Audrey
I still can't believe that it happened, but I guess that I should just let it go, but it's kind of hard when your grandparents don't understand that you and your boyfriend from when you were in high school have broken up THEN, and they keep sending you "Congratulations!" cards about your anniversaries from first year anniversaries, to, again, 7th.
I sighed as I trashed another one of their emails and went back to my blueprint that I had copied on my laptop from work. Yes, I know, work is done at work, but call me a rebel, a nerd rebel, but I actually find that I do my best thinking at home when it's nice and quiet. To be honest, that's how it's always been since my very first job, but now, since I had to move back home, New York City, I wasn't not too sure if I was going to stick to that tradition... The cars and taxicabs from outisde are pretty loud, not to mention the people, too.
Yes, even though that's the town that Vince and I had dated, but I finally decided to move back to New York, in a beautiful penthouse until I can settle in a house. There only a little problem, my neighbours were apparently the "Anderson's" and I'm guessing that means that Vince must of gotten married with a beautiful girl (or Joanna) and had children (or not because of Joanna)
Yeah yeah, I get it, I can hold a grudge. Oh, who's Joanna you ask? Just a girl who Vince cheated on me with on our one year anniversary. That's who.
But at least I'm not the kind of person who leaves broken hearts behind. Take me for example, I have a boyfriend, and he's AMAZING. Well he's not the best, but he's at least better at being a boyfriend than Vince. I mean, Colt and I, yes, his name is Colten, we have been have been dating for a year and two months! Two months. Beat that Anderson.
If only my grandparents would understand that I'm happy now.
All of sudden, my phone started to ring. I raced around my house, throwing everything around trying to find my phone. The reason I was in such a rush was because the walls are pretty thin around here so your neighbours can hear you. I stopped once I realized that one, I didn't know where it could be, and two, I didn't recognize the ring tone. I crept closely to my wall and listened. The ringing had stopped, and it turned out that it was my neighbours phone all along. I looked all around my messy home and slightly laughed.
I started to pick up all the blankets that were on the couch, but had been thrown on the floor, then continued on with my laundry basket, the unorganized closets, which lead on to dusting. To make it more fun for me, I grabbed my iPhone and stuck some earbuds in, then started jamming out while I was cleaning. Once I was done, I collapsed in my bed, only to read the clock that read 6:45 A.M.
Yes, call me crazy but I like waking up early to finish some undone chores. That way I had more time to get ready so I could relax more throughout the day. And if it means coming to work earlier, so be it.
Since I was already dressed and work didn't start so early, I decided to stop by the cafe for just a little while. Either way they weren't so far apart which was nice.
Now being much older than I was a few years ago, I had the money and with a little help from my parents, I was able to afford a car, so there was no need to get a taxi. Heck, if I even wanted to, I could walk from where I was to the cafe. Anyways, I grabbed my purse and my handy dandy work bag and exited my place. I wasn't the type of person to leave their door unlocked so I made sure to double check if it was locked tight. As I was walking down the hall, I saw some guy who had suspiciously looking dark brown hair... It reminded me of- ... Dammit.
Right as he who shall not be named turned around and almost saw me, I quickly escaped through a door that lead to the stair way. I walked as slow as I could down the stairs, just in case he was taking his time and might even talk to some people by the lobby. Once I reached the end of the stairs, I cursed myself thinking that he might be there. But remembering that I had work to show up to, I took a deep breath and opened the door.
Much to my delight, he was no where to be seen. I smiled and walked by, saying hello to the bellhop and to some of the other residents that were staying there. When I finally entered my car and checked the time, 15 minutes had passed, which meant that I still had plenty of time at the cafe, just not as much as I was looking forward to.
After a minute of driving, I arrived and felt a wind of relief over run me as I stepped out the car. Although once I entered the cafe, it seemed to suddenly go away, and got replaced with a sense of warmness. I smiled to myself as I went up to cashier and took my order. Once they gave it to me, I sat down at one of the tables and started to work on my blueprint. Estimating how much time left I had to enjoy myself, I agreed around another 15 minutes should get me to work on time.
"Um excuse me, is this seat taken?" a random voice said.
I didn't bother to look up since I was too caught up in my work but I replied with, "No, go ahead." As I continued working, I felt an awkward silence between the two of us so I decided to take a sneak peek.
I gasped.
"Hey Audrey..." The man chuckled, "Long time, no see, huh..."
I couldn't say anything. I was too speechless, lost for words, like someone took my vocabulary and burned it, but all I had managed to say was, "Vin- Vince?"
A sad smile roamed on his guilty face. "Yea.. How have you been doing?"
I close my laptop and started to get up. "I'm sorry... I just can't..."
"Wait," he said as he grabbed my arm. "We need to talk"
"Really? Because I think we've talked enough," I stormed out the cafe, and that would of made me feel powerful for being so strong, except when I started to hear common known footsteps after me.
"Audrey! C'mon!" Vince took my shoulder and spun me around. "If you can't even bare to see me, why don't we try to forget whatever had happened. I mean, can't we still be friends?"
I sighed as I realized he was actually partly right. I mean, the past is the past, and we really should try to forget it. "Fine. But don't make me regret it."
He softly smiled. "Hi Audrey." He said looking into my eyes.
"Hello Vince." I said looking up. I realized how much I've missed those ocean blue eyes. He really hadn't changed since the last time I saw him. And that was in high school. Now look at us, our own homes, and actual jobs. I wonder if he's gotten married yet... NO. STOP RIGHT THERE AUDREY. You are NOT falling for him AGAIN. "How have you been?"
He laughs then says, "Hey, that was my line!"
I shrug jokingly then reply with, "Finders keepers, losers weepers."
As Vince sticks out his tongue at me, I find myself laughing and realizing that how I was feeling at that moment felt better then escaping from him.
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Vince
After finally talking to Audrey, I felt so much better, especially since we both agreed that we should hang out again. The only problem was that most of the time I'm stuck with Daniel, Joanna's son. Mostly because ever since Audrey dumped me, Joanna and I became really close friends when eventually I forgave her for pushing me up the wall that once time and kneed me in the nuts, since I was getting really pissed from her spamming me everywhere with sorrys.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm in no way the little guy's father, but since we live so close to each other, a.k.a., down the hall, I'm usually the one babysitting. Who is the father? Some bastard named Ryder. Apparently he was dating some other chick while he was dating Joannal, and "by accident" lead them both on when they were drunk, but of course separately. End of the story is that Joanna got pregnant with a baby whose father could care less about him, and she hasn't taken a sip of anything that can make her drunk in more than 3 years.
"Vincent?" Joanna called from her bedroom. I put my sandwich down and went to stand outside her bedroom door (which was obviously closed)
"Yea Joe?"
"Which colour of dress looks better on me? Dark leaf green, minty green, normal leafy green, emerald green-"
"-how do you even have that many dresses? Of the same colour?"
I hear Joanna sigh obviously annoyed by, as she likes to call it, my 'idiocy', "I don't, but if you choose a colour that I don't have, that means that next time I'm going shopping, I'll have to buy it."
"Oh..." Now I realize why everyone seems to call me an idiot... "Umm minty green?"
"Perfect!" Joe opens the door wearing that colour of dress. "That's exactly what I was thinking too!"
I nod really not caring about her green dilemma, but instead looking for Danny. Joanna noticing my worried glance toward her home, she laughs as she says, "Don't worry! He's camping out in your tent right now, so no use trying to find him here."
I give Joan the death glare, but realizing it never really worked on her, or anyone for a matter of fact, I wave her good bye, grab my sandwich, and enter my home. And just like she had said, there was Danny right there in the middle of my living room also eating a sandwich. Yup, he really looks up to me, although I'm not too sure that's a good idea, but I probably won't tell him that...
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After continuous hours with the little scamp, I finally managed to put him to bed in my guest room. I closed his door quietly and started to watch some T.V. quietly. Wouldn't want to wake him, now would we? After a few minutes of Tom & Jerry, my doorbell rang which only meant one thing. Joan was home.
As I opened the door, I found her heartbroken right at my doorstep. Right as soon as she saw me, she gave me a big hug and started to sob.
"Oh my... Joe, what happened?" I asked not sure what to do. I never saw her like this since she found out Ryder never wanted a kid.
Joan continued to cry and I really wasn't too sure what to do.
"Do you, maybe want to talk?" I asked, and for her reply, she nodded. We decided to go in her house since we've realized she has the most sound proof walls between me and her (turns out that you can play the volume 2 times louder when you want to listen to music!)
As she started to explain, I even started to feel bad for her, but after some of my more comforting words, she calmed down and brought Daniel back into his room. It would of worked out great if I hadn't left my plate from my sandwich behind. Joanna is a neat freak and hates when people don't have manners so we basically got into this big fight, and even woke up Danny from his sleep. And even though he's just a three year old, he doesn't like to be awaken, which means that he'll just start screaming, which is exactly what he started to do.
As if anything couldn't go any worse, there was a doorbell.
Audrey
I groaned as I heard the yells from across the hall. Some people just DON'T have ANY manners. After what seemed like forever, I decided to check it out.
"This isn't my house, remember? I'm the guest! I don't have to do-" I heard after I rang their doorbell, then a loud groan, that sounded like a girl, continued it, but the stubborn guy went at it again, "DO anything! In fact-"
That's when a person opened the door, then practically shrieked, "-Audrey?!" I was shocked. Joanna Smith. Vince Anderson. There's a kid. They're fighting like a married couple. A couple. Own apartment. The Anderson's. The puzzle pieces started to fit.
"Umm, I was just wanting to see what was going on here but uhh... I think it'd be best I started leaving." I stammered, still in shock from what I had calculated in my mind. I quickly started to leave, really needing some fresh air.
"Audrey wait!" I could hear Joanna's heels clicking on the ground.
"What?" I turned around only to see that Joanna was crying. Mascara was dripping all over her face as if she was crying the whole time today. Oh did Vince kiss another girl behind your back on your one year anniversary? There there.
"Please don't think that Vince and I are an item, because believe me... We really aren't."
"So you two just had a kid tog-"
"No! It's not like that!" she insisted, but I kept quiet so she could go on. She sighed in relief when I didn't reply, and went on, "Vince just babysits my son, and believe me, he really isn't the father. He's just a-"
"Then who is the father?" I interrupt.
Joanna replied without hesitation, "Daniel's father's name is Ryder."
I stare wide eyed at her and shakily reply, "Ryder Brooks?" Joanna sadly nods so I continue, "I'm so sorry Joanna... I never knew you were the other girl..." I had a friend named Tonya who had also been involved him.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Tonya said that even though Ryder admitted to cheating, he never said with who."
"Wow... Can you please tell her for me that I'm sorry?"
I stared at Joanna's face and I could really sense the guilt, but sadly, and emotionless I replied, "I wish I could..." Joanna answered with a questioned face so I decided that she didn't quite understand what that meant. "She, uhh... There's no easy way to say this but, killed herself."