You're Not Alone (Austin Carlile)

8. Weighless

Title credit: All Time Low

-7 months later-

I've only seen Austin 5 times in person when he was off and came to visit me. Most of the time we just walked along the beach of Lake Erie, it's not as good as the ocean but it's still pretty. Other then that we texted, called and facetimed every change we got.

When Austin celebrated his birthday Aaron wanted to fly me out to LA for his birthday but my boss denied my request to take off. It upset me just as much as it did for Austin, I really wish that I was able to be there for his 26th birthday. I made it up to him the day after when he flew out to Ohio to see me. I took him to a nice dinner and we went back to my apartment and watched movies and cuddled, it was so sweet, he loved it. It's hard to believe we've been together for 7 months, I feel like just yesterday I met him. Everything with him seemed so, so perfect.

This morning I had to work. Dreadfully, I get out of bed and throw on black pants, a white shirt and grab my apron, heading out the door to Starbucks. Opening really sucks. Well working at Starbucks sucks period. You serve stuck up people all day who are willing to pay 5 dollars for a coffee. And write their name on a cup, sometimes it is fun to misspell their names, oops.

I walk in and Olivia and Devin are heating up the machines. They give me a wave and a gentle smile, I return it and clock in and take my place behind the cash register. 10 minutes later the doors open and people start to pour in.

We were busy the whole way until my break at 12:30. I get 30 minutes to myself; if that. I text Austin like I usually do at break.

Me: Hey butt, just got on break. We've been busy all day, I'm pooped. I can't wait to go home. He read it and didn't answer.

"Oookay." I say to myself, usually he answers right back when he reads it. I shake it off, he's probably working in the studio or at Neff clothing line. I turn around to face the machines and make myself a carmel frappé. After I finish I turn back around to grab a straw and see a smiling Austin at the other side of the counter.

"AUSTIN?! What are you doing here?" I basically yell at him, causing people to look at us, but I didn't even care. I'm so shocked that he is here. I basically jump over the counter and tackle him.

"Hey baby! Good to see you too." He says with an adorable chuckle. I go to kiss him but my boss tells me to go on break.

"Burger king?" He asks.

"Ugh, I guess." I say with a smile. I don't like Burger King but I put up with it for Austin. We intertwine our fingers and walk out of Starbucks, it was a good thing Burger King was near by.

"So what are you doing here? And why didn't you tell me!"

"Because it was a surprise and if I told you it wouldn't have been a surprise now would it?" We walk into Burger King and order our food then find a booth.

"How long are you here for?" I ask.

"A few days to a week." He is just full of smiles today.

"Awesome! But I work all week." I pout my lips and he leans over the table and kisses them. How cute right?

"We'll figure something out, we always do. Also I need to tell you something." He says with excitement, reaching for my hands on the table and holds them in his larger tattooed hands.

"What is it?" I ask bouncing up and down in the booth. I loved when Austin had news to tell me. I was just as giddy as him.

"So I talked to our manager and he said you could come on tour with us. It's in January for 3 months."

"Omg! Babe! That's awesome! I can't wait!" I kiss him and our order number is called. I slide out of the bench and walk up to refill our drinks while Austin grabs our food. Austin and I both got fries and a burger. I throw a fry at Austin's face playfully and he looks at me with a grin, then throws one back at me. We are so childish sometimes, but it's better to have fun then be a stick in the mud. We giggle in unison while people looked at us like nut cases. We devour our food and walk out; it was 1:10.

"Shit! I'm late! I completely lost track of time!" Every time I'm with Austin I always lose track of time, always. It's the effect he has on me. Yeah I get in trouble for it but I can't help it. I start to panic. Austin puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Calm down Holly. Just tell her what happened." He knows how anal my boss can be. I sigh knowing he's right, he always is. We walk into Starbucks and my manager calls me to the back, and she doesn't look to happy with me. Uh-oh. Olivia gives me a worried expression and pats my shoulder. I follow behind her like a lost puppy dog. After 10 minutes I walk back upfront with my coat in hand, an envelope and my apron gone from my body.

"What happened?"Austin asks walking up to me, putting his arm around my shoulder.

"I told her I lost track of time. She said losing track of time isn't an excuse and that if I can lose track of time then I can lose my job. She fired me, and gave me the rest of what my pay would be for this week."Austin gives me a sympathetic look and pulls me into him, hugging me tightly.

"I'm so sorry babe."

"It's okay. This place was starting to become a shit hole. Besides, now I don't have to worry about working while your here." I give him a smile and he returns it and kisses me quickly before we walk out to my car. For it being November there wasn't any snow on the ground, just a bit nippy.

"I'll see you back at your place." He kisses my cheek and I get in my car to drive back to my apartment I share with Mandi and Keirsten. I'm so excited I get to spend time with Austin.