Chapter 23: Dead Body

“I bought fish and low lactose milk for the kitten,” Justin told Audrey as soon as she returned to their table. “Have you had breakfast? We can eat first before going to our next class.”

“I did not attend my first class because of what happened earlier,” she said and looked at him apologetically. “I’m sorry I bothered you, Justin.”

Justin smiled at her. “You don’t have to say sorry,” he said and took her hand. All the students inside the canteen looked at them, both faces were wearing the same expression of shock. But Justin was unbothered by their gawks. Unlike Audrey, who looked embarrassed because they were getting so much attention from the students. “Hey, you don’t have to be shy.”

Audrey lowered her head and awkwardly pulled her hand free from him. “We shouldn’t be doing this in public,” she said and covered her face with her bag. “They might bug me for questions because of this.”

“You don’t have to answer them,” he said and pulled her hand again. “Remember that it will never be your obligation to explain to everyone. If they don’t like what they’re seeing, it’s not your problem.”

Audrey looked at him in the eyes. Justin doesn’t understand, but he feels as if it wasn’t Audrey staring at him. Is it because Althea existed within her? There are times that even she’s Althea, he sees a glimpse of Audrey in her eyes, especially when she’s laughing. Althea and Audrey are the same people, they’re living in one body, but the question that kept on bugging Justin’s mind is who created who? Who’s the real Audrey? Who came out first? And, why Althea kept on insisting that she is the real Audrey?

“Did you get a box for the kitten?” Audrey asked, looking around their table. “You didn’t?”

“I haven’t asked the canteen server,” he said and looked at the counter. “I’ll go get a box—”

“I’ll do it,” she said with a smile and walked towards the canteen counter.

The students around followed Audrey with their gazes, some were disgusted, and some were amazed. But Justin noticed that Audrey didn’t look bothered, unlike what she said to him. After just a few minutes, Audrey came back with a box of fruit juice in her hand. She was smiling widely as if what she did was the most significant achievement. With that smile, Justin confirmed that she was still Audrey. He simply let out a sigh of relief.

“Do you think she’ll fit in here?” she asked, raising the box.

Justin nodded. “She’s tiny. This box still has a lot of space for her.”

“Oh, I think ‘Tiny’ would fit as her name,” Audrey said excitedly. “I wish I could take her home, but she’ll be better in your house.”

“You can visit her after class—”

“Justin!”

They both looked at who was calling him and saw that it was Nikki’s friend. They approached them and gave Audrey scrutinizing glares. Justin pulled Audrey’s hand and hid her behind his back before he answered the three women.

“What do you need?” he asked in furrowed brows.

“Nikki’s missing,” the girl in the middle answered worriedly. “We haven’t seen her since early this morning.” She glared at Audrey. “After the incident at the comfort room.”

“After you bullied Audrey?” Justin corrected. “Have you tried calling her phone?”

The girl in high ponytail nodded. “But she’s not picking up. She never ignored our calls, especially during class.”

“Maybe she went somewhere—”

“Shut up. We don’t need your opinion.” The woman in the middle snarled at Audrey. “This is your fault why she’s missing.”

“Don’t accuse her without proof, Emerald,” Justin told the woman with furrowed brows. “How can you say that she’s missing if you haven’t tried looking at her?”

The three didn’t answer and just exchanged glances. “This is unusual, Justin. You knew Nikki. She won’t just disappear, especially in the middle of our classes.”

“Try paging her,” Justin suggested and started walking away with Audrey.

“Justin, aren’t you worried about her? She’s your girlfriend.”

Justin faced them. His brows furrowed in so much annoyance with these women. “Nikki and I were histories. We broke up a couple of months ago.” He held Audrey’s hand and showed them. “Audrey and I are already dating. Then, might as well start moving on and forget about Nikki and I’s relationship.”

The three women gasped with his revelation. Before they could react, Justin dragged Audrey outside the canteen. When they were at the parking lot, he faced her with explaining, but Audrey immediately went to find the kitten.

“Audrey,” Justin called her as she crouched and peeked under the red sedan. “Can we speak first?”

“We’ve got to find Tiny first,” she said and kept on looking around the parking lot. “Oh, there she is! Tiny, come here, kitty—shit!”

Justin went on her side to check what happened. “Are you okay? Did she bite you?”

Audrey didn’t answer. She just looked at the tiny kitten, hissing at them. Justin anticipated what would happen next, so he held Audrey’s arm and pulled her away from the kitten.

“Audrey, Audrey?” He tapped her cheeks, but she was still not responding. “Audrey, don’t switch now, please?”

Audrey blinked twice and met his gaze. Then a wide grin formed on her lips. “Too late, Justin,” she said and pushed him away. “Where’s that fucking cat—”

“Justin, Justin!” Nikki’s friends ran towards them.

Justin quickly held Althea’s hand. “Don’t mind them, okay?”

Althea smirked. “I’ll see.”

“Please—”

“Justin, there’s a dead body found at the industrial garden,” Emerald informed him. She’s panting and shaking due to running. “They say it’s a female student. And, according to her ID, she’s Nikki Fuertes…”