searched the house for a glimpse of him and just then I had a sound coming from upstairs. I followed it and it led me to his room and what in God's name was he smoking.

What the heck happened, on hearing this he raised his head up and looked at me. His eyes were weak as a matter of fact, the once fierce guy I knew looked so weak. So there and then it was crystal clear to me that I am his weakness and his strength, his source of pain and joy. Funny how in just a week I was able to occupy a huge part of him without even. trying or knowing. Realizing that he loves me made my knees grow weak. I fell by his side and collected the bottle of alcohol from him and replaced it with my lips.