The Lifeguard | A.C.M |

14.

I was going to update she stayed but a lot of the comments last chapter were asking for another update soon, so here's your update💙💙

/Lennon/

I toss another pebble into the lake as my feet hang over the dock, toes submerged in the cool water. I listen to the light splash of the water as the pebble hits the surface, sinking to the bottom. Upon arriving here, it was barely one in the afternoon, but since then, hours have passed making it somewhere around seven. I wouldn't know exactly because my phone had died minutes ago and I haven't gained the strength to walk to my car to plug it in.

I've spent a good six hours or so, thinking over my entire situation. If I'm honest, I don't feel like I have much to think over. I believe my reaction is valid and should be respected. I tried to see things from his perspective. I tried to see where he was coming from, but nothing worked.

I still felt the same way.

I know they were together for a long time, two years to be approximate. But that's no excuse for him to go and sleep with her after telling me he wanted to be with me. It just doesn't add up. I want to be able to pretend none of this happened, but with the things he's told me, and how he apparently doesn't like her like he used to, I can't forgive him.

Forgiving him is basically out of the question. Now, I'm not saying it'll never happen, but I'm also not saying that I'll forgive him tomorrow. I've cried a little too much these past couple days to forgive him so easily.

This seems to be a recurring situation for me. I find a guy, he seems so perfect and then next thing you know he's back with his ex, or he's found someone new. I hate using the cliché line of I thought you were different, but clearly you're not but honestly, I thought Austin was different.

The way he spoke to me seemed so genuine, it could've fooled anyone the same say it fooled me. That's where the trouble is, all these apologies very well could have been fake. He couldn't feel the slightest bit of remorse and I'd never know. He's a skilled con-artist basically. Making people believe one thing, in this case that he actually has feeling for you, only to acquire the complete opposite results, me hating him instead.

I haven't told anyone the full story, besides Kyle, but that was only because Austin had told him before me, so it all seemed okay. Shane knows the original story, but not the updated version after I talked to Austin. But I haven't told Kylie anything. Even when she found me crying in my room, I just let her believe I had said something stupid that made him upset. I know Shane wouldn't tell her, he may have a big mouth sometimes, but when it comes to things like this he's always been pretty good with keeping secrets.

I don't want someone to tell me I'm overreacting. I believe I'm not, but I don't want someone else to believe that I am. I don't know how I'd react if someone told me my reaction wasn't necessary, because I'm genuinely hurt. I've never been this hurt in this situation. It all seems so crazy, I met him at the beginning of summer and I'm already hurt by him. I barely know him, I don't know where he came from, his background, I'm lucky to even know his favorite color. Yet I'm allowing him to do this stuff to me.

What am I doing?

I look up at the sky, seeing the once pale blue has turned into a darker shade, the moon illuminating it surroundings. I sigh and stand up from the dock, picking up my shoes and tucking them under my arm as I walk along the old, worn out wood, careful to not get splinters. I walk back to my car and toss my shoes onto the passenger seat as I climb into the drivers seat, putting my phone in the cup holder.

Closing the door behind me, I lean my forehead against the steering wheel, as I place the key in the ignition, turning on my car. The engine roars to life, and I back out along the dirt road, coming in contact with the surprising empty highway. I make the long drive back to my house, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion at the multiple cars in my driveway.

I park along the street and grab my shoes to put them on, sliding my phone into the pocket of my shorts, climbing out of the car. Shutting the door behind me, I hesitantly walk up to the front porch, twisting the knob to my door, pushing it open. I walk inside, seeing Kylie and Shane looking distraught on the couch.

"What's going on?" I ask in confusion, seeing many people in my living room.

"Oh my god, there you are" Kylie sighs in relief, her and Shane running over to me, wrapping their arms around my torso.

"Where the hell have you been? We were worried sick!" Shane scolds.

"I was out" I shrug as they let me go, Kylie shakes her head and I look around the room seeing Brit, Kyle, Dan, Ella and unfortunately Austin seated on the couch, all their eyes on me.

"Kylie called him, not me" Shane whispers in my ear and I nod "I would've told her not to but I didn't want her to ask questions"

"It's okay, I get it" I nod "Thank you for not telling"

"No problem"

"Where were you?" Kylie asks, sitting me down on the couch.

"I told you, I was out"

"And you didn't call?"

"My phone is dead" I shrug, pulling out my very dead cell phone.

"You could have told us before where you were headed. We were so worried about you" She sits down beside me.

"Well, I didn't exactly know where I wanted to go" I shrug again "Just wanted to clear my head" My eyes flicker over to Austin and he huffs slightly through his nose, looking down at his feet. He knows it's his fault, and I'm glad.

"Well, not to leave so soon, but I need to be home soon" Kyle stands up from the couch "I'm glad you're okay" He smiles at me.

"Thanks"

"He's my ride" Dan stands up as well "See you at work tomorrow Cutie" He winks and I laugh as he follows Kyle out of my mouth.

"I better be going too, I'm glad everything's good here" Brit smiles, and I smile back as she walks out of my house.

"Ky, I think we should leave them two alone" Shane suggests looking down at me "Is that okay?" He asks me.

"Sure" I nod.

"Call me if you need me okay?" He kisses my forehead, him and Kylie walking up the steps.

"Are you okay?" Austin asks, and I nod, hugging my knees to my chest.

"I'm fine"

"Why'd you leave in the first place?"

"Well, let's see, you had sex with someone else after telling me all this bullshit about how much you like me. Then, the fact we work together doesn't help, so I honestly believe I deserve time to clear my head" I scoff.

"You say that as if I don't deserve the time to clear my head. This is just as difficult for me as it is you. How do you think I feel when all you do is ignore everything I say, and act as if my apologies are insincere" He crosses his arms over his chest.

"Are you kidding me? How is this just as difficult for you when I was the one who was fucked over? I didn't sleep with someone else, you did. I didn't feed myself lies, you did. So please, spare me the bullshit" I roll my eyes.

"Jesus fucking Christ. This is difficult for me! I don't know why you can't see that. You're the most stubborn girl I've ever met and I can't fucking stand it!"

"Then like I said earlier, leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you" I shrug, my tone cold.

"Fine, I'm done fighting. You're pathetic, honestly. I'll leave you to wallow in your self-pity, and maybe one say you'll finally get over yourself" He growls, and as if on cue, tears I didn't even know were flowing down my face, a sob escaping my mouth as his words cut me like a knife.

And the worst part is, I feel as if I deserved them.

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Ooh, Austin's pissed off💀

I love you all and I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Bad_Boy_Hemmo