Distant (Book 3)

Chapter 12: Its Up To You~

Austin, Alex, Zach, Robert, and I are all on our way to Main Event to go bowling and play some arcade games. Once we get there we get a lane.
"The last time I went bowling I just got out of the hospital, now I have to be on crutches! Will I ever get to bowl again?!" I say.
"Tell you what, when you come visit me in Miami we can go bowling there. The bowling places are way cooler anyways." Austin tells me.
"Fine, lets hope nothing else happens to me before then and I can't bowl again." I say.
"Well you're really clumsy so i don't know if thats possible." Zach says.
"Im not that clumsy." I protest.
"Yeah you are." All four of the boys say at the same time.
I gasp.
"Nothing will happen, you'll be fine." Austin says.
"You just agreed with them that I was clumsy." I tell Austin.
"Well yeah, but even if something happens it doesn't mean it will be something that will prevent you from bowling." Austin says.
"Okay can ya'll just start the game? I want to play the arcade games." I say.
"Okay okay. Just sit down and cheer me on." Austin say.
"What if I don't want to cheer you on, what if I want to cheer Alex on." I say.
"No, you always cheer me on."
"Maybe I want to change it up a bit."
He looks at me.
"Sade, just cheer me on." He says.
"Just play the game, you don't need me to cheer you on."
"But it will help me." He says.
"Then just imagine I'm cheering for you." I tell him.
"Fine, don't cheer for me." He says.
Then they start the game. After a while the game is over. Austin didn't win for once.
"I blame you." He says pointing at me.
"Why because I didn't cheer you on? What am I your good luck charm or something?" I ask.
"Yes, you are." He says.
"Oh I am?"
"You've never noticed you're Austin's good luck charm?" Zach asks.
"No." I say.
"Every time you're with him and cheering for him on something he wins." Robert says.
"Austin is perfectly capable of winning without me cheering." I say.
"He just got last place in bowling. Every other time he's gotten first and you cheered him on." Alex says.
"You cheering me on always pushes me to do my best and try to win. It always works." Austin says.
"Really?" I ask.
He nods.
"So theres no possible way you could win something without me cheering for you?" I ask.
"I can try, but when you're cheering for me I feel like I have to win for you, and so when you're not cheering for me and aren't even at some game, I have no motivation." He says.
"You're so weird." I say.
"What? I think thats cute." Alex says.
"Okay I'm sorry I didn't cheer for you, i'll do it next time. Geez." I say.
"Someones in a mood." Austin tells me.
"Im not in a mood, I'm fine." I say.
Austin gives me a look. I stand up.
"I just hate having crutches." I say.
Austin starts to step closer.
"No, I'm fine. Let's just go play the arcade games."
Then I crutch over to the arcade game area.
"Sade." Austin says, stepping in front of me so I can't go any further.
"What?"
He gives me a concerned look.
"I told you I'm fine." I say.
"You don't seem like you're going to enjoy this." He says.
I just shrug.
"You guys mind if we go home?" Austin asks everyone.
"Yeah, lets go." Alex says.
So we take the boys home then go back to my house. I get inside before Austin and start to go upstairs.
"Whoa! What do you think you're doing?" Austin asks, rushing to my side.
"Going upstairs." I say.
"You know better than to walk up the stairs with a hurt ankle by yourself, Sade." He says.
"It's just a sprained ankle, Austin."
"Well I'm not taking any chances on you getting hurt again." He says.
We get to the top and I go to my room, Austin not far behind me. I sit down on my bed, tired from crutching everywhere.
"You want to tell me whats wrong?" Austin asks, sitting down next to me.
"Nothing is wrong, I just hate using crutches, they hurt my arms and make my leg sore, and I'm tired." I tell him.
"You sure?" He asks.
"Positive." I say, looking into his eyes.
He nods slightly. I want to kiss him, so bad, but something inside of me tells me to wait a little longer. He actually starts to lean in and for a second I feel like I'm not going to stop him. We get so close.
"Austin." I say quietly.
He looks into my eyes.
"Right. Sorry." He says, pulling back.
"I know how bad you want this and trust me, I want it too. But theres something inside of me just telling me to wait a little bit longer." I tell him.
"I understand. I'm tired of having these conversations so I'm just going to leave it up to you. I won't nudge you or try to make any moves, i'll just wait until you make a move. That way I know when you're ready." He says.
I nod.
"Im sorry."
"You don't need to apologize Sade."
"You're not mad at me right?" I ask.
"Of course not." He says.
"Good."
He smiles.
"It's late and I'm tired." I say.
"Okay, i'll leave so you can go to sleep." He says, getting up.
He opens the door.
"Austin?" I say.
He stops and turns to me.
"Stay...please." I say.
He closes the door and comes back to me.
"Are you sure?" He asks.
"It's no different than before we dated, right?" I say.
He looks down, looking a little disappointed, but the look fades quickly.
"Right." He says.
"If you don't want to stay-"
"You want me to stay, so i'll stay." He interrupts.
"Thank you." I say.
I get changed quickly in my closet. When I come out Austin is already laying down on the bed.
"Scoot over, you know I always sleep on the left side." I tell him.
"So demanding." He says.
"Please?" I ask.
"Alright. Alright." He says, then he scoots over.
I go over to the bed.
"Okay, you do know that you're supposed to sleep under the covers right?" I say, trying to pull the covers out from under him.
"Austin! Im tired, I would like to get in bed." I whine.
"Calm down Sade, I'm just messing with you."
"Well I'm tired, and you know that I don't put up with anything when I'm tired." I say.
"Okay, I'm sorry." He says.
Then he gets up and goes under the covers. I get in bed and then reach and turn the lamp off. I hesitate for minute but then I scoot over and snuggle into Austin.
"Is this okay?" I ask.
He puts his arm around me.
"Only if this is okay." He says.
"It is." I say.
"Okay." He says.
"Soon." I tell him.
"I believe you Sade."
Soon I'm sound asleep in Austin's arms.