You All Over Me [BxB]

Thirty-Three - Censored

Austin steps into the busy hall with great reluctance, just as he often had when his friends invited him to extravagant parties.

Out of place doesn't even begin to describe what he feels, but at least before, he had Stella with him walking beside him. Holding his hand.

He sucks his teeth and grimaces.

That's another sign he'd willingly ignored.

Why would Stella stick to him like glue? He's not that interesting. Not as handsome as Jacob, nor as smart as Theodore.

Not as rich as any of the three.

Austin puffs out a breath. His self-esteem is practically non-existent, and he's been fine with that. A token friend—outsiders probably think—though deep down, he believes the three sincerely care about him.

Which, he also admits, is a mystery.

After all, he'd joined a group that ridiculed Jacob and Theodore. A group that abandoned him while he was in the operating room.

It goes without saying that these demoralizing thoughts are all made up in his head. But when he's in the midst of the most privileged, it's hard not to feel his worth diminish.

He shuts his eyes briefly, attempting to clear his mind.

The event hall, nestled inside the hotel, is crowded with faces he doesn't recognize. Sweat dampens his back, his chest thumping at a faster pace.

"Drink, sir?"

Austin gratefully accepts a glass of red, sipping nervously while his head swivels in every direction.

Finally, he spots Jacob and Theodore. Jacob's eyes are wide, fixed on Theodore, whose mouth is set in a thin line, evidently agitated.

Austin approaches them, just as two equally angry gentlemen brush past him.

"Hey," he says, gesturing over his shoulder. "Those dudes looked pissed. Did you know them?"

"Nah." Jacob half-shrugs, though his lips curl into a broad grin, as if entertained by what just transpired.

In contrast, Theodore clears his throat and shoots Austin a look. "Let's sit and get something to eat."

Austin obliges without a word, a far cry from his usual nosy nature. Even he knows when not to poke.

The three of them enjoy their dinner at a corner table, catching up and trading horror stories about their classes and professors. It's been a month since junior year started, and it's already as bad as the first two—if not worse.

They'd fooled themselves into thinking it would get better. It hasn't. Their minds are simply trained to absorb endless pages every night.

Theodore scans the room, and Austin has a good guess who he's looking for. He's been searching for her too, albeit more discreetly.

But at least Theodore's wandering gaze confirms she is right here.

Somewhere.

"So, uh, you doing alright?" Theodore asks, his eyebrows drawing together.

Austin leans back against his seat and doesn't pretend to misunderstand. "I'm okay."

"Moved on?"

"Mm. I still feel awful, though." He sighs. "I kind of wish Lindsey had yelled at me. She just sat there and told me I had to sleep on the sofa, because there was no way she'd be sleeping with me—" he hesitates, "—when I was thinking about someone else."