Broken, Imperfect

Chapter 19

Austins PoV
After Alan kissed me and said those things in the hall, right in front of everyone, my heart hadn't stopped beating wildly. His touch sent electric shocks through my body, as cliche as that sounds. I always poked fun at that kind of thing, but then when you feel it with someone, it suddenly isn't so funny anymore.

We had just now sat down at the lunch table with Aaron. Alan sat at one end, Aaron say across from him, I sat next to Alan, and Phil and Tino and both say on Aaron's side of the table, staring at me with confused eyes.

"Hi there" I spoke suddenly. Their eyes widened even more and they just glanced at each other as Aaron tried to contain his laughter. Alan's hand found mine under the table and I smiled lightly. "Jeez you guys, could you make the shock anymore noticeable" I chuckled. On the outside I was calm and collected but a little ball of ice was growing in my chest. It just made me angry, how they acted, although I knew it was coming.

"Uhm, sorry?" Tino said but it came out as more of a question.

"It's whatever. I get it. I'm the psycho and all." I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

Phil was looking to Aaron for an explanation, clearly, and I couldn't help but stare for a moment.

"Hey, I'll have you know, I kinda taunted him with Alan in a sense, and he punched me" said Aaron.

"How is that a good thing?" Alan asked suddenly, shooting me a blank faced glance.

"Well, I mean he must be a pretty decent friend considering he defended you like that. Although I was asking because I wanted to apologize, it came off as me being an ass and he took action. So" Aaron defended him.

"Sorry about that" I said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Totally cool dude. I deserve a lot worse" Aaron said kindly.

"If you actually take a minute to get to know me, I'm not that bad." I commented.

"Say that to Alan" blurted out Phil rudely.

I clenched my jaw and alan squeezed my thigh gently, relaxing me.

"That's only because you guys are dickwads" Alan shrugged.

"I've just had a tough year" I told Phil.

He squinted at me before eating whatever mystery meat was on his lunch tray. Tino glanced over at him and then back at me before he shrugged and smiled at me.

"Handshakes, fist bumps, chest bumps, hugs? Which kinda guy are you?" Asked Tino with a grin.

"He's a hugger" said Aaron with a laugh. Tino flashed that wide signature smile of his and stood up, opening his arms. I leaned over the table but Tino pulled away and raised an eyebrow.

"Across the table. Really?" He teased. I rolled my eyes and stomped around the table in mock anger with Tino laughing at me. I got around there and he threw his arms around me and patted my back.

"Welcome to the group man. Sorry this didn't happen a lot sooner. I guess I let the social ladder get the best of me. That was a shitty of thing to do." He told me sincerely. I smiled widely at him and nodded.

"Alology accepted man. I'm not always the easiest to get along with either." I pointed out as i pointedly looked at Phil. "Long story short, I lost someone EXTREMELY close to me, moved away from it, and I guess I've just been trying to escape it since. My way of coping was just ignoring everyone which clearly didn't go well, and when Alan tried to befriend me. . . Well, at first I just assumed the worst. He made me realize not everybody is bad or out to get me, so I apologize for any troubles I've caused, and that's all I can do." I said quietly, directing my gaze at Phil who shifted uncomfortably. He sighed and glanced up at me before standing up slowly. He offers his hand with a weak smile and I just went with it, not forcing a hug on him. I shook his hand firmly and smiled weakly.