Circles - Post Malone

Thirty

"Take your camera. We are meeting my friend later and she is going to give you a crash course," Austin says picking up the box from his bed and handing it to Dahlia. "Thank you...I don't know how to thank you for this," she says taking the box from him. "Oh I can think of a few ways," he says wriggling his eyebrows and opening the front door. Dahlia rolls her eyes and steps into the passage. "You men are all the same, sex, sex, and more sex," she says with a laugh. Austin places his hand on his chest and gasps. "I am offended. I was thinking you could take a few snaps of my shows every now and then...but here you are with just sex in the brain," he says pressing the elevator button.

"Oh, ok so no sex then?" Dahlia asks. Austin frowns. "Now you are just taking the piss...I want both," he says. Dahlia laughs and agrees. "Ok, Austin. I will give you both," she says. Austin punches the sky. "Yes! Winning every day!" he shouts out as the elevator doors open. "Oh easy there champ. You are pumped up for the day," 101 says from the elevator.  Austin's face drops immediately. Oh shit. She has agreed to go on a date with him. She had been in a bad head space last night. She regrets her outburst now.

"Hi, Dahlia," 101 says happily and waves as she steps into the elevator with Austin. "Hello, 101. Going for a ride?" she asks politely. "Yes indeedie," he says then pats his helmet. "I want to be at peek performance for our date on Friday," he says. Shit. Fuck. Shit and fuck. "Date?" Austin grunts. "Oh yes," 101 says excitedly, "Dahlia has said yes to going on a date with me next Friday," he adds for no other reason but to gloat. "Dahlia is busy that day. Very busy,' Austin says. Dahlia looks at him with a questioning look while 101's face droops.
"Oh," he says, "well maybe next time."

"No. Actually, I was busy but I changed my plans," Dahlia says glaring at Austin. Austin rolls his eyes and leans back on the elevator wall. The doors open and Dahlia grabs Austin's shirt and drags him out of the elevator. "See you around 101," she calls behind her as they walk toward the entrance. Once out on the street and before she can say anything to him Austin stops abruptly and slaps his forehead. "Fuck, I forgot my wallet. Go to the restaurant across the road, I will meet you there," he says and then turns back inside. Dahlia does not do as he said and chooses to rather look back into the apartment hallway through the large front windows.

She can see Austin stalking up to 101 who is busy fussing with the chain of his bike. He grabs him by the arms and slams him against the wall with his feet off the floor, holding him up by his chest. Austin starts talking to him through gritted teeth while his face goes red. 101 says nothing but he does nod. A lot. After a few minutes, Austin lets 101 down and smooths out the front of his shirt, and offers him his best smile. 101 smiles back but Dahlia can see he is shaking.  

Austin then walks back to the front of the apartment building and sees Dahlia standing in the window. When he comes out onto the street he looks at her with a defiant face. "Turns out I had my wallet in my back pocket the whole time," he says taking her arm and steering her toward the crossing in the road. "And who pointed that out to you? 101?" Dahlia challenges him. He knows she saw him so she does not know why they are playing this game. "Very observant guy," Austin mumbles and then pulls her across the crossing to the other side of the road. "Looked like you had a good chat with him...what was it about?" Dahlia asks. Austin shrugs, "nothing important really, but he did say that he had to cancel that date with you on Friday...he is a busy guy," he says.

Dahlia frowns Austin was out of line. Sure she did not want to go on a date with 101 but they had an agreement. They have rules - don't tell Gina, don't sleep with anyone else, no jelious shit and a few more. But dating is not off the table. "You can't do that! You are breaking the rules, Austin!" she says with a raised voice.  Austin stops and glares at her then looks around. It's still early in the morning so they are pretty much alone. Austin pushes her against the building they are standing near then hitches her legs up around his hips. Dahlia squeals and hugs the camera box she has in her hands. 

"I am not breaking the rules...I am changing them."

"You can't do that."

"I can and I am, Dahlia. No going on dates with others."

"But, Aus-"

"Shut the fuck up, Dahlia. There will be no debate about it. No dates. If you want to go on a date then I will take you on one."

His words leave her in shock. He will take her on a date? But that's opening a window. That's crossing a line. If they do that they will no longer be black and white but grey. Shit. Dahlia stamps down the excitement that swirls in her stomach. Austin just does not like other people touching his toys. That's all. This means nothing.

"Are...are you asking me out on a date?"

"Depends. Are you available on Friday?"

"Ummm, yes. I think I am free on that day."

"Ok then. Friday..."

He leans forward and pecks her on the lips then puts her down carefully. "Disgraceful," an old lady mumbles as she walks past. Dahlia frowns and takes a step towards her but Austin grabs her waist and lifts her up. "What did you just say you dusty old cow," Dahlia shouts at the old lady while Austin carries her into the restaurant with a chuckle.