You All Over Me [BxB]

Thirty - Three - Uncensored

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

Out of place doesn't even begin to cover 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 stuck to him like glue? He's not that interesting. Not as handsome as Jacob, nor 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.

It goes without saying that it's all made up in his head. But when he's in the midst of the most privileged, it's hard not to care.

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 whirls in every direction.

Finally, he spots Jacob and Theodore. Jacob's eyes are wide, fixed on Theodore, whose mouth is set into 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 extend into a broad grin, as if entertained by what has transpired.

On the contrary, 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 nosy nature. Even he knows when not to poke.

The three of them enjoy their dinner, catching up about classes and professors. It's been a month since junior year started, and it's just as horrible as the first two, if not worse.

They'd fooled themselves 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 of 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 not to understand. "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."

"Why didn't you say that in the library?"

"Which part?"

"That she knew you were thinking about Stella."

Color rushes to his face. "Did I have to?"

"Well, it sounds like even Lindsey knew something was up but you were too blind to see it."

He runs a hand over his brow, rubbing gently. "And...?"

"Fucking hell," Jacob groans. "Just get rid of that inferiority complex and admit that you like Stella."