5 Chapter 5
Audrey stands on her front porch waiting for Elvis to roll up. She waits for half an hour before she gives up and calls his number.
"Elvis? Why aren't you here yet?" Audrey speaks when he picks up,
"Your mother threatened mine and my family's life if she sees me again, remember? I thought you would take a bus,"
"Oh. Right. I'll see you in a bit,"
Audrey hangs up and starts walking to the nearest bus station. She puts her headphones in and puts on Johnny Cash. She's always had a thing for old songs and singers. It makes her feel safe. Makes her feel like she's living in those times when self-absorbed jerks weren't all around. Those times when people around the town knew each other and got along. Those times when kids weren't playing video games every day but instead playing football outside with their friends.
The bus rolls up at the bus station about 10 minutes later.
~~~
She gets to school a little past 8. As much as she wants to skip her class, she has to attend since it's probably one of the last days she'll attend this school in general.
She barges into the classroom, not caring about the looks she's receiving from the students and from the irritated looking teacher. She takes a seat in the back of the class at her assigned seat and takes out her note book and laptop, still ignoring the class' silence and the teacher's piercing glare.
"Ms. Sanders, that was an inappropriate way to come into class," the teacher speaks up,
She mumbles a simple, "Sorry," bored as ever.
The teacher eventually gives up and continues his lesson.
"Are you okay?" Asks one of her classmate from the desk beside hers.
She would like to think that the girl beside her is her friend, but Audrey thinks she's too annoying and doesn't want to be involved with her much.
~~~
The hours of torture eventually end. Audrey walks into the parking lot to meet Elvis finally after not seeing him since last night after her mom had kicked him out. Audrey, though, finds something completely opposite.
Her mother is standing by her car, waiting to pick Audrey up. Audrey groans, the anger that has disappeared throughout the day boiling up again.
Audrey, with complete boredom, says, "What are you doing here?"
"Here to pick you up. Get in," Mrs. Sanders gets in the driver's seat of her car without another word.
Audrey breathes in and out to calm herself before following her mother inside the car.
"I could've taken the bus," Audrey declares lacking eye contact,
"I'm picking you up from now on. No need for the bus' service,"
Now, Audrey is furious.
"I'm not a little kid, mom! I can take care of myself! I'm 17 for God's sake!" Audrey screams at her mom, regretting it the second she does.
Her mother brings her hand up and slaps her across the face before Audrey could process what was happening.
Tears fill Audrey's eyes. She holds her cheek with her hand, looking at her mother in disbelief.
Audrey sits in silence as her mother drives away, silently crying. As she's looking out the window, on her way home, she wonders how bad the Wilsons are that it entirely changed her mother's behaviour towards her just because she's dating a Wilson.
Audrey and her mother get home, eventually, after what felt like years of driving in silence.
Audrey quietly makes her way into her bedroom and locks it. She puts her bag on the desk and jumps on the bed, ruining the styled bed. She grabs her pillow and rests her face on it, screaming from time to time.
"Audrey, please keep the door open. I do not want you to lock it," Mrs. Sanders leaves after leaving a simple message.
Audrey laughs incredulously, unlocking the door, and going back to her bed.
She grabs her phone and leaves a short text to Elvis letting him know about her situation. She also mentions that she is a hundred percent in to leave this town and start a new peaceful life.
