At lunch, Austin sat under the large tree near the cafeteria. He did not want to be around anyone because he had a lot of thinking to do, alone. The large shed and slow breeze blowing his hair away from his face felt perfect. He took a deep breath of the refreshing air then let it out, making him feel a little light headed.
That was an unfamiliar feeling because in the past two days, his head had started feeling too heavy for his neck.
"Did you get a new best friend? Just letting you know I'm not willing to fight. You're a handful and if someone is willing to take you off my hands, I could sure use the break!" Sam was already seated beside Austin by the end of his speech. So much for seclusion!
"You're not that lucky!" Austin chuckled.
"Seriously? No takers ?" Sam asked, making a disappointed face.
"Zilch."
"What about that new kid?"
"Who..Noah?"
"Yea, rumor has it the two of you had a session yesterday in the bathroom." Sam winked suggestively.
Austin's head spun around so fast to look at Sam that he might have gotten whiplash, "Say that again?"
"So, is it true?" Sam asked, wiggling his brows.
"Is what true!" Austin refused to believe what Sam had just said.
" You know ..."
"No, I don't know!" His pulse was starting to pick up pace.
Sam let out a puff, "Man, that's one nasty rumor to spread."
Austin turned his body fully to face Sam. "Ok, Sam ," he began, talking slowly as if Sam wouldn't get it otherwise, "I need you to tell me what you've heard. I wanna know everything . Don't leave out a detail.!"
"Uhh..sure. Ok, so, apparently, yesterday after your little episode with Lucy by the lockers, Noah came to your rescue and took you to the bathrooms to take care of you and then one thing led to another and he took care of you -if you catch my drift."
"What the...!"
"Yea, they're saying you guys forgot to lock the door and someone walked in on you two but you were too busy to notice."
Sam was done with his little speech and Austin was just beginning his panic attack.
"I can't believe this shit!" he said, shaking his head , his eyes wide as saucers.
"I know! That is so messed up! There's more." Sam said cautiously.
"What more could there be! How could there be more!"
"They say you refused to drive your sister because you were riding with Noah, so she had to call Michael crying so that he could drive her to school. Then you and new guy went somewhere, got it on in the car before coming to school."
Austin didn't know how to react. He just stared into space for however long it was. Couldn't they at least be a little more creative. How horny did whomever started this rumors think he was?
"Buddy, you ok?" Sam was getting concerned because the blood had drained out of his best friend's face, leaving behind the ghost-like equivalent of Austin.
"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Was all he managed.
"I know bro. This shit is disturbing."
"I mean,..I met the guy yesterday morning ! How can anyone do all that after knowing someone for two days even!"
"People are assuming you knew each other prior to yesterday. Like, since you and Nicky both know Michael, you may have met before. He seems too familiar with the both of you."
"That's because the guy has no boundaries and it's like he wants to be attached at my hip or something!" Austin screamed, "And wait, how do people know Noah and Michael are related?!"
"Michael's been introducing him around."
"Why are you pricks talking about my boyfriend!" It was Nicky approaching, her overdone makeup vivid and her heels sinking into the soft ground.
"Jealous I might steal him because he likes my ass better than yours ?" Sam asked sarcastically.
"You wish!" She said, "Hey Aussy!"
"Hey -"
"I know..I know. I don't understand why you don't like it."
"I'm not a hamster!"
She sat down on the other side of him. "Don't even bring it up! That's still a sore spot ."
"Why! Just because your hamster died eons ago?!" Austin mocked.
"Aussy ,the hamster, was more than just a hamster. He was my best friend!"
"Of course he was!" Sam said dryly.
"Men just lack the ability to understand love, don't they!" She said, faking frustration.
"Speaking of sore spots, what the hell kinda crap is that going around?" Austin asked.
"Oh, you heard it too? That bitch Lucy is going to pay for this!" Now she was serious!
"Wait, what !" Austin exclaimed.
"Yea , she's the fucker spreading all that shit!"
"Why the fuck would she do that?!" Austin asked standing up from where he was seated.
"Who knows why she would do anything? That bimbo is freaking insane!"
The tension in the atmosphere was getting dense. Austin was fuming so much you could practically see smoke coming out of his ears. Nicky looked downright murderous.
Mess with her, that was totally fine. It would get her mad but she could easily deal with it. However, mess with her brother? That was unforgivable. It was like a rule that she was the only one allowed to mess with him. Anyone else and they would have hell to pay.
She liked Noah, sure. And she saw the way her brother looked at him -there was definitely something there. She would have loved to see the two of them together because they made a really cute couple. But she also knew her brother needed time to accept it and he was not ready -for now. And she knew that if the rumors went on, they could completely destroy him. She couldn't stomach that.Which meant that Lucy had trouble coming her way.
"Hey guys! Hey babe!"
Noah!
"Hey Noah!" Nicky replied. The other two boys remained silent. Sam, out of lack of familiarity whereas Austin, it was out of annoyance.
"Babe, I hear we have been up to things that I don't know about." He faced Austin.
"My name is Austin." He said, his voice void of any positive emotion.
"I know, it's a really sexy name. But calling you "babe" makes me wanna do those things they are saying to you. And so much more." He kept flirting, his voice going to a whisper as he moved his body closer to Austin so that they were now almost nose to nose.
The whirlwind of emotions going through Austin was too much that he couldn't even begin to know which was which. His palms were beginning to get clammy again and his face was all red. He couldn't let anymore of these wild reactions show. So, he decided to put on his best façade :the irritated one.
"Do you have brain damage?" He took a step, two, back.
"Well, my mind gets damaged whenever I'm around you."
"Only when I'm around?" Austin asked sarcastically, "Because this looks like a full time thing !"
"Yea, ever since I met you."
"You mean..yesterday!"
"Guys!" Nicky called.
They both turned to face her ,Noah now standing next to Austin -who was having difficulty breathing.
"We're still here. Go make out somewhere else." Sam told them.
"What are you -"
"What do you say babe? Wanna find a supply closet?" Noah interrupted.
"Ok, you all need to leave!" Austin had had enough by now.
"Why?" Nicky asked.
"Because he wants to have some privacy while we make out but I'm ok with you watching." His grin was permanent.
"Keep dreaming, asshole!"
"I don't see how that's a bad thing."
"I'm not surprised! Go away! All of you!"
"Why would you wanna be alone when I'm so willing to entertain you for free."
"Because I came here to think ... Alone!" Austin raised his voice a little too high, frustration taking over. Something was really wrong with this maniac and Austin wasn't exactly interested in finding out. He just needed to be left alone.
"Fine.You don't have to go all PMS about it! I gotta find Gina anyway. " she said, picking up her handbag from the ground, "See you later bro.! Love you !" She gave him a light kiss on the cheek and left.
Sam gave him a half bro hug , "Don't sweat it Austin. It's gonna be fine. Now, I'm gonna find Colby. I think there's a conversation that's overdue."
"See ya."
Austin resumed his position on the grass beneath the tree and took out his phone, finding a message from his dad. "Fuck!"
"Right here? I'd love to but I think our first time should be more special." Austin hadn't noticed he was still here.
"What are you still doing here! Are you hard of hearing too?"
"I was too busy conjuring up scenarios of our first time together in my head that I didn't hear a word you said." These were the kind of words that made Austin's mind wander. He kept wondering how it was gonna be a week from now, considering the first forty-eight hours weren't working out so well." So,what's got you so worked up?"
"What are you now, my diary?" Austin didn't feel like sharing, especially with Noah.
"Well, if you write dirty in me, it would be my honor." Noah flirted effortlessly.
Austin didn't wanna start with him. He knew it would never end. So, as the wise man he was, he shut his mouth and just stared at his phone. What was wrong with the world? It seemed that lately, all he received was bad news and he wondered when it would all end.
He so desperately wanted to go back to the days before all this. Before Noah. Before Lucy and Colby. Before Mr. O'Toole. Before that stupid prank. Looking back, he couldn't help but mentally slap himself for caving into Sam and Colby's threats. I mean, what's a gloat here and there if it didn't mean going through this now?
The bet had originally been between Sam and Austin but the suggestion about pranking his parents had come from Colby, who had just happened to be around when they were making it. Colby was also familiar with Austin's father. He knew that the man was a grade A homophobe. Given the right circumstances, he was capable of carrying around a pitchfork and a torch , raising hell for any queers out there he could lay his hands on.
"What are you thinking about Aussy?" Noah asked, the humor in his voice toned way down than usual.
"AUSTIN! Learn my fucking name!" He almost went full on Incredible Hulk on Noah's stupid ass -which was a little uncalled for but it was too late for him to take it back.
"What the hell crawled up your sphincter and died? Because we gotta get it out, I'm planning on going up there some time soon." Any trace of remorse Austin had been feeling about his outburst was gone immediately.
"Seriously, if I had a knife, I'd stab you!" He was not joking.... mostly.
"Why you gotta be so kinky at a time like this?" Noah asked, pretending not to notice the fire in Austin's eyes and the look of pure bloodlust, "Please don't talk so dirty if you're not gonna do anything about it."
"Alright, I've had enough!" Austin started, standing up from where he was seated but Noah caught him by the shoulder, preventing him from standing up. "Let go of me!"
"Where are you going?"
"I don't feel safe disclosing that to you." Austin sneered.
"On a more serious note, what's upsetting you ?"
"To a normal person, that would be pretty obvious. You know..with all the shit going around in school!" Austin retorted.
"First of all, normal is boring! Secondly, there's something else you're not telling me." The tone of voice in Noah had snapped back to the one Austin could tolerate but the latter was still on edge.
"It's like you don't like your nose being squarely on your face. I'm about to punch you if you don't let go of my arm!"
In all honesty, the harshness had nothing to do with how tight the grip was or that Noah was preventing him from moving. No. It had more to do with the effect the contact was causing Austin. It sent chills all through his body and it was like his nerves were on high alert, sensing every little feeling that came with it.
"Does it have anything to do with your dad?"
Austin now looked fully at Noah. How did he know that ?
"Uh..n-no.." Oops! Any idiot, even Noah, could pick up on the true meaning behind those few stammered words.
"What did the old sport do this time?"
"This time?" Austin asked curiously, wondering when Noah decided they were close enough to discuss his very personal life on cue.
"Oh, I know everything, including the shrink bit."
"How?!"
"Nicky." Just the mention of her name was enough to tell Austin that Nicky had narrated everything to Noah. The reason behind how Nicky took such a liking to Noah still a mystery.
"Argh!" Noah had let go of Austin's arm,and Austin slumped back against the tree trunk,abandoning his previous attempt to leave and get far away from Noah as possible.
"So, tell me."
"I've already been appointed one shrink, I don't need another. So quit asking!"
"How about if I make you a deal?" This peeked Austin's attention.
"Continue.."
"If you tell me what's bugging you, I promise to tone down on the innuendoes and general talking."
Austin let out a light, amused chuckle, "Yea, right!" As if that was possible.
"I'm being serious."
"Sure. I'll make you a deal too." Austin started in sarcastic mockery, "When that happens, I promise to be shooting hotdogs out of my ass for the rest of eternity."
"Actually, I'd prefer to shove mine in. That's way better." Noah said while that stupid, perfect grin worked its way to his face.
"See what I mean!"
"That was pre-deal!"
"You're just so fucking frustrating!"
"Can't help it. It's part of my charm."
"Yea, you keep telling yourself that." Austin made a move to go but Noah stopped him again.
"I'm now switching to friend mode. Tell me."
"Friend mode? Do you have knobs that do that for you or something? "
"Wouldn't you like to know!"
"I actually would, that would be the perfect solution to a lot of my problems lately."
"You're stalling." Noah's voice -surprisingly -sounded serious.
"Fine -" Austin gave up on his decision not to tell Noah anything. He only hoped Noah wouldn't be a dick about it.
"Oh, goody!"
"I just got a text from my dad. I start seeing the shrink tomorrow."
"What!"
"I thought you said you knew everything."
"I do. I just thought your dad was kidding." Noah said in disbelief. "He seriously thinks he's gonna cure the gay out of you?! What's he gonna do, exorcise it? Preach? Beat it out of you ?"
"I'm straight!"
"Is it like a Fake-it-till-you-make-it kind of thing?"
"No, jerk! I'm not a fucking queer!" Austin was losing his patience with this guy. What the hell was his deal?
"Sounds like you're in denial."
"Well, I'm not. So shut up!"
"I have an idea!"
"Oh no."
"How about I come with you to your session!"
"Ok, that's it!" Austin stood up from where he was fast so that Noah wouldn't get the chance to stop him.
He hurriedly walked away, heading for his locker to retrieve his books for his next period. When he was done with what he was doing, he reached for the door to close the ugly, grey metallic structure.
As soon as he turned around, about to make his was out of there, he came face to face with a tall redhead. She was tall but still a few inches shorter than Austin.
"Jesus!" Austin exclaimed in surprise, backing up a step or two to get some distance. Looking at her again, she looked mildly familiar.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?" She spoke with a thick French accent. "I didn't mean to."
"Yea, you should warn a guy before you get all up in his face!" He retorted, holding onto his chest as if worried that his heart might jump out at any moment.
"I'm so sorry." At least her apology sounded real.
"Yea, sure." He replied, to which she offered him a happy smile. "Ok, nice meeting you. I gotta go."
He turned right and was starting to walk away when she yanked on his shirt in an attempt to stop him from leaving. He turned back to look at her, one eyebrow raised in question. "Can I help you?"
"Umm. I just wanted to invite you out for coffee today after school."
"Alright, I can see we're working backwards here." Austin still wasn't catching her drift, "Here in America, you first introduce yourself to someone before you ask them out. Even if it's with a fake name." He concluded with condescension.
"Oh, I'm Lira." She introduced herself.
"Cool." He was now just staring at her, bewildered. His mind was too fogged to remember her.
"You're Austin, right?" Lira continued.
"Do I know you ?"
"Oh no! I saw you this morning when we came to pick up Nicole at your house."
"We?"
"Oh Michael, Noah and me. I'm their family friend. I just moved to here and I'm staying with them."
"Oh!" Austin now remembered why she looked familiar, "Welcome to America then..I guess."
"And I wasn't asking you out. It's just that Michael and Nicole offered to take me out to experience a typical American coffee shop. They said that there's so much more than croissants -as if that's all I would eat. So I thought, the more the merrier! Are you ok with it?"
"Uhhhh..sure. See you then!" And he simply walked away.
Her accent was was causing him a headache.
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