CHAPTER 40

Audrey's phone rang, but she didn't notice. She sat at her small bedroom's desk, typing away on her computer, wearing a pair of huge headphones that made her look like Princess Leia in Episode IV.

She secluded herself from the world and listened to nineties rap. It was the only thing that cheered her up. A Tribe Called Quest, NWA, Biggie... anything that helped take her mind off Enzo and let her concentrate... anything but depressive music.

She would not fall into that post-relationship sadness.

Okay, too late for that.

But she was a big girl now. She wouldn't go around moping, feeling sorry for herself.

It seemed like nothing could fill the void where her heart was supposed to be. She hadn't eaten anything and was not hungry at all... even though she really, really craved a huge bucket of chocolate ice cream.

Her throat hurt. Every time she thought she was feeling better, that she'd come out ahead, just like she always did, she remembered Enzo's face, or the sound of his laughter, or the way light reflected on his eyes, and she had to start over again.

So she tried to focus on something else. Like work, of course.

Maybe he was right, she thought, as she put a checkmark on another pending task.

She was being productive. The small satisfaction of crossing over each bullet point in her to-do list made her forget about her own personal problems. Even if only for a little while.

It wasn't our time, she kept repeating. Trying to find a good reason why good things never happened to her.

Loud music interrupted her stream of thoughts, making her jump in her seat. Her screen flashed a gray and green rounded square. Darcy was video calling her.

Darn it. I just don't feel like—

The call was cut off. Audrey sighed in relief before jumping in fright again: Darcy would not quit so easily.

She rolled her eyes, might as well talk to her so she'll leave me alone.

She accepted the call and two seconds later, Darcy's face covered her screen. It was so ridiculously funny.

She looked a bit older without make up on, but still had that "don't mess with me" face that went so well with her pointy glasses. Or was it supposed to be the other way around?

"Hello, Darcy, what's up?"

"Just checking on you, dear. Are you okay?"

Audrey rolled her eyes again. I'm so not up to this.

"Everything's fine, thank you."

Darcy nodded and sighed.

"Listen," she said, and Audrey could tell it took her great effort to do this, "I want to say I'm sorry about what happened today."

"Yeah, no problem."

"I mean it, Audrey. I really thought you knew the secret was out. I thought you didn't care. No one does, really."

"Didn't seem that way. Everyone kept it hidden."

"Well, what did you expect? You have a reputation for ruthlessness, and nobody wanted to be the first to tell you."

"So they avoided me?"

"No. They avoided the subject. It's different. Especially if everyone thinks you're avoiding it yourself, right?"

"Wait, go back. Did you just say I had a reputation for—"

"Being ruthless," Darcy interrupted, "yes. In a good way, I suppose. Everyone likes you."

She smiled on the inside. If that was their way of saying they respected her, well, she could live with that.

"Things got out of control," Darcy continued, "the teachers don't mind. And you can't pay attention to what the students say."

"Well, it doesn't matter anymore."

"How so?"

Audrey shrugged, faking a smile. It was all she needed to tell her about what happened between her and Enzo.

Darcy's mouth fell for a second before she composed herself, she looked like she tried to swallow a bitter pill, but couldn't. She couldn't hide her surprise at all.

"Why?"

"Well, our work obviously took a hit—"

"But you've been working so hard!"

"Darcy," Audrey said flatly, "you wouldn't believe how many things I have to do, I won't be able to finish."

"Yes, but that's normal, work never ends!"

"But—"

"Audrey, this man cares about you, I haven't seen him like this. Ever. The way he looks at you was enough for everyone to know. We didn't even need to see the photos or listen to the gossip."

Audrey laughed, "come on—"

"I swear it. I won't let you use work as an excuse. You're both great for each other—"

"He's the one who broke it off."

That quieted her down.

"Why?"

"Same reason."

"Oh my God, you millennials are idiots!"

That made her laugh. She was young but not that young. Well, she was pushing thirty, how old were millennials supposed to be?

"I'm sorry Miss Rodriguez, but if you think the relationship isn't worth it, then okay, fine. I'll believe you."

"Thanks," Audrey said, her mood lifted, but her words hung deeply. Life would keep going and they wouldn't be together, "I think that's the best for everyone. I guess I'll learn how to be a badass woman, just like you. You're doing great by yourself—"

The door behind Darcy opened.

"Hey, honey, I brought you Pecan Praline and Banana Nut—"

Darcy jumped to the side to cover the man who just entered her house, but it was too late.

It was Peter Dunley.

Audrey's eyes went stupidly wide, for a second she thought they were going to fall out of their sockets, like one of those cartoons from the fifties. She gasped so loud she was more embarrassed by her reaction to this than surprised at what she just saw.

"Shut up you block head!" Darcy shouted, "I'm on a videocall!"

"Hey! What's with the rage?" Mr. Dunley replied.

Darcy shrugged off, shaking her head, trying to hide her smile.

"It's Audrey Rodriguez I'm talking to."

"Oh. Whoops," Mr. Dunley just said, and then, from the corner of the video feed, he waved at her.

"Don't pay attention to him, dear," Darcy continued.

Audrey took a while to put her thoughts in order.

"Darcy... I... since when? I mean, that's great Congratula—"

"Since years and years ago. I don't know why you didn't notice, it's not like we tried to keep it hidden, unlike someone else."

"But how?"

"We're professionals dear, work is work and our private life is separate."

"How you doing, Miss Rodriguez?" Mr. Dunley yelled off camera.

"She's doing great, thank you very much," Darcy snapped at him. She wasn't mean at all; she knew that the man was asking impolite questions. All in all, they seemed to be very comfortable with one another.

"I'm glad," he said, coming into view, with a cup of ice cream in his hand.

Audrey's phone vibrated again. It was an instant message. She knew who it was. She felt it in her heart.

She grabbed it and saw she had four missed calls, and seven unread messages. The latest one began with "I need to see you."

She had to hold her laughter.

When she turned up to her screen, Mr. Dunley was gone, and Darcy's face said it all. She understood.

"I'm going to serve you both flavors, dear," Mr. Dunley said from somewhere in the back.

Darcy rolled her eyes, trying and failing to hide how happy she really was.

"Men," she just said.

"Men," Audrey repeated. Darcy nodded, said "good luck," and ended the video call.

***

She unlocked her phone but before she could read any message, a stinging smell startled her.

It was strong and pungent and very familiar.

Fear filled her as she saw smoke coming into her room from beneath the closed bedroom door.