Chapter Twenty-One: Back to School...Back to Reality

It's going to be fine. Austin told herself as she slid into her new back to school outfit. A black peasant dress, that showed off her summery, tan legs and black ballet flats.

She through on a chunky gold necklace, some bracelets and a ring before checking her, freshly curled hair and walking down the stairs.

Wow. Look at all that's happened in almost a year.

"You look pretty." Sam smiled.

"Thanks." Austin grabbed her keys off the counter.

"This will be the first time you've talked to Liam since before summer, right?"

Austin nodded. "I just don't want it to be weird."

Sam smiled. "You'll figure it out."

"I hope so." Austin said kissing her bye and then yelling bye to her dad before running out the door.

"Senior year!" Clay picked her up, twirling her around. "I'm so pumped!"

Austin squealed. "Me too!"

"You look beautiful." He took her hand.

Austin blushed as they walked into the school.

"I have to get to class." Austin smiled.

"Okay." Clay kissed her. "Then go."

She smiled and kissed him one last time before walking away. Austin turned around and blew him a kiss. "Find me at lunch!"

She watched him nod with a smile before walking into her first class of the day, English. Taking her seat, Austin looked around for a familiar face.

She saw people she knew, but none that she hung out with on a regular basis. Her heart dropped when she saw Liam walk in. He looked just the same, his hair was a little longer, but he looked good.

They made eye contact for a couple of seconds before he looked away. Austin watched him look for a seat, it would be her luck that the only two that were available were in front of her and beside her.

He chose the one in front of her, wanting to look at her as little as possible.

What should she do? Say hi? Ask about his summer? She didn't know, so she just sat there.

The class went by painfully slow and it took everything Austin had not to get up and run out.

"Your fist assignment is to make a poster of what you did this summer." The teacher smiled. "It has nothing to do with English, I just though it would be fun!"

Great. Austin thought. This is going to be Hell.

"So hows your day going?" Clay asked wrapping his arms around Austin.

"Well, I saw Liam." Austin looked at him.

"How was that?"

"Weird, awkward, sad...take your pick." She sighed.

"It's all gonna work out, Aus."

"Promise." She hugged him.

"Promise." He hugged her back.

The last class of the day. All she had to do was get through one more class and then she'd be out of here.

Damn. She thought to herself when she saw Liam sitting in her History class. There were plenty of empty seats and she decided to take one in the back.

"Joss!" Austin waved her had in the air, seeing her best friend walk into the classroom.

"Did you see Liam?" She asked quietly. "That's awkward."

"Tell me about it." Austin whispered.

"Have you talked to him?"

"Nope...not even a hello."

"Well then, go say hi."

"Are you crazy?" Austin looked at her. "I can't do that."

"Why not?" Josslyn asked. "Your going to have to be in this class with him for a whole semester, so you should be friendly."

Austin took a deep breath. Josselyn was right.

She got up and smoothed out her dress before making her way over to where Liam was sitting.

"Liam." She said quietly.

Liam turned his head around and stared at her with his deep blue eyes. "Hi" He said just before the teacher appeared and made everyone take their seats.

"What did he say?" Josslyn asked.

"He said hi." Austin said taking her seat.

"Was it a It's good to see you, Hi or a leave me the Hell alone Hi?"

Austin looked at her. "I don't know."

Josslyn rolled her eyes. "Well, he looks hot!"

"Joss!"

"What?" She shrugged her shoulders. "He does!"

Austin laughed. "Go for it, if you want to."

"Oh, no, that's okay."

"Why not?"

"Cause, I'm just not interested."

"Uh-huh, I'm sure it has nothing to do with a guy named Noah Drake."

"It doesn't!"

Austin nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I'm real convinced."

Austin slammed her locker shut and spun around feeling someone kiss her cheek.

"Hello." Clay smiled.

"Hi." Austin hugged him.

"You ready to go?"

Austin nodded and then took his hand. "Let's go."

"Crap!" She said when they reached the school doors. "I forgot my English paper, we have a project do next week and I need to get started on it."

"Okay." Clay turned around. "I'll go get it."

"It'll take forever, your not to good with locker combinations, you know." Austin smiled.

Clay laughed. "You might be right about that one."

"I'll meet you at your car." She kissed him on the lips before walking back into the school.

"Oh sorry." She said bumping into someone.

Liam turned around. "Austin, hey."

"Oh, hey, Liam." She said.

"So...how was your summer?" He asked awkwardly.

"It was good...did you have a good trip?"

"I did." He smiled.

They both turned their heads to the parking lot, hearing screeching tires and what sounded like gunfire.

Austin dropped her stuff and ran outside while Liam ran after her.

She pushed through the crowd that was appearing to find Clay laying helpless on the ground.

"Clay!" Austin screamed, running over to him and bending down beside him.

She bent down next to him. "Somebody call 911!"

"Clay." Austin said putting his head into her lap. "Clay, can you hear me?"

"Austin." He said quietly.

"Your going to be fine, okay?" She cried. "I promise."

"Austin!" Liam broke through the crowd and stopped dead in his tracks seeing Clay, shot.

She didn't take her eyes off Clay. "Stay with me, okay?"

"I...love...you." He eyes slowly shut.

"Clay!" She screamed. "Clay, please don't do this, Clay!"

A/N: Whoa! Cliffhanger:):) What do you thinks gonna happen? Thanks for reading and please review:):)