There's no ☺-ness. Chptr 2 - Caitlin.

"Aud? Audrey, look at me, please! Audrey, just because my mum's a..." - I summoned strength - "hooker, it doesn't mean that I'm going to be one! Please, Aud, you can't judge me on what my mother does. Aud?" I stared into Audrey's eyes, but she made no attempt to look at me. Just kept staring at some random Asian kid, who after a while got worried and ran away crying. 1

"Caitlin, I know. I'm sorry. I just...got freaked out by the whole situation. Sorry, Cait. I know. Just one thing: did your mum actually have an AFFAIR with Emma's dad?" she looked up at me. 2

I sighed, feeling that I had to answer. "No. We needed money, and he payed. And I know that sounds bad Aud, but it's the truth. Anyway, why are you so worried about Emma and her dad? I mean, look at what a bitch Emma's been to you in the past! She's a cow! If your dad had... done what her's has, then she wouldn't give a damn, you know that!" I finished, letting out a yawn.3

Audrey nodded. "Yeah, but I guess that I'd just feel really bad if it WAS my dad. That's all," she stopped with a warm smile. "Let's go? We've gotta head to Science."4

I growled. "Oh, let's just skip Science. We can hang out with Darren and his buddies," I suggested. Audrey smiled again, and I pulled my phone out to text Darren as we strolled towards the school gate. 5

My phone buzzed, and I flipped open the top to read the message. 6

"What does he say?" Audrey asked me, a smile plastered on her face.7

The message wasn't from Darren. It was from mum. Shock swept through me as I read the text. My mouth fell open and my eyes grew wider.8

"What does he say?" Aud asked me again, this time with concern. "Cait answer me." she added impatiently.9

"I..." I stammered. I couldn't get the words out. They just wouldn't form properly. Audrey snatched the phone from me as tears began falling from my eyes. As Audrey read the message, I collapsed onto the ground screaming and pulling my hair. 10

"Oh my god. Oh Cait. You really don't deserve this." she let the phone flop down onto the grass, and she bent down and pulled me into a hug. I threw a dirty look at my phone, and turned it face-down in the grass so I couldn't see the torturing message. The words rung in my ears, taunting me. I could almost hear Mum's voice screaming the stupid message in my head. Tears streamed down my eyes. 'How can I handle this right now?' I thought to myself.11

Audrey suddenly pushed me away, but still holding onto my shoulders. She seemed to click, in some way or another. "So, if Emma's dad's marrying your mum... Wait, isn't Emma's dad married already?" I nodded, still feeling extremely upset, although a little confused. "So, he must be leaving Emma's mum to be with Libby? Oh god. Does Emma know?" 12

I frowned at her. "Why would you care if Emma knew or not? I'M the one who's gonna have to live with her! AND I don't know who my dad is, so I can't exactly go stay with him to escape this, can I?" I had a good point. It was times like these that I wished I had a father. I saw Audrey's face fall. I knew I shouldn't have even mentioned my nonexistent 'dad'. I should have remembered she gets really emotional whenever I speak about him. I really don't know why, she just...does.13

My eyes filled with tears thinking about living with Emma. "Bloody hell." I whispered. "Why Emma?"14

"Speak of the devil, here she comes." Audrey said, lowering her voice. 15

Emma flounced up to us, and stood with her butt out to one side. She flicked her hair off her shoulder, and glared at me with great disgust. "Do you know?" she muttered, not taking her eyes off me. I blinked, and wiped my eyes. Was it weird that I could see a nice Emma inside - a trapped Emma, not allowed to come out? 'Yes,' I decided. This was NOT the Emma I knew - well, the one I knew was standing right in front of me, brushing her fringe to one side. But still, in her eyes, there was that look of sadness and loss. I sort of felt sorry for her, believe it or not. 16

"So," she stamped her foot in irritation. "Do you know yet?" I did know, but I wasn't going to tell her that. 'I'll just wait and see if she'll tell me, or be upset,' I thought. Shanking my head, I moved closer to Audrey who looked extremely confused - though it was probably an act so Emma didn't get all suspicious. "My dad has decided..." she paused, taking a deep breath. "My father has recently informed me that..." I wondered why she was using such formal words. 'father, recently, informed'. 17

"Your FATHER has RECENTLY INFORMED you that?" I taunted, putting a huge emphasis on those three 'formal' words. 18

Emma breathed deeply again. "My father has just told me that he is going to be marrying your whoare of a mother." Audrey gasped and clapped her hand against her mouth, staring at Emma in horror. 19

I was speechless. I knew if I didn't walk away, then I'd say something I'd really regret. So I turned around, and stalked off, Audrey following me, her mouth still hanging open. As I left, I swore I saw a hint of a tear in Emma's eye.