Chapter 14 — Real
“OH, I think my mother already knows that I went to my fake uncle’s clinic,” Althea told Justin and showed him the screen of her phone. “That jerk doctor really can’t keep his promise, just like what he did to my mom before.”
Justin silently listened to Althea. Based on what she’s saying, it seems that she remembered more than everything about Audrey’s childhood that could be the reason for having split personalities. He watched her stare at her phone and contemplated between answering the phone or not. Then she suddenly looked up at him. Justin quickly looked away.
Althea laughed. “You’re still not used to me, don’t you?” she asked, smiling sweetly, and looking as harmless as Audrey. “Audrey is such a week human; I don’t think she deserved this kind of life.”
“Audrey is stronger than you think,” he said, looking up the skies. “She’s still you. Just the other side of her—”
“The darker side of her,” Althea cut off with a wicked laugh. “Audrey and I are different. I’m prettier, bolder, and braver than her. I can fight for myself, and I won’t let anyone hurt me. Unlike her, she’s a sweet, tiny creature that cries every time she’s hurt. She’s such a nuisance.”
“That’s why I’m here for her,” Justin said, but thought of taking it back, “I mean, I’m here as her friend to make sure that she won’t get hurt—”
Althea burst out laughing. “I’m not stupid like Althea, Justin—” She was interrupted by her ringing phone again. “Shit, she’s annoying.”
“She’s your mother, Audrey—I mean, Althea. How could you say that your mother is annoying just because she’s calling you?” Justin took the phone from her hand. “Your mom must be worried about you because you’re not yet home.”
Althea scoffed. “She’s annoying because she’s the reason for my father’s death,” she said and snatched back the phone from him. “You don’t know what happened years ago, Justin.”
Justin was shocked by what she said. “Your mom?”
Althea nodded. “Yes, she’s a bitch.” She swiped the phone to answer and put it in her ear. “Yes, mom?” Her voice changed as if imitating Audrey’s tone. “Yeah, I’m with a friend. Oh, you want to speak with him?” She gave the phone to him. “Mom doesn’t want to believe that I’m with a friend.”
Justin took the phone and spoke to her mom. “Hello, Mrs. Saavedra? Yes, this is Justin. I’m Audrey’s schoolmate…Yeah, we’re going home now—” Althea snatched the phone from him.
“Hello, mommy? Justin and I will be having a date today to release our stress,” she said and ended the call quickly without waiting for her mother to answer. Then she shot him a glare. “Do you think I wanted to go home? This is my first time walking around. If you don’t want to come with me, I don’t care.”
When the woman was about to cross the streets, Justin stopped her hand. “You’re in Audrey’s body. Do you think I will let you cause her trouble again?”
Althea’s brows furrowed. She hauled her hand free from him. “Don’t worry about me. You should worry about the people that would get in my nerves.”
Justin took her hand again. “I will go with you and make sure that you will get home safe after this.”
A smile formed on Althea’s lips. “So, where do you plan to take me?”
Justin thought of things that could wake up Audrey’s persona. But since he and Audrey were just new friends, he can’t come up with a specific idea of Audrey’s interests. “Let’s try the arcade games at the mall.”
Althea cocked her head as if thinking about it. “Why don’t we just go to a hotel and enjoy the day that I am here?” She stepped closer to him and pulled his tie towards her. “Let’s just taste each other’s—”
Justin pushed her away from him because they’re starting to draw attention from the passers-by. “Althea, can you please stop doing these things in public? Look, we’re in school uniform. We might end up in the disciplinary office again if you’d continue doing that.”
Althea laughed. “I’m sorry, I’m just excited about such things,” she said and pulled him to cross the streets. They hailed a bus going to the mall. “Come here, sit beside me.” She waved at him, but Justin ignored her. “Justin—”
“I’m fine here, Audrey,” he said and remained standing in the aisle. “We’ll get down on the next bus stop.”
Justin saw Althea rolled her eyes heavenwards and turned to the window. On the second street, a young man got in and looked for available seats. Because Justin was standing two seats away from Althea’s seat, he didn’t notice the man took the seat next to her. And he wouldn’t still see it if not for the child on the front seat, looking past him in wide eyes as if watching an odd movie.
Justin looked back and saw Althea sitting on the man’s lap. “What the fuck, Althea?” He pulled her away from the man and told the driver to stop. He dragged the woman out of the bus and didn’t let her go until the bus left. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Althea knotted her forehead. “What did I do?” she asked, confused.
Justin thought she was back to being Audrey for a moment, but her eyes changed from confused to naughty. “Althea, please stop doing that kind of thing.”
“I didn’t do anything, Justin,” she said and folded her arms in front of her chest, making her breasts pushed up on her blouse. “I was just about to pass and get to the aisle with you, but the man won’t let me. He’s big, and I have to cross over his legs.”
Justin looked at her eyes, trying to see if she’s telling the truth. But what he only saw were a pair of emotionless eyes. “Just stop it, okay?” He held her hand again and walked towards the next bus stop. “We have to walk from here; the mall is just around that corner—”
Althea tugged her hand. “Hey, you don’t believe me, right?” she asked. “You’re thinking that I am seducing that man?”
“Althea, let’s not about it—”
“Nobody believed I exist,” she said in a low voice, “until you came, Justin. Do you really think I am Audrey’s alter personality? What if I tell you that I am not?”
Justin’s brows furrowed. “If you’re not Audrey’s alter persona, then who are you?”
Althea smiled. “I am the real Audrey.”