When her suspension was over and Audrey was allowed to go back to school, she already had a plan. If Kristine was going to use Sean to make Audrey jealous, then Audrey was going to get close to the one person Kristine would want to get close to, before Kristine had the chance. She had spent her three days considering, and today was finally time to put her ideas into action. She had worn one of her shorter miniskirts today, and a tank top that showed off her cleavage. She spotted him as soon as Brooke dropped him off, and she abandoned her friends to make her way over to him
Watching her leave, Logan wondered just what she was doing. He had been thinking that since Sean broke up with her, he might have a chance with her, but he could tell she was determined, and when he saw where she was headed, he could almost read her mind, and Logan would have no chance right now. He knew Audrey and he knew that when she set her mind on something there was no changing it. He was disappointed, but he would keep waiting on her. He didn't like the way she was so dead set against Kristine, but he knew that Audrey was a good person, despite her recent behavior and he knew she was worth waiting for.
As she approached him, Justin looked up, and Audrey flashed him a smile, reaching up to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. She glanced down slightly to look up at him from beneath her lashes as she closed the distance. "Hey, Justin, I know you probably remember me from class, but I just wanted to come up and properly introduce myself. My name's Audrey Sawyer. I just want to let you know you're welcome here, and anything you need, just let me know, and I really do mean anything, when I say that," she sent him a seductive smile as she met his gaze again.
Looking as if he didn't quite know what to make of her, Justin thanked her, as he continued walking. She fell into step with him, looping her arm though his as she noticed Kristine and Sean watching. "I really mean that. I know what it's like to be new to this school, and since you didn't arrive at the beginning of the year, you might be a little behind. I'd be happy to help you catch up in your classes, or update you on the social life here. We should get together this weekend. I'm moving into my new apartment, but maybe we can get a pizza, and hang out in my apartment together. I'd hate to stay in a new place all alone," she flirted as they passed the two.
When Audrey and Justin passed, Kristine just stared. Sean was staring too, but not at the blonde girl. He knew that Kristine knew that Audrey was just getting close to her brother to get back at her, and he could see that she was conflicted about what to do about it. She could tell Justin, and warn him, but it isn't likely that he would believe her, considering they barely knew each other. She didn't even know if she wanted to get to know him. She had been considering it while she had been suspended; she'd had nothing else to do, considering she was grounded. Nathan and Haley had only allowed her to go to work during those three days.
On the one hand, he was her brother, and if she was getting to know James, why shouldn't she get to know Justin? She knew that staying away from him just because he was living with their mother wasn't fair. They could wind up being very good friends, regardless of whose genes they shared. She didn't even know if he wanted to get know her, though. She knew that if he got sucked in by Audrey, he probably wouldn't, but then, maybe she could get to know him first. She figured she could at least try, and if he didn't want anything to do with her, that was his choice, but she shouldn't let Audrey's interference, or their mother, get in the way of her getting to know her sibling.
Finally, Sean could take the silence no longer. He gently nudged her shoulder as he began walking again, and she followed. "So, Kris, care to share what's going on in that mind of yours? I can tell it must be something big. If you don't want to, it's cool, but, you know I'm always here if you want to talk," he said, cutting himself off before he could start to ramble. She was the only one who had this effect on him, and it was still very unsettling. He liked to be in control, but with her, he had no idea what to do or say to keep her around, and he wasn't sure he liked how that made him feel.
Biting on her lip, Kristine tried not to wince at the nickname he had started calling her. She didn't normally like that shortened form of her name, because she felt it was a guy's name, but somehow coming from him it wasn't so bad. She actually kind of liked the way it rolled off his tongue, and the emotions it incited in her. She knew she was getting too close to him, but she couldn't help it. She spent so much time with him, and she could tell he enjoyed it as much as she did. She could tell there were moments when they both wanted to move their friendship to the next level, but she wasn't going to be the one to make the first move.
Part of her knew that Audrey's hatred would only intensify if she actually started dating Sean, and she didn't want that, but at the same time she didn't want to lose the chance to have something great just because of Audrey. She decided to just let it keep playing out the way it was though. She might be wrong about his feelings for her, and she wasn't going to lose his friendship over something like that. "Not right now, maybe later though," she answered as they made it to her locker and she began spinning her lock, trying her hardest not to look across the hall, where Audrey was still openly flirting with Justin.
Luckily the bell rang a few seconds later, and Kristine got to go to class, where she didn't have to watch Audrey flirting with her brother. She really didn't like this. She knew that was exactly what Audrey wanted, so she decided that she wasn't going to take it. She was still going to get to know her brother, as long as he wanted to get to know her. She was fairly sure that if she could talk to him, get to know him before Audrey got her claws too deep in him, she would at least be able to convince him that they should be friends, or that they didn't have to be enemies, anyway.
When she entered the quad and saw that Audrey was already seated next to Justin, practically in his lap, she wondered if there was ever going to be a moment when Audrey wouldn't be hanging off of her brother, so she could get him alone. She went to the table she had taken to sitting at with Sean, and decided not to worry about it for now. She knew that the blonde couldn't spend every second of every day with her brother, so she would find her moment, she just hoped it was soon. She didn't like the feeling that Audrey was cutting her off from her family.
When Brooke had opened her Tree Hill store, Audrey had gone in looking for a job, which was how she now had the money for her own place. She earned more at Clothes Over Bros than she had when she was working for her mom, because when she had been working for her mom, she had just needed money for shopping and stuff, so she hadn't worked as much as she was now. She had earned enough now that she had enough to pay her down payment and first month's rent for her apartment and Logan was helping her move in this weekend.
Part of her wished she didn't have to move out of Logan's place, but she knew she needed a place of her own, not just because she wanted the space, but because she needed the independence. She needed to show her mom that she hadn't made a mistake, thinking she could move out on her own. She also needed to prove to herself that she could make it on her own, and she wasn't really on her own if she was living off Logan's parents. She knew that Lucas didn't entirely agree with her getting her own place, but other than that brief disagreement, their meeting for coffee on Saturday had been alright.
FLASHBACK
Entering the Café, Audrey pushed her sunglasses off of her eyes and into her hair, and looked around. She spotted Lucas sitting in a booth and made her way over to him. She sat down across from him and folded her hands on the table as she looked across at him. She didn't break the silence for a moment, but she could tell he wasn't, so she finally sighed. "Alright, fine, I'll say something," she rolled her eyes in a perfect imitation of her mother, though Lucas didn't point that out. "What exactly have you done with your life besides coach basketball?" she cocked an eyebrow.
Unable to help himself, Lucas smiled, because she reminded him so much of her mother in that moment, although he wouldn't tell her that because he knew that would probably make her get up and walk out at this time, so he would save bringing up anything relating her to her mother for a time when he felt more sure that she would stick around. "Audrey, I'm sorry I wasn't around. I really wish I could go back and change that, but we can't change the past. The best we can do is move on and try to make the future better," he replied.
Looking slightly taken aback by his tone, Audrey sat back into her seat, slumping for a moment as she considered this. He was right. She couldn't change the mistakes her mother had made, and she knew Lucas couldn't either, but apparently he wanted to be her father now. She wasn't sure she needed that exactly, but she knew the least she could do was get to know him. She was actually kind of interested in learning about his past. "Okay, you're right, I'll retract the claws, but the question still remains, if perhaps a little nicer. What else have you been doing in your life?" she said in a nicer tone.
For a while the two of them talked, and Audrey was actually surprised by how interested she was in what Lucas was saying. She enjoyed learning about her father, and telling him about herself. She liked learning about the things she got from him, and she knew for sure now what she got from her mom and what she got from him. He focused for the most part on the time before and after his junior year, when his stories just involved Haley, or his life in Charleston after that, but after a while he did start telling stories about his junior year, including stories about her mom, Brooke and Nathan.
The way he talked about Peyton, Audrey could easily tell he was still in love with her. She didn't mention it, but she did start telling him stories about her childhood that included her mother, because she knew he wanted the information, despite the fact that he was too stubborn to ask. She wasn't sure why, exactly they had broken up. She knew it had something to do with the secrets and the lies, but she also knew these two blondes were in love with each other, even after all the years of separation, and she didn't understand why they couldn't just get past all the drama and move on.
Part of her knew that was hypocritical, wondering why he couldn't forgive her mother when she couldn't forgive her, but she had forgiven her mother. She knew that Peyton had done what she had believed was the best thing for her, but she wanted to prove to herself that she could make it on her own now. She knew that she had probably taken it too far with the emancipation, but she was too stubborn to take it all back now. She realized that she had gotten lost in her thoughts and that he had stopped telling the story he had been in the middle of. "You should talk to Mom, you know. She probably needs you now," she said.
Something shifted in his eyes, and she knew that he didn't want to discuss this with her, but she caught sight of a clock on the wall behind his head and she realized she had places to be. "Well, Lucas, this has been fun, but I have to take a walk though on this apartment I'm planning on renting, so we'll have to meet up another time," she said as she grabbed her purse and stood. He stood too, and she could tell her wanted to hug her or something, but she wasn't ready for that yet. "If I get the place, do you think you could help me move my stuff in next weekend?" she asked, taking a step back.
END FLASHBACK
Of course, he had agreed, and Logan and Lucas had just finished moving the last of the boxes into her new apartment. She grabbed two waters from the refrigerator, and tossed one to each of them, who had collapsed on the couch they had just brought in. She took a seat in between them, and felt a sense of accomplishment because she now had her own apartment. "Thanks, both of you, I appreciate it," she leaned into Logan's side casually, and after he finished chugging about half of his water, he draped his arm over her shoulders, neither of them thinking twice about the action.
Watching them, Lucas could tell that there was something between them, but he wasn't going to say anything to his daughter about her feelings for her best friend. He didn't want to step in and interfere with her love life. He didn't even want to think about it. He checked his phone and realized he had to head home and shower so he could go over to Haley's and Nathan's. Nathan was barbequing and they had invited Lucas over. "Well, I'm heading over to Nathan and Haley's in a while, so I'll leave you guys alone. Be careful," he said, sending his daughter a look, because he knew saying anything else would be pushing it.
Before Lucas could make it to the front door, Audrey got to her feet and followed him. She gave him a quick hug, surprising the both of them. "Thanks, Lucas," she repeated as she stepped back and her blue eyes met the match of her own. She bit her lip, and he knew she wanted to say something else. "How are Haley and Nathan doing? I haven't really seen them since," she trailed off, both of them knowing she meant she hadn't seen them since she'd moved out of her mother's house and stopped coming to dinners on Sunday nights.
Knowing he wouldn't be able to convince her to come, considering it was very likely her mother would show up, he felt he should extend the invitation anyway. "You could come over and find out for yourself, you know. I'm sure Haley and Nathan miss you, as do Daniel and Lillian. They always ask about you. My mom's going to be there too," he paused, noticing her hesitation. "Look, just think about it. If Peyton's there, you don't have to interact with her. I'm sure everyone would love to see you," he finished, hoping she would at least think about it, and left the apartment.
Returning to the couch, Audrey was considering going. She was supposed to hang out with Justin later, but she could stop by Nathan and Haley's house for a little while. She looked at Logan, and she already knew what he would say. He was looking back at her and she could practically hear the words coming out of his mouth already. "I said I'll think about it, okay," she leaned back into the couch and titled her head back but she could still feel his gaze on her. "Fine, I'll go, just stop giving me that look," she leaned forward and grabbed the couch pillow from behind her, tossing it at him.
When he caught the pillow he smiled at her, and she got up again to avoid his gaze. "I need to shower and get ready. I'm all sweaty. You can hang and put on a movie or something if you want," she headed to her bedroom to dig her shower stuff out of one of the boxes. She didn't have cable or anything, but she had a TV and DVD player, and she had tons of movies. She didn't mind him hanging out while she showered and got ready, and they both knew it. "When you take off your shoes, make sure you open the front door or open a window or something," she teased, and he tossed the pillow that he was still throwing at her, but she dodged it on the way to her room.
After her shower she wrapped herself in her robe and wrapped her hair in a towel, then headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water. She saw Logan still sprawled out on her couch, shoes kicked off and arm behind his head as he watched the TV. She smiled to herself and rolled her eyes, because he had fallen asleep. She didn't wake him up, just walked over to the fridge and grabbed a water. She knew he was probably tired out because they had stayed up most of the night, just hanging out, and then he had spent all morning moving her stuff.
Something about her presence woke Logan up, and he glanced over just as she was bending down to grab her water. He probably could have stared all day, but she straightened as if she had felt his eyes, and turned to face him. She rolled her eyes at him, but didn't say anything about what they both knew he had just been staring at. She headed for her room again so she could change, opening her mouth as she did, but before she could say anything he cut her off. "You really are so beautiful, Audrey," the words slipped out of his mouth without his consent, but he didn't take them back
Freezing in place, Audrey slowly turned around to meet his gaze. She bit her lip as she looked at him, but neither of them said anything for a minute. She swallowed loudly, but decided to just play off his compliment instead of really addressing it. "You're my best friend, Logan, and I love you for saying that, but I've decided I'm not going anyway, not because of my mom," she cut him off because she knew that he opened his mouth to say something about Peyton, "but because Kristine will be there, seeing at she does live there, and I just don't want to deal with her tonight," she finished.
Sensing that he wouldn't be able to change her mind, he could also tell that she wanted to be alone for a while, or at least away from him and the awkward moment he had just made. He stood and shoved his feet back into his shoes. "Fine, I won't give you any grief about it. Just think about making some kind of contact with them, okay? Karen is your grandmother, even though she doesn't know that, and Haley and Nathan are your aunt and uncle. Connection to Kristine or not, they're still your relatives," he said as he headed for the door. "I'll see you later," he added as he left.
Still trying to process the moment that had just happened, Audrey barely remembered to call out another thank you to him for helping her move, and she definitely didn't have any time to respond to what he had just said before he was gone. She felt bad for causing him to leave like that, but she really didn't know what to say when he said stuff like that. She knew what she wanted to say, but she couldn't say what she really wanted to say. She was stuck in an awkward limbo with Logan that would only end when they tipped the scale in one direction or another, and she didn't want to be the one to tip it.
A little while later, her mind was completely off the Logan situation, because she had called Justin, who had come over, and now they were hanging out in her living room, TV on and a pizza box in front of them as they lounged on the floor, their backs against the couch as they talked and laughed. She wasn't sure where this was going, or what was going to happen, but she did enjoy the evening she spent with Justin, and she knew she wanted to spend more time with him. She tried to tell herself that it was just because it would piss Kristine off, but part of her had a feeling that something more could be happening.
A/N: So I set up a few different storylines in this chapter. Nothing big really happened, but I did like writing the Audrey/Lucas scene. Someone asked a question in their last review, and I just wanted to say that if you know who you are, the answer is as far as Nathan and Haley go, they are a strong couple, and they won't be broken up in this fic. I hope you guys are still reading, and you review. Thanks to the people who reviewed the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.