"I didn't think I'd be here," Audrey admitted as they strolled, having insisted on walking to Phoebe's apartment. "I got accepted, and after Grandpa died he left me money. So, I could stay, take my major. I mean, Mom only lives a couple hours away, but it feels nice." 

"You were never meant to be trapped inside." Eli commented, rubbing his hands together. Audrey smiled to herself and nodded. She'd missed that click, that instant understanding. No one understood her like Eli, and she was beginning to think that she had made the right decision in trying to keep him as a friend. 

"So, you're majoring in Psychology?" He asked, looking over at her. The sun was hazy in the winter cold, but still bright enough that her hair glowed in its presence. It was strange to Eli, that he was having a casual conversation with Audrey after all this time. Of course, he remembered the easiness with which they used to converse. 

What he really wanted, though, was to be holding her and kissing her. He never wanted to let go again. He decided to count his blessings; he was lucky they were talking at all. "Yes," She said, and then broke into a smile, shielding her eyes from the sun to look up at him. "Not because of you." She clarified. Eli raised his eyebrows at her, "Not all because of you." She laughed nervously and looked away, happy the cold was there to cover her blush. 

****

"Welcome, welcome!" Phoebe rushed the pair into her apartment to keep out the cold. Audrey smiled as Phoebe briefly hugged Eli. She was beautiful, of course. Exactly as Eli had described her. Sharp features, piercing eyes, wispy, pale blonde hair, and perfectly porcelain skin. "And you must be the infamous Audrey." Phoebe shook her hand with a small smile, "It's great to finally meet you." 

Phoebe sat them in her small living room and rushed into the kitchen, where she was still preparing brunch. "You know," Phoebe continued to talk from the kitchen, "I'm actually impressed that Eli got you here." 

Audrey laughed, "I just really wanted to meet you." She admitted, handing Eli her coat so he could hang it up. She stood up and walked to join Phoebe in the kitchen. "You're all he talks about," Phoebe said, sensing her presence without looking up. She tasted her soup and put the lid back on the pot, "I'm not gonna lie, I questioned if you were real more than a couple times." 

"Thanks," Phoebe said quietly, "For getting him where he needed to go." Audrey was stunned by her remarks, and tried to think of something to say back. "Eli!" Phoebe shouted, closing her small fridge with a slam,"Go to the corner store and pick me up some cheese, please!" 

Audrey heard Eli sigh from the other room. "Okay." He complied. 

"Did he show you the book?" Phoebe asked after Eli had left, turning her attention back on to Audrey. Audrey nodded. "It's incredible," Phoebe said softly, "It really is. You saved his life." 

Audrey bit her lip and looked around the tiny kitchen. "Did he-" Audrey gulped, "Did he call you, while he was in New York?" 

"Yeah." Phoebe replied simply, causing Audrey's heart to drop into the pit of her stomach. "But, I'm glad he's back. I think he was getting really lonely." 

"Really?" Audrey was losing focus again. She tried to tell herself that it made sense for Eli to call his sister... He'd spent his whole life with Phoebe, and only two weeks with Audrey. But still, Eli came back to both of them and expected the same results.

"He got here last month, and all he does is-"

"Last month?" Audrey interjected. 

"I know, right?" Phoebe rolled her eyes, "It took me a whole month to convince him to go see you. When I pulled up your Facebook profile, and it said you go to Phoenix, I thought it was like fate or something, ya know?" Phoebe sighed contentedly and shrugged, "He was just nervous." 

"I can't do this." Audrey said to herself, the realization dawning on her, the weight of it pulling down on her soul. "What?" Phoebe said in an almost laugh. 

"I thought I could-" Audrey wiped a hand across her face, tears already falling, "I just can't."

"Hey, Audrey-" Phoebe tried, following her as she walked towards the door. Audrey ignored her, pulling on her boots and coat. "I'm sorry, Phoebe." She said through teary eyes, "I have to go." Phoebe stood in her doorway, mouth agape, as she watched Audrey walk away. 

Audrey's chest constricted as her tears fell. She hadn't felt this way in a long time, and had hoped she'd never feel it again. True heartbreak. Rubbing her eyes so much caused her to bump into Eli in the hallway, plastic bag in one hand. 

"Aud, are you okay?" He asked, concern written all over his face. Audrey shook her head, wiped her eyes once more, and huffed, tired of crying. Tired of crying over Eli. "No." She said, "I'm not okay. What did you think was going to happen when you came here, Eli?" She asked, that spark of anger reigniting her indignation. 

Eli didn't have a response. Or at least, he didn't have a response that would  make Audrey happy. "I can't be friends with you. I thought it'd be easier, but-" Her words caught in her throat and she sniffled, wrapping her arms protectively around herself. 

As Eli was silent, yet again, Audrey decided to leave. She started to walk again, when Eli called after her, "Why not? We were friends before." 

Audrey stopped in her tracks, bristled by the statement. She turned around, "Because that's not what you want!" She exclaimed too loudly, though she didn't care. "Is it?" 

How could she get it through to him? How he hurt her? Why didn't he, of all people, understand? She placed a hand on her forehead, "And we were never just friends." She said a little more softly. 

Eli wanted to say more, he had so much more to say. But, he knew she wasn't ready to hear it. She wouldn't listen, not today. He looked down at his shoes and Audrey bit the inside of her cheek, trying to stop her chin from wobbling. "I'll get back to you about the book." She said hoarsely, her breath out of tune again. She straightened herself and left. 

He felt like an 18 year old kid again, being scolded by her. In the end, she was right. Maybe he should have called. Right or wrong, it was too late to fix it now. As much as he felt like it in that moment, Eli Davis was not a scared, timid kid anymore. And he meant it when he said he wouldn't live another day without Audrey Kepler. 

((A/N: I'm excited to get into the backstories here! Why didn't Eli call? What happened in New York? What's going on with Audrey and her Mother?? Find out next time, on The Days Of Our Lives.. LOL . Hope everyone is enjoying! I'm so so so grateful for your support and feedback! xx))