*In 150 Feet, your destination will be on the left.* The GPS announced through the car. Austin had woken up at 3:56 in the morning and he stayed quiet for Arizona to sleep longer. He hadn't drank anything, ate, he hadn't even moved.
"Alright guys, we are here!" Austin's father restated as he parked the car into the driveway. "We can get in, get settled, and then we'll talk breakfast or go to the beach later."
At 4:34 in the morning, Austin's immediate and extended family filed out of their cars and sluggishly cruised inside the beach house. Austin, however, woke up fully and looked around to see where he could run. A beaten Ford ranger stumbled down the street and pulled into the driveway across the street. Austin swore he could recognize the truck from somewhere but the location slipped his mind. All he could think of was Tyler but at this point, that was normal for him. He unpacked his things and changed into jogging pants with a windbreaker shirt to wear for his morning run. After getting set, Austin tracked, on Rootle Maps, the best route to get four miles while still seeing the ocean. He jogged a mile on the boardwalk, then ran for a mile, then he sprinted, and finally for his last mile back home, he walked while enjoying the sunrise.
On his way into the house, someone from the house across the street shouted something about a 'Tyler' and although it wasn't Austin's business, he listened. Something about letting the kid sleep for driving so long.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Austin POV:
The day started off well for our first one. Dad slept until about Noon and Zayne helped pack away Arizona's stuff. My room is the only one on the first floor and it leads out to the pool. We ended up going to the beach until sundown after Dad woke up and I could've sworn I heard Tyler's voice near us. When I looked around, no one was there though. Arizona got a room with a queen bed and nice greenish blue tones. She especially likes her walk-in closet, aka where she's hiding all her suitcases. There were a few spiders in the corners but Mom said this house hasn't been rented for a month or two so it's to be expected, I guess.
Right now it is 9:52 PM, Arizona is also on the couch in the game room, Zayne and his girlfriend are asleep, Mom and Dad are in their room possibly sleeping, and Aunt Suzanne is out like a light. I am planning on going for a swim after I take Arizona upstairs and tuck her in. I might grab a little snack while I'm up there.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
3rd Person POV:
Austin heaved Arizona into his arms while supporting her head. He stumbled a bit at first before adjusting to the weight of himself and Arizona, then he snuck upstairs without a sound. The only noise was Arizona's door which creaked quickly then continued it's silence. Austin set her down and pulled the covers over her, lifting her arms out due to Arizona's immediate uncomfortability. Once done, Austin scurried to the kitchen, took a banana off the counter, threw the peel out, and munched the banana hastily. He wanted to get back downstairs where it was quiet and secluded from the parental ears.
Austin reached the bottom of the stairs when he froze and cold sweat attacked his muscles. His father coughed and stopped snoring. He had to wait for his snoring to continue, Austin's heart screamed for release but none was given. Finally, he heard snoring again. His father was asleep again, he continued moving to his room, gradually becoming more normal toned. Austin changed into his swim trunks, pulled his swim shirt on, removed his comfy socks, and slid the glass door open. The water splashing around mixed with the light traffic noise from the main road out front made Austin feel secure. As he submerged his waist into the pool, the water felt like hands holding him lightly, they felt like Tyler. Austin couldn't even enjoy his vacation without thinking of Tyler. Frustrated, Austin swam to the deep end and sat on the ledge dug into the pool wall. Austin assumed it was there for elderly people but he could use it the same. Austin looked up at the stars and say that his neighbors light was still on. Someone paced back and forth past the window just as Malorie had the night they went looking for Jackson. Austin gazed back up at the stars and chose his favorites. The pool lights hid some of the dimmer stars but they were still visible. Austin began thinking of college and the tuition fees he'd have to pay. Would he even make enough to pay the bills? Austin decided he would not focus on that right now and instead focus on tomorrow's run. He'd run the same route and strategy but he'd do it faster this time. Then he thought of Tyler again. His strong arms carrying Austin effortlessly up a hill, his eyes always forgiving Austin and pulling him closer. Austin analyzed the back of his rental house and took note of the ledges before climbing out of the pool, covering his skin with a towel, and going inside to change for the night. Austin kept the pool door open but pulled the curtains closed to change. He returned to the pool side and glanced at the house once again. Then, Austin heaved himself onto the second floor balcony with little sound and regained his grip, he jumped again to the third level, then to the roof. Austin carefully approached the center of the roof to sit down and watch traffic. He wasn't tired, he'd gotten a snack, and he had no interest in staying silent in his room until sleep finally visited him. Austin sat and admired the passing cars, some sports cars here and there headed to a meet somewhere. He was enjoying his peace until his phone disrupted the silence. It was a message from Arizona.
"Thank you for bringing me upstairs, Aussie."
"No problem, get to sleep." Austin replied, his text holding complete hypocrisy. He laid down on the roof and stared aimlessly at the sky, his mind projected pictures and stories through his glazed eyes. He wondered what Tyler was doing and the smart side of his mind told him he'd be sleeping but the less thought through side offered images and imaginary scenes of Tyler riding his horse, eating dinner with Austin, being at family functions with him, and some unhinged ideas as well.
"Get out of my head." Austin threatened the imaginary Tyler quietly, leaning to his side and facing the house across the street again. He brought his phone up to his face and scrolled through Immedagram to pass time. Bikers, self-help and healing videos, and football highlights flashed through Austin's eyes until he stopped on one self help reel in particular. It read 'If you cannot learn to love yourself once more, you cannot learn to love the world around you.' It was just a few words but they really stuck to Austin and dug deep into his skin. Tears rose in his eyes and his chest heaved as he covered his scar with the empty hand. He weeped and weeped for 2 hours silently until he fell asleep on the roof. Nothing could reach him above the house and he finally felt safe without knowing if Tyler was near.
After Austin fell asleep a message flashed across his darkened screen with perfect timing. I plastered across the screen, "Goodnight, City Boy."
YOU ARE READING
Whatever, Cowboy.
RomanceStereotypical Horse-girl? No... Gay Horse-Boy. This does have impulsive plot lines so if you cannot read books like that, this one is sadly not for you.
