When I wake up the next day, my head hurts, my stomach flips.
I had to force myself to go downstairs for breakfast, great my parents and to calm Vanessa.
“Ash, dear, you look pale. Are you not feeling well? Do you want to go to the doctors?“
“No, Mom, I´m fine. Still feeling a bit nervous because of the new environment.“ Out of respect to both of them, I call them Mom and Dad.
It wasn´t always an easy task to calm Vanessa, because she worries a lot and cares for her family. But ultimately she was soothed and would let me go to school
To get my mind off of things, I focused on studies.
My classmates would ignore me like I was dead, I liked it that way to be honest.
Still, another person would be more than alive.
This person would be the Hottie from the soccer team. He would lean against my locker, when I got something from it and smirked at me.
"Hi!", was all he said while I stared at him in confusion.
,,What is it?"
"Just wanted to say Hi and asking how you are doing after what happened yesterday. I hope you're not mad at me." Always keeping his smile pointed at me.
Only now I realised that we were kind of causing a commotion, because the whole hall were looking at us and everyone were speculating what this hot guy wanted from me or if I was blackmailing him.
My anxiety got the better of me, so I did what I could do best: I panicked.
In a moment of brilliance I gripped his wrist and shoved him into to the next storeroom, when outdoors the rumours exploded.
"Wow, didn't take you you for the aggressive type. But I must admit I kind of like it."
Mr. Hottie really seemed to enjoy it while I can't help then to blush and started stuttering.
"Wh-what's that s-supposed to mean? Just because you're hot doesn't mean …"
"A bit too early to call me hot, still, thanks, I take it." He looked so pleased with himself.
As an answer I pushed him against the shelves, hit my head on the way out and slammed the door behind me.
Trying to ignore all the people and shouts in the halls I made my way to my first class.
You couldn't talk about a quiet schoolday after this, my mind ran a 100 miles an hour.
While the other people in class were noisy and discussed the news from this morning.
“Did you hear? They said that there was a big fight between two street gangs in Florida …“
“Hundreds of people died or were badly injured …“
“Terrible what happened, right? So many people that died and were hurt.“ I was startled when I was suddenly spoken to by my desk mate, a quiet little boy with glasses.
"Sorry, I didn´t introduced myself. I´m Gabriel Joker, don´t worry, I´m not the Joker in Badman.“ Smiling he reached out his hand for me to shake.“
I wouldn´t expect you to be. Nice to meet you, I´m Ashley Quinton, call me Ash.“
“Yeah, the new guy!? Were you ever in Florida? My family and I often spend summer vaccation at Miami Beach.“
“I lived there for a few years.“ I tried to keep the information short.
“Alone?“
I nodded and Gab gave me an understanding smile.
After classes Gab would suddenly be gone somewhere.
While someone else was waiting outside for me.
"The hot guy …"
" … from the soccerteam?!" The guy waiting for me in the hallway asked giggling.
"I came to ask if you had time to hang out today."
"Sorry, but I can't make friends.", I tried brushing him off.
"Why?"
"None of your buisness."
"Then how about a date?"
What is wrong with this guy? Is he crazy?
"You know, thats worse than the first one."
"Doesn't have to be!" That was all he had to discuss.
Mr. hot guy grabbed my hand and dragged us out of the school.
Finally he took a second to turn around at me smiling.
"Before I embarrass myself: Would you like to go to an amusement park?"
"What is this? Valentines day?"
"It could be our valentines day."
"Shut up." I tried looking angry, but had to hide my blush.
It's so unfair how Austin can enjoy his time so carefree, while I'm a nervous wreck.
He doesn't miss a single ride, feed his stomach so much, I wondered how he didn't threw up and laughed like the children next to him.
Austin was behaving like a big plushy teddy bear and it's seriously cute, but …
I feel a weird kind of pressure.
As if I'm being watched under a magnifying glass and couldn't figure out, who is watching me.
To keep it short: it's hella uncomfortable.
No need to say that I was feeling uneasy the whole time.
And than there was this water slide.
Austin seemed to liked it, I didn't. Water isn't really my best friend. Even a shower gives me anxiety.
This ride felt like, it would take forever, all these turns, ups and downs. And all this water.
Luckily it was over and we could get out.
Austin had a guilty conscience when he saw my tormented expression and as an apollogy, wanted to invite me for dinner.
"Table for two?" We were asked from the waiter in the tiny italian place.
"Yes, for my date and me, please." Austin answered pleased with himself.
"Very well, sir. Allow me to show you to your seats."
I rammed my elbow into his side and gave him a look.
"What? Did I say something wrong?", he teased.
I didn't honor him with an answer and followed the waiter.
"Aw, you're the sweetest human being."
What he didn't know that time, that I heard his quiet whisper and couldn't help but blush.
At our table the brown haired guy pulled my chair back. The rest of our meal was silent, while I sneaked glances at him.
The weekend arrived sooner than we expectet. Maybe that was because Austin and I had to focus on a new thing for both of us. Our relationship. The last few days I watched every soccertraining after school on the sidelines, we kissed in the storageroom, texted through all our classes and he practically moved into my room. So we didn't even recognised that our time was up. ,,Allright, that was the last box, finally. Say your goodbyes, son, and we can get going!", my dad Jack announced, closing the trunk.
,,Make yourself at home.", I said and gestured to my room. ,,Thank you for the invitation." Austin stepped in and looked around my room as if it were the first time he saw it. ,,It's not the first time you stayed over, what's impressing you so much?" Austin set his school bag next to my desk and took a seat on my bed, but still looking around my room. Is it just me, or is he feeling strangely comfortable already after the second time here?
,,Do you want to go out with me?" I knew for a while now, that Austin would ask me that. For the month I started at this school, I could see that he would ask me eventually. And I did my best to avoid this situation all this time. Actually for as long as I can remember I ran away from this question and to face this now, not knowing what it would lead to in the end, was scaring. So before I took the jump, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes ... let's try that." Austin hugged me tight, not letting go of my hand and I could feel his bright grin against my shoulder. "You finally said yes! Don't be scared, we can overcome every challenge life will give us. I'm so glad to be able to be together with you, I promise I won't hurt you, honey." The nickname made me shiver a bit, but it wasn't all that bad. "Your overreacting. I'm your boyfriend because I trust you and believe in you, but I will ne
,,So, ... it's not a date? I guess, I never asked you officially on a date. So ... want to make this our second date?" It was noticeable that he avoided eye contact, which was unusual for him. That I wanted to talk about something must have totally put him on edge. ,,You know, I don't get you. You seem to be interested in me, you went on the first date with me, but rejected me when I asked you out or when we talk about feelings at all. And on the other hand you're sometimes so seductive, like being all cute and vulnerable and all. After the bathroom incident, I understood that you had some seperation anxiety, because of your bad experiences. That time I just hoped that we could stay friends, because I really want to stay in contact. When you said that you had something to say, I feared it was a rejection of some kind again. And then you start with asking me for a date? What's all that supposed to mean? I don't understand anything anymore." Austin looked
"What happend yesterday after we left?""Nothing big. He just walked me home and we talked. Jonathan is such a nice guy.""Oh? Nice guy, huh? So Gab DOES like him too. Hopefully it all will end well.", was what I thought when I read his answer."Nice guy? In what sense?"Gab blushed a bit when he read my note and played with his fingers flusterd."Nothing, just he was so worried about me when I woke up in the nurses office. Jonathan and Jacob always went easy on me. I was just happy that they apollogized and trying to make it up to me."Well, that was a good response. Hopefully he won't get his hopes up too high.I honestly don't want him to get a heartbreak from his bully."Ok buddy, but don't get your hopes up too high. Don't jump into something without thinking it through and talking the whole bully situation out, please."When he read the note, he looked over to me, nodded and smiled slightly.Gab wrote one la
Shortly after that, Austin and I were laying in my room.Luckily my new family wasn´t home tonight and were staying with some friends, or the sleepovers with Gab and Austin wouldn't have been possible.Austin was taking a shower right now and I switched through the TV channels to search for something good to watch."Thanks for letting me stay over and for the change of clothes ..."Austin stood in the doorway, looking funny but also sexy in my way too tiny top and shorts.My top was too short on him and showed his belly and therefore his packs.Sadly it was embarrissing for him, so he pulled the top down."Hahahaha, your way to big for my stuff!""Thats not funny! I can't do anything about it, that I'm taller than you." The shame set his face on fire. "Thats the biggest stuff you have?""Sorry, I didn't meant to be rude. I don't like it if my stuff is too big for me, so I don't have many wide shirts."He acc