Let Me Go

Chapter 9

As Austin drove home from his campus December 20th, he had unwanted memories in his head. Everywhere he went, he thought of me. He remembered the times we made out in his car. He remembered the way I'd laugh at the stupid things he'd say as he drove. He especially had memories come back when he heard our song on the radio. I had no idea, he never contacted me anymore. He was now alone since I've officially moved on.

After hearing our song, he thought that was a sign that maybe things could still work out between him and I. I had no idea about this either just like he had no idea about Lucas and I now. I was scared to tell Austin the news. One reason is because a part of me still cared about Austin and didn't want to hurt him.

When I was at Lucas' apartment we heard a knock at the door.

 "Dude! It's me!" Austin said on the other side of it.

 I was currently sitting on Luke's lap and he whispered "I better get that" before I got off him so he could open the door. I sat down on the couch and crossed one leg over the other and looked down at my nails as Austin walked in.

"Luke why...what's going on here?" Austin asked, crossing his arms and standing still at the doorway.

 He stared right at me. When I looked up at him finally, I could see the hurt in his eyes.

 "Maybe I should go..." I said, getting up.

 "No, I'll leave." Austin said before opening the door and actually walking out. He slammed the door behind him.

Lucas and me just stared at the doorway and then he walked over to me.

 "He'll get over it." He said, coming over to give me a hug. He knew I needed one because I felt a little hurt also.

 "I wish he would of told you he was coming over. I feel like I've messed up everything...you guys were best friends, Luke. I was his girlfriend. Maybe this isn't a good idea. Maybe I should leave too and--" Luke cut me off with a long, passionate kiss and rubbed my back.

Austin got out to his car and slammed his fist on the drivers wheel. He then actually let some real emotion come out. Not anger, but tears as he pulled out of the driveway. He knew what was going on and realized there was no going back to the way things were. Luke and I were together now. That wasn't a good Christmas present for him to come home to for his Christmas break...

"I can't believe that they would both go behind my back like that!" Austin exclaimed as he was talking to his father.

 Mr. Cummings shook his head clearly disappointed by the way his son was being treated. Mr. Cummings placed his hand on his sons shoulder, before patting his back.

 "I'm sorry Austin, but just think. You're going to have such a good future with your school." Mr. C replied.

"Dad, I don't have a future if Paige isn't apart of it." Austin said looking down at the ground.

 Then Austin walked away and up his stairs. The stairs he always walked up with Paige, holding her hand and stopping to kiss her at the top. But now he walked by himself, feeling torn inside.

He closed his bedroom door behind him and just looked at the picture album Paige had given him. It sat on his dresser so he picked it up. He hugged it tight and whispered, "why is this happening to us, Paige?" Tears fell as he sat on his bed flipping through the memories.

Then his phone vibrated in his pocket.

*I'm sorry you found out like that. Please talk to me. Can we meet some where?*

Austin looked down at his phone. Did he want to speak to either of them right away? He wiped away a tear that fell down on his cheek. He puffed out his cheeks and let out a deep breath.

*Where?* He typed back.

*The park. Meet you by the swings.*

Austin got up and threw on a jacket. He ran downstairs, threw on his winter coat and ran out the front door before his dad could ask him any questions.

He got in his car and knew just what he was going out to do. Be strong and forgive. Or at least try to forgive...

On the drive there, he had up the band Safetysuit on his radio loud. He looked down to turn up the song "Life in the Pain" and went through the intersection light. Just as he went through, a huge semi ran the red light and slammed into his car. All that was left in Austin's car was his lifeless, damaged body.

The intersection was in view of the park and Paige sat on the swing before looking up.

"Oh my god!" I (Paige) exclaimed.

 I jumped up and ran straight towards the intersection. Even though we had been separated, I still cared. A LOT. That's why... Seeing Austin's car, smashed, in the middle of an intersection. Got my heart racing.

Everyone had been out in the waiting room, praying to god that the hospital could bring him back. Luke was there as well as Austin's other friends and his family. The waiting room was packed. I kept my distance from Luke, feeling as if it was the most respectful thing I could do at a time like this.

The doctor had came out and had pulled Mr. and Mrs. Cummings aside. Then they came over to where I was standing and began talking to me. I hugged them and his mom and I cried together. Mr. Cummings went over and took a seat by Luke.

Luke could not find the words to say.

 "You were his best friend, Luke." Mr. Cummings said, eventually. 

"I know...he was like a brother to me." Luke replied, looking down at the floor glumly. He folded his hands and fumbled with his fingers before covering his face with his hands.

"Austin was always very...forgiving. He still wants you as a friend, Luke. Don't let him down." Mr. Cummings added before going up to rub his wife's back. They sat down across the room. We waited in the waiting room for 2 hours before the news came...

The head doctor came out. "Mr. and Mrs. Cummings, come back with me." He said before taking them through the door that lead to the long hall of hospital rooms. As they went to go see Austin, Lucas decided it would then be alright to go talk to Paige.

"Are you okay, babe?" Lucas whispered to me.  He wrapped his arm around me and kissed my forehead. 

"It's not about me, Lucas. Your old best friend is in there, my whole heart is in there, Lucas. I--I just feel like it's all my fault." I said before breaking down in more tears.

"Baby," Luke grabbed my hand. "It's not your fault, Paige." He said, squeezing it tighter. 

"I just, right now I can't do this." I said.

 "Do what Paige?" He asked.

 "This Luke. Us." I said pushing him away.