Challenge :A.C.M:

7.

:griffin:

I had been avoiding Austin. I didn't want to see him. I'd skip first period so I knew I wouldn't run into him, I haven't gone to his games, I've basically fallen off the face of the earth to him. All because of a little secret he spilled at his house. At first it caught me by surprise, then I was terrified. How could he just come out and say that? With so much ease, it made me nervous. I didn't know what to do, so out of impulse. I ran. I ran out of his house and to mine, locking myself in the guest room so I know he couldn't see the panic on my face.

"I like you, Griffin" He blurts in the middle of our conversation.

"Well, I mean, what's not to like?" I shrug.

"No, not like that" He shakes his head "I like you, like you" He admits and I gulp.

No, no, no. I repeat in my head.

"I can't- you can't- no, no, no" I shake my head, running out of his room. I nearly trip down the steps at my speed, running across his lawn and through mine barging into my front door and running up the steps. I reach for my door handle, but decide against it knowing he can see into my room. I run into the guest room, and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Why?

Just why?

I keep my head down as I walk through the halls at school, not wanting him to see me. I think he got the hint that I don't want to speak with him after a week of him trying to get my attention, but I can never be too cautious. It's not that I don't want him to like me, it's that he can't like me. I'm incapable of having any feeling remotely close to his, I'm just willing to be nice to him for the sake of my therapy. I'd rather it end soon, than me wait forever.

I walk out to my car at lunch, much like the first few days of school, and stay there until I have to get to my next class, the cycle of me hiding myself continuing until it's the end of the day. I wait until I know football practice starts to get into my car and drive home. I walk into my room, closing my curtains and laying down in my bed for god knows how long, my mom walking up the steps after a while.

"Griffin, why haven't I see Austin lately? He's such a nice boy"

"He's a fucking pansy mom" I roll my eyes.

"Don't talk about him like that, he's your friend"

"No he isn't. He lost that privilege" I huff, crossing my arms.

"As if being friends with you is anywhere near a privilege" She mumbles, and I look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, did you forget what fucking happened to me? Sorry that I'm not all for making new relationships with people! You can be really insensitive you know?" I scoff "Just get out" I demand and she walks out of my room. Not even ten minutes later my door is reopening and I groan, sitting up "You don't have to be here, you know?" I say to Austin.

"Why won't you talk to me?" He asks "I didn't mean to tell you that, I was going to keep it to myself but it just slipped and I'm sorry" He sighs.

"I just don't get how" I bring my knees to my chest, speaking honesty "Or why"

"We can talk about it, if you're comfortable" He says quietly, and I scoot over on my bed, patting the spot next to me. He sits down on my bed, and copies my position, facing me "What don't you get?" He asks.

"I don't get how you can like someone like me. I'm inconsiderate, I hate people touching me, or touching other people. Large crowds make me feel like I'm having a heart attack, I haven't had proper social interaction in three years. I was homeschooled for three years and I'm a bitch, I don't get it" I explain, and he shrugs when I'm done.

"I don't know. I guess all those things are just things I like about you. You are a bitch, but you can be so sweet, you think you're inconsiderate, but you've gone to my football games without me asking. You have proper social interaction with me everyday, and who cares if you were homeschooled?" He shrugs "These things all make up you, and it sets you apart from everyone else"

"Austin, you need to find someone who can like you back" I sigh "I don't feel that way about you, or anyone for that matter. We can stay friends if you want, but I just, I can't" I shake my head.

"I want to help you"

"I don't need help!" I grit "Why the fuck does everyone think I need help?"

"I just want you to be comfortable around me. I want you to be able to touch me and not want to boil your hand, and I want to be able to touch you without worrying that you're going to kill me. I want to help you be able to develop feelings for someone. I don't want to try and fix you, or change who you are. I just want you to be comfortable with me" He says, and I frown "Please let me" He scoots closer to me.

"I don't want to date you"

"Then you don't have to" He shrugs "I'll keep my emotions to myself, this is all for you"

"Okay, fine" I sigh, and he grins in victory.

"Great, just know, if you ever get uncomfortable, tell me please" He says "I don't want to push you into this"

"I know" I nod "It'll be a nice challenge for the both of us"