It has been almost an hour since we've been at the victory party of the match. Austin had held my hand most of the time and we had a lot of fun. This time I wasn't intoxicated. Austin didn't let me drink at all.

Stupid Austin, I thought to myself as I frowned.

"Just one shot," I pleaded, struggling to convince him

"Nope," he said not even sparing a glance at me as he gave me the same one-word answer

"Please," I tried to negotiate with making a puppy dog face

"Nope," he replied once again

He didn't even try to reason with me. He was just so adamant and that's when my anger rose.

"You can't boss me like that Austin," I announced sternly

"Alright. Drink as much as you want," he said letting go of my hand

"Really?" I replied excitedly, feeling the satisfaction of winning over an argument with him

"Sure," he said, "Only if you want me to do what I didn't do the last time," he threatened, looking right into my eyes.

Immediately my spirits dropped. All that enjoyment drained in a blink of an eye. I recalled the last time I was drunk. I literally woke up in his bed half-naked and I wouldn't want that to happen even in the next million years to come.

"Shut up," I replied looking away

"Good girl," he said, smiling as he tugged his hand in mine

*********

"I'll be back in a moment," I said after a few minutes

"Where are you going?" he questioned

"Washroom," I replied and headed towards finding the toilet

I came back 15 minutes later and found Austin speaking to someone. When I came near that someone turned out to be Jenna. She held Austin's hand in hers and was smiling at him. Austin looked uncomfortable.

"Hazel, I'm glad you're back," he said looking at me and instantly releasing himself from her grip.

Jenna rolled her eyes as her smile faded away.

"Let's talk somewhere else," she suggested looking at Austin

"No, it's alright we can speak here," he replied, "why don't you join us, Baze,"

"She doesn't need to join us for anything Austin," Jenna said

"What is your problem, Jenna?" Austin questioned angrily

"It's alright guys. I'll go somewhere else," I suggested

"You are not going anywhere," Austin commanded

"Austin-" I was about to say

"Tell me, Jenna. What exactly is your problem with Hazel?" I questioned

"Why don't you ask her?" she replied crossing her arms against her chest

"Because. I have never seen her be rude to you. It is always you who glares at her like you are going to eat her alive," Austin said

"I wish I could," she said

"Jenna," Austin said sternly

"If you really wanna know anything ask her not me. It is her who started it all in the first place" she shot back and walked away

"Hazel, what is this all about?" he asked me

"Let's just leave it please," I pleaded

Without a word, Austin just looked away furiously.

I know he wants to know everything and I know someday I'll have to tell him but I don't know how to begin or if I should tell him anything at all. Everything is just connected to one single person- Kevin.

The rest of the party was pretty plain. Austin and I didn't talk much. Just a few one-word questions and answers of whether we wanted something. I could see he was still angry.

"I think I should go now," I said getting up, unable to deal with the tension

"Yeah, me too," Rose joined as she grabbed her purse

"Alright, let's go," Jake said as everyone else got up

We walked out of the party towards Jake's bike

"Hop on," he said to Rose and she looked at me, asking for permission with her eyes.

She is adorable. I know.

"It's alright. I'll go on my own," I replied

She sat behind him and Jake started the engine and they drove off. I took out my phone to call a cab.

"I'll drop you," Austin said as he proceeded towards his car without even waiting for me to answer

I tried to buckle my seat but the strap was struck. When Austin saw me struggling he leaned over to help. In the process, he came really close to me.

Our faces were inches apart. Even the slightest movement would make our skins touch. I looked right into his deep blue eyes while he stared right back into my eyes trying to search for his answers.

In the shadow of the night, the intimacy felt intense. I could see in his eyes the desperation to seek answers. Know a little more about me and my past. The reason I was holding myself back and not reciprocating his feelings.

He wanted me to convince him. To tell him I loved him just the way he loves me. But despite my will, I couldn't do anything.

My trust and spirit were hurt too deep to be able to confide in anyone again. The fear of losing him was too deep to be able to confess my emotions.

"Thanks," I said once he buckled me.

He didn't reply and just turned away.

"Austin, I'm sorry," I said placing my hand on his

"Hazel-" he was about to say

"There are somethings that I want to tell you. A lot of answers to give but I'm not ready yet. I just don't know where to begin and how to confess. I need some time and once I have that courage to face that pain I'll tell you everything, I promise" I said

His deep blue eyes looked right into mine and he finally spoke placing his hand on mine

"I trust you, Hazel. And I'll wait as long as I have to. But just know this, no matter what happens I'll always be by your side," he replied, softly

"I know," I smiled

"Now, do you wanna go to my house or yours?" he asked zooming back to his annoying self

"Why on planet earth will I go to your house?" I questioned

"I don't know. You wanted to go the last time we were at a party and we both know how well that ended, don't we?" he said

"Shut up!" I exclaimed.

He exploded into laughter and soon I joined him. He sure knows how to make me laugh and that is the best thing about him.

********

A/N
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Toodles.