Dial Drunk - Post Malone

31

Austin feels the bus slow down as they head into New York so he pulls himself off the bed, grabs his bottle, and heads into the seating area of the bus. Grassy had been watching TV but snapped it off suspiciously as soon as he saw Austin walking toward him. "Cece left a tux and a mask for you in the bathroom. You will need to change into it soon as the ball has already started. You will need to hit the road running as soon as the bus stops," Grassy says pushing the TV remote behind his back. Austin reaches around him and grabs the remote then turns the TV on.

It's a podcast. A podcast with Levi and Colter. They are talking about his album that has just dropped the day before. Colter is sitting close to Levi and she looks like she is leaning on him a little. "Happy couple," Austin mumbles dropping the remote and taking out his phone. "Look closer," Grassy says taking his phone. Austin sighs and looks closer. Levi looks happy, she signs excitedly about the album and the experience of writing with Colter while he translates for her, but when Austin focuses on her eyes he sees they have lost their shine, they look slightly hollow. He shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut then takes his phone back from Grassy and checks the music stats. Colter's album has knocked him off 1st. He always knew that was going to happen. Colter has everything now, he has the life Austin was grappling with. He is so fucking perfect. "I wish I could catch a break for one second like Colter, it's as if his life and career were handed to him on a silver platter while I am fighting for my life down here in the fucking trenches," Austin says.

"You are so far removed from reality it's fucking scary," Grassy says. Austin glares at him. "What the fuck do you mean by that?" he asks. "I mean choices have consequences. Go change or you will be late," Grassy says turning the volume up on the TV. Austin grabs the remote and turns the TV off then throws the remote on the couch. "You are my friend. You are supposed to be on my side," he says. "I am on your side. It's you that's not on your side," Grassy says, his tone lazy as he turns the TV back on. Austin clenches his jaw and walks to the bathroom to change. If Grassy is on his side he has a funny way of showing it.

He changes and then sits on the toilet, sipping his whisky bottle. He is proud of Levi's success on that album and he is grateful Colter not only acknowledged Levi's work but put her on display for the world to see - she deserves the recognition. But, he is also pissed off that he feels any type of way towards either of them right now. Levi left him to be with Colter and Colter betrayed Austin by creeping on his girl and stealing his life. He finally has a reason to dislike him, and you best believe he fucking hates him.

He stands when he feels the bus coming to a stop, filling his hip flask and then tying his stupid mask onto his face before he walks out. Grassy who is dressed up too is standing by the open bus door already so Austin walks out and climbs into the SUV with Grassy. They drive in silence while he continues to sip on his whisky - it's all he has left in his life now, that, and the voices in his head.

The ball is a big event with thousands of people in a huge extravagant hall. He really does not want to be here and walks around with a glass of champagne while he makes small talk and polite conversation, Grassy stays close to his side. Eventually, Dre arrives with Cecelia and Austin's heart squeezes. They have always made him feel like a little brother, giving off older sibling vibes. But, right now there feels like a divide between them and Austin knows he is the cause. He can see Cecilia's tummy has started to swell and she often absentmindedly touches it as she talks. When they make their way over to Austin he smiles softly at her and is relieved when she smiles back. "Hey, Cece," he mumbles. "Hey...you doing alright?" she asks softly pulling him into a hug, she holds onto him so tightly as if she is afraid he will disappear if she lets go. "Yeah, I am good. How is that baby doing?" he asks softly, he feels like he has not seen her in ages, and he misses their private little conversations. They were always very close. "He is doing well," she says smiling at him.