A couple of days had passed and it was indeed true that Aiden had left. There were no leads aside from the fact that he left in such a hurry according to Kylie. It's only been two days but it's already excruciating enough for Audrey that feels like she already has snapped thinking what could be the reason why he left without even saying goodbye to her.
She doesn't even know if he will even be back again and that's making her more anxious than she already is. Now, she's regretting that she even pushed him away. She just wanted to distance herself for the moment but she never thought that she would be getting such a vast distance now. It's making her feel really lonely and angry at the same time.
She had already tried calling him on his phone but it's not getting through. Somehow it worries her that something bad might have happened. She hopes that he's doing okay because if something really did happen, she knew that the regret that she's been feeling might turn into something more hurtful.
She had also tried sending him messages. Be it e-mail or through social media, still there were no replies. There were no updates on his social media account either and it's making her uneasy.
"I can't take this anymore!" Audrey screamed as she took a pillow besides her and buried her face on it. She wanted to scream so hard and let all her worries out but she's way too distracted to even think on how she would do it without disturbing any of Kylie's neighbors.
"Calm down. Breathing exercise. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale." Kylie said.
They're currently inside Kylie's bedroom. They were supposed to talk about how they are going to do their science project now that Aiden is missing in action. But instead it reminded Audrey of him more.
"Kylie it's not working!"
"Try to relax. Inhale…"
"Argh! What's wrong with me?! Why do I keep on thinking about him???"
"I know that you're angry but you need to chill and…"
"Why do I feel so angry?!"
"Because he suddenly disappeared?"
"Ugh. I hate what I feel right now." Somehow, Audrey started calming down as she settles to just hug the pillow that she's been using as a shock absorber. She misses him. She just couldn't admit the fact that Aiden have already taken that much damage on her yet.
"Since our meeting for our 'science project' won't seem to do you any good, why not come with me later at the Chess Club later?"
"Chess Club? Oh your Louie is a member of the Chess Club right?"
"Yes! They're having a party later because it's my dear Louie's birthday!"
"Isn't that nice? Send him my regards. I'll just go home now and clean my room or do something else like cleaning my brother's room too."
"Geez! You need a distraction right? Come with me. It will be fun. You play chess right? You won't be out of placed I swear. They are all nice."
Audrey looked back at her and saw a beaming smile that's almost trying to blind her eyes. She admits that she indeed needed a distraction or a break from thinking too much. She sighed deeply knowing that she will agree at the end.
She then said, "Okay."
The chess club seemed to have really prepared for Louie's birthday. There were balloons, a cake that looks like a chess board and lots of foods. This was the first time that Audrey went here and as expected there were more boys than girls.
"Audrey let me introduce Louie to you." Kylie said with a huge smile as she wraps her arm around him.
Audrey looked at him and he seemed to be a good guy. He's tall, decent looking, kind of charming for his smile is as beautiful as Kylie's too. It somehow made her feel relieved that he looks like he's the type who won't fool around girls.
"Nice meeting you Louie. I'm Audrey. I'm Kylie's best friend. Happy Birthday." She grinned as she continuous to study him carefully. She then gave her hand out and he shook her hand with his.
"Thank you." He smiled.
"A word of advice." She gripped his hand hard as if warning him and added, "If you ever hurt my Gummy Bear here, I'll make sure that I'll be your worst enemy." She then let go as she grinned.
"You have a tight grip."
"Do I? Oh, it seems that I forgot to mention that my brother likes Karate."
"Hey don't scare Louie." Kylie pouted at Audrey who currently looks serious.
"Haha. No worries. I'm only guilty with one thing." He looked at Kylie.
"Huh? What is it?" Kylie back looked at him clueless.
"It's…falling for you."
"Oh stop. You're making me blush."
"You two look cute but I need to leave you alone. Seeing you two makes me remind of a certain someone who I currently want to kill right now." Audrey said.
"She looks serious." Louie looked at Audrey who looks like she's not in the mood to fool around.
"I'll explain it to you later." Kylie place a hand on to his arm as she look at Audrey and said, "Will you be okay alone?"
"Yeah. I think I won't get lost here or anything."
"If you need anything just ask. Well then make yourself at home." They then left.
Feeling frustrated, Audrey started eating some sweets as she observes a game between two members. The game was intense but in the end someone had won. When the guy started asking who would challenge him next, Audrey asked if anyone can play.
"Can I try?"
"You are?" The guy who just won asked.
"Audrey Gray."
"Ah, you're Levi's sister?"
"You know my brother?"
"Yeah. He lost to me like big time."
"If you think you're going to put my morale down with that small talk of yours you're completely mistaken. In fact, I'm currently in such a bad mood right now that I'm so desperate to kill some time doing something fun." Audrey smirked as if provoking him.
"Really? Then let's see who will end up crying then."
After 10 minutes…
"Checkmate."
"H-how is this possible??" The guy asked as he was left with a huge shock as he stares at the board.
"Wow. That was a first time that Mike lost to a girl."
"Yes. I'm so glad I went here today."
"This girl is good."
Slowly there was a ruckus talking about how good Audrey was. Audrey's opponent was still in a state of shock. She then took the King that was lying in the open with her right hand that is currently waiting to be taken away by her.
"You are good but you were too overconfident."
"Let's play another round!"
"Sure."
A couple of minutes had passed. Audrey won again. She looked at her opponent who seemed fatally defeated right now.
She then said, "Mike was it?"
"Yeah. I know, I lost. I just couldn't believe that I lost to a girl."
"It was a good game." She smiled.
"Thanks. If you ever plan on joining the chess club you are free to join."
Audrey then stood up and went to get a piece of cake. She was then followed by Mike. When Audrey sat at one of the chairs near the club's bulletin board, so did he.
"You are Audrey right?" He asked.
"Yes. I think we already know each other's names Mike."
"You actually look familiar."
"What?"
"Have we met before?"