Sydney POV
I close the door of my dad's car and hop out, as Austin does the same.
It's nice to be out of the house.
All weekend we basically lounged around the house.
Friday night…after I got into that wreck we skated around the ice rink downtown all night.
It was actually very nice. The guy that let us in didn't charge us after we paid for the first 2 hours, and let us back in every time after the Zamboni thingy cleaned the ice.
Austin had the good idea to buy hot chocolate for JetBrew, which surprisingly was open.
I'd never been to Seven Stars, the mall downtown. I always avoid downtown because of all the press and the cameras down there.
I don't even know why I drove down there, there was a closer ice rink. But it was still nice, even a little romantic.
Austin was quiet, but didn't shy away from me or anything. We just held hands and happily skated around in circles and figure eights for hours.
He still hasn't gone home. He planned on it after we got done ice skating, but Mom texted me while we were at breakfast, saying that he could come over and relax if he wanted.
Austin didn't want to intrude, and I didn't want him to go. So I won.
At home we mostly sat in the living room and watched TV and movies. Neither of us fell asleep, and Mom and Dad left us alone.
Dad cooked out that night, and again Austin assumed he'd be going home
But then when he started to say goodbye, my mom asked if his mom had asked where he was.
Austin said no, and my mom essentially forced him to stay, clearly not wanting to say anything negative about his mom, but still getting her point across that she wanted him to stay.
If that wasn't enough, Matt, Corey and Kevin devised a way to keep Austin up Saturday night. I don't know whether it was on their own, or Mom and Dad prompted them because I didn't sleep Friday night, but they loaded up on snacks and drinks and asked Austin to pull an all-nighter on NextBox Live with them.
And since NextBox is Austin's secret vice, he joined them.
I slept well, since they closed the door to the Media room.
Sunday was basically the same thing. TV and movies. I did have to go to some meeting at Republic for my music, but Mom kept Austin company.
Dad texted me that Austin finally seems to be loosening up.
I'll believe it when I see it.
He's still really starstruck. He has wanted to get a picture with her since he met her, but he hasn't gotten the words out yet.
The only thing mom and dad have been suspicious of, is where Austin has been getting his clothes. His friend came Sunday after Austin texted him, saying he needed some stuff.
Mom lightly questioned him about where he got them, and then came after me.
She wasn't as nice to me, demanding to know what is going on with him. I beat her off, saying I'll tell her when Austin lets me.
My loyalty lies with him.
Dad just wanted to make sure everything was ok at home, since his mom bitched him out in front of them.
I'm not a violent girl, but I could have killed her after what she did.
She still hasn't contacted him.
Austin's grandma has been the only one to reach out. She called Sunday too.
We were watching TV, and Mom was starting dinner. Austin's phone rang, and he took it outside.
He and his grandma talked for at least an hour. So long that mom started dinner, finished it and we all started eating.
Mom and Dad both brushed off his apologies, and Austin explained, saying she hadn't talked to him in a while, and they had to catch up.
Which was a lie.
His grandma is my favorite member of his family. She lives in the same neighborhood as Grandma and Grandpa.
She knows how crazy Austin's mom is, and talks to him practically daily.
The reason why he talked so long, is that she wants him to move in with her, effective immediately.
His grandma thinks (rightly) that neither his mom or dad is doing an adequate job due to the divorce, and he is suffering.
I'd like to do something more…permanent. But he's going there later tonight, so I guess it'll have to do.
Today's Monday. Austin stayed here last night too. Mom called her personal physician to make sure that he was allowed to sleep, and after talking to him on speaker and running thru a concussion test, the doctor cleared him.
He slept in the guest room on the ground floor, after Mom quickly cleaned it up for him.
Usually it's her crafts room, where she makes collages of pictures and stuff.
I was having a hard time sleeping, worrying if he was ok sleeping, when he texted me.
'Come downstairs if you can. I can't sleep.'
He was seeing stars when he closed his eyes, and he wanted somebody nearby if something happened. So I kicked on the TV lightly and cuddled with him.
It didn't last long, turning into an overdue make out session. We kept quiet, but it got the job done.
I left his room at about 4 AM, and woke up an hour later.
Only to be told by dad to go back to sleep.
Mom and Dad didn't think Austin should go to school today, since he's still a little off.
So we watched TV again. Dad was home, but kept to Mom's room mostly.
Mom was at her label for something.
And here we are.
Just stopped at the ice cream shop.
It's our splurge of the day. Dad is paying for it after we told him where we are going.
Even better, Austin seems to be perking up again.
He's basically back to normal. He can look up, focus with his eyes and raise his head without any complications.
His voice is basically back to normal too.
It scared me how quiet it got.
The way he explained it to me, was that it felt like he was yelling, even though his voice was light. So, so light. He didn't want to actually yell, so he just spoke normally, or so he thought.
"Okay…" He held the door and smiled.
"Thanks." I smile, and then slip our hands together again.
We walked over to the dispensers and he gestured for me to go first.
I get the always reliable Vanilla and Chocolate combo.
When I look back at him, he's just looking at the ice cream choices.
He still has a hard time putting thoughts together, but he does eventually.
It's like a computer after shutting down. His brain is slowly coming back up to speed.
He stepped forward and got cookies and cream.
I grab my sprinkles and gummy bears as he follows me.
"Your total is 8.29." The cashier said.
Austin handed him a 20, and after getting change we walk to a table.
…
"You got gummy bears too?" I ask.
He smiled at me, grabbing a napkin.
"Yeah. Might as well. If you like them, I should at least give them a try."
"You've never tried a gummy bear before?"
He shook his head.
"What kind of sheltered child are you?" I jokingly ask.
He laughed and smiled. "They've just weirded me out. I mean…they're transparent. Food isn't supposed to be transparent."
"Water's transparent." I say.
He laughed. "Water is a drink. Gummy bears are candy."
I smile and shake my head while taking a bite.
"Is splashface still freaking out?" He asked.
I sigh.
CMZ.
They found out.
Mom said that they have access to the police scanners, and by the time Austin and I were downtown they already had a story online about me being in an accident.
People flipped out, and mom posted on splashface that yes, I was in an accident but I was fine.
But that wasn't the problem.
In their story, they said that somebody was in the car with me. Since Austin's name wasn't mentioned on the scanner, they don't know who I was with.
Splashface according to Mom and Dad, basically imploded.
Rumors started that I was high, smoking, drinking, basically every illegal thing under the sun, and that's what caused the accident.
Mom posted that I wasn't doing anything illegal, and that the crash was the other guys fault.
Then she lit into CMZ, saying that they haven't improved their journalistic standards in 16 years, and that she resented them for it.
I asked if I could post something, and they said that I should.
I said basically that I was fine, and wasn't doing anything illegal. And that I wouldn't be answering any questions about who I was with.
Not that it stemmed the tide.
People have said I'm being obstructive, that I'm spoiled, that I'm out of control…it's so ridiculous.
"Yeah, but I'm just ignoring it." I say.
He grimly smiled. "They're still trying to figure out who I am I'm guessing?"
I smile. "Yup. But they won't know until I want them to."
"That day won't come." He said.
"Yeah it will." I bite at him.
He laughed. "I'll believe it when I see it."
"How's your head?" I ask.
"It's ok. Took me a moment to choose what I wanted, then I forgot what it was and had to start all over again. But I'm okay."
"You sure?' I ask.
He smiled softly at me. "Yeah Sydney. I'm fine. Don't worry so much. Sorry I wrecked your weekend."
"You didn't. I had a great weekend. I got to spend all of it with you." I reply quickly. "We got to watch movies and be together. That's a great weekend."
"But I was out of it the whole time. Still am a little bit." He said.
Gotta change topics.
"Did you talk to your grandma?"
"Yeah." He smirked at me. "She's fine with me staying with you. As long as I don't do anything with you."
I cringe and blush.
"I'm summarizing her point too. What she said was worse." He added.
"That's not possible." I say.
How embarrassing.
We're not a couple of monkeys that start making out and going at it on the drop of a hat.
"Yeah it is. You don't want to hear what she actually said."
"Say it." I command him.
"Okay…she said not to 'Boink' you, that I have a future ahead of me and she didn't care how great you are, I still should wait."
I groan. "Grandma…"
"Yeah. Sorry to disappoint you." He joked.
I smile on the outside, but want to cry on the inside.
I was so hyped up on Friday, to do something. Anything.
I don't know that would have happened.
But then…buzzkill.
I knew what buzzkill meant before Friday…but it really sucks in reality.
Really, really sucks.
Kissing him last night was good, but since we had to be quiet, we couldn't get passionate or do anything remotely fun.
It was just kissing, which suddenly isn't enough anymore.
"You mad at me?" He asked, forcing me out of my head.
"What? No. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"I…I don't want you to go." I say quietly.
Bad lie.
He reached under the table for my hand and smiled.
"I'm fine. Please don't worry so much."
I bite my lip and try not to cry.
At least not in public like this.
Tap tap.
I blink and take a quick breath, then turn around.
It's a tiny girl.
"Hi!" I smile.
"Hi. Are you Sydney?" She shyly asked, looking up at me.
"Yeah, I am. Who are you?" I smile at her.
"I'm Destiny. Can…can you…" She began, but didn't finish.
She has a picture and a marker in her hand.
"Oh! Do you want me to sign it?" I ask her.
"Yes please." She said, looking down.
"Sure! Can I see it?"
She handed me the picture of my mom and the marker.
To Destiny…Love, Sydney.
I sign and look up.
It's her mom.
"Hi, she's a huge fan of your mom's. Thank you so much." She smiled.
"Oh no problem. She's really cute." I smile.
The little girl saw the signed picture and smiled, then hugged me.
"Aww. Thank you." I hug her back.
"Can I get a picture please?"
"Sure." I say, as her mom got out her phone.
1, 2, 3..click!
"Thank you so much." The mom smiled, and then waved her daughter away.
"Bye!" I wave.
The little girl smiled and waved, then ran to catch up to her mom.
I turn back around to see Austin smiling.
"You're such a pushover."
"Am not. What was I supposed to do? She was like 4!" I say, going back to my ice cream.
"I know. But all you did was smile and be happy. It was nice."
"I am nice." I say to him.
"Yes you are. It was just cool to see you interact with your fame."
"…shut up." I smile.
"Fine, I'll stop talking about it." He said.
Then his phone lit up.
Bryce Harper.
"Bryce Harper?' I ask.
"It's my uncle…Hello?' He said, standing up and walking out the door.
He mouthed to me "I'll be right back."
Ok.
Why is that name familiar?
Bryce Harper.
…
Hmm.
I don't know.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and check the time.
4:40.
That means everybody is home.
Dang it.
Guess we went out later than I thought.
I glance outside to see Austin deep in conversation.
Why is that name familiar?
Blink.
I look down to my phone.
"Hope you're having a good time Syddo. We're inviting everyone over for a cookout. Hope you and Austin don't mind. He's welcome to stay over again, your mom and I know you're still worried. Love you. –Daddy"
I smile at my screen.
"That sounds fun. Is Olivia joining us?"
She loved Austin last time. And Austin was great. He played with her and was goofy and actually was himself in front of everyone, which was amazing.
My heart still hasn't recovered from seeing him play with Olivia. It was impossibly cute.
Olivia seemed really sad when she had to go home, but still hugged Austin goodbye.
His face when he hugged her was priceless too.
"Of course. Prepare for more cuteness. And get ready to fight for Austin's heart. She already has a big stake of it I'm sure. –Daddy"
I smile at the screen and giggle.
"What's so funny?" Austin asked, sitting back down.
"Oh, hi! My dad invited everyone for a cookout, and Olivia is coming."
He smiled softly. "Cool. I'm coming I hope."
"Yes, you are. Mom and Dad also said you can stay over again."
"Seriously?"
I nod and smile. "How was your phone call?"
"It was good. He couldn't talk long, but he saw the stuff on twitter and heard what happened from grandma, so he wanted to make sure I'm ok." He said.
"That's nice of him. What does he do?" I ask.
"He plays pro baseball."
"Oh. That must be why his name is familiar." I say quietly.
"Yeah…the famous Bryce Harper of the Nationals is my uncle."
"What'd he say?" I ask.
"Just wanted to make sure I was ok, that I didn't need anything, and made sure that I know he loves me, and that he's going to try and come to a game when he makes a road trip out here."
"That'll be cool."
"Yeah, I haven't seen him in two years, since he's got his own family and his own thing going on, but we keep in touch, so it's all good. He says hi, and wants to buy your parents something for taking care of me." He said.
"That's not necessary Austin." I say.
"I know, but he's already sending you something, so I'll talk to your mom and dad later tonight. Are we done?' He asked.
I nod and stand up.
"Thanks for paying."
He took my cup and threw it away.
"Anything for you sweetheart. Thanks so much for putting up with me and my brain dead state the last couple of days."
I smile and loop my arm with his. "No problem."
He kissed my head and held onto me all the way to the car.
We jammed out to one song, and then pulled into the driveway.
"Man, a lot of cars." He said.
"It's a full house. C'mon." I smile.
He held my hand up to the door, then let go and walked in behind me.
"They're back!" I hear.
"Hi Aunt Jade." I smile, walking into the living room to see everyone sitting around.
"Hey Syddo. How was your little ice cream date?"
"It wasn't a date." I blurt out quickly.
Everyone laughed, and Dad smiled softly.
"It really wasn't. Nothing special." Austin said, popping up behind me.
"Hey Austin!" Tori chimed happily.
"Hi." He replied back with a smile.
"How's the head?" Jade asked.
"It's ok. I'm pretty much better. Thank you though." He replied.
"We were about to go outside, you can come out if you want." Mom suddenly popped up, hugging Austin.
"Okay." He replied.
He IS loosening up!
YAYYYYY!
"I'll get drinks." He said to me, and then walked to the garage, as the adults started towards the back door.
"Please." I smile at him.
He walked away, and I'm the last one outside.
Behind the pool, Kevin, Corey, and Matt are all doing something with their gloves.
"Is he really better? Or is he BS'ing us?" Beck asked.
"He's better, but he's having a hard time putting two thoughts together still. So…" I shrug.
"What do you mean?" Tori asked.
"At the ice cream place, I got mine, and he took like 3 minutes to get his. He said he knew what he wanted, but once he went to do it, he forgot what it was he had chosen."
"Oh. So you did go to the ice cream place." Andre said.
WHAT?
"I…Of course we did. That's where we said we'd go. What'd you think?" I ask.
Jade, Beck, Tori and Mom all have the same look.
Are you KIDDING ME?
I bite my tongue and breathe thru my nose heavily.
"Uh oh." Jade smiled.
"Don't patronize me." I snap.
"Sydney." Dad said quickly.
"Dad. Seriously?" I say, turning to him and awaiting a reply.
…
"Fine. Don't say anything." I reply.
"Sydney—" Beck began.
"No. Whatever it is no. I don't care what it is. And when Austin and I say we're going somewhere…we're going there. Nothing else to it." I say, and then glare at my parents.
I keep looking at them, trying to get a response, and then the door opened.
"Okay, I'm back…what's going on?" He asked, handing me a peppy cola.
"They think we didn't do to the ice cream place." I frown.
Mom and Dad look like they'd like to go inside.
Austin looked from me, to my parents, then back to me.
"Really?" He asked.
"Austin—" Jade began.
"Just a second." He said, and then added "Please."
All the adults shifted slightly, to make it clear they were waiting on him to speak.
"I…Sydney and I aren't doing anything behind you guys' back. Okay? When we say something, we mean it. We're not running off to some field or the beach, we're going where we said we were going. I…Is that clear? Because I'm not that guy. I know you guys don't trust me yet, but nothing is going on." He said, then leaning back next to me.
Everyone sat there, for a second, then looked to either Mom or Jade.
"I, uhm…it's not that we didn't trust you. We just assumed because it's normal for more?" Jade said, clearly uncomfortable.
"Well then we're weird." Austin said.
"And it is because you didn't trust us. Just like with the baseball thing. Mom. And dad." I look back at them.
"What? It's weird." Mom said defensively.
"The class at Kennedy thing?" Tori said.
"You told them?" Austin blurted out, popping forward.
"Yeah. They're our friends. Practically family." Dad said.
I roll my eyes.
Austin said "That's cool and all, but..."
…
"Tell them!" I turn to him.
"Tell us what?" Andre asked.
"Tell them how irritating and annoying it is, that we've told everyone once, and mom twice, that Austin is not going pro in baseball! And they keep saying he will!"
"Okay. I'm not going pro in baseball. As I said, I failed that class last year like an idiot. I graduated, under the promise that after I got out of my cast, I would fix up the school to get the credit for that class." He looked at my parents calmly.
"Be mad!" I tell him.
"I am mad." He said.
"Show it!"
"We get the point." Dad said quietly.
"Are you sure? I'd love to make the point again." I say.
"I'm the only guy in that group you saw that isn't going pro." Austin said.
"The other two are?" Mom asked.
"Yes. They're doing for the reasons you think I am. But I'm not. I'm doing it for the class."
"Why'd you fail it?" Tori asked.
"Because after I broke my hand I was gone for a week. And since I had already used up my absences for the class, it was up to the teacher's discretion to pass me or fail me. She chose to fail me, despite my A average." Austin said, finally sounding mad.
"That's stupid." Jade said.
"You're telling me." He said darkly, and then frowned.
An awkward silence quickly fell over everything.
"So, in the future, I'd really appreciate it if you trusted us a tiny bit." I say.
"Okay." Beck said.
I look to Mom and Dad.
"Well?" I ask, and then look back to Austin.
…
Oh no.
"No." I say.
He looks like he's got his mind made up.
Austin kept quiet, and I hear my mom say something, but I don't hear any of it.
I simply grab his hand and pull him inside with me.
"You can't go." I say, the moment the door closed.
"Sydney…why should I? They clearly don't like me or trust me enough with you. So why?"
"For me!" I say. "We can cuddle and kiss again."
"You know I want to sweetheart…but I can't just take this lying down."
"You're not. We're not! We proved our point. You can't go…" I say, then feeling tears flying into my eyes.
"You know I don't want to baby…please don't cry." He said softly.
Forgetting that everybody is just outside the window, I collapse into his arms and try not to cry.
"C'mon…don't leave me like this. Please Austin." I beg him.
He simply hugged me and put his head on mine until his phone rang out.
It's his grandma.
She needs to know his plans for tonight.
I look up at him, silently pleading for him to stay.
"I'll be right back." He smiled at me, and then walked away.
I stand there for a split second, and then burst thru the backdoor again.
The talking that I heard when the door opened suddenly stopped.
And everyone is looking at me.
"That was his grandmother." I start.
"Okay…?" Jade said.
"That's where he's staying after he leaves here." Mom said.
"Yes Mom. And he might be going there tonight." I stare at her.
Both Mom and Dad suddenly look surprised.
"But we invited him to stay again…we know you want him to stay." Mom said.
"So? It doesn't matter! He doesn't think he should because neither of you trust him! He doesn't even think you like him!" I hop up and yell at them.
"Sydney…"I hear someone say.
"NO! It's their stupid fault! They're the reason he might leave! I…you both make me so MAD!" I scream.
…
"If he leaves…I don't know what I'm going to do. But it won't be pretty." I stare at Mom.
"You know you can't threaten us Sydney. You're smarter than that." Dad said.
"And you're smarter than how stupid you're being! Can't you tell? He's doing everything he can to gain you guys' trust! And now look! Can't you see how important he is to me?" I demand.
…
Suddenly the back door opens and I whip around.
For the first time I can remember, I'm sad that it's Ellie.
"Hey! You're back." She smiled, holding Olivia.
Olivia smiled and reached out for me.
"Hi! How are you?" I smile, lifting her up.
"Her diaper was stinky, and she didn't want it changed. Sorry it took me so long." Ellie smiled.
Olivia giggled and grabbed for my hair.
"How are you?" I ask Ellie.
She sat where Austin did. "I'm good. Why is everybody so quiet?"
"Oh…we're just enjoying the weather." Jade smiled.
Liar.
I look back down at Olivia, and playfully tickle her a bit.
She playfully kicked her feet and giggled.
Then the door opened again.
Wait…
"Sikowitz?" Ellie blurted out.
"Hello Ellie. And Sydney. And even Miss Olivia!" He smiled.
Olivia giggled, then saw him and became quiet quick.
Ellie and I both laugh, and then Austin came thru the door.
He quietly sat by me as Ellie asked "Why…are you here?"
"Your parents invited me. Thank you by the way. I can smell it from my car outside." He smiled at mom and dad.
"Thanks." Dad smiled.
Suck up.
"You know them?" Austin asked, looking incredulous.
"Outside of class? Yeah. Have for years." He pulled up a lawn chair and smiled.
Suddenly Uncle Beck's alarm went off, and he, Uncle Andre and Dad went to the grill.
Austin took a big drink of his lemonade, and then said "I'm getting another drink. Come with me?" he asked me.
"Sure." I smile, then hop up.
Sikowitz sipped his coconut, and I smile as I shut the door behind me.
"I'll tell you in the garage ok? Now come." He said simply.
I practically run to the garage, but stay behind him the whole way.
He got his drink, then turned to me.
"I'm staying."
"YES!" I yell.
"I thought you'd like it." He smiled.
I jump into his arms and happily kiss him.
"I need more of that. But later." He joked.
"Okay. I'm in." I say.
"Now let's get back outside. See why Sikowitz is here."
"Yeah, makes no sense. Why is he here?" I say.
Austin shrugged, and then smiled at me.
I defiantly hold his hand all the way to the door, then sit down and sip my drink as the adults talk about something.
I don't know what.
Ellie played with Olivia, who hasn't seen Austin yet.
"So, heard about the crash." Sikowitz said, looking at Austin. "How's the noggin?"
He smiled. "It's ok. Still rebooting."
"Ahh. Are you seeing stars when you close your eyes?" He asked.
"You know about that?' I blurt out.
"Yeah. I have had a few concussions in my day. You shouldn't strain yourself until you can close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes without seeing stars. So?" He asked Austin.
"Still seeing stars. Didn't sleep much because of it." He said.
I hear Mom make an exasperated noise, but I ignore it.
Instead I focus on Olivia's cute noises.
"Okay. I'll tell Helen you're not cleared yet and that you'll miss tomorrow and Wednesday." Sikowitz said.
"What? No, I can't. The absences." Austin said in a rush.
"You'll be fine. Just be sure to get a note from Cat's doctor Thursday." He said.
Mom suddenly hopped up. "I'll call him now." I smile to myself as she walked inside, holding her phone to her ear.
Then Olivia made a loud noise.
"What?" Tori asked.
Olivia didn't reply to her mom, and instead grabbed for Austin.
"Oh, you again! Hi!" He smiled, then turning to her parents.
"Can I see her?"
"Go ahead man." Andre said.
Olivia squealed and kicked her feet when Austin took her from Ellie.
"Look at you! You're bigger than the last time I saw you! I can't believe it!" He faked surprise, getting her to laugh.
I smile and lean over to make a funny face.
Olivia giggled happily and swung her feet around.
She's Austin's number one fan.