Chapter Seven _ Besties Moment

AUDREY

The new day dawned bright and chilly _ another school day. I tossed from one end of the bed to the other, not ready to get up yet. The night was far spent. It wasn't until 11 pm in the night that I crawled into my bed and slept like a log till dawn. I had joined Lislie in hanging out after Liam left to spend time with his fuck mate.

Lislie had called not long after Liam left _ as I was sitting on the chair staring at the night sky _ feeling desolated and sorry for myself. She had invited me to join her where she was having fun with the rest. I decided to pitch up, I mean Liam did so could I.

Now, see the full effect. Ugh!

I hadn't taken much alcohol but enough to make my brain fizzle out temporarily, leading to a lazy Audrey who couldn't just get out of bed to prepare for school.

I cursed under my breath as I dragged myself up, staring at the distorted figure in front of the mirror that was staring back at me. I felt so disintegrated. I rubbed my eyes blearily as my dad stepped into the room with a smile on his face.

"Good morning Dad." I greeted, meeting his gaze though briefly, my eyes were still heavy.

"Good morning princess..."

I huffed and plopped back on the bed. "Never let me drink again..." I said distortedly and my Dad chuckled.

"Too bad I wasn't there to stop you." He sat on the bed beside me. "You look like you fought with the zombies."

"Tell me about it..." I slurred and he laughed. "Not funny Dad."

"Munch, a few more minutes on that bed and you will be late for school. I know you wouldn't want that, so, chop chop!"

He half dragged me up as I writhed my body.

"Dad, I feel so tired. Let me pass up school for today, please!!" Not even my pleas or my pleading look could get him to let me stay back. He wouldn't hear of it.

I got dragged out of bed and pushed into the bathroom, given twenty minutes to prepare or miss breakfast. I wouldn't want that, so I had the shortest bath I have ever had since I sprouted a boob.

I flew down the small stairs with my small fancy backpack in one hand and my hoodie slung over my shoulder. My dad was about to dig into his pancakes when I landed next to him gasping for breath. I sneaked a surreptitious gaze at my wristwatch. I was right on time. Great!

I slid into the chair beside him, giving him a narrowed gaze when I couldn't find my plate of pancakes anywhere. He grinned and brought out a plate that was covered with a larger dish _ I had no idea it was there.

"You are lucky you are right on time. Here you go?"

"Oh, my fucking goodness! Were you really planning on starving me if I was even a minute late?"

He tossed me a glare from his plate. "Language, young lady."

"Sorry, Dad. But were you really planning on doing it?"

"I would have given it a thought if you were five minutes late." He said with a mouthful of pancakes that got me laughing. He laughed too.

"Now, let's concentrate so you won't be late. Am I dropping you off?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Liam should be on his way now..." A horn honked just right outside their door. Typical Liam. "I guess I would have to pack in some breakfast, the man of the hour is here."

Dad chuckled and returned to his breakfast. I did the same, but hurriedly. Scooping a large mouthful of pancakes inside my mouth and downing my cup of coffee at once. I grabbed my stainless flask and shoved in some pancakes, bade my Dad goodbye with a peck, and rushed out of the sitting room.

He was right outside our door as I predicted, wearing a large smile on a gorgeous clear-as-day face. His smile widened into a grin as I opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.

"Hello, bud." He leaned in and pecked me on the cheek, I did the same. He leaned back, giving me a once-over. The kind that had me wishing that it would last a bit longer, or mean something other than a friendly checkout. "You look good."

"Hello, pal. I can say the same for you." God knows how much I wanted to tell him how hella handsome he was, and that his proximity was driving chilly shivers through my spine. I guess not, yeah?

Instead, I said, "Count yourself lucky today. I would have completely unfriended you if you didn't pick me up today." I said parting my lips in a mock smile and he laughed softly.

He leaned forward. "I guess I am very lucky today..." He said in a whisper, his breath wafting through my nose.

I closed my eyes and inhaled his breath of fresh mint _ intoxicating, driving me nuts.

"Drey, get your head on straight." I chided myself, opening my eyes to find him studying me. I smiled nervously.

"Let's hit the road, man!" I half exclaimed, punching his arms lightly.

"Ouch! I'm broken. How many hours do you spend at the gym, bestie?" He leaned closer, glancing at me and holding the place I had punched him. I rolled my eyes and pushed him away.

"Hey, don't be such a crybaby. Your muscles even injured my fist. The question should be, how many hours, days, and weeks do you spend at the gym?" I asked, leaning closer and flashing him a sly smile.

Liam chuckled. "Maybe one of these days, you will go with me. So, you can help me keep counts and also develop your arm muscles." He said, gripping my upper arm softly. His hand trailed around it in something likened to a caress. I surely wasn't imagining this one.

Our gaze held for some splitting seconds before I caught myself and shoved him away. Gracious goodness! My heart was pounding against my chest. Geez!

"I'm not interested in developing my arm muscles, young man. Do I look like I have balls in between my legs?" I arched a questioning brow and he laughed softly. His gaze held mine again but briefly.

"You look like you have both balls and a sexy... You know." I felt heat rush to my cheeks as I slapped his shoulders. God! Few more minutes with this young man here, I swear I would drip in my pants.

The door to my house opened and that was when it dawned on me that we were still inside my compound, and the person that opened that door was no other person but my Dad. My eyes flew to the door. Liam gasped.

"You kids are still here!!!"

"No sir, we are..." Liam's voice trailed off as he turned on the ignition, stepped on the pedal, and zoomed off, even before my Dad could get to us.

As we hit the road, we exchanged glances and burst into loud laughter.

"That was close..." He said amidst laughter. I nodded in affirmation. "That was close…"