Justin went into his room and changed clothes. He was just starting to read a book, when he heard a commotion coming from Audrey's room. When the noise continued, he decided to investigate.
"What's going on?" he asked as he walked through the open doorway into Audrey's room.
She barely looked up from the open wardrobe in front of her as she hastily stuffed articles of clothing into an open suitcase. "I'm leaving. Chad's going away and I'm going with him."
A dozen questions were going through Justin's mind. "Are you sure that's wise?"
Audrey stood from where she was knelt on the floor. "Honestly, I don't know, but it's what I'm going to do."
Before he could protest, she stepped towards him and looked him in the eye. "Please don't try to talk me out of this."
"I won't. This is just sudden. I'm not sure what to think."
"I know this seems completely rash and I know that Chad and I have had a rough past, but I still love him and I can't take the idea of losing him again."
Justin shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but Audrey wouldn't let him interrupt.
"He's my guy. The one that no matter what happens, in my heart I know I would do anything for . . .I know it sounds crazy, but can you understand that at all?"
Justin nodded. "I think I can."
A sudden knock on the front door, made Audrey jump.
"That's probably Lawrence," she said, moving towards the door. "I called and asked him to meet me."
"Go talk to him. I'll help pack," Justin offered.
"Lawrence, thanks for coming over," Audrey said as she let him into the apartment.
"What's going on?" he asked with concern. She had seemed so urgent to speak with him in person.
Now that they were face to face she was finding this more difficult than expected. "I'm so glad you could come. If you hadn't, I don't know when we would have the chance to see each other again."
"Why not?"
"I'm leaving town tonight . . .with Chad." She paused, bracing herself for Lawrence's reaction, but she was caught off guard by what he said next.
"Chad's leaving town?" he asked.
"Well, yes . . ."
"He didn't say anything about quitting his job with the company."
"It all happened very suddenly . . . Anyway, Lawrence," Audrey said, trying to get back to what she wanted to say. "I just had to let you know that I think you're a great guy and I enjoyed the time we spent together. But even with all of the history Chad and I have, a part of me never stopped caring about him and I feel like I need to be with him. I'm sorry."
"I understand," he said after a moment. "It's ok."
"Really? Are you sure?" Audrey asked.
Lawrence nodded. "I enjoyed spending time with you too, but I wouldn't stand in your way."
"You are so sweet," Audrey said as she gave him a hug. "I hope we see each other again someday."
"So do I. Goodbye and good luck."
As soon as Lawrence left, Audrey hurried back to her room to continue her frantic packing. She had to catch up with Chad before he left.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Justin asked as he helped Audrey load her luggage into her car.
"Yes, I'm sure . . .Thank you so much for taking me in and just being there for me. I really appreciate it."
"Do you have any idea where you're going?"
"None, but it doesn't really matter," she said with a smile. "But I'll call you when I get there, ok?"
After hugging her brother goodbye, she got into the car.
"If you ever need me, I'm still here for you."
She nodded quickly and waved goodbye before pulling out of the driveway.
Meanwhile at the Burgess' house, Chad was saying goodbye to Hector.
"Are you sure you have to go?" Hector asked. "You have friends here and a new job. If you need a place to stay, you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you want. Are you sure you want to leave all that?"
"It's tempting, but I think this is for the best," Chad said. He didn't want to go into all of the details about what had happened between him and R.J., but he was having trouble coming up with a better reason for leaving. "Bay Pointe is a nice town, but I don't think it's the place for me."
Hector shrugged. "Alright. Well, give me a call sometime when you get settled."
"Will do," Chad promised.
Hector walked Chad to the door and lingered in the foyer as Chad walked out to the street. He wasn't so sad about Chad leaving, they were the type of friends who met once or twice a year to catch up and reminisce before going their separate ways, but he suddenly felt like he was losing his last friend in town and his only ally at work.
He hadn't realized how much he had been counting on Chad. Now he had the support of no one.
As Chad put his luggage into the backseat of the car, another car pulled up behind him.
"Chad, wait," Audrey called out as she ran towards him. "I'm so glad I'm not too late."
"Audrey, what's wrong?"
"I was wrong. I think you have changed and so have I. We've both grown up and I think we can make it work this time. As much as I wanted to, I don't think I ever really stopped loving you. What we had is worth at least a second chance. That's why I want to go with you."
Audrey paused, catching her breath and waiting for his response, but Chad didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled her close and kissed her.
"Then let's go."
Eileen looked over her shoulder as she opened the front door. She was hoping to sneak out without attracting too much attention. Her dad had already been questioning her about where she went at night and she really didn't want to tell him. When she turned and saw someone standing in front of her on the porch, she gasped and jumped back.
"Oh, Lawrence," she said nervously. "I'll go get my dad."
"I didn't come here to talk to your father. I came to see you."
"Oh. Me? Why?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something alone, if that's alright."
"Fine." Eileen nodded, her voice high and nervous. After that embarrassing moment at the hospital she had managed to avoid Lawrence completely and part of her had hoped she could continue to avoid him indefinitely.
Lawrence waited until they had walked around the corner of the house to speak. "I've been thinking about what you said at the hospital-"
"Please don't mention it." Eileen cringed. The thought of her confession was still a source of embarrassment. "I don't know why I said that. I was just upset about my dad, I guess. I wish we could just pretend it never happened."
"Really?" Lawrence asked. "Because, if you hadn't changed your mind, I was going to ask if you wanted to go out to dinner with me."
"What- What about your girlfriend?"
"She wasn't the one for me . . .Are you interested or should we add this conversation to our list of things to forget about?" he asked, tensely waiting for her answer.
Too nervous to come up with any of her usual flirty banter, Eileen simply asked, "When?"
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