Journey Home

Chapter Twenty-Four

I woke up to a strange noise. I sit up as quietly as possible, preparing myself to make a run for it.

Is that...singing?

The noise is puzzling. Who would be singing, and why?

I check the time, quietly. 3:30 a.m.

Shaking my head slightly, I peek over the counter.

Yawning between words, sitting on the cold floor, is Austin. His eyes are half shut, his hair is rumpled, and he looks exhausted. Abruptly he changes songs, singing one I don't recognize.

I slide down, listening mutely. After a bit, I really hear the words and realize that he's singing a love song.

Embarrassed, I press my hands to my red cheeks.

Footsteps.

He peeks over the counter and looks at me, leaping a foot in the air when he sees me looking back at him.

"Z-Zoey," he says weakly. Austin jumps over the counter and sits next to me, slugging me in the shoulder, demanding, "Why'd you leave?"

"You read my letter..."

"Yes, but it answered nothing. C'mon, Zo. Hey, look at me!"

I look into his eyes and can't bear what I see: pain.

I leap up and race out the door. He races after me and ahead, holding out his hands. "Zoey!" he says fiercely. "Stop running away."

"I have to!" I scream at him.

"You don't!" he screams back. "You can't leave me alone!" His face twists, like he hadn't meant to say that. "I didn't even get to finish talking to you." Austin's face turns bitter.

"I... Austin... Just..." I fumble for words, but he steps closer, silencing me.

"I won't leave you alone, Zoey."

I stare at him. "You need someone better. I'll be fine, Austin. Go away."

"Never. Forever, remember?"

A long pause. I'm aware of the huge, looming silence and black, star-dotted sky. I feel tiny and Austin next to me makes me feel even smaller and bigger at the same time.

"I love you... I wanted to know..." He stops, then rushes, "If you'd go out with me. You know, officially." We both blush.

"I thought we could work something out, until...I don't even know," Austin says. "Your parents, they'll be anxious... But, I don't know, you're- I just...I love you. Will you, please? Be my, er, girlfriend?"

"This is what you wanted to say earlier?" I squeak out.

"Um. Yeah. I thought... I didn't have the courage. I was probably going to end up talking about chips or something." He chuckles slightly, shifting from foot to foot.

"Yes."

He slumps slightly. "Yeah. ...Chips are fascinating. Oops."

I had barely even realized I had said yes. "I meant yes to the first question. But...I don't...are you sure? I don't want t-to ruin you. You really deserve someone better."

"But I want you. Zoey.

I nod slightly, my head spinning.

An awkward silence.

Rain starts to fall, but neither of us move. I shiver slightly and suddenly I find myself kissing him.

Then I'm sobbing into his chest. He hugs me tightly and I can feel him crying too.

We stand there for ages.

I've never felt so alive, hugging Austin and crying and smiling beneath the sky at 3 in the morning in the rain.