Anger Issues

83

Austin

"What are we wearing tonight?" Jess asked me, as we slid our trays down the lunch line. "Black," I shrugged. "Black on black?" She looked at me. "What would you prefer?" I asked.

"What about black and white? Or black and red?" She asked. "What if I wear a white shirt and black pants, and you wear a black shirt and white pants?" I laughed.

"Coordination, I'll see what I can do," she smiled at me.

"Suh dudes," I said, sitting down across from Kyle and Kayla. "Don't do that again, bro," Kyle shook his head, making me laugh.

"Are you ready to preform tonight?" Kayla asked, widening her eyes in dramatic shock. "Yeah, but we're doing it alone," Jess said. "What happened with Tyler and-" "They bailed," Jess cut off Kyle. I nodded.

"Damn. But you guys got it down," he said.

"So.. are we all good now?" I asked, after a few silent seconds. "I'd like to be," Jess nodded, softly speaking. I looked over at Kayla, who nodded her head. Kyle obviously agreed, too.

After about a minute, Kayla pointed to the front of the lunchroom. "I'm assuming he's coming for you two," she said.

Looking over, the principal was making his way to us.

"Can we borrow you two for the period. We need to get everything organized for the assembly," he explained. "Um- yeah," I stood up.

Kyle and Kayla gently waved to us as we made our way out, and to the auditorium.

"This won't take long. We'll introduce you two, you'll preform, and then you can find your seats. We just need to know how long your performance is and the information on the music and such," he explained. "Okay," Jess nodded.

"Tessa is by the front, you can give her the instructions on the music," he pointed.

Walking down to her, Jess and I explained the song- the specific video she needed, and the time she needed to start at.

"Do you know how long the dance is?" She asked. "Um.." I started thinking. "It's no more than a minute," Jess said. "Yeah," I agreed. "Okay. And you guys have it down? Anyone else part of it?" She asked. "No, it's just us. And yeah, we got it," I said. "Thanks, that's all," she smiled.

We checked with the principal quickly before he allowed us back down to the lunchroom. 

"That was a waste, he could've asked us in the lunchroom," I complained. "Babe," Jess playfully rolled her eyes.

—

Jessica

"I gotta go!" I said, as I ran down the stairs. "What's the hurry? The assembly doesn't start for another hour," Grams said, stopping me. "I have to be there earlier to set up and stuff," I quickly explained.

"How are you getting there?" She asked. "Austin's picking her up," Mom answered for me. "Oh, okay. Maybe I can meet him finally when we're there," Grams laughed. "You will," I nodded, taking steps away.

"Be careful, we'll be there soon," she said. I smiled at her quickly, before racing out the door and to Austin's car.

"Hey," he smiled. "Um- I don't know how you'll feel about this, but my grandparents wanna meet you," I said, slowly looking up at him as I buckled my seatbelt.

"Are they gonna hate me?" He asked. "No," I softly said, leaning my head back. "It's only my Dad. And he won't act up in front of them," I assured him, resting my hand in his.

He started driving, taking a few seconds of silence. "I'm fine meeting your family, Jess," he said. "I just don't want them to be disappointed," he admit. "Why would they be disappointed?" I asked.

"I get into fights-" "Because of me," I nodded, cutting him off. He glanced at me, then looked back at the road.

"I get in trouble at school," he continued. "With me," I said. "I got arrested," he added. "Because of me," I said.

He sighed, softly shaking his head. "I got you pregnant."

I lowered my gaze in sadness, but quickly overpowered it. I promised myself not to let it get to me again.

"Babe, if anything, your family should be disappointed for you to have chosen me," I changed the topic. "But they love you," he said. "My family loves you. It's just my dad," I said. "He's just overprotective. That's all," I assured him.

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"Okay," he nodded.

—

"Holy shit," I whispered to myself, pulling myself back behind the curtains. "What?" Austin asked. "There's a shit ton of people," I nervously said.

He slightly moved the curtain, getting a view of the filling auditorium. With time left to start the assembly, people only continued to file inside.

"Our families are sitting together," he said, coming back. "What?"

I looked out again, searching for his or my family. When my eyes landed on Noah and Caleb talking and laughing, my eyes wandered to everyone else in our families sitting beside each other.

"Well.." I said. "That's something," Austin nodded.

I came back, feeling my heart beat faster inside my chest. "Babe, relax. We've preformed in front of people before," Austin set his hand on my waist.

"Yeah, our dance class, and people who came to those performances. Never anyone we see on the daily," I argued.

"Jess," he softly grabbed both my hands. "We'll do great, okay?" He said. I took a deep breath, before nodding. "Good," he kissed my forehead, making a smile approach my lips almost immediately.

"Hello friends and family!" The principals voice rang through the speakers, pulling Austin and me apart.

We stood by the side of the stage, hidden behind the curtains as he spoke.

He introduced the school and some of the staff, thanked everyone for coming, and then explained what the assembly was for, which honestly, I wasn't even sure about.

"He better end all of our Saturday detention," I shook my head. Austin let out a gentle laugh.

"But, without further a due, I'd like to introduce our opening act," he spoke, making Austin and me rush to our spots.

"Juniors, Austin Chanel, and Jessica Reign."

The applause and cheers from the crowd made me smile widely. "Ready?" Austin softly asked. I nodded happily.

Mr. P quickly rushed behind the curtains. "You two ready?" He asked. We nodded.

He rushed off the stage, leaving just Austin and me.

As the curtains opened, my heart rate sped up. The lights to the audience dimmed leaving only the stage lights on us.

"Fuck," I whispered.

Then, the music started playing.

(A/N- first group is Austin and Jess. Starts at 0:25)

The curtain closed, allowing Austin and I to finally move as we continued panting.

"I told you," he spoke loudly through the cheers and applause.

I was taken back by the response of the audience. I really was scared for no reason but, as far as I knew, they enjoyed it.

I smiled widely before Austin pulled me into a warm hug.

"I love you," I laughed. "I love you too," he said, as we pulled away.

Slipping his hand into mine, we exited the stage by the side, and stayed for the rest of the assembly.