How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 167: Orange juice

I end up deciding to not go to Lisa's party. I really wanted to, but first of all, there will be people that smoke weed because Matt is her boyfriend, and second, there's a motto, which is 90s and 2000s and I have no clothes that fit. Third, Austin is still in a bad mood and I wanna be by his side. Want is a strong word. I should be by his side. I'm supposed to.

Honestly? I hate spending time with him right now. It's frustrating to see him so lifeless and tired. And I know I'm an asshole for thinking that way when he was always by my side whenever I fucked up. I just want him to be happy and carefree again.

I take a deep breath as I walk up to the door of his apartment, preparing myself for seeing his tired face.

"Hey!" Austin greets me with a smile as he opens the door to let me into the flat.

I kiss him and put my bag down. That hey sounded better than the last few days.

"How was school?" Austin asks.

I shrug. "I was there for like two hours." I explain. "Would have been nicer with you there."

"Wanna go to the party after therapy?" He asks. "Adam, Harry and I all decided to-"

That makes me stop in my tracks. "Do you feel better?" I ask him surprised, interrupting his explanation.

He shrugs. "Yup."

I sigh. "Seriously. It's fine. I know you think I wanna go there, but I really don't." It's a lie. I wanna go, but not sober.

"Just think about it." He suggests. "Now you gotta leave." He turns to the bathroom door. "Hurry the fuck up, Nora!"

"I'm not going to a stupid self help group with a bunch of people who just whine about their own mistakes!" She shouts. "No offense, Sammy."

Austin rolls his eyes. "You promised!"

"I also promised my last hookup that I'd still be there when she wakes up, but guess what?" She counters.

She can be such an asshole. Oh my god.

"Nora, I'll buy you ice cream." Austin tries.

"Just leave already! I'm not going!" Nora says.

Austin rolls his eyes and kicks against the door. "Come out of there. Now!"

"You're not my father. Stop treating me like a child!"

"Then stop behaving like one! Grow the fuck up!"

"How, when you take away all my freedom?" Nora yells.

"Get the fuck out of there. We both know you're gonna give in eventually. Don't make Sammy be late!" Austin shouts.

I hear the key being turned and then she opens the door, standing there with a grumpy expression.

She glares at him and rips the glass of orange juice from Austin's hand. "My juice! Mine! Stop eating and drinking my stuff! I already told you yesterday not to drink it!"

"Then label it!" He says annoyed. "Put on your shoes, come on!" Austin orders.

"I don't wanna go!" She yells.

But twenty minutes later we sit inside the building, waiting for other attendees to arrive and the session to start.

"What a bunch of bullshit. This is not gonna help anyone!" Nora scoffs.

Dylan chuckles and pats her back. "Just give it a try."

"I don't wanna." She says, her arms folded over her chest. She wiggles away from his hand.