Challenge :A.C.M:

40.

a/n: I have so much fucking homework, but SURPRISE UPDATE MY LOVELIESSSS💙💙💙 The way up lyric video is attached to the top/ side. It's so amazing and I love it.

:griffin:

When I step out of the shower, I walk towards my room, putting on a bra and a pair of underwear. As I rummage through my drawers for clothes, my phone begins to ring and I walk to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, long time no talk" Matts voice says through the speaker "How are you?"

"I'm pretty good, how are you?"

"I'm good" He says.

"How's June?" I ask, and he chuckles.

"Did you believe that? I left because that guy wouldn't stop staring at you like you were the only girl in the room" He says "I knew that he'd rather be with you"

"Why-"

"Griffin, I know you like him" He says and I can picture him rolling his eyes "And before you deny, I've got to go but it was good talking to you and we need to hang soon"

"Okay, just let me know"

"Alright, Bye Griffin"

"Bye Matt" I hang up the phone, tossing it onto my bed and walking back to my dresser. I find a pair of shorts and a tank top and put them on, wrapping a towel around my hair. I lay down in my bed, staring at the ceiling.

Austin's words continue to swim around in my head, wondering why I exactly I don't want to be in a relationship. It was a valid question, one that I had no idea how to answer. Biting my lip, I climb out of bed and walk out of my room and down the hallway, knocking lightly on the door adjacent to the steps.

"Come in" I hear faintly, and I open the door "Oh, hi" Tiana grins, looking up from her feet as she paints her nails "What's up?" She asks.

"So, I need advice" I mumble "Austin advice" I add and she perks up immediately, screwing the lid onto her nail polish.

"Oh, I've been waiting for this moment" She pats the spot next to her "Hurry" She urges and I walk to sit beside her on the bed, crossing my legs "So, what's up?" She asks.

"Well, he's not necessarily mad at me, but he's upset with me at the moment" I frown.

"Why is that?"

"Well, he pretty often he tells me that he really wants to be with me and stuff and he'll get upset of I talk about how he'll find someone he likes more than me and he got mad today because I told him when he goes off to college he'll find someone better..." I trail off.

"Insecurities?" She questions.

"I don't know. Maybe" I shrug "He asked me today why I didn't want to be in a relationship, and in all honesty, I have no idea"

"I know that I'm like all for you two and all but if you don't want to be in a relationship, then don't be. Explain that to him"

"But I don't know how. I'm not sure why he keeps pushing it onto me" I sigh.

"In the couple years I've known Austin, I've never seen him this into a girl before and I guess he just doesn't know what to do. He's not used to having to fight girls into being with him. They just sort of do it"

"See! And that's my problem! He can have anyone he wants so why me?"

"Griffin, I want you to be honest with me..." Tiana trails off and I nod, urging her to continue "Do you think part of you thinks that what he feels for you isn't genuine? Is that what it is?" She asks quietly, and I fall quiet.

"At first, yes" I nod "But after a while, my mind changed, but every once in a while a little voice tells me to be careful and that something isn't right"

"You're letting your insecurities and your mind get the best of you" She tells me "Listen to your heart, not your mind. What does that tell you?" She asks rhetorically.

"You're right" I sigh "Thanks" I mumble, getting off her bed.

"No problem" She smiles, and I leave her room, shutting the door behind me before looking up, a startled gasp leaving my throat.

"Zach, hi" I sigh out.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Nothing" I shake my head "Just wanted to talk to Tiana"

"Oh, I just got done talking to Austin" He chuckles "So. That means I need to talk to you too"

"So, I should go back inside" I point to the door behind me and he nods. I sigh and open the door, walking back inside. I sit back down on the bed and Zach sits in front of me, all while Tiana looks at us in confusion.

"What's happening?"

"I talked to Austin" Zach says.

"Oh" She drawls out "So, shits about to get good" She sits up straight.

"So, what's going on?" He asks me and I shrug.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Austin's pretty upset about everything right now and he doesn't know what to do"

"Well, neither does Griffin. I mean, I doubt that him pushing everything onto her is making her more open to this"

"I don't know"

"I think we need to let them two talk" Tiana says, and Zach sighs.

"Fine"

"So I can go now?" I point towards the door and they nod. I walk out of the door Tiana yelling after me to go talk to Austin.  I take a deep breath and walk towards his room, seeing him laying in his bed, facing the ceiling. I walk and sit down at the foot of his bed. He sighs and looks over at me, and I look away quickly.

"What do you want to do Griff?"

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. Because clearly, I'm doing something wrong, so what do you want to do?" He asks, his voice monotone yet annoyed.

"I don't know what you want me to say"

"I want you to say whatever you feel, because obviously we're not on the same page. Especially considering looking back, you were the one that kept coming up with ways to get me to leave you alone, so just tell me what you want to I know what to do" He rolls his eyes.

"I can't just do that-"

"Do you want this or not?" He sits up "Because if not I need you to tell me so I can move on because I'm tired of trying"

"Oh" I nod "Okay, I guess I won't hold you back anymore then" I get off of his bed, walking to the door "I'll uh, I'll find a way home tomorrow that way I can get out of your hair" I say as I open the door, closing it quietly and walk to my room.

My door swings open and before I can turn around to see who it is, two arms wrap about me tightly, holding me close "Don't leave me" Austin mumbles against my neck, and I sigh "Please"

"Isn't that what you want?"

"No, of course not" He sighs, turning me around to face him "I just shouldn't take advice from Zach" He chuckles, and I laugh quietly "I'm sorry"

"It's alright" I shrug "Besides, I can't stay mad at you anyways"

"Good, let's keep it that way" He kisses my cheek.