Chapter Seven: We all have a Past

Austin was tired, she was tired of fighting, yelling and thinking about her parents love lives.

Running up the stairs she went straight to her room, locking the door behind her, not wanting anyone to bother her with explenations or reasons why things weren't told.

Fifteen minutes later she heard her door knob jiggle and then a knock at her door. It was most likely her dad or maybe her mom, but she didn't care. Austin reached for her remote, turning up her favorite show, One Tree Hill.

Her room was dark, the only light was coming from he TV. Austin threw back her covers, slipped on her slippers before tip-toeing down stairs and into the kitchen.

She opened the freezer, pulling out the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. While getting a spoon, Austin glanced at the stove clock, for some reason she thought it was earlier than three thirty in the morning.

She climbed onto the counter, sitting with her legs Indian style while she searched for the right bite.

Looking up, Austin saw her mother walk into the kitchen, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"I thought I smelled ice cream." Her mom smiled.

Austin didn't say anything, she just took a bite.

Sam sat down beside her, after grabbing herself a spoon.

"No wonder your awake, you went to bed pretty early."

"I guess." Austin shrugged.

"Aus, come on." Sam looked at her.

"He cheated on you, mom."

"I know, along time ago."

"That doesn't make it right!"

"I'm not saying that Austin, but he paid for his mistake and he's still feeling the quilt."

Austin shook her head. "I don't know how you forgave him."

Sam smiled at her. "Because, I love him more than anything in the world, and that kind of love can forgive almost anything. Besides, I wasn't so innocent."

"But you didn't cheat."

"No, but I lied, schemed, it wasn't my proudest days."

"How do you trust him?"

"It took awhile, for both of us. But he's saved me so many times, I have to trust him." Sam smiled.

Austin took another bite.

"One day, when your older, you'll find someone that your so in love with, that when your apart your heart will ake when your apart."

Austin smiled.

"I know, it's cheesy." Sam laughed. "But it's true, one day you'll see that everyone has a past, but what matters most is the future."

Sam kissed her on the head. "Cut you dad some slack, he loves you so much."

"Really?" Austin said opening the door and seeing Clay standing there. "Could this day get any worse?"

Clay rocked back and forth on his heels, his hands shoved in his pocket looking embarrassed.

"What, no come back?" Austin smirked.

"How about I'm sorry?" He looked up at her.

"For what?" She crossed her arms. "My bad day or beating up my boyfriend?"

"Um, both I guess." He half smiled. "Can I come in?"

She nodded and then opened the door wider allowing him to walk into the house.

"Where's everyone?" He looked around.

"Out." Austin followed him into the kitchen.

"Listen, Austin." He said turning towards her. "I really am sorry, for everything."

"Thanks." She smiled. "Sorry I punched you."

"I deserve it."

"Yeah." Austin smiled. "You did."

"Come in." Austin yelled to the person knocking at her door.

"Just coming to say goodnight." Jason smiled poking his head in her room.

"Night." Austin smiled.

"Night." Jason smiled closing the door.

"Hey, Dad!"

"Yeah?" He poked his head back in.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Austin."