Paige was fighting the urge to go up and talk to him, and sadly instinct took over her better judgement. She walked up the stairs to the apartment, Monica tailing her. She pulled out her keys, she still had the key from those years ago but for all she knew the lock could have been changed. Making her way to Austin's apartment door, she knocked on the door, telling Monica to stay behind her. They waited a while before Austin did open up the door; he leaded against the door frame, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath.
"I don't have time for a dam fucking lecture –" He stopped what he was saying when he opened his eyes, the look in his eyes were shock. "What are you doing here? Thought you didn't know me."
His retort was cold, making Paige flinch a bit. "I just came up because you seemed very upset as you were chucking things out the dam window."
"I'm fine, not that you care."
"No you're not. You're not fine, plus how could you let a drug dealer into the apartment?"
A mechanical laugh left Austin's lips. "He was my boyfriend. And why do you care who I let intomy apartment. "
Paige rolled her eyes, she could see through it. He was fighting the urge to breakdown; she's seen it too many times to ever forget the look. The sadness and loneliness hiding in his brown eyes as he put on a smile for her; or in this case a scowl, there was no smile this time. She wanted to hug him, bring him to the bed or couch and run her hand through his hair until he felt better. But she couldn't, she was part of the reason he was like this, if anything about last night was to go from.
"Can I come in? Monica is hungry and we have to wait until we get home." Paige asked, maybe that will let him put down his guard.
"Sure. I was going to make some breakfast soon anyway." He mumbled, standing aside, allowing the girls to walk in, Monica holding onto her mother's long skirt tightly.
"Mummy, I want pancakes." She spoke in a quiet voice
"Um, do you have the ingredients? I'll clean up after I'm done." The blonde asked the male, of course he would, but she wanted to just ask.
"I do. In the kitchen, top cupboard. Bottom is where you'll find the pan." He said, walking towards the kitchen. The girls following behind, Paige was slightly relieved that not much had changed around here. There of course where a few things missing. Like her things, she wanders what he did with it all? Did he sell it? Did he box it like she did with her father's stuff? "I'm just going to do some cleaning, I'll be right back." He murmured before going over to the lounge. Paige watched out of the corner of her eye, but she couldn't see anything as his body was blocking everything he seemed to pick up and place into a box.
Once the mix was done and the pan was ready she started to make pancakes. Monica was sitting on the bench, her little feet dangling off the edge and kicking at air. The pancakes were made and Paige put some on a plate for Monica, and some for Austin. She would eat later, maybe or not. She gave Monica her plate before calling out 'Pancakes are done' so that Austin knew. Paige's phone went off a few seconds after she finished cleaning the dishes.
"Austin, keep an eye on her while I take this." She said before going off into the bedroom, it was work, well were she volunteered at. They asked if she could come in today, one of the workers called in sick. She let out a small and sat on the bed, yeah she could. She would just drop Monica off at Derek's or her mother's. Hanging up, she ran a hand over her face. Her eyes scanned over the room, not much was different, but there were a few boxes in a corner with 'Paige's Things. DON'T TOUCH' written in Austin's hand writing. She walked over to them, opening up one carefully. Inside was all her CD's, DVD's and books, what was in the other ones. So he boxed up her things. She also noticed, the boxes she had, her father's boxes were still where she had left them. Taking in a breath and letting it out she left the room, going back to the kitchen. Smiling she walked over to her daughter, pressing a light kiss to her head.
"Monica sweetie, do you want to go to Derek's today, or Granny's? I got work." Paige asked as her daughter feed her face.
"Derek. I like him." Monica replied with a wide grin before eating her last pancake.
"Thank you for letting us in."
"Yeah, thank you." Monica said handing her plate up to her mother, who took it to the sink. Austin just gave a small nod as he ate his food.
"I'm going; maybe I'll see you later." Paige said, picking up Monica who held onto her mother's neck. She almost leant in to give him a quick kiss on the check, just like old times but she remembered that they weren't together and she was putting up Paige away. Monica said a loud 'Goodbye' to Austin and waved, which was meet with a small grin and wave.
As Paige left, Austin hung his head and pushed the late aside. His eating habits come and go. Some days he will be eating anything he can, other's he just won't eat at all unless someone else was around. He ran his hand through his hair before grabbing himself a glass of water, he wished he could talk to someone but he can't. Trish is on tour with Ally, Dez is in another country directing a film. Paige, well, she just left. Justin is a no go anymore and his parent's he could talk to them about any of this. They may have once been close, but not anymore and that may be his own fault, he would admit that. He just wanted to spend the day watching reality shows and doing nothing but he had to go into the studio today.