Challenge :A.C.M:

35.

a/n: Hahahaha surprise update tonight!!! I'm staying up for this so you guys better fucking love me because I'm so tired (it took me less than an hour to write this though because it just flowed so easily😍😭😅). This chapter will be in Griffins pov but we'll go back to Austin's for a little while. This is taking place right after the shower. (1642 words in 45 minutes holy shit)

:griffin:

I step into my sweatpants and pull them up my legs, tying up my wet hair before throwing on a short. I walk out of my room and down towards the kitchen wanting a drink before heading to Austin's room. When I reach the kitchen I see Meredith, the girl that Rob brought here with him. I don't know what it is about her, but she looks super familiar and I know by her face when she sees me that she thinks I look familiar as well.

I grab a cup from the cabinet, walking around her to sit it on the counter before walking to the fridge and grabbing the orange juice. I screw off the cap and pour orange juice into my glass. As its half way filled, Meredith slams her hand down on the counter causing me to jump and spill some orange juice. I look at her as I reach for napkins and she points at me.

"I know who you are!" She yells, and I furrow my eyebrows as if I'm asking her who I am "You're Griffin Stone! You went to Pike Middle School"

"I did" I nod, speaking quietly.

"I knew I remembered you!" She laughs "You were that weird bitch who's dad abused her. How's your friend? She doing okay? Last thing I heard was that she died but you know, you can never believe school rumors" She shrugs "Oh wait," She taps her chin "She really is dead though, I remember the school started a fund to pay for her funeral" She snorts "I mean, she really didn't need one, considering you were the only person that would show up" She laughs loudly, and I blink away tears.

"God, and I remember your mental breakdown during class" She reminisces "Funniest shit ever"

My breathing becomes uneven as she brings up memories and I bolt through the back door, running towards the beach and planting myself in the sand. I take slow breaths and squeeze me eyes tight to warn off the tears, refusing to let them fall. I wipe under my eyes in case anything did fall and I wrap my arms around my legs, bringing them to my chest.

I watch the waves and listen to the birds, taking my mind off everything. When it doesn't work I pull my phone out of my pocket and scroll through my contacts until I find the one I want. I click on the small phone and hold it to my ear, listening to it ring.

"Hello? Richard Dane speaking"

"Richard" I sigh.

"Griffin, hello" He sounds surprised "What's wrong? I thought you were on vacation"

"I am" I sigh.

"What happened?"

"I don't know" I shake my head, feeling tears fill my eyes "I-I don't" My breathing becomes uneven.

"Griffin, breathe slowly" He tells me, and I take deep breaths "Whatever happened, you can get through it, don't shut anyone out okay?"

"I can't"

"Griffin, talk to people"

"I don't want to" I shake my head.

"Don't fall back into your old ways. You've been doing so well"

"I can't" I repeat and hang up the phone.

I hear footsteps approach me, plot icing it's Austin as he sits down next to me "What are you doing out here?" He asks, and I shrug, not saying anything "Something wrong?" He asks, and I know he's wondering why I won't talk.