Chapter 20: Chapter 20

I woke up ecstatic this morning. Last night is tagged the best night ever lying beside Austin. Austin said he likes me. Repeating the word twice. I wanted to laugh at his best definition of like but that would have embarrassed him more. To me, those words were like a huge start up after weeks of us being together. When I woke up this morning, we were spooning, I wish I could take a picture but that would be unladylike. I pick my phone from the night stand tiptoeing out of his room throwing one glance watching as he snuggle to my pillow with a smile someone will tag creepy on my face. Whatever, they will never understand how I'm feeling right now.

"Good morning Mrs. Mahone." I walk into the kitchen to see her making breakfast and Gwen playing with her Legos.

"Hey princess." She muses and rewarded me with her precious grin just like her brother. How so alike they both are.

"Morning Tintin's girlfriend." I laugh at that. Ever since I've been coming here, she never stops calling me that.

"How many times did I tell you not to call me that, you can call me Amelia?" Her mom reprimands me. "Want to stay for breakfast?"

"Sorry I can't, have to be home and school is in a short time." She nods. "Ok bye." I left for my home. Dad already dressed for work and mom preparing breakfast.

"I put it you had a goodnight yesterday." I smile.

"Yeah dad." I walk to him giving him a hug and going to kiss mom. "Be down in a minute." I rush up the stairs to get myself ready.

***

I sat in chemistry class beside Lawrence my partner too busy trying to mix the right chemicals carefully, I fail to realize Lawrence reluctance.

"Why are you with him?" Confused I stop.

"Who?"

"Austin the quarterback." I sigh going back to our work. "Is this time for that or our class work?"

"Just answer me M.V. Is he making you do it? Does he have anything against you? You can tell me, you know." I frown.

"Lawrence can you just stop." I reply agitated. His eyes widen in shock, a sense of guilt wash over me.

"I'm sorry okay. I didn't mean to snap at you." I rub my temple feeling dizzy.

"You like him don't you?" It was more of a confirmation than a question. I accepted muttering a soft yes just because he can obviously read me whenever I lie. "Does he know?"

"Yes."

"You know it won't last? He will eventually hurt you, that's who he is and when that time comes I'll hurt him for hurting you. I don't like him and I don't want him near you." He pauses. "I'll respect your decision but, any mistake from him, you are leaving him and ending whatever is going on between the both of you."

He looks dead serious. I sigh going back to our work but my mind scattered into many

pieces of a puzzle that I can't seem to put in place.

First Kim, now him. Is the whole school thinking the same thing also, probably laughing behind my back waiting for the very moment it explodes then the start pointing fingers at me? Yesterday we accepted we like each other so what happens next. Is he going to ask me out and am I going to say yes? And if I do, how long will it last before he hurt me by breaking my heart or I hurt him by dying. The failure of our friendship is inevitable. Do I want to risk it by continuing or tell him to stop this whole thing? Ugh, why is my life suddenly confusing?

"Babe, did you hear what I said?" She frowns.

"Sorry go ahead." I muse tiredly giving her my ears.

"He's leaving; Mr. Fredrick is leaving."

"And?" my brows raise in confusion. Worst mistake ever.

"And? He's going back for his finals which after he graduates and move to wherever he thinks of and I never to see him again." she glares furiously at me.

"Is that bad?" I really need to shut up now.

"Yes! Yes, it is." Is it just me or is she acting like she's about to strangle me. Guess I'm not giving her the answers she wants to hear.

"When is he leaving?"

"Today. He's leaving today." I groan.

"He's twenty-one and you're seventeen Bailey." She waves me off.

"Correction eighteen in the next few days." I groan loudly.

"Just go ask him for his number or invite him to your party; that won't be illegal. He's no more a teacher and you are of legal age." I can't believe I just said that and with the look on her face, it seems she bought it.

"Bestie! you are a genius." She squeals. "I'll do that after school. I love you."

The intrusion of a scrapping tray on our table and a body beside mine snaps our head.

"Austin? What are you doing?" I frown, I'm really not having the best day today. He looks at his tray and then at me in a weird expression.

"Isn't it obvious?" He starts eating talking to a grinning Bailey. I can't breathe. This is school and not home. What is he doing? My mind scream for me to stop him. My eyes went to his usual table, his teammates watch us weirdly, breath Mary-Vienne, breath. I blink scanning the cafeteria, most tables eyes are on us same with the weird look. What are they thinking? Are they judging me? Did Austin care about their stares because he doesn't seem affected like I am? Suddenly his hand creep on mine holding it, I think I'm going to faint.

"You are over thinking again Snoopy." my head turns to him; he smirks looking at me. Austin the captain of our quarterback team is sitting with me in the cafeteria. Does he know how much shade that will cost me from now on? He just openly declared we are a thing, he doesn't care and everyone can go fuck themselves. I catch Kim's murderous glare at me swiftly looking back to my tray. I think I'm going to puke.

"I can't. They are watching." I almost whine.

"Then let them. I only get to see you during lunch this whole week due to trainings and you don't know how frustrating it will be for me, not having time for our study date or hangouts. If you won't miss me that's your headache although it hurts to know the girl I like won't miss me because I'll miss you so much and I want to spend every single moment I'm free with you. Deal with it." I blush feeling butterflies in my stomach. "Eat your lunch before it gets cold." He

motions to my tray of food smirking.

"You two are so cute." That snap me from my worries glaring at Bailey. "I ship you both." Gushing she continues her lunch. I feel like I'm the only one on this table that's nervous about this new sitting. Austin's hand squeeze mine thrice reassuring me it's all good. His eyes still trained on Bailey.

Enjoy the moment while it lasts, I spoke to myself.

He came closer whispering to my ear. "That sleep and run doesn't work well for me. Next time you wait for me so I can kiss you awake, okay." if I thought I was blushing before now I'm all shades of pink feeling heat crawl on my skin. I clear my throat for my own sanity.

"Okay." I say softly squeezing his hand. He takes a second to look at me smirking and goes back to talking with Bailey who kept throwing winks at me blushing furiously while trying to gobble down my lunch amidst the swarms of butterflies flying amok in my belly with Austin coyly watching me. I smile faintly.

What Austin wants, Austin gets.