Challenge :A.C.M:

16.

A/N: Do you guys like the new cover? I'm kinda digging it☺️. I've been waiting for this chapter, it's finally a full chapter of Austin's POV🙏🏽. Love this chapter too😍

:austin:

"Focus Austin! What the hell are you doing?" Coach grabs me by the collar of my jersey, smacking his hand against my helmet.

"Sorry Coach" I huff, and he shoves me back towards the field.

"Get your shit together Mahone! We need you if we're going to make it to championship"

"Yes Coach" I nod, getting into my starting position. Our quarterback throws the ball in my direction, and I curse loudly when it slips through my fingers "Fuck!"

"Austin, what's wrong?" Alex asks, patting my shoulder.

"It's not anger anymore" I mutter before tossing the ball back, Coach yelling to redo the play. We do it over and over, coach saying we can't end practice until I complete the play successfully 5 times in a row. The whole team groans whenever I miss the ball. Finally I complete all the plays, the coach letting us leave.

I decide to just not shower and wait till I get home, just grabbing my stuff and walking out to my car, driving home. I get home, my eyes unintentionally flicking to Griffins window, seeing her sitting on the roof. I sigh and lean against the back of my seat, closing my eyes tightly. I climb out of my car and into my house, walking straight up to my bathroom and turning on the shower.

I step under the water, my muscles sore from working so hard. Regionals are in two days, and of course the entire situation of my anger towards Griffin changes into depression. Not a second goes by where I don't have a thought of her, and it's messing with my head, and my game. I've tried to fill whatever void she left, hanging out with my 'groupies' as she calls them. But it doesn't work. Nothing works.

***

"Mahone, I'm going to give you one warning. Mess up one play and I'm benching you, got it?" Coach warns and I nod.

"I got this" I tell him, putting on my helmet. I try my hardest to stay focused, and it seems to be working, until the last two minutes. I'm drained from running, I'm drained from lack of sleep, and we're only up by three. Coach calls a time out, and calls us all in, sitting me down on the bench.

"Here" He hands me a bottle of water "You okay for this?" He asks, and I nod.

"Yeah, I'm good"

"Okay" He nods, explaining how he wants this final play to go. I look around while he talks my jaw clenches when I see Dean walking up the bleachers from the concession stand "Get back out there you guys" He tells us and we all run out, getting into our line up. We start the play and I sprint down the field as our quarterback launches the ball and I catch it, running towards the end zone. Breaking through tackles, I finally reach the end zone, our team cheering.

The final buzzer sounds and our Coach cheers, happy to be going to championship. I skip out on the team dinner, just going home, telling the guys I'm worn out and I'll see them all later. I go home and take a shower before laying down in my bed. I look over towards my window, seeing my curtain in slightly open, while Griffins is wide open.

Walking over to my window, I go to close the curtain, until I see Griffin on her floor, tears rolling down her cheeks, her hands frantically fanning her face. I gulp, but tell myself she's okay, closing my curtains and laying on my bed. But before I know it, I'm using her spare key to unlock her door, running up to her room.

I open her door and her head snaps to mine. I watch her on the floor as she pants heavily, my hands shaking "Please, help me" She cries, tears streaming down her cheeks.