Everyone should own a Gun

Chapter 28

We need to talk. If you don't come here, I'll come to you. -A

Fine. Give me twenty minutes. -H

~~~Previously that night~~~

The whole fricking day after that awkward breakfast was ruined. All of it. I was positive that I'd lost my mind. It must have been, otherwise I wouldn't keep thinking up all those crazy ideas about the attack. More specifically, who was involved. One name was circling inside my head and no matter how many times I scolded myself for even thinking he would do something like that, it just kept popping up.

Jake.

He stabbed Harry, I thought, because of what had happened the night of the party when Harry defended me. That was a reason, sure. But reason enough to stab him? It didn't make sense that it would be his only motivation. If Jake was involved with what happened, or was controlling Harry in some way, then he wouldn't take Harry punching him lightly. Right?

"Argh!" My hands scrunched up in my hair as I paced round my room, trying, and failing to make sense of my thoughts.

The other thing that didn't make sense was how Austin was caught between them both. I mean, how much of a coincidence could it be that he was, unknowingly, close to two people who were connected to the attack. It was too big a coincidence. There was no way he could be in the dark about it all. One of them was his cousin, the other his best mate. Who, by the way, acts awfully strangely around him. Harry was the one who'd told me to be careful around Austin. I'd just thought he was doing it to protect his own interests.

And now I hated myself for possibly thinking Austin, the sweet guy who treats Elle like a queen, could have been involved.

But if he was, then that meant Elle could be in danger too. If anything happened to her it'd be my fault, because I was too scared to say something.

Now, there was only one thing I could think of doing to get answers, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Without thinking, I pulled on my running gear. In under five minutes I was out of the door and sprinting down the road. My pace was far too fast for me to maintain for a decent amount of time, but I did. As the distance increased, my breathing became quicker. The muscles in my legs start to complain, making me want to slow down. Instead, I sped up. The more the ache grew, spreading through my whole body, the easier it was to ignore my own thoughts. Call it my little escape. And boy, was it working.

Only when I felt my head begin to feel like it was floating did I stop, knowing I would pass out within ten minutes if I didn't stop and sit. My heart felt like it was booming in my head. I could've killed for a drink right then. My throat was so dry, not helped by every freezing cold inhalation I took. I sat on a bench in the park I had been running in and relaxed, taking slow, deep breaths. It was getting dark now. The sky was a navy blue-black. In the distance it looked like storm clouds were heading our way. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't even slightly scared right then. No one was around, and massive looming trees that were the beginnings of a forest lined the park. Forests plus night time equals creepy shit happening. At least, that's what all the movies said.

Thinking I could be being watched by a monster, a new surge of adrenaline rushed through me. I got up and ran straight back to the house, making it in record time. I felt even worse than I had when I'd first set off. Mum's car was in the drive so she was home. She called out from the kitchen when she heard me open the front door.

"Where've you been?"

"Just out for a run. Going to shower."

I didn't hear what she said as I ran up the stairs, which my legs really didn't like. I practically wobbled into my room. I was almost tempted to dive into the shower with all my clothes on.

We spent dinner with mum asking about my day and why I wasn't talking very much. In all honesty, as soon as I'd stepped out of the shower, everything that I had trying to suppress came rushing back. I was worried that if I spoke, I'd end up letting something slip, or showing the unpleasant attitude that I was feeling. She didn't deserve that, so I kept it shut for both of our sakes.

She seemed to catch on though, kissing my forehead before leaving me to it. By nine, since I hadn't come out of my room, she came in with herbal tea of some sort and sat next to me on the bed. I had a book in my lap, trying to read it, but I was lying to myself. I couldn't focus on anything that was written in the pages.

"Is everything okay? You've been really quiet." She placed her hand on my leg, rubbing gentle circles.

I sighed and closed the book. "I'm fine. School's just stressful at the moment."

It was a quick lie, and an easy one to believe too. She knows when I get stressed I clam up for a bit but am fine the next day.

"Okay hunny, if you're sure that's all." I forced a smile and nodded. "Get some sleep, okay?"

She kissed my forehead and left, gently shutting the door on her way out.

I waited until I heard her door shut, and then jumped up towards my phone. Since I got back from the run, my mind was made up. I knew what I needed to do.

We need to talk. If you don't come here, I'll come to you. -A

Fine. Give me twenty minutes. -H

When I sent the message, I didn't think he would even reply, let alone do so less than a minute later. To be fair, he was the one who said he'd leave me alone, not the other way round.

Part of me felt slightly buzzed about the fact that I might finally get some of the answers I'd been waiting for. I carefully opened my door to see if mum was still awake. Since her light was off I assumed not, and quietly made my way downstairs to wait.

After thirty minutes had ticked by agonisingly slowly I was anxious to say the least. I was pacing between the lounge and kitchen, each time checking the window that looked onto the street. Just as I was about to open up the messages app it pinged.

Out front -H

But I didn't see any headlights. I opened the front door as quietly as possible. Harry was indeed waiting. He wore a thick coat with the collar turned up and his trademark black jeans.

"How did you..."

He cut me off before I could finish. "Switched my headlights off before turning onto the street. Figured it'd look weird me turning up at this time of night."

"Oh, thanks, I guess." He nodded and walked in. "This way."

I led him up to my room. Yea, never thought I'd be taking Harry of all people to my room. After he'd walked in, I shut the door and watched him scan my room, keeping his hands in his pockets. He sat himself on my bed and leant back, smirking all the while.

"So, what exactly do we need to talk about?"

I crossed my arms and watched him for a moment before speaking. Did I really want to do this? I took a deep breath.

"Austin."  

I could've put the rest of their little meeting in, but then I thought, why not cut it there on a nice little cliffhanger... *laughs evilly*

Don't kill me, I will post the next part tomorrow so you don't have long to wait! 

Until Later 

xoxo

(WE HIT FIVE K!!!! THANK YOU SOSOSO MUCH)