Only two eyes

Chapter 15

Frustrated tears instantly filled Summer's eyes. Austin balled his fists, he was obviously agitated.
"Just kidding!" Connor said while doing jazz hands. Austin looked like he could've punched Connor and Summer did.
"Ouch. Wow, it was just a joke! Sorry." He laughed.
Summer apologized and Austin said. "We really do need somewhere to stay. You scared us."
"Sorry again." Connor began "Oh! I forgot something upstairs!" He ran out the door and they heard him clomp up the stairs. When he came back down he was holding a tray of cinnamon rolls.
"My mom made these easy- make snacks for us!" He said, grinning. Austin grabbed one in each hand and immediately started to eat. Summer grabbed one and took a bite.
Connor pulled up a chair and sat near the bed. "So you two ran away from school and drove to the next town? How long have you been planning this?" He asked Austin.
"About twenty hours, give or take." He said
Connor laughed "and I thought you were smarter than me."
"Well we just figured out that Summer's mom was also trying to, you know-" he made the universal death sign.
Connor shook his head. "That's crazy."
"Is your mom making dinner for us?" Austin asked.
"Ya."
"I'll get rid of my truck after dinner then."
Summer, who has been quietly eating her cinnamon roll spoke up. "Am I coming?"
Austin shook his head. "No, you'll be safer here. I'm also gonna hit up a gas station and there are some pretty freaky people out at night."
She placed her hands on her hips "So? I still want to come."
Austin laughed and patted her head. "The more I get to know you the more obstinate you become." Summer glared at him.
"So you two are just friends, right?" Connor questioned.
"Of course" Austin said and Summer nodded in agreement.
They sat there in awkward silence and were all relieved when Mrs Paisley called them up for dinner.

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"It has been way to long since I've  had your home made food, Mrs Paisley." Austin said shoveling a mouthful of spaghetti into his pie hole.
"You really should visit more often, Austin. I'm very sorry that home is hard for you right now. You also Summer." Mrs Paisley said.
"Thank you ma'am." Summer said meekly "I really appreciate your hospitality."
"Any time. Is there anything else you two will need?" She asked.
"No ma'am. I have to run an errand for work after dinner though." Austin said.
Mrs Paisley sighed "Connor tells me that your job is very stressful. You really should take a break."
"Actually, that's what I'm doing. Summer is accompanying me and maybe Connor could come also."
Connor turned to Austin. "You haven't asked me yet."
"I figured I should get your mom's permission first."
"I'm an adult, I can make my own decisions."
Summer twirled her spaghetti around her fork and kept her head down while the guys argued over who should be considered an adult.
"Boys. Stop fighting. Honestly you two act like three year olds sometimes." Mrs Paisley said and turned to Summer, rolling her eyes. "Connor if you would like to accompany Austin and Summer, you may. I do ask that you talk to your boss."
"So?" Austin asked.
"Why not." Connor said.
They finished their meal in content silence. They had cherry pie with ice cream for dessert.
Connor led Summer to the guest room where she put her duffel bag and backpack.
She followed Austin to the front door but he stopped her. "I said you aren't coming and I meant it."
"But I don't even know these people. I know you. Please Austin." She pouted.
"No Summer. I will protect you and this is not safe."
"I don't care!"
"I do!"
Connor walked over. "Can you two be quiet? I'm trying hard to concentrate on my hair."
Austin raised an eyebrow "Your hair isn't important. Besides, who are you gonna be seeing?"
"I'm coming with you."
Austin groaned loudly "No one is coming!"
Connor plastered a hurt look across his face and turned to Summer. "My poor heart! The sting of rejection!" He then promptly clutched his chest and fell over dramatically. Austin laughed in spite of himself. "You two are better off here. It'll be quick, I promise."
Summer sighed "What if you get seen or hurt? How will you protect me then?"
Austin grabbed her shoulders roughly "You care about me! Did you hear that Connor? She cares!" He exclaimed dramatically before pulling her into a crushing hug. She pushed herself away from him.
"You two are idiots. You know that right."
"Of course we do." Connor said and they both bowed.
"Seriously though Summer, if you really do care I'll come say goodnight to you when I get back." Austin said and hugged her, for real this time.
"Thanks" she said.
He walked out the door.

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Summer sat on the guest bed in silence. She looked around the cozy room. It was small but comfortable. The floor was hard wood but there was a fuzzy rug covering most of it. There was a small dresser with a record player and a plant at one of the corners and directly across of it was a small bookshelf filled with books. In the middle of the back wall was a twin sized bed in between two windows. There was a bathroom attached to the room. Summer walked over to the bookshelf and looked through the books. Connor poked his head in. "You should read like, all of those. They might give you some useful ideas. I do warn you that some of those were my grandma's and she was big on horror."
"Thanks. I've never really read any books considered horror stories so I might just read one."
"Brave soul. I'll come see what one you chose in a little while."
"Okay bye"
"Toodles"
Summer smirked and decided that she didn't hate Connor. As she scanned the bookshelf her eyes fell on one book called "It" by Stephen King.
She grabbed it and sat on the bed. The book was about a monster that would find people's biggest fears or phobias and exploit them. This It would disguise itself as a clown to lure small children to It. The story followed seven people as they were being stalked by It. Halfway through the book Summer slammed the book closed and squeezed her eyes shut. Right on cue Connor waltzed in as best he could with his limp.
"So I'm taking you don't like it?" He asked.
"It's quite detailed" she said.
"I probably would have to stop after the first chapter, so you're pretty brave. What book?"
She held up the cover so he could see it.
"Creepy. Do you want a new book?" He asked.
She nodded and tossed the book at him. He caught it and grabbed another one and walked over to the bed.
Summer examined the book. "Heartless, by Marissa Meyer."
Connor smiled "it's a really good book. Do you mind if I hang out in here?"
"It's your house."
He smiled and sat down beside the bed and pulled out a small sketch book. She opened the book and they sat there enjoying the silence.