Fallen (Austin Mahone Short Story)

Chapter 16: Hold

- Austin -

My head nodded as I woke up in the dark cavern. We had cuddled into one another, sound asleep until now. She sat with her legs across my own, head on my chest, and hand in my own. She looked so peaceful sleeping, like a graced angel from up above, I couldn't help but stare.

It had been hours since my mouth spoke the powerful words to ever come from my lips, my heart still beating furiously just as it did before when they came out. It wasn't like I said it just to make her stop what she was doing, the way she looked at me, I know she knew very well how I felt and that she felt the same way. I brought my lips down to her forehead and held her tighter, she shifted a bit in my lap lap, a barely audible moan escaping her lips.

Pale moonlight flooded through the trees, only a sliver of it seeping into the cave. It was pitch black where we were sitting, barely seeing anything two inches in front of my face. I flashed a light over my free hand, seeing it covered in dried blood from when I grabbed her arm. I swiped my phone, immediately skimming over all the missed calls from my mom and Alex. I groaned, I really lost track of time out here and getting home should've been the first thing I did when I found her. I texted Alex letting him know I was fine.

"Hey..." My voice raspy from not being used, I poked at her side, "Lex, you gotta wake up."

She sat up, shooting to her feet with her eyes closed, an adorable sleepy pout on her face. Lex reached out for me, so dazed she nearly fell over but I caught her at her hip. She smiled, "Thanks, I'm halfway here right now."

I understood, tonight's been a hectic one. She staggered out of the cave, stretching out her arms for me, pulling me into a hug, "We can't stay here for the night?"

"Nah, if I don't get home soon my mom will probably call the cops." She ran her thin fingers through her hair, taking a few almost drunken steps in the direction of my house but her expression changed to an unsure frown staring down at the leaves beneath her, "What's wrong?"

"What if your mom gets mad at you because of me?" Lex looked up at me for a few seconds before crossing her arms over her chest, "I don't want you to get yelled at because you're helping me..."

"She'll be more glad that I'm okay and actually came home rather than upset," I kissed her forehead again, throwing my arm around her shoulder just about pushing her to walk with me, "my mom's not the type to yell or get mad like that. Besides, if anything comes up I could handle it."

"Are you sure she'll even let me stay...? She's never even met me, what if---"

"Sh! Look, my mom's really nice and sweet and calm. You'll be fine, don't worry about it."

I wasn't even sure to be honest, I was just saying things to calm her down. I could feel how nervous she was getting. She had started moving her shirtsleeve through her fingers, tugging at my shirt like she was looking for something to keep her hands busy. Even her hands started to sweat in mine, for once, I wasn't the clammy one about something.

We walked for what seemed like hours until her pace had slowed, kicking up grass while she walked beside me like she was trying to avoid the situation and stall. But there's only so much you can do in the woods at 3 am. She had sleep in her eyes still and it was like she was fighting just to keep them open, "You know, if you're tired... I dunno, I could maybe carry you?"

"I got it, its not that far." She rebutted but she was falling.

"Just shut up and come here." I chuckled to myself, she giggled, wrapping her arms behind my head and pivoting her body for me to catch her as she jumped into my arms bridal style. She smirked, her eyes closed as if she were already in such a deep sleep she was dreaming. I continued to walk, her breathing pattern slowing and letting me know she was out.

The opening to my backyard came into view and I shuffled on, nearly asleep myself. Tip toeing through the yard to my back door, not setting off the motion detecting lights. I paused, prepared for whatever I was about to face if my mom was awake and walking around the house.

My fingers slid the door open quietly, barely making a sound. I moved light on my feet to the staircase, moving my feet swiftly up the steps and went on to creep down the hall to my bedroom. Victory. My hand went on to the knob but it turned and the door shot open before my hand even made it.

My mother eyed a sleeping Lex in my arms, she whispered, "We need to talk. Now."

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A/N: I know this is a short chapter! I really hope you guys like it! Vote, comment, share! Thank you for reading xx