Recollections

The Time I Faced Reality Part II

The Time I Faced Reality Part II
(song of the chapter: Hands To Myself // Selena Gomez)

Elena is curled up on the couch when I enter the apartment. I sit down beside her and flash my teeth her way.

"Hey." She grins.

"How are you feeling?" She looks good today. When she woke from her coma she had some memory loss, but the doctor said it was only temporary. Sure enough its all managed to return and she's back to her usual chipper self. Occasionally she has pain in her legs but her doctor assured us that's to be expected based on the spinal injuries she faced from her accident. Elena's on a prescription pain medicine that she takes nightly, from what I can tell it's been working wonders.

Austin enters the living room and I see him biting back his smile. The corners of my mouth flicker as I try not to beam up at him. We're sticking to our plan, we aren't telling Elena yet.

"Where have you been, Erin?" Elena asks, nosy as usual.

I'm careful not to look at Austin when I speak. "I went and paid Seth a visit." My response has and underlying message that I'm hoping Austin has picked up on. Since I told him we couldn't work things out until I called it off with Seth, he's been all over my case about when I would tell Seth. I hope he understands from my answer to Elena, that I talked to Seth.

"How is he?" Elena presses.

This time my eyes flicker to Austin. "He's had better days."

Austin diverts his attention to Elena. "Laney, your meds will be kicking in soon. You need to go lay down." Elena obliges to Austin's suggestion and I sit back as he helps her to her room and settles her into bed.

Austin flops back onto the couch beside me. His neck rolls to the side and his face is turned towards me. "Wanna come on a walk with me?" I ask him.

He smiles and stands to his feet. "She'll be out cold, don't worry about Laney. The pain medicine really wears her down. Phoebe's here just in case." Austin slides his feet into his tennis shoes and we exit the apartment.

For a while, we simply walk, neither of us speak. From the corner of my eyes I notice Austin's hand twitch and I wonder if it's as much of a struggle for him not to touch me as it is for me. I reach out and lace our fingers together. A sigh eases out of Austin's mouth and I can relate to the feeling.

My feet stop walking and Austin stops when he realizes that I have. His face is blank and I wonder what he's thinking. My eyes never leave his has he shifts a step closer to me, our hands never leaving each other's.

Our faces are inches apart and his warm breath fans out and caresses my face. It's a nice contrast to the chilly winter air.

"Hi." I murmur softly between us.

"Hi." Hearing his low, husky voice makes something tingle within my stomach. "How'd it go with Seth?"

I blink heavily. "It had to be done."

Austin nods. "It hurt you though, I could see that."

With my free hand I trail my fingers along the side of his face from his temple to his jaw. Austin's eyes flutter closed as he basks in the feeling of my touch. "I made a sacrifice, so that I could have what I couldn't live without. A small price to pay for you."

His blue eyes are open now and he's staring at my mouth. I'm certain I can feel my heart beating in my lips and I wonder if he'll feel it when he kisses me. His hand eases up around my neck and I tilt my face upwards. Our lips gently press against one another's and a soft hum pours from my lips.