Whatever, Cowboy.

Where is He?_7

  Tyler's POV:

  "I've gotta find him, Ari!" I yelled through the phone. I don't know who the Ari523 is, but she's a real good friend online who lives in the area. She knows Austin somehow, which means she probably knows where he would be.
 
  "I'm sorry, Cowboy. He's not in a talking state right now." What? Not in a talking state? So many thoughts exploding in my head. Is he okay? Will he be better? What does she mean 'talking state'?

"Ari, I'm doin' 40 in a 25. Tell me where Goodman is or so help me, I will search damn near every house in this town." I'm not a very threatening person, mainly because my momma raised me right, but for some reason, I'd raise Hell to make sure that boy's okay.

"Okay! Okay! Don't get yourself killed, Country Rat!" The phone screamed. "He's in trouble with his parents right now." There was silence over the phone for a moment as the road breezed by. "Austin lives at 224 East Rogue Street." I can't help but sigh with relief as my foot pushes the brakes slowly. The car taking a slow decline of speed and momentum.

  "Thank you, Ari. I don't know what I'da done without you." I explain calmly, my chest unhinging and allowing me to breathe again. I turn onto East Rogue Street and slow to a steady 15 miles per hour, looking around the modern city houses. Then I saw it. A white fence protecting a light green house with white trimmings accenting the home. That is the closest to a country house in the block, and funny enough, it's 224. Wait– isn't this kind of stalking? No. I need to know if he's okay! I knock myself out of thought when I change the gears to park and remove the keys from ignition. Walking up to his door feels strange. What is this feeling in my gut? It's like when you can tell a horse is about to throw you. Am I in over my head? Should I knock or find his room and just wait? No, that's way too creepy. My hand raises unwilling to the door, hitting it gently before I can think twice. The maroon door pealing open to reveal a skinny blonde woman. She is scarily skinny... does this ma'am eat her meats?

  "Yes? Can we help you?" The woman asked wearily.
 
  "Hello, Ma'am. Is there a young boy named Austin here?"

  "There is. Is something wrong?"

  "No, ma'am. I'd just– Is he uh– Is there any way I could talk to him privately?"

  A moment of silence cut through the conversation as the woman thought briefly of the situation. Her face slowly morphing into a strange face of concern and arrogance. Then quickly to worry and acceptance. There are so many emotions flashing through this woman's face, I can't tell if they're real or not.

  "Come on, hun." The shrimpy woman huffed, her bird shoulders drooping to a relaxed pose. "Austin, you are excused from this little conversation. You have a guest, and he'd like to speak privately." She commanded from the door into the dining room.

  I walk into the mud room to see an open concept dining room and living room with an absent space in the wall, peering through the kitchen. Austin rushes up from the table and looks back at his stern faced father as he waves his hand graciously. I assume that means the good man is letting Austin go for a bit. He looks so happy to go off with me... alone... to have a private... a private conversation! My ears are burning at the thoughts I silenced quickly. And before I could see clearly after blinking so fast, he took my wrist and began rushing us both upstairs. I tower over him by a good 2-3 inches. How is he pulling me so easily? Am I moving with him freely? I'm not in control of my own limbs. They are moving on their own. Where are we going? That's a weird place for a DO NOT ENTER sign. Why's it on the door? Oh, this is a cool room. So much blue, and the hanging lights are a nice touch.

  "I'm sorry there's so much stuff in the floor, I wasn't expecting any visitors." Austin admits with his sunshine smile beaming around the room. His eyes reopen and seem to glow their natural waterfall blue. They're so nice like those Carribean beaches that are almost clear. I think I'd give my life just to swim in them once, even after death, I'd return just to see them again. How far is he from me? Could I reach for him? Should... I reach for him? Why am I still moving without thinking properly? How did we get so close? Am I holding him, or is he standing this close to me on purpose? He's so close I can feel his heartbeat pounding against my chest. Is this allowed? What is happening? I can't hear anything. Is this wrong? I've never held a man like this before. Is this a city boy thing, or is it gay? Am I okay with this? Is Austin okay with this?

  "You uhm... You wanted to talk?" He spoke, finally awakening me from my mind. We really had gotten close. I pulled him this close! My hands are on his waist as his reach up my spine, and our faces are inches apart.  I've only ever done this with Evelyn. Why does this feel so natural?

  "Yeah! Uh– I wanted to ask..." His damn eyes! I keep getting sucked in, I can't breathe around him. "Are you alright? You left Charlie in a hand-made blanket last night and vanished." I explained, refusing to give in to my invasive mental process.

  "Oh." Austin says, a frown appearing on his face. I don't like the way his eyes darken when he's upset. They don't shine the same. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do in this situation, but what I do know is that it ain't what I chose. I kept one hand at his waist and with the other, I reached up to the front of his neck to squeeze his chin upward. His face wasn't gloomy anymore, I'll tell you that. But, for some reason, this wasn't enough... holding him near so close we could feel each other's body heat, our faces being inches apart, the perverse glances we've shared over the last few days alone. At the party, I held his hand, I drank after him, I slept with him by my side. And although he didn't know it, when I first arrived into that guest room I saw him through my puddled eyes. Lying peacefully, breathing so calmly yet so invitingly. And again, when I went to loosen my belt so I'd be able to sleep better in the closet; How he'd been so quick to awaken and jump away.

  I come back from my subconscious speech to find Austin pinned against the wall by my hands. What was I doing to him? How did I move so quickly? Why is my stomach so tight? Is this okay? Why isn't Austin doing anything to stop this?

  "Austin? Cowboy45? Are you guys in here?" A young feminine voice called through the slit of the door.

  "We're fine, Arizona!" Austin covered quickly, his voice cracking high. "Just... talking!" We hadn't actually spoken much at all. I told him my concern, and then get stuck in his eyes again, then I come back to my senses to see him helplessly clung to the wall.