This One's For You (An Austin Carlile Love Story)

Never Ruin an Apology with an Excuse: Chapter 27

Shitty short chapter, I am so sorry. 

Bella’s Pov:

Hours had passed and there wasn’t a single second where I had stopped thinking about last night. I was so nervous to talk to Austin. I didn’t really know what to say; well I guess I did, but I didn’t know how to say it.

The sudden ringing of my phone caught my attention. “Hello?” My voice was shallow.

“Bella! Oh my god you answered! Where have you been? I’m so sorry I didn’t call earlier; I literally just woke up. Worst hangover ever.” A smile crept onto my face as a chuckle left my mouth; this was the first time I felt happy today.

“Don’t worry; you’re not the only one.” I smirked, even though she couldn’t see me. “I slept on Vic’s bus. I couldn’t bear the thought of sleeping on the same bus as Austin, not what after I saw.” My voice lowered.

“I heard what happened…I’m sorry, Bel. He was a dick for doing that.” I didn’t bother responding; I just acknowledged her words. “Have you talked to him yet?”

“I have but not the proper talk. He should be coming back anytime soon.” I paused for a second to allow the silence to sink in. “I’m not looking forward for the talk, Hannah. I don’t know what to say.”

“Break his heart like he did to you.” I small chuckle left her mouth.

“Hannah…” I jokingly glared.

“I know I know it was a joke.” I rolled my eyes. “Just let him know how you feel, okay?” I shifted my position on the lounge and nodded my head.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am!” I could basically hear her cheesy smile.

“Hey, can I ask you something?” I bit my bottom lip and waited for a reply.

“Yeah of course.”

“Do you have any space for another person to sleep on your bus…?” I asked her hesitantly.

There was a moment of silence before she figured out what I was trying to say. “You can stay with us for as long as you want.”

I cocked my mouth to the side as I felt unsure about this. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude. Only if you have enough room; don’t make anyone move or anything!”

“We have a spare bunk, Bella. It’s okay.” I heard her laugh.

I let out a small relief sigh. “Thank you so much, Hannah. I just-I just can’t stay here tonight. I need to sort shit out in my head, you know?” I pushed my knees up to my chest and leaned my chin on top.

“Yeah, I know. I wouldn’t want to be on the same bus as him either. It’s alright though, you can stay here until you’ve calmed down and sorted things out, okay?”

I smiled in appreciation. I was grateful for having someone like Hannah around; otherwise I wouldn’t know what to do. “Thanks again, you’re actually saving my butt right now-” I heard the doorknob jiggle a little. “Shit, I think he’s here.” I began to breathe heavily.

“Bella, it’s fine; you’re fine. Just tell him how you feel and don’t forget to mention how you’re going to stay over.” I took a deep breath in and sat up properly on the couch.

“You’re right. I have to go; I’ll see you in a bit.” I quickly spat out my words and ended the call, shifting my position on the couch and pretended I was occupied by my phone.

Everything went silent for a moment. The only audible noise was the little murmurs outside. “Dude, stay out here. I need to talk to her.” It was Austin. The door slowly opened and Austin gazed at me; giving me a sad smile. I looked at him with no expression then looked back down onto my phone.

“Thank you for making me get up and go to the show.” His voice sounded shaky. I continued to stare at my phone, ignoring his previous comment. He sighed a little and made his way towards the couch and sat down beside me. “Why didn’t you answer any of me calls? I was-” I cut him off.

“Well what do you think Austin?” I snapped at him. “I walk into the bathrooms to find Gielle practically sucking your face off!” I felt the need to let all my tears run freely down my cheeks but I didn’t want to give in, not now.

“It wasn’t what it looked like-” I cut him off as I was disbelieved by what he said.

“Wasn’t what it looked like?” I let out a sarcastic laugh, watching his head slowly drop down as he stared at his lap. “It was exactly what it looked like.” I said sternly. “It’s kind of ironic, don’t you think?” He looked back up at me with such sadness in his eyes. “You tell me how Gielle was such a bitch for cheating on you and how she’s completely out of your life,” He was about to say something until I quickly continued. “But then,” I started laughing. “But then you do the exact same thing she did AND you do it with the person who cheated on you!” The tone in my voice had risen.

It went silent for a moment. We just stared at each other, not knowing what to say. A part of me wanted to leap off the couch and hug him but the other part knows what’s right; I stood my ground and just let everything out. “What’s your deal, Austin? Am I too boring for you that you had to go behind my back and cheat on me because you didn’t have the fucking guts to break up with me?” This time my tears fell, and I couldn’t help it.

“No, it’s not like that.” He lifted his hand to wipe away my tear but I shifted my position so he couldn’t touch me at all.

“What’s it like then, Austin?”

“I saw you with Vic and I-” I cut him. This time, I was furious.

“WE WERE HAVING A FUCKING CONVERSATION, AUSTIN! I CAN GO AROUND TALKING TO WHOEVER I WANT, WHENEVER I WANT WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION!” I lashed out at him and he lowered his head, taking this all in. “It’s not like we were fucking! He knows I’m dating you! You should have talked to me if you were that concerned.” My voice began to lower down. I gave him a moment to take it all in while I tried to get my breath back.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was shaky. He took a deep breath before continuing. “I just, I guess I was jealous. I saw him talking to you and all of a sudden he started getting a little touchy-”

I accidentally cut him off. “Austin…that’s because when I bumped into him, my drink spilled all over my top.” I closed my eyes for a second, realising what his reason was going to be. I began to shake my head slowly side to side with a small sigh; this is unbelievably pathetic.  

“Oh…” He had a guilty expression on his face. “But, it’s still not entirely all my fault.”

I looked up at him in confusion. “What?”

“After the Vic scene, I left and went back to the group I was with before and noticed Gielle was there. We talked for a bit, until I had to use to bathroom, that’s when she followed me and slammed me up against the wall and yeah, you know…” He paused for a second. “I don’t think she knew I was in a relationship, but for a split second, I went along with it, not until I snapped out of it and pushed her off of me. I told her how I was dating you but she didn’t care so she continued and that’s when you came in.” There were tears welling up in his eyes and honestly, I could feel my heart breaking. Watching him in this much pain hurt me, but not as much as what he did to me. “It was an accident, honestly. Please believe me, Bella.”

I looked down onto my lap, contemplating whether I should forgive him or leave. Although his reason was pretty rational, I was still upset by what happened; I could never forget, but could I forgive?