VICE

| MOVING IN TOGETHER |

Noah was alone in the den trying to select a video game to play. None of them really picked his interest. He was not having much fun but it was the only thing to do at the moment. He wished he was hanging out with Austin right now instead, to be able to steal a few kisses.

He was getting addicted to those lips real fast. They always tasted so sweet, like home and something else intimately familiar.

He loved that thing Austin did when he bit on his lip gently and how he wrapped his hands around his neck -drove him crazy every time.

He was pulled out from his fantasy by the ringing of his phone. He answered it without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Hey ...could you ..could you please come over ?" It was Austin's voice and it sounded quite broken up. He instantly knew there was something wrong.

"What's going on?" Noah sat up right and tossed the controller on the couch next to him.

"I really don't know .. I need you," Austin responded, "please come over." He said while sniffing a little.

"Austin, did something happen?" he asked as he jumped over the back of the couch and started heading upstairs.

"I'm so confused right now and ... I don't know who to talk to..." He sounded like he was starting to cry, "He lied to me.. they all lied to me.... they used me and I.. I trusted them. I trusted him!"

"What are you talking about ..who hurt you?" His protective instinct was kicking in and if anyone had hurt Austin, they were going to have hell to pay.

"Are you coming?" Austin responded with a question, not wanting to talk about it over the phone.

"On my way," Noah said. "Give me ten minutes, I'll be right there." Austin hung up the phone first.

Noah's mind and nerves were going crazy at every possibility of what might have happened to Austin. He had never been this worried about anyone before. It was like someone was ripping out his heart and squeezing it while he watched in agony. Every hair on his body was on alert and his hands were shivering violently.

He found Rosa in the living room, vacuuming the carpet. She saw him as he came in and shut it off.

"Hello, Mr. Byrne!" She greeted, her accent thick in her voice.

"Rosa, I asked you to call me Noah," Noah said sweetly, "Mr. Byrne makes me sound really old."

"Of course, Noah. Can I assist you with anything?"

"Actually, yes.. Is there a way I can borrow your car for a little while?" He asked, "I really need to go somewhere."

"You know I can't do that. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson instructed me not to let you drive."

"But..can't you make an exception?" Noah begged, "Please, it's an emergency."

"Don't try to trick me, Noah. I know you can be quite sneaky when you want something!" She insisted.

"I'm not lying, Rosa. A friend of mine is in trouble and I need to go help him..I swear."

"Mmhhm.. Does this friend happen to be very handsome with very beautiful hair and you happen to be in love with him?" She asked while wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.