How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 164: Unearned forgiveness

"He doesn't pick up." I whine as I call Austin for the third time. We're parked in front of the apartment building.

I'm single. He's gonna break up. For sure. It would only be fair.

But I don't want to accept that.

"I'll call Nora." I decide and five minutes later I'm standing in front of the apartment door.

Adam agreed to wait outside so he can drive me home in case- well, in case Austin hates me now.

"Hey." Nora whispers.

"Is Austin home?" I ask her.

"Yup. Living room." She tells me.

I give her a quick hug. "Thanks."

As I make my way over to the living room I have it all planned in my head. I'm gonna apologize profoundly. I'll get on my knees if I have to. I'll explain that I love him.

I open the door and see Austin and Harry's backs of their heads as they watch a movie.

"No! She's gonna break his heart!" I can hear Harry say. He angrily points at the screen with a spoon. "Fuck her! She's a stupid bitch. He gotta flee before she has him in her cage and breaks his heart!"

Austin starts laughing loudly. "It's a love story. She's not gonna break his heart!"

"What? That's 500 days of summer!" Harry exclaims. "Have you never seen it before?"

"What?" Austin asks confused. "You know the film? Does it not have a happy ending?"

"No!" Harry whines. "Just like real life!"

I'm not sure what I expected. Definitely not both of them watching tragic love stories.

"Hey." I say as I walk closer to them.

They don't hear me because of the movie. "Hey!" I say louder. This time they hear me and both of them flinch and then turn to look at me surprised. Austin has an almost empty box of ice cream in his hands.

The surprised faces soon turn into angry ones.

"What are you doing here?" Austin asks angrily.

"Nora let me in." I explain. "I didn't know you're also here." I say to Harry.

"Fuck off!" Harry says. "Fuck off and go kiss Adam!"

"Look, I'm sorry. I can't even explain how sorry I am for that. I don't know what came over me." I explain. "Adam was about to go and he told me he wants to date you, he just- he was panicking when he left the bunker and was over for advice. And I- I don't know. I just- I have no idea. I seriously can't explain why I did that." I admit.

"Wait, wait, wait." Harry says. "He said he wants to date me? That's what he told you?"

"He said he's unsure because you're so important to him and he doesn't wanna lose you as a friend." I say. "But you can ask him yourself. He definitely did not want me to kiss him."

Harry suddenly jumps up. "What?"

"I told you Adam was angry over the kiss. Why do you not believe me, but believe him?" Austin brings up with an annoyed expression.

"Yeah. He was just over for advice." I explain. "I was just stupid."

"Is he- is he here?" Harry asks me.

I nod my head. "Parked downstairs."

"See? Told you." Austin says and also stands up and pats Harry's shoulder.

"Fuck." Harry says and gives Austin a quick hug. "Okay. Is it okay if I-"

"Just go get him." Austin says with a smile and Harry doesn't hesitate and sprints out of the living room, leaving just Austin and I.