Broken Fantasy

Chapter Eight

"I am not your driver, sit in the front."

C H A P T E R    E I G H T

Audrey's Pov

Light shone on my face making me flinch, the sound of my alarm went off making me very frustrated. Last night I couldn't sleep because of the fight Sarah and I had. I tossed and turned the whole night and eventually cried again because I was upset. Laying in bed made me realize that my best friend hates me and it is the worst feeling that anyone could ever wish for. The person that you grew up with is against you and it's all because of a misunderstanding. But I still had hope, I wasn't going to stop until this marriage is over.

I got up and sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at the time. I still had an hour until school started. I take a long time because I am extremely slow in the morning.

I get ready and sighed. I am eighteen now, legally an adult, and I don't think I ever celebrated my birthday after the age eight. My grandpa and I went out to my favorite place, Enchanted Castle, we waited for my parents but they never showed up. Back then, they stood me up for three years straight on my birthdays. My grandfather tried to reason with me and tell me that they might have had a reason as to why they couldn't come.

Grandpa would tell me that they were out and that they were getting me a gift. When he told me that I got very excited so after we ate we went back home and I found out they weren't home. Grandpa said that they were out buying me a gift and so I waited. I sat in front of the window and waited for hours and hours. My grandpa came back and I remember the look on his face. He looked worried and he sat down next to me.

He told me to get up but I told him that I wouldn't and that I was going to wait for them. He tried to convince me and when it didn't work, he said that he would sit there with me and wait along with me. I remembered sitting next to him on my bench as I looked up at him with my big teary eyes. Five hours had gone by and they still didn't come. I cuddled closer to grandpa and draped the blanket on me.

"Grandpa, I don't want a gift anymore. Can you just tell mommy and daddy to come home?" He tried calling them and said something in a different language that I couldn't understand and it seemed to me that he was angry. He held me close to him and eventually I fell asleep by him.

Ever since then, I never actually celebrated my birthday but I did wish for something every year and that was for my parents to love me. That one day my parents would finally treat me the way they do with Rachel, my younger sister.

I wore my friendship bracelet Sarah had given me, and made my way towards the kitchen. Around this time, everyone is usually gone, while I on the other hand am home alone. I put music on and whip out my pan ready to make my favorite, chocolate chip pancakes. I tried to turn on the stove but it wasn't working.

"Really?" I said angrily but then it turned on and finally worked. I smiled happily and sang softly along a Shawn Mendes song. Kylie has always told me that I had a good voice, especially when I played on my violin. I heard someones footsteps, turning around I found Connor staring at me.

I turned off the stove, and put the pan off to the side, but regretted it when it burned my hand. I hissed in pain, he grabbed my hand and shoved it underneath the facet. I felt the cold water burn through my skin making me shut my eyes tightly.

What is he doing here?

I couldn't figure out why he was doing this. His face showed expression at all but his eyes slightly changed into a different color. It went from an icy green to a stormy blue.

"Your eyes aren't the same color all the same, why is that?" I asked him. Instead, he diverted his attention back to my hand and then looked back at me.

"Where is the first aid kit?" He ignored my question. I tried to ask again but this time he forcefully dropped my hand, and I cried out in pain. He watched me carefully as I held my hand.

"Why the hell did you do that?" I questioned. I shook my hand slightly trying to get the uncomfortable feeling to go away but it wasn't going away.

He stopped my hand by grabbing it with his own and held my hand gently. He dabbed the cotton ball harshly against my burn. I hissed in pain and tried to get my hand away from him again, but he grabbed my hand back, stopping me.

He blows on my burn trying to stop the pain, which slightly eases me. His eyes showed concern as he blew on my hand.

"Stop staring at me, what were you trying to make? I'll help you." I turn my head, slightly embarrassed. I took a deep breath and looked back at him. He's wrapping my hand with gauze and with that I cleared my throat and told him.

"P-Pancakes." He nodded and put the first aid box away.

"I put your box on your balcony, last night. He grabbed the bowl along with the items. He was about to pour the flour in the box but I stopped him midway, grabbing his wrist.

"You can't make it without measuring it." I said worried that it won't come out right.

"Why not?" He questioned.

"Because you can't cook," I blurted out. I remember Sarah telling me how he burned the noodles because he forgot to put water in.

"What makes you think I can't cook?" He questioned and did the unexpected small teasing smile played along his lips. I looked down slightly feeling a bit flustered and he ruffled my hair. I looked at him surprised because this was out of character for him. He muttered something under his breath to which I couldn't understand. He made the pancakes for me, I hoped that it would taste good because he was throwing random stuff on the pan.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" I asked. He scoffed and continued to cook. He moved to the side so that I couldn't see what he was putting on the pan. The smell of the pancakes made my stomach grumble, it smelled so good. He put the pancakes on the plate, put whip cream on top of it, then showed his masterpiece.

"Try it." He gave me a fork and I took a bite out of it and my eyes slightly widened. What did he put in there, now he has to tell me.

"What's in here?" I asked. He shrugged and shook the bottle of whip cream and sprayed it in his mouth. Some of it fell out of his mouth making me laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" He asked. I pointed at his face and he tried to clean it off but he didn't.

"Here, I'll do it." Just when I was about to clean it for him he sprayed the whip cream on my hand stopping me.

"Don't touch me," he said innocently as if he didn't spray whip cream on me. Out of anger, I grabbed the whip cream from his hand and sprayed it on his cheeks and forehead. I wiped it around his face while smirking. It was out of character for me because I wasn't thinking. His eyes widened and he tried to spray the whip cream on me but stopped when we heard a knock. We both looked over at the door to see Lauren smiling brightly.

"Hate to disturb you both but everyone is waiting for you two." Connor's smile that was once there, disappeared into thin air. His face hardened and he breezed his way out of the kitchen and into the dining room.

I smiled lightly, to Lauren, and we both made our way to the dining room. She sat down quickly leaving only one spot empty which was beside Connor and grandpa.

"How did you get hurt, Audrey?" Steve asked, concern laced in his voice as he poured water for Lauren. Steve and Lauren seem nice and then there's Connor. He must be adopted.

"I was making breakfast and I was startled by someone" I said and looked at Connor to see him eating.

"So you cook?" Lauren asked.

"Yes, I do." I answered.

"How long have you been cooking for?" Jullian asked. I look at my parents and my grandparents and nod my head in a 'no' manner.

"Not sure," my grandpa isn't aware because he was never home if only he knew, but I know better than telling him the actual truth that has been hidden for years.

"Chloe, do you really have to eat a salad this early in the morning? You need to eat actual food like Audrey," Lauren questioned. She looked very worried and pointed at my plate that was filled with pancakes.

"Mom, I don't want to be out of shape and I mean look at Audrey I really don't want to end up like her," each word she said was filled with venom and disgust.

"Chloe Ameila Black that is no way to talk to a person. That is very rude of you to say, apologize to her right now!" The nice Lauren was now gone and replaced with an angry disappointed mother.

"I mean she is only stating facts," Courtney said. I looked down at my plate and nodded slightly. She's right and I lost my appetite but Connor had made them for me.

"Facts or opinions that there is no way to talk to a person. You know what if you don't apologize right now you are grounded, actually, regardless of that you are grounded.

"I think that is a bit harsh, honestly, Audrey doesn't mind at all. Isn't that right, Audrey?" Mother asked sternly and I nodded.

"It isn't harsh and how can you say that she must be hurt? Audrey, sweetie don't listen to her you are beautiful," Lauren said. I nod not believing her words. She is just saying that because she doesn't want her daughter to say the truth.

"Now apologize," Lauren's said sternly. Chloe looked at her mother but she sighed and her eyes glared right against my own.

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

"It's okay." I said in return when really it wasn't. I am ugly and it makes sense why she would be disgusted by me because I would be disgusted as well. It hurt that I couldn't even pass as decent.

Time passed slowly I thought. I looked down at my watch and there was still plenty of time before school started. A black envelope was placed in front of me and I looked over to grandpa to see him smiling.

"Happy Birthday, Audriana."

"You didn't have to, it's okay really." I said and he shook his head telling me that it's no problem.

"You've been doing this for years and this time I will not take no for an answer. Buy something for yourself and not someone else Audriana and I mean it," he said.

"No, really. I don't want anything. I am happy right now," I said reassuringly. Right now, I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince him or myself.

"But there is there something that you've always wanted right? Tell me I will give it to," he tried to reason with me and I nodded. This was my chance.

"You want me to be happy right?" I asked.

"Always," he said. Here goes nothing.

"I don't want to get married," I must have caught him off guard because he was surprised.

"I can't give you that," he let out a deep sigh that seemed like he was holding it in for a very long time.

"Grandpa please, I haven't asked you for anything ever. This is the first time I am asking you. I am begging you grandpa...I'm not happy." My voice slightly cracked at the end and he nodded. He looked helpless and upset by my answer. He looked vulnerable and I've never seen him like this before.

"You should get going, you are going to be late we will talk about this later," He said. I nodded and got up from the table but Connor and Chloe got up as well.

"Connor why don't you take Audrey with you?" Lauren questioned. I stopped and turned around.

"It's okay, I am going with K-" someone jumped onto my back causing me to lose my balance.

"Happy Birthday Audrey!" she exclaimed but quickly got off my back when she realized that guests were over.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize that people were here early in the morning." She looked up slightly embarrassed.

"I'll be going with Kylie," I look at Lauren to see her slightly upset. Why is she upset?

"I'm sorry I didn't know it was your birthday," Lauren said. Everyone stopped talking and it was pin drop silence.

"It's okay," giving her a tight smile, I look at Kylie signaling her that we should leave.

"No, it's not, happy birthday." Lauren walked towards me and pulled me into a hug. My heart felt uneasy at the moment so many emotions were running through me that were foreign. I've never felt this before and I never wanted it to end. I've seen mother hug this way with Rachel but she would pull away. I wonder why? This feeling made me feel wanted and loved.

"Thank you, Lauren," I whispered. I bring my arms and wrap them around her hugging back. Pulling back, smiling she caressed the side of my head a little and said something that I never thought she would ever say. "Call me Mom."

I looked at her confused, I nod. I smiled happily for the first time in a long time but everything crashed when I came back to reality.

"Sorry to break the moment but Audrey we are kind of running late," Kylie pointed at her watch and I nodded. I felt my eyes burn but I pushed down the tears.

"Thank you once again." I couldn't call her mom even if a part of me wanted to. Sarah only has the right to call her mom. I shouldn't get caught up with this because at the end I'll get attached to her and that can't happen.

Walking away I grabbed my backpack that was hung up right by the door and made my way out. I let out a deep breath that I was supposedly keeping out. I held onto my chest slightly, trying to slow down my heartbeat.

"Audrey are you okay?" Stopping I turn around and nod.

"Are you sure?" She asked once more.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I reassured her but the look on her face said that she didn't believe me.

"Well, I had to tell you something. The car broke down and if we walk to school it will take about forty minutes and we are already running late." What she said was true and if we go by car it would take less than half the time.

"Let me ask grandpa if I could take one of his cars today." She nodded and I made my way back. Opening the door both Connor and Chloe got out.

"Get in the car, my mom told me to take you both and I won't take no for an answer so I suggest you two come with me," He looked irritated as if we both ruined his day.

"Connor," He turned around and Sarah was making her way towards his car. I look at Kylie slightly worried as to what will happen now. Connor smiled and hugged Sarah.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, completely ignoring me.

"I'll tell you later babe." He kissed her cheek and she smiled as she said something. Kylie grabbed my arm and we both made our way toward the car. Chloe decided to sit in the middle and so we both had to separate and sit beside her. Which was slightly awkward and to make it even more Connor and Sarah sat in the front. I was right behind Connors' seat full in view. He looked at me through the mirror but quickly fixed it so he couldn't see me. Just when we were about to leave Lauren knocked on Connors' window. He rolled down the window slightly.

"Hey sweetie." Lauren said and Connor looked at her confused.

"Yeah mom? Do you need something?" He questioned and she nodded.

"If you don't mind I can drop a couple of the girls to school because it looks crowded back there," she said while smiling.

"It's fine we are already late." Connor said as he looked at his watch.

"I insist," she said sweetly.

"Really you don't have to but if you want to then you can tak-"

"Okay! I'll take Kylie, Chloe, and Sarah." Lauren said. 

I look at Kylie to see her eyes wide open as well. She pointed at her phone and I nodded. She's going to text me.

"Wait what? That's like everyone." Connor said.

"I think I am dropping out of school now"

"Why?"

She looked so scared and I think that I should be the one scared. My heart slightly raced when both Kylie and Chloe both got out of the car but Sarah stayed.

"I think I'm going to stay because I want to catch up and all," Sarah said sweetly.

"No need, you can do it at school come one," Lauren gave a tight smile and you could tell that she was getting irritated. Sarah's angry, I have to do something before she does.

"It's fine, let her stay."

"It's just, I need help with something." She said quickly.

"Then I'll come," I opened the door and was about to make my way towards her car but she stopped me.

"I need her help," Lauren said and Sarah unbuckled her seat belt and got out of the car.

"Sarah where are you going? Come back." Connor looked restless when Sarah got out of the car.

"It's fine, I-I'll go." Sarah gave Connor a tight smile but she looked uneasy. Lauren grabbed my wrist and we made our way towards the passenger seat of Conner's car. Then, Sarah and Lauren went towards her car.

"You planned this didn't you? Well you got what you wanted and that was to be closer to Connor, right?" She said in disgust and her eyes teared up. She walked towards Laurens car and slammed the door shut when she got in.

Why didn't she believe me? We've been friends all her life. How can she think that I would do that?

Not wanting to sit in the passenger seat I open the back door.

"I am not your driver, sit in the front," Connor said rudely. I shut the door and open the front door.

Sitting down I buckled my seat belt and wondered what I was going to do today.