Hi there! So I have been considering the rating on this story. I originally had it rated as M to play it safe because I did not know all the details that would be in the story. Please let me know if you think the rating is not appropriate and should be changed. I hope your week is going great-almost Friday!-and enjoy (:
Wednesday after practice Bree picks me up and we head to the mall. She had insisted on it, and seeing as I was in need of another dress, I agreed. We stop in Rue 21 and I skim the racks while she goes for the jeans. After trying on four dresses I narrow it down to my favorite: a hot pink color that falls to the knees with a brown belt around the waist. We wander around, bags in hand. I forget about the pressing game tomorrow, about my bionics. Going to the mall with my friend helps me remember that I am a teenage girl and can still experience teenage-girl things. Bree does it all the time and she has bionics, so why can't I?
Walking past one of the many shoe stores Bree halts, eyes transfixed on a pair of leather boots on display. "I want to try these on. It'll only take a second." She scurries into the store and I trail after. Patiently I examine the accessories and shoes, knowing that with Bree, shoe shopping does not take a second. Pausing before the belts I shuffle through them and pull out a white, jeweled-encrusted one in my size. I sense rather than see someone riffle through the sports socks at the rack almost behind me.
"Long time no see, Audrey," they say softly. I fumble and drop the belt. That all-too familiar voice still haunts my nightmares.
"Leave me alone," I say with a steady voice. "The restraining order is still in place." Blood thunders in my head like a sledgehammer pounding a cinder block. I can hear my heart as it pushes adrenaline through the arteries. Everything seems to vanish and my senses kick into high gear. My muscles are taught.
"Yes, though I doubt you would be calling the cops. Tell me, how is your family doing? Do they miss me? Your mother did say I was welcome anytime." I refuse to turn around. I pray the shaking of my clenched fists is not noticable.
"If you come near us I will hurt you." Jacob gives a breezy laugh that not too long ago would have me melting into his arms.
"Your threats would be dangerous if I knew you didn't have it in you." If only you knew what I can do to you now. "I think your friend is done. See you around." I hear him stalk off, leaving me frozen with terror. How can he be out? It was unrealistic of me to hope he would stay locked up forever. I had expected to never see or hear from him again; that he would be a mistake in the past.
"You ready to go?" Bree asks with her bag in hand. Her brow furrows as she watches me. "Audrey, is everything alright?" I shake my head vigorously. My thoughts jumble together and spill out my mouth in incessant rambling. "He came up to me from behind. I didn't see him. If I had seen him coming I could have run or hid-"
"Hey!" She snatches my hands and wheels me to face her. "Who did you see just now?"
My lip quivers as I swallow, "Jacob."
Her eyes widen and mouth flaps soundlessly. Rarely is Bree caught without something to say. "That is not good," she gets out. "I thought he was out of your life for good."
"So did I."