Broken Fantasy

Chapter Three

 "Sorry, I just can't stand clowns who are practically a joke themselves."

C H A P T E R   T H R E E

Audrey's Pov

I look down at my plate trying to get rid of the underlying attention that was diverted to me. I could hear my parents laughing from the other side of the dining table, while I was trying to hide away from the embarrassment that has fallen upon me.   

"So your name is Audrey...right?" I look up to see Connor's grandma. Even though her hair was a greyish white color, she still managed to look classy and young. Her pearl necklace hung from her long neck to her dark blue elegant dress. Her dark deadly, brown eyes glared right into my own. The look that she gave me didn't seem like she was fond of me. 

I could hear everyone's conversation in the background. I felt the cold breeze brushing on my face giving me goosebumps.

Even the wind was mocking me, giving pity, as if it knew that this was going to happen. That this lady will destroy the little self confidence that I have with a couple of words.

"Yes, that's my name." I rub my hand down my thigh breathing slowly. Counting to ten, I gave her a bittersweet smile. I look away to see  Kylie, she's still nervous, more than me and the lady isn't even talking to her.

"Tell me about yourself," the way she smiled resembled a clown and it wasn't comforting at all.

"Like what?" I felt someone's hand against mine. I look down to see my hand grabbing Connor's. His soft delicate hands roughly take mine away from his. I put my left hand underneath my left thigh so that it was set in place. My cheeks burn in embarrassment and I look away.

"What school do you go to?" She took a sip of water never breaking eye contact.

"Aurora West High, ma'am," I emphasized each word slowly, not sure if I should call her ma'am or not. I felt the air shift. Ryder, Connor, and Chloe that were once talking, had stopped. I didn't break eye contact, I acted as if I hadn't noticed it. I take the chicken that was placed in a bowl in the middle of the table and place it on my plate.

"My grandson and granddaughter go to the same school. Isn't that right? Connor and Chloe, and they are in the same grade as you if I am not wrong. You are going to be a senior, right?" I nodded. She's smiling, maybe she isn't that bad after all. 

Everyone knew them, but I don't think they could say the same.

"My name is Courtney, but I only let people I like call me that so keep calling me ma'am for now. Anyway, what are your hobbies?" She put her fork down and folded her hands together. The slight smile that was once there on my face had dropped into a thin line. Ouch.

"Sports, I like to play and watch." I liked to play all types of sports and I was on the team for a couple of them. The only sport that I truly despise is golf. I can't stand golf whatsoever.

"You don't seem the type of person who would play sports," her eyes showed disgust when she looked at my body.

"Audrey dear, you should consider taking care of yourself. I mean have you looked in the mirror lately? Your hair is all over the place. Your skin complexion is absolutely mortifying. The dark circles you have under your eyes are bigger than the planet. You seem to eat way too much than you are supposed to from what I am seeing. It's like you don't even have natural beauty, like, look at Chloe... doesn't she look gorgeous?" I felt the knots in my throat making its way up tightening my neck.

There were ropes around my neck preventing me from breathing. Each breath I would take would come out like a drizzle of a raindrop. It was there but you couldn't hear it. I brought my hand that was underneath my thigh to my lap holding both hands close together.  

Chloe and I are very different. I could see why her grandma believes that I don't have natural beauty. Her dark blue eyes, petite body, beautiful luscious hair, and her confidence. I bit my lip harshly, preventing the knots that were wrapped around my throat from coming out. The burning sensation erupted through my stomach. I looked down slightly, she was right. I was ugly. I have no natural beauty.

I smiled lightly and looked up at her,

"Thank you for your honesty, I will consider the things you have said." I let out a shaky breath and looked down at my plate. Suddenly I lost my appetite.

"Thank god, normally girls would cry over something like this. It really isn't my fault that they look like that. Anyways, I know a good fitness program or if you can't do that, from the way you look, I don't think you can. A good friend of mine is a plastic surgeon. She can help you with your body and your face. It will be a lot of work but at least you will look normal." She chuckled lightly as she took a sip of the wine. She spun the wine in circular motions smiling at me, probably amused to my discomfort.

"Are you kidding me! You can't-" I look at Kylie, begging her with my eyes to stop. She stopped immediately, but that didn't stop her from giving her infamous glare. Her eyes narrowed at Courtney and a smirk had made her way on her face as she slightly sat back on her chair.

"Sorry, I just can't stand clowns who are practically a joke themselves," Kylie chuckled lightly and my eyes slightly widened by her remark. Courtney's expression didn't change one bit. There was still a smirk plastered on her face.

"Apologize right now," Connor's eyes hardened when he looked at Kylie. He slammed the fork onto the table, harshly moving it.

"I'll apologize on her behalf, she is hungry and hasn't eaten all day. I am so sorry," I said making Kylie scoff in disbelief.

"Kylie..." I pleaded. Her eyes slightly widened, her eyes faltering in despair. The expression on her face says it all, she is devastated, but most importantly disappointed.

"You can't be serious are-"

"What is going on here?" I look over to see my mother angry. I flinch slightly taken aback by her tone. No, this can't be good.

"Nothing, we just had a little disagreement, but it is all better now, isn't that right Audrey?" Courtney asked. 

I nodded, confused as to why she would say that. Why didn't she tell the truth?

"This is bull-" Connor stopped when his eyes met his grandpa's and slumped back down in his chair angrily. His head whipped towards my direction, causing me to move back a little.

"Grandma was right, it was nothing," Connor spat out bitterly as he looked right at me.  I shuddered, feeling cold as he glared at me even though I hadn't done anything wrong. The hatred flared through his eyes, his eyes continued to change colors confusing me even more.

"Audrey, why don't you and the kids go to the living room?" I didn't have to look at her. I knew the drill.

"Well, it was a pleasure talking to you, ma'am," I muttered.

"Call me, Courtney," the smile she gave me was out of pity. She wanted to hurt me and she achieved it because I was hurt.

"This way," I motioned towards the living room. It was right around the corner from the living room.

Connor gruffly got up and I took a step back making sure that we didn't bump each other. Ryder jumped onto a couch and Chloe sat down next to him while Connor slumped down on the other couch. Kylie decided to sit on the opposite side of the room. With that, I made my way towards Kylie.

I never thought that I would ever regret sitting down. She pulled me closer to her, so that no one could hear whatever she was about to say.

"Audrey, why didn't you say anything back there?" Her eyebrows furrow and she was bewildered.

"Not sure what you're talking about?" I countered. I tried to avoid the question but it was useless, because the look she gave me made sure that she wasn't going to let it go.

Sighing, I find myself looking at Connor. I was astonished, I couldn't believe my eyes. He was smiling at something Ryder must've said because Chloe was also laughing. His shoulders shook as he laughed, his eyes slightly squinted, but you could still see the sparkles in his eyes.

A strand of his hair slightly fell down from his messy bed like hair and a ghost smile made its way on my face. He wasn't the person I met a couple minutes ago, he was a whole different person now. Now I understand what Sarah meant when she said Connor was a whole different person when he was with her.

What am I doing? Why am I thinking this way? Questions arose and the more I had it made me slightly scared.

I look back at Kylie before one of them catches me staring at them, but I was too late. Kylie had her back against the couch with her elbow plopped on it and her hand against the side of her head. She was studying me this whole time.

"We will talk about whatever that was later, but seriously Audrey, why didn't you say anything? She was clearly insulting you and took it too far. You shouldn't have let her." Her playful tone is now gone and I realized that this was bigger than I had thought.

"Look, I couldn't, okay. I didn't want to be rude to her because she is our guest," I sighed.

"You aren't getting the whole picture, Audrey, she will do this with other girls if we didn't stop her right now. Her confidence will only rise and she won't stop, if you give in easily, she will continue to break you down. If you continue to take whatever she said into consideration. You need to stand up for yourself and-" I cut her off quickly as I felt my eyes heat up.

"There is no point, it doesn't matter," I shrugged and crossed my legs together.

"What do you mean that it doesn't matter? The hell it does!" Her hands clasped, crimson face, lost temper erupted, blowing me away. She was enraged, angry by my remark. I felt them staring at us, ignoring them. I focused on Kylie, trying to calm her down, but it wasn't working.

"Can we please just drop this?" I whispered. I knew deep down she was right but I couldn't. I can't help but take in the words of others. I never said that I would never try. I did try before, but the words wouldn't push past me instead I would soak them in like a sponge. I couldn't help it and I wish I could change it but I can't. Her face falters and she nods in disbelief but she still gives me a slight smile.

"I will for your sake, but Audrey, it doesn't matter if she is a guest, no one is allowed to treat you that way because if you don't say something now she'll treat you like that for the rest of your life," Kylie ran her hand through her hair but stopped midway as if she realized something or in this case said something.

What did she mean for the rest of my life? I mean I thought this was a one time thing but I guess she believes otherwise. But why?

Her eyes slightly widened and her left hand shuddered every few seconds. She's scared, but why? She wrapped her right hand over her left stretching it.

"Do you have something to say...Kylie?" I questioned. I've never seen her like this. I was getting worried because Kylie never has her guard down. It's weird seeing her like this.

"I-I can't tell- I have to use the bathroom," Without making eye contact she got up and walked away.

What is she hiding and does it have to do with something with the Black family? 

I glance over at Connor to find him staring at me.

End of Chapter Three