I am not sure how to break the news to my parents about these newfound abilities, so I don't. Our evening calls proceed as normal until the time I will be able to explain everything in a sit-down, face-to-face. I keep relatively to myself the rest of the weekend, staying out of others' ways for as long as possible. But no matter how many miles I run, how many trips to the park with basketball in hand, how many visits to check in on my house, I always have to return back at some point. Mr. Davenport carries an added weight to his shoulders that I see him struggle under when he looks at me. I know he feels guilt for what happened and part of me says he should be sorry. The little voice whispers in my ear, egging me to find some way to make him pay for this unwanted burden I now have to carry.

Bree forever more becomes my shoulder to lean on, guiding me through the foggy waters. "Come on, I know you can get the hang of this! The Audrey I know would never give up on something so challenging." With her presence in my corner I press forward, still unsure of what awaits.

I don't understand why, but since Saturday morning I have been somewhat avoiding Chase. Not to the point that it is blatantly obvious, but if I see him in one room I bypass it before he can see me. This new connection to him strains my ropes of control to snapping, something I refuse to let slip out of my grasp.

The week drags by agonizingly slowly. I put on a mask and step into the role I have as team captain and stellar student, smiling in the halls and helping whoever needs it. The energy at practice is intense as we prepare for our next game on Thursday. Just make it to Friday, I keep telling myself through school, basketball, life.

Bree notices the change in my behavior. Nothing can slide past her unnoticed. "Are you feeling alright?" she settles herself beside me on the grass field Tuesday during lunch. I take a bite of my sandwich and shrug unconvincingly. "Hey, you can tell me."

It all comes tumbling out of my mouth in a breath. "Its these bionics; I'm coming undone with the stress. Every time I talk to someone I am afraid of slipping up and revealing something, putting the rest of you in danger. Then there's the game on Thursday with everyone looking at me. What if we loose and its because of me? How would the others even look at me? I'm trying really, really hard to stay strong but I feel myself falling apart."

"Are you doing it for you or for everybody else?"

My silence answers her question. "This is your life, Audrey, not theirs. I know you and I know that you can and will shrug this all off and focus on what you need to. You're not the only one with bionics. Leo, Davenport, Adam, Chase, and me, we can help you-we want to help you. Please trust us enough to let us in and help you." We sit in silence as her words soak into my skin. When the bell rings she offers a hand and helps me up. "You got this." I crack a smile, the chunk of emotions in the middle of my chest beginning to melt. Warmth spreads to the rest of my body.

I see colors in sharper image the rest of the day. I come running into the gym after school, yelling and clapping to motivate the others. They don't understand the jubilee I am experiencing right now, and there is no need to. Bree was right: I am not alone. "Come on, ladies! Two days until our next game! Lets show those lions who the dingos are!"

Hi! This update is actually on time for once haha :). It is even a bit early but I was in the updating mood. Anyways, appologies, this was not the most exciting chapter ever. I felt that the aftereffects of Audrey's new bionics should be touched on before moving on. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. I hope you enjoyed. Please leave a review and see y'all next time!