Battle Scars

-Chapter 8-

     "WAKEY WAKEY!" Austin screams. "GET UP!"

I moan and hide under my covers. "Can I just sleep? Like, please. I need my sleep."

"I thought you were a morning person..." Austin mumbles. "But who cares? You, young lady, need to visit someone.

"Who?"

"Shawn called your phone earlier. He was asking if you wanted to hang out for a little. So, I said yes for you and here I am, trying to get you out of bed."

"Yes, I have noticed, thank you, but can I please just sleep?"

Austin lets out a frustrated sigh before walking away. "Fine."

I smirk and close my eyes, thankful for a few more minutes of sleep. But then,

"HA!"

Cold water drips down my back, making me let out a shriek, followed my Austin doubling over in laughter.

"AUSTIN!"

"Now will you get up?"

I glare at him for a good two seconds before giving him my answer. "No."

Austin frowns. "B-but, it used to always work!" He scratches his chin, trying to think. "I have one more idea..."

Austin smirks down at me before grabbing me and tossing me over his shoulder.

"Ow, God... Dang, you're heavy for a shorty like you!" Austin teases.

"I'm NOT short!" I protest. "Now put me down!"

"Only if you promise to get ready!"

"Okay, I will. Now can I go get changed? I'm pretty cold!"

Austin sets me down on the floor and bends down to reach my height. "Now go get changed, shorty."

I roll my eyes at him. "First it was Kiddo, now it's Shorty?"

"Apparently." He chuckles to himself. "At least the name fits. You're barely up to my chin."

"I'm short to you, but not to other people." I correct.

"For Pete's sake, go get changed! Unless you want another cup of water on your head!"

-----------

     After going through two towels, 2 pairs of pants, and 1 shirt, I finally made it out okay. Miami is still pretty warm in February, averaging around 75°, so I settled for a pair of jean shorts, a blue half-sleeved shirt that has the word "Geek" imprinted on it, and a baby-blue beanie. Because I can.

I pull my hair into a quick braid before stepping out and catching up with my Mom.

"Morning," I greet, kissing her cheek.

"Morning, Sierra." She turns around to look at me, before breaking into a smile. "Trying to impress your boyfriend, are you?"

I blush before lightly hitting her on the arm. "Mom, he's just a friend."

"All great relationships start off as friendships!" Mom reminds me, making me roll my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Look what happened to Austin's."

Austin, who was apparently behind me, smacks me upright the head. "Watch it!" he playfully warns.

I stick my tongue out at him before turning back to Mom. "Anyway, he will never like me anyway."

"And why's that?" Mom questions, raising a brow."

I start counting my fingers before saying me reasons out loud. "I got these ugly glasses,"