Chapter lll

While Austin made some popcorn I changed into something more comfortable. I sprinted up to my closet and tried my best to be speedy. I chose black cropped leggings with a blue camo waistband and a white cutoff T-shirt I got from some soccer tournament, but before I grabbed a sports bra since the sleeve openings showed the side of my torso. I threw on some warm long socks and scrunched them down a little. Then, I ran down stairs to be instantly hit with the smell of buttery popcorn. I loved it. I thought I would see Austin in the kitchen looking for a bowl but he was already setting up the couch with all the blankets. I stood there in the doorway for a few seconds then jumped into the mountain of blankets. Sliding under them I asked which movie he picked.

He answered "Well its either dark skies or insidious chapter 2?"

I had already seen dark skies so I said insidious 2. He put it on and then sat on the ground below me. I have to admit it as hurt, I thought I was clear earlier.

"hey stranger, come up here!"

He looked up confused. I reached down and started to pull him up onto the couch with me, almost dropping him bc he was definitely not light. Finally he helped himself up and I wrapped the blankets around him. He looked down at me smiling and placing his arm around me. I snuggled in close taking a handful of popcorn. I don't know why, but this just felt...right.

We ended up watching dark skies after and I fell asleep halfway through. I woke up in my bed, I'm guessing Austin put me there. Last night was amazingly perfectly perfect. I wish it didn't have to end. I'm guessing the others got wasted considering it was 7:00 and no signs of life besides earlier when Tori called me into her bathroom to hold her hair. I was currently in the kitchen sipping some tea. I love coffee but I'm trying to stay away from it. I picked up my phone and decided to see Austin's a text.

AUSTIN: Thanks for tonight. I really enjoyed myself, sleep tight, see you in the morning!

I decided to send him one back, mostly because I was bored but I also wanted to see him and his amazingly charming smile.

ME: hey. You up?

AUSTIN: I am now. Wanna go for a walk on the boards? Maybe get some donuts for our hungover friends?

ME: Sounds great!

AUSTIN: I'll pick you up in 15. :)

15 minutes? I needed to rush. I stood up and ran to my room. Picking up my emergency outfit that was already picked out and put together. It was a pair of ripped light wash jeans that I cuffed at the bottom, a red tank blouse and my grey-brown sanuks that had fur in them. Ok outfit done now hair, I just let it down and brushed it out into what looked like natural beach waves. I braided a piece back and bobby pinned it in place. Wiping off my leftover makeup and putting on a new more natural coat. I could hear him pulling up into the gravel driveway, so I snatched up my purse and a light black jacket. Just as I walked down the stairs there he was at the door, perfect timing. I grabbed my phone off the counter took one last sip of my tea and headed to Austin.

"Hi!" he smiled.

"Hey!" I responded.

"Ready?" I nodded and he opened my door. After he closed it he went around hopped in and we were off.

This time we talked during the ride.

"So, about last night. I hope you don't mind me not saying goodbye. You just looked so peaceful, I couldn't bring myself to wake you. So I just took you up to bed and left just as the girls stumbled in."

I grinned "No, no I don't mind at all, I had fun last night, with you." That last part trailed off a little.

His hand was resting on the center console, I was so tempted to just reach up and hold it. No, we're just friends that all, nothing more! I need to stop thinking this way, I couldn't risk ruining this new found friendship. This is the happiest I have been in a while, I wasn't going to screw that up. Nope, just friends. I looked up at him, he was concentrating on the road. His eyes were like deep brown pools of chocolate that just made me melt, his hair perfectly swooped to the side naturally, and his smile was paralyzing. STOP! I DO NOT LIKE HIM! He must have noticed me in deep thought because he took his eyes off the road and placed them on me.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" he casually said.

"Nothing really in particular" I replied just as casually but that wasn't enough.

"I think I know you well enough by now to know when somethings up, so just come out and say it because I'm going to find out eventually"

"I'm just worried about the girls, I don't want this to be an everyday thing" I lied not wanting to say the real reason.

"What you don't like hanging out with me?" he smirked.

"No I do, believe me I do, but this is supposed to be the best vacation ever and it wouldn't be complete without them."

He nodded and it grew silent again. I put on the radio and Lucky Strike by Maroon 5 came on. I looked out the window and accidently forgot who I was with.

"You're body rocking, keep me up all night. One in a million, my lucky strikeee!" I was brought back to reality when he chuckled then tried to hide it.

"What you don't like my singing?" I said trying hide my embarrassment.

"No, its just I bet Im ten times better.."

"Oh really? Im waiting.."

"Stuck in her elevator, she take me to the sky and i dont want to go down, go down"

He was good! He didn't stop so i joined along. We continued the song until it ended and went to commercial.

"Wow, you are kinda good.." I lied he was AMAZING!

"Thanks, you're not too shabby yourself"

The ride seemed long but it was really only 10 minutes to the boardwalk. He parked all the way down the opposite side so we could have a long walk. I hopped out and met him around front of the car. His hand reached out to meet mine but quickly withdrew, as if it was a terrible mistake. Which I'm guessing because he quickly tried to distract me. I acted unfazed so he would think I didn't notice. Truth is I secretly wished he kept it there, with mine, intertwined, together.

"So, where are you from?" he started

I had totally forgotten that really he only knew my name, age, and a few minor details.

"Pennsylvania" I stated. "What about you?"

"New York, but not in the city, right outside" He slowly started to walk closer to me.

"Oh cool, I've only ever been to the city but I have drove through parts of New York, it she-" cut off again...

"O.M.G Austin?" Some random girl screams and runs up to him.

"Oh, hey Brooke.." he seemed uncomfortable

"How are you? I haven't seen you in months, you look great!" She stops and looks at me. "Who's this? You never told me you had a sister!"

"Brooke this isn't my sister its my, my girlfriend" he stutters and mumbles a bit but I heard him loud and clear, and so did Brooke.

"Oh, well um I have to get going, bye" she waves and quickly escapes to the beach.

I am still stunned and just standing there with a confused, blank stare. Did Austin just call me his girlfriend?

So that's it chapter 3! I'm having some trouble with tying everything together, so please leave any suggestions in your review! Thanks to all of you who are still reading! HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!