Even though everything seemed okay on the outside, Brandon and Caroline were far from okay. The awkward tension followed throughout the house making the day seem to drag by slow for everyone until they could break free from the house.
Caroline sat outside hoping to avoid everyone, especially Brandon. They still had a few days before going back home and Caroline wasn't sure what to do. She didn't exactly have the funds to pay for a hotel room nor did she want to be alone without Kelsey. Lucky for her, Auburn popped outside at the right time.
"Hey, you got a sec?" She smiled, hanging halfway out the door. Caroline nodded and she proceeded to walk over to her and sit down. "Would you like to come stay with me? I go back to work tomorrow so I'm heading back home for the week."
"Thanks, but I don't want to impose." Caroline replied with a smile.
"Oh you're definitely not imposing. It's just me and some bird that made a nest on my porch. Nick probably won't even come over this week because work is hectic. Plus, you'd have the house by yourself most the day." Auburn explained.
While her and Caroline hadn't bonded that much over the weekend, she was incredibly glad for her helping her in whole ordeal. She was excited to go stay anywhere but in the same house with Brandon. It was getting more and more awkward by the minute.
"Are you sure?" Caroline asked, trying to not jump straight to agreeing.
"I'm very sure. I'd enjoy the company anyway, it's lonely after leaving this mad house." Auburn chuckled.
"Okay, I'm ready to get of here when you are." Caroline replied.
"By the time you finish packing, I'll be ready to go. It's a 40 minute drive to my house and I have work to do before I go to bed." Auburn said, looking at her watch.
Caroline nodded and slowly got up from the chair she was sitting in. Auburn followed her inside where they had to pass Brandon. He had been sitting in the living room watching them, wanting to try and talk to Caroline. They briefly made eye contact before Caroline hurriedly walked past him.
It didn't take long for Caroline to pack her stuff up and place it in Auburn's car. Brandon stood in the doorway when she walked back from the car.
"Are we going to ignore each other or can we talk?" He asked in a slow and low voice.
"There is nothing to talk about." Caroline stated.
"Care, I'll talk to her and prove to you I'm over her." Brandon said, moving out her way. Sadness was evident in her voice and eyes. It pained him to see her like that, especially when it was because of him.
"That's beside the fact. You should've been over her months ago when we started talking. You've been feeding us empty lies, giving her hope of fixing your relationship while telling me we had a future together." Caroline explained, walking past him. She turned around before she went up the stairs. "It's time you stop pretending with us."
Brandon sighed and watched her walk up the stairs. He had lost her as soon as he had got her and he wasn't sure how to even prove to her that he wanted only her. He kept his eyes following her until she left in the car with Auburn. He knew as soon as she left the house he'd probably never see her again and that's what truly broke his heart.
The car ride relatively quiet between the girls. They both had quiet natures to them so conversations weren't they strong suits. Caroline learned that Auburn lived in Culver City simply because it was near everything and it was way cheaper than the other places she had checked out. She also learned she was from San Francisco and had relocated for her job. Caroline still hadn't figured out the job until they got into her house. The house was clean and modern, something Caroline could see her living in, but it was cluttered with books and stacks of paper everywhere. Caroline looked at Auburn expectantly.
"What exactly is your job, Auburn?" Caroline asked, moving a stack of papers off a chair and sitting down.
"11th grade English teacher. I have almost 100 students and they all had to turn in their mid term papers Friday. I'm literally drowning in papers." Auburn huffed out.
"Wow...you and Nick? Nick with a teacher? That just puts a whole new meaning to the song." Caroline said, shocked by the fact she was a teacher and that she was a teacher dating Nick. Teaching was the last thing she ever expected her to be. She never would've thought Nick would be with a teacher either. Auburn had just blown her mind.
"Hard to believe, I know. Nick actually helps me grade test." Auburn laughed.
"That is interesting. I've always placed English teacher and prude together. You're the exact opposite." Caroline breathed, dumbfounded.
"I know it's weird. Well, the spare bedroom is the last door on the left. You can sleep there. My office slash library is across the hall. I'll be in there attempting to read my 1st blocks papers." Auburn groaned, picking up a thick stack of papers.
"Thank you! I don't remember too much from English, but I can to help you?" Caroline offered. Auburn stood there for a moment thinking. Eventually she nodded and went to her office. Caroline followed to find a perfect beat and organized office with floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with all kinds of books.
"I have to type all these notes up on a slideshow. Would you mind doing it for me so I can squeeze in at least one more paper?" Auburn asked, begging her with her eyes.
"No problem! Beowulf is one of my favorite poems anyway." Caroline smiled, sitting down in front of her laptop.
The worked quietly amongst themselves for a good chunk of their time. Eventually Auburn looked up from her stack of papers and looked at Caroline who was busy typing away.
"What happened the other night anyway?" Auburn asked, not really caring if she was overstepping her bounds.
"Charlotte happened. He's still talking to her while she's wanting to get back together with him." Caroline mumbled, not looking away from the laptop screen.
Caroline was glad to have someone distract her mind from Brandon. Everything in his PRETTYMUCH house reminded her of him no matter where she went. At least by typing notes in someone else's house, she wasn't having to think about him and that smile that melted everything bad away.
"Oh. Well he talks about you non stop when you're not around. He really does love you, Care." Auburn replied, smiling at her.
"I know he does. That's what makes it so hard to walk away. I just have a looming fear he'll cheat on me like my ex." Caroline stated, sighed and breaking her stare at the computer screen to look at Auburn.
"I have that fear too with Nick, but I don't think Brandon would ever do that. He's way too sweet for that. He'd break up with you before he cheated." Auburn replied.
"I'd like to think that. I just can't be with him knowing he's not over her." Caroline said, turning back to the laptop.
"I understand that. You have to do what's best for your mental health." Auburn said, nodding.
Caroline let the words reply in her mind. Was letting go of Brandon really what was best for her? Brandon helped ease her so much during the times she felt like dropping out of school. She was beginning to find it hard to go about life without talking to him at least once a day. Perhaps he had actually been the thing weighing her down because she ha done just fine before she literally crashed into him.
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Also don't forget to check out my other stories Pitted and Lighthouse! They include the same characters at the ones that appear in this story!