So kiss me.
-'Kiss Me' Sixpence None The Richer

I was curled up in a ball, with the small blanket and bag of potato chips, filled with anger and some other feeling, I just couldn't decipher.
I felt awful for telling Austin about Dylan but I also felt the burden come off my shoulders when I did.

I heard slow footsteps coming around the corner and I see Austin standing at the end of the aisle with his hands by his side.

"Kimberly?" He used my full name as he approached me.

I turned my head away and grabbed another potato chip.

"Kimberly, we need to talk." Austin sat down next to me and I rolled my eyes.

"There's nothing to talk about. I don't know why you insist on talking over pointless things. when we both know, we'll be parting ways, once we get out of here." I say, irritated.

"I understand, but I need to know something." Austin nods and I mutter a small okay.

"Did you and Dylan-when we were together?" Austin says seriously and I feel my hands become clammy.

I look down at my hands and open them, palms up.

Flashback (Six Weeks Ago)

"I know this was hard for you-" Lynn starts.

"Hard? I'm leaving next year, this is my senior year, he's going to leave to college and so am I. I don't care about Austin, anymore, and I certainly don't care for Dylan." I look through some records as my new record player stops playing music and Lynn sighs.

"You don't miss, Austin, at all?" Lynn asks carefully.

"I'm pretty sure he's moved on, and so should I." I look down at the U2 record Austin bought me. It felt smooth and fragile in my hands, I sighed and placed it in my draw.

Flashback ended

"I...yes, but it was-"

"You cheated on me?" Austin raises his voice.

"No! I would never, Aus-" I try to defend myself and Austin gets up running his hands through his hair anxiously. He kicks down a display of cans and I jump, in fright.

"That was all bullshit! When you said it was all about waiting for someone you love, huh? You're just a fucking hypocrite!" Austin snapped and placed his hands on shelf, it was as if he was holding onto it for support.

"Austin, you don't understand! I thought we were broken up! I was drun-" I protest, my voice cracking, horribly.

"You thought we were broken up?" Austin bitterly laughs and I reach out to touch his arm but he shoves my hand away.

"Well guess what, Kimberly?
I never cheated on you!" Austin shakes his head at me and I feel my heart stop in my chest.

"W-What're you saying, Austin? Of course you did, I saw you-"

"You judged a book by its cover." Austin scoffed and I looked down, glossy eyed.

Flashback

"Happy birthday, baby." Austin says in my ear and takes his hands off of my eyes.

"Oh my god, a new record!" I squeal and he laughs.

"Not just any record, it's U2!" Austin says, clearly excited.

"U-who?" I raise my eyebrows.

"U2! One of the greatest rock bands to ever live! They're old but they're pretty good." He winks and starts opening my record player.

"I don't know, Austin, I'm not really one for old music." I laugh and look at U2's picture on the record sleeve.

"Hey." Austin wraps his arms around my waist from behind me.

"Hm?" I hum, still staring at the record sleeve.

"Lets make a rule." Austin kisses my ear lightly and I laugh softly.

"Okay." I nod and put the sleeve down, turning around to face him.

"Our rule is: Try everything, say no to nothing, and to not judge a book by its cover." Austin smiles at me and I pretend to think about it.

"Hmmm, I guess I could give U2 a try." I tap my chin and he laughs, kissing my nose.

"I knew you would, I can always count on you to do the right thing."

Flashback ended

"I was looking for you, the night of the party." Austin says, looking me straight in the eyes.

"Austin-"

"Let me finish." He holds up his finger and I nod.

"I was asking around- asking people where where you were. I guess Lyla-" I scoffed at the mention of her name, interrupting him and he gives me a look.

"Sorry, continue." I roll my eyes.

"Lyla, said she knew where you were, so I followed her. I thought she was telling the truth. She told me you were sick and were lying in the bedroom. I realized you weren't there, and went to turn back but Lyla grabbed me, I backed up and she pushed me.
I lost my balance so I ended up sitting up on the bed. I tried to tell her you were my girlfriend and that I loved you, that this wasn't right, but she got on top of me and-and I guess I had too much to drink. She kissed me, I did kiss her back and she took off my shirt. I tried to push her off, and you came in." Austin explained seriously and I started crying.

"You never had sex! I'm such a slut!" I broke down and Austin chuckled but covered his mouth.

"I wouldn't say that I didn't have sex." Austin trailed off and I punched his arm.

"After we broke up though!" Austin said immediately and I started to laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" Austin bites back a smile.

"It's all stupid." I start crying and laughing at the same time.

"What is?" Austin sat back down next to me.

"All of this, our relationship was ruined, all because of a lie and a drunken mistake." I sniffle.

"Wait. Drunken mistake?" Austin puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Yeah.." I look down.

"You mean- oh." Austin takes his hands off my shoulders and looks down at them.

"I'm really sorry, Austin." I hug myself and feel more tears fall down my cheeks.

"Me too." Austin smiles sadly.

"So, what do we do next?" I take a deep breath.

"Well, when we get the hell out of here, I'm going to kill Dylan." Austin says sternly and I give him a look and laugh.

"No, Lynn has tortured him already and I gave him a black eye." I laugh and Austin cracks a small smile.

"Holy shit, that was you wasn't it?" Austin laughs loudly and I laugh along with him.

"Damn straight." I rest my head against the wall with another laugh.

"God, you're amazing." Austin tilts his head to look at me and our laughter comes to a stop.

"Thanks." I say quietly.

"Right. It's cold in here, huh?" Austin rubs his hands together and I look down at my blanket.

"Maybe right will be our always." I wink and he rolls his eyes.

"That movie is so cheesy." Austin scoffs.

"For you're information, I was referring to the book." I shot back and he gave me a lazy, playful smile.

"But it is cold." I nod and he nods again.

More awkward moments.

"You could always, have some of my blanket..." I trail off and he gives me a thankful smile. Austin sits next to me, his legs brush against mine and our arms touch, when he gets under the blanket.

"Thanks. You've always been generous." His eyes scan over every feature from my neck to my face.

"And you've always had a way with words." I smile cheekily and he laughs softly.

Austin brushes some hair aside from my neck and I blush when he puts a hand on my cheek.

He leans over and I stare at him, eyes open, watching his every move. He leans closer and closer until I feel his breath fan over my lips. He pauses, waiting. I do nothing, yet he gently brushes his lips against mine. My whole body erupts with a warm feeling and a tingling sensation. Austin fully pressed his lips to mine and that's when I pushed him away.

"I can't do this, I'm sorry." I push him away and cross my arms over my chest.

Austin stays quiet, watching me, and turns on his side, getting comfortable for the night.

As for me, I wasn't getting any sleep tonight.

Big chapter.
Lots of stuff going on.
XD hope you liked it!
I listened to Mess- Ed Sheeran while writing this, I was an emotional wreck XD thanks for reading

-E

QOTC
Do you like rain? ☔️

SOTC
Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

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