Challenge :A.C.M:

42.

:griffin:

"So, wanna tell me why you were so adamant about me driving fast?" Austin asks, and I shake my head, nervously chewing on my fingers "You're not supposed to be here are you?" He asks, and when I stay silent he gasps "Jesus fuck Griffin! I can get in trouble"

"No you can't. I'm eighteen" I shrugs and he sighs.

"Griffin, I'm not trying to get on your moms bad side"

"You won't" I shrug "Don't worry about it, she'll get over it"

"Griffin-"

"Don't Griffin me like that. I know what I'm doing and you don't need to tell me I'm wrong" I cut him off, knowing I'm about to get a lecture on the importance of loving my mother.

"Fine" He shrugs.

"Ugh, I'm sorry" I groan "I'll call her later to apologize, alright?" I sigh.

"Do whatever you want" He shrugs again.

"Whatever" I roll my eyes, leaning against the car window. We drive in silence for about an hour until Austin speaks up.

"So, are you not going to talk to me?" He asks, glancing over at me, before turning his attention back on the road.

"You haven't made an effort to talk to me either" I shrug.

"Maybe it's because if I were to try to say something, you'd more than likely give me a smart ass comment and then roll your eyes"

"You make it sound like I'm such a terrible person to be around" I huff.

"How? Because I told you the truth?" He asks in disbelief.

"You know, you should stop beating around the bush and just tell me how you really feel" I cross my arms over my chest.

"I think you take a lot of shit for granted" He begins "You act like your mother is the worst person on the planet when she's trying to help you. Yeah, I get some fucked up shit has happened to you but she's at least trying to be there. You don't know what it's like to not have any parent there for you. My moms a drunk and my dads dead, but not once have I ever complained. But you, you have a mom that's been trying to help you and you don't even give a fuck. What are you going to do if one day, your mom is done with your bullshit and leaves you on your own? Then what?" He asks rhetorically, and I wipe under my eyes trying to not let him notice me crying "You're ungrateful, so fucking ungrateful" He huffs out, and I look out the window, turning my focus on the trees passing us in a blur.

"Are you done?" I ask, sniffling quietly, and wiping away my fallen tears "I'm going to sleep" I pull my hood over my head before leaning against the window, closing my eyes and falling asleep.

I wake back up, a few hours later, seeing I'm in the parking lot of a gas station. Austin isn't in the car, opening the door, I step out and stretch, yawning quietly before walking into the store. When I walk inside, I see Austin ordering food. I walk over to him and lean my head against his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Still tired?" He asks, and I nod, yawning "We can stop somewhere in a couple of hours, considering right now, we're in the middle of no where"

"Okay"

"Do you want something to eat?" He asks but I shake my head.

"I'm just going to get a water" I walk towards the water section and grab a bottle, carrying it back to where Austin is. He pays for my water and his food and we walk towards the car, I climb into the passenger seat but keep my door open as Austin pumps the gas. Turning around to face me, he stands quietly, and without thinking about it, I place my hand on the back of his neck, pulling him in to kiss me.

He places his hands on my hips, his thumbs running along the bare skin of my waist as my hoodie rides up a little. The gas pump clicks and Austin pulls away, kissing my nose before putting the hose back and getting into the car. He scrolls through his phone for a minute or so, before he puts it down, turning on his truck "My phone says the closest hotel is an hour and a half away"

"Okay" I nod "I don't care"

"Okay" He nods, pulling out of the gas station. Just like he had said, it took us an hour and a half to get to a hotel, and we got a room for the night. We decided only to bring a change of clothes for tonight and tomorrow as opposed to bringing our suitcases.

Currently, Austin is in the shower, while I sit on the edge of the bed, my legs crossed and as I pick at my finger nails. Austin comes out of the bathroom, only in a pair of boxers and he decided, being the dumb ass he is, to tackle me "Stop! What are you doing?"

"Just want to be close to you" He sighs, kissing my cheeks.

"It's weird" I try to push him off but he doesn't move "Get your fat ass off of me" I groan and he laughs loudly, rolling off of me. He looks at the clock, seeing it's 10 pm and gets under the blankets, patting the spot next to him. I lay beside him, and he pulls me into his chest, the two of us not speaking.

"Austin..." I break the silence, and he hums in response "What if something... happens between us on this trip?" I ask, and he looks at me in confusion.

"What do you mean?" He asks and I give him the you know what I mean look and his eyes widen "Oh!" He exclaims "Oh" He says a little quieter "Wow, oh"

"Ugh nevermind" I groan, covering my face with my hands.

"Babe, stop" He removes my hands from my face and laces our fingers together, kissing my nose "If anything like that happens, it happens" He shrugs "But only if you want it to"

"Okay, I'm done talking about it" I bury my face into the pillows and Austin laughs.

"Then go to sleep"