Challenge :A.C.M:

11.

:griffin:

"Hey, good to see you again" Dean smiles as I sit down beside him at his lunch table. I smile back and fold my arms over the table, yawning quietly. Austin and I didn't get back from the beach yesterday until nearly 3 am but my mom decided I still had to go to school today.

"You too" I nod.

"Wanna hang out today? We can get some food" He suggests and I shrug.

"Sure, I'll just send you my address later" I say "Where's Zeke and Josie?"

"Probably off banging each other" He shrugs casually and I look at him with widened eyes.

"Are they dating?" I ask and he nods.

"Yeah, they have been for a while actually" He chuckles.

"Wow, I had no idea"

"They're good at hiding it I guess" He shrugs.

Lunch passes by quickly, and so do my final classes and before I know it I'm unlocking my car door "Hey Griff" Austin leans against my car.

"Hi"

"You busy?" He asks "We have late practice today because it's too hot out"

"No, I'm not" I shake my head.

"Good, let's go to my house and hang out" He grins "I'll meet you there"

"Okay" I nod, getting into my car. I back out of my parking space and drive down the road to his house. I park in my driveway, texting Dean my address and telling him we can hang out around 5. I get out of my car and lock it, walking up to my front porch and unlocking the door, dropping my bag inside the door. I shut it and walk over to Austin who's climbing out of his car.

He grins as we walk to his front door and he unlocks it pushing it open. I step in before him, walking straight up to his room and laying on the bed, wrapping my arms around his pillow. He comes up a few minutes later, and chuckles "Comfy?" He asks and I nod.

"Very" I giggle and he hands me a bottle of water.

"So uh, I wanted to talk to you actually..." He trails off, his tone telling me this is something important, but I'm scared about what it is.

"Okay" I sit up, my arms still wrapped around his pillow.

"Well uh-"

"You want to date me, don't you?" I cut him off, finally figuring out where this is going.

"Well, kind of. But you don't-"

"Okay" I shrug, and he looks at me with widened eyes.

"Really?"

"Yeah, why not? We'll just be a little closer than friends" I clarify and he nods.

"Okay" He agrees "Cool"

"Cool" I nod, before we both burst into laughter.

***

"Hey, ready to go?" Dean asks and I nod, getting into his passenger seat. Austin left for football practice over an hour ago, leaving me to go back to my room and sit alone until Dean came by.

"Yeah" I nod, putting on my seat belt and crossing my arms over my chest. He backs out of my driveway and drives down the road, passing a few places to eat. I don't speak up, until we pull into a neighborhood "What are you doing?"

"Going to my house" He shrugs, pulling into the driveway of a small house. He turns off his car and we both get out, and I follow him to the front porch waiting for him to unlock the door. He pushes it open and steps inside, and I walk in after him, following him up the steps to his room. 

We sit and talk for a while before I completely change the subject with a simple request "I need you to help me..." I trail off, and he looks at me with confusion. 

"Okay, with what?" He asks. 

***

"Hi" Austin smiles at my mom, as I watch from the steps, praying to not be seen. 

"Good morning Austin, Griffin is up in her room" She says, letting him in through the front door. I run back up to my room and lay down in my bed. Austin walks in and sits down at the chair adjacent to my bed. 

"Hi" He smiles. 

"Hey"

"What have you been up to today?" He asks, leaning back in the chair.

"Nothing, just laying here" I shrug and he nods. 

"Wanna do something?" 

"Like?" 

"I don't know" He shrugs "Anything to get rid of my boredom on a Saturday" 

"I don't know either" I rub my nose, he stands up from the chair and walks around my bed, climbing in beside me "What are you doing?" I ask as he pulls the blanket over his body, closing his eyes.

"I'm napping, now shut up" 

"Napping? Not in my bed you little shit" I pull the covers away from him. 

"Babe, let me sleep" He tries to pull them back "Griffin" He whines. 

"No, get out and entertain me" I demand, and he opens one of his eyes, a small smirk on his face.

"Well, luckily for you, I watched Magic Mike yesterday"

"Okay, nope, stop right now" I shake my head, climbing out of my bed "I'm going to go get a drink" I walk out of my room. I walk down the steps, my mom standing in the kitchen, washing the dishes. 

"What are you doing down here?" She asks. 

"Austin's being a shit" I shrug "I hate him" 

"No you don't" She rolls her eyes.

"He tried to Magic Mike the shit out of me" I scoff, and she laughs quietly.

"I'm happy for you" 

"Why? We're nothing but friends" I shrug, grabbing a can of Dr. Pepper before jogging back up the steps. 

"Did you bring me one?" Austin asks as he hears my can opening. 

"No" I shake my head.

"Griff, why?" He whines.

"You turn into a bitch when you're tired" 

"Then come cuddle me" He pouts, but I shake my head, sitting down in the chair he once occupied. He sighs and rolls over to stare at the ceiling, and I move to sit beside me, crossing my legs. I stare down at his hand as he moves it to rest on my thigh, his thumb rubbing small circles. His eyes are closed, his other hand laying on his stomach. 

My breathing is quicker than usual, a prickling feeling filling my thigh "Okay, that's enough" I move my thigh, his hand falling off. 

"Okay" He nods, placing his hand on his stomach. 

"Okay" I nod, thankful that he's not pushing me to do anything. It's nice.