Challenge :A.C.M:

61.

Hi, I had some free time today so I decided I'd update because I miss you guys :)

:griffin:

"I should probably get back" I roll out of Matt's bed and onto the floor with a groan "My boyfriend is probably worried" I stand up, brushing off my pants.

"You still with that one guy?" He asks, and I nod, rubbing my nose.

"Do I look clean?" I ask, and he puts his fingers under my chin to tilt my chin in all directions before nodding.

"You're good" He gives me a thumbs up "So how long have you and him been together?" He asks.

"No idea" I shrug "We never really declared a day that we started dating but if I had to guess, and I'll more than likely be wrong, I'd say somewhere in May of our senior year"

"So, like a year?"

"I guess" I shrug, picking up my shoes and pulling them on "I'll talk to you soon" I say as I walk out of his room. I make my way down the steps and out of the house, taking my time to get back to Austin's house.

:austin:

"Jesus fuck" I curse, tossing my phone back onto my bed as Griffin ignores another one of my phone calls.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" My mom asks, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Yes, I'm fine" I nod. I let out a loud huff as I look at the clock, seeing that Griffin has been gone for over 6 hours "I'm going to go take a walk" I mumble, walking out of my room and towards the steps. I sigh with each step and eventually walk out of the door.

"Well, hey there neighbor!" Someone says from beside me, I turn my head and narrow my eyes when I see it's Griffin's father, checking the mail "I couldn't help but notice that girl you're with looks a lot like my kid" He chuckles.

"She's not" I shake my head "She's too good for you" I shrug, walking off in the opposite direction.

What a prick. And to think that Griffin's mom lets him live in that house with her, after what he's done. I feel so bad for Griffin, knowing everything she's tried so hard for her to forget, and having it all come rushing back because her mother doesn't seem to care about her feelings.

I'm just so worried about her. I don't know how she's going to progress. Who knows, maybe she'll get worse, which is something I don't want. That's something I'll never want. The way she reacted to me earlier was enough to kill me a little inside and if she were to ever permanently be like that again, I don't know what I'd do.

When I turn around and make my way back to my house, I wonder where she could've gone. I just hope she went somewhere she didn't get in to trouble because the last thing she needs is trouble.

Walking up to my front porch I open my door, and walk up the steps to my room. When I open my door, Griffin is standing in the middle of my room, looking out the window that looks straight into hers.

She looks down at the ground for a moment before looking at me "Hi"

"Hi" I sit down on my bed, I pat the spot next to me and she takes it, folding her arms over her chest.

"If I tell you where I went, will you promise not to get mad at me?"

"I won't promise, but I'll try my hardest" I shrug.

"Why won't you promise?"

"Because if you went somewhere where you have to make me promise not to get mad for telling me, then chances are I'm going to get mad either way" I say and she sighs, looking back to the window.

"Fine" She mumbles "I went to Matt's" She tells me and I clench my jaw.

"The same one that dropped you off at my house at 3 am?" I ask, and she nods "What'd you do with him?"

"I uh, I don't want to tell you" She shakes her head. I huff and close my eyes tightly, attempting to keep my cool.

"Griffin"

"What?"

"What did you do?" I ask again, pinching the bridge of my nose as my patience wears thin.

"Nothing that is of your concern" She shakes her head, and I let out an unamused chuckle.

"How is it not my concern? You literally ran away for seven hours with some guy and you can't even tell me what you did? How is that not my concern?"

"Because it's just not" She shrugs "It's my body and I can do whatever the hell I want and nothing I do should concern you so give up!" She yells, and I clench my jaw tightly, keeping words from escaping.

I take a deep breath and look up to the ceiling for a moment before looking back down at Griffin "Fine" I shrug "If that's how you want it to be, then consider everything from this point forward none of my concern. I won't worry about anything you do"

"Austin that's not-"

"I'm going to go shower" I cut her off, walking towards my bathroom, leaving her alone in my room.

:griffin:

I watch him walk off to his bathroom and I sigh heavily letting out a loud groan. I walk downstairs, seeing his mom standing awkwardly in the kitchen.

"I'm uh, sorry about that, and leaving and just, about everything" I sigh. She gives me a polite smile, and shakes her head.

"Don't apologize. We all go through tough times" She shrugs "But a word of advice," She begins, taking a step closer "Don't take what seems like the easy way out, talk about it with someone, don't turn to other alternatives because let me tell you from experience. It will become the only thing you rely on, and you'll miss a lot. I missed so much of Austin growing up because I was too afraid to talk to someone about my problems. Austin loves you, I swear on that, and he just wants to make sure you're okay, so don't be afraid to let him in"

"Thank you" I nod, and she smiles.

"You're welcome"

I walk back up the steps, and into Austin's room preparing for an apology. I lay down in his bed, waiting for the shower to stop running and when it does I sit up. I hear the shower curtain open, and I play with my fingers as I wait for him to walk out of the bathroom.

When he does, he looks at me and I stand up walking over to him "What?" He asks, and I pout lightly before wrapping my arms around him.

"I'm sorry" I mumble against his chest "I'm kind of an asshole"

"Kind of?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Okay, I am an asshole" I sigh "I just, I don't know. I got defensive because I don't want you to hate me for what I did"

"But the thing is, I know exactly what you did" He shrugs "Which is why I don't get why you didn't tell me. Griff, I'll love you no matter what" He kisses my nose.

"How do you know what I did?" I ask.

"Well, for one, your pupils are huge. This was on the floor of my bathroom, and it's not mine" He grabs a bag from his bedside table, one that has some left over powder in it.

"I'm sorry"

"I know Baby" He kisses my forehead "Just talk to me next time, okay? Please?"

"Okay" I nod, and he pecks my lips softly before kissing my cheek "I love you" I look up at him through my eyelashes.

"I love you more, Baby"