Anger Issues

84

Austin

The assembly ended and Jess and I were with our families. Her grandparents were nice as hell and completely calmed down my nerves from earlier. Even her dad was being nicer than usual.

While the adults were talking, Caleb, Noah, Becca, Jess and I held back.

"I'd let you draw me," I told Becca. "I can't draw family. Plus I've already drawn you," she explained. "Draw me," Jess smiled. "I wanna be drawn," Noah sarcastically mentioned.

"Give me a family photo and I'll do it," Becca laughed. "Would you actually?" Noah asked. "Yeah. I could submit it as my final," she said.

"I'm so down with that," Jess admit. "Me too," Noah nodded.

Eventually, we got back to the parking lot where we dispersed again. Jess and I got to my car, immediately turning on the heater to warm up from the cold air outside.

"Your grandparents are nice," I said. "I told you that you didn't need to worry," she said. "I know, I'm sorry," I said, gently kissing the back of her hand.

"We did good," I added, as I began driving. "Yeah. I was fucking scared but it was fine," she smiled. I let out a soft laugh. "I don't know why you were so nervous," I shook my head.

"You don't have stage freight. I can barely raise my hand in class," she said.

"I'm not a shy person," I shrugged. "I know, you're lucky," she nodded. I shook my head in disagreement, but left it alone.

"Do you think we'll still have detention?" I asked. "For that, we better get ungrounded, too," she said.

I smiled and agreed. "We should," I nodded. "I guess we'll see," she added.

As I neared her house, she leaned forward in her seat. "Turn here," she said. "Why?" I asked. "Because I wanna talk to you," she said, making me softly smile.

I turned and continued driving, avoiding her house.

"Did you find out anything about your dads job?" She asked. "Not yet. Soon," I answered. "How's everything at home?" I gently asked, not wanting to seem pushy.

"Weird, but.. I don't know. Now with my grandparents, everything seems normal," she explained. "I'm sorry you're dealing with this," I glanced at her.

"It's not your fault," she shook her head. "You know you can come over whenever you need to, right? If you ever wanna get away from your house for a little bit," I told her. "Thank you," she slightly smiled.

"Where to now?" I asked. She sighed. "You can bring me home. My family's gonna wonder why it took so long," she said. "Okay," I nodded.

After a few minutes, I stopped in front of her house. Getting out of the car, I pulled her into a tight hug, holding her waist firmly.

"Love you, babe," I said. "Love you, too," she said.

Before pulling away, I leaned down, and softly kissed her lips.

"Goodnight," she said, pulling away. I waved, watching her disappear into her house, before getting back into the car and driving home.

"What took so long?" Dad asked. "Sorry, I had to help Jess with something really quick," I said. "Dinners gonna be ready in a few minutes. Go wash up," he nudged his head upstairs.

I changed into pajamas, wanting to be more comfortable. After washing my hands and such, I went downstairs.

"So.. am I still grounded?" I asked, helping set the table. Mom and Dad exchanged a soft glance.

"You can get your phone tomorrow," Dad gave in. "Oh, thank you," I heavily sighed in relief.

"You're still grounded. Only until Sunday," Mom added. "Hey, listen," Dad sternly said, catching my attention. "You get in any more trouble like that, and you're done until your next birthday," he said.

"Okay," I nodded, still smiling.

Once we started eating dinner, Becca spoke up.

"Can you actually get a picture of Jess and Noah for me?" She asked. "You're seriously gonna do it?" I asked. "Yeah," she nodded.

"Make it complex. I have to be impressive," she added. "As if you're not already," Caleb drank water.

"I can be better," Becca said. "Austin, help her out with this," Mom said. "I will. I'm gonna get the picture," I nodded.

"Bro," I tapped Caleb, swallowing the food I had. "Sunday the basements mine," I said. "No," he shook his head.

"Dude, I've been grounded for two months you can spare a day," I argued. "Yeah, and in those two months I've been playing and grinding on fortnite. I'm not losing my win streak," he said.

"Caleb," Dad sternly said. "Yes, Father?" Caleb smiled, making Becca and me laugh.

Caleb counteracted our parents anger towards him by being sarcastically nice, which they didn't understand, but made Becca and I entertained as hell.

"Let him on for Sunday," he said. Caleb glanced at me. "Gladly," he nodded.

"Jessica's family is nice," Mom changed the topic. "Yeah, they are," I nodded.

Too bad her Dad hates me.

"Maybe we can get together one day. Us and them," she suggested.

I wasnt sure about that at all, and I didn't want to give her any false hope. So, I changed the subject.

"Dad, when are you leaving for the Bahamas?" I asked. "We are leaving on the last Thursday of the month, so make sure you're all caught up with school," he looked between the three of us.

"Okay," we nodded.

"So.. can I start hanging out with my friends again?" I asked. "Yes."

"No."

Mom and Dad spoke at the same time. "Is that a yes or a no?" I asked. They looked between each other. "Fine," Dad agreed.

"Thank you," I smiled. "What? So go out on Sunday," Caleb argued. "You can take the pictures on Sunday," Becca added.

"You're on his side?" I asked. "I'm not taking sides, I just need my picture," she said. "I'll get you the picture," I sighed, irritated with Caleb.

"Aw, Tini's mad," Caleb spoke in a baby voice. "Don't call me that," I shook my head. "Yeah, only I can," Becca smiled.

"Mom," I whined. She shook her head. "Dad," I whined in the same tone. "Knock it off, all three of you," he said, silencing the table.

"Maybe if you had a girlfriend you'd be out more," I quickly said to Caleb. "You have a girlfriend, what's your excuse?" He smirked.

"What about me?" Becca asked.

Mom, Dad, Caleb and I all looked at her, not finding her obvious joke funny at all.

"If I see a guys name on your phone I'm getting his number and meeting him myself," I said. "Jeez," she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'll go with," Caleb nodded, doing our handshake with me.

"Come on, let her live," Mom sighed. "Mom!?" Caleb and I exclaimed.

"Rebecca," Dad began. "I know, I know," she stopped him. "Good," he nodded.

"You don't wanna end up like Austin," Caleb said. I slowly set my fork down, lifting my head up. "What did he do?" Becca asked.

"I did nothing," I answered. Caleb closed one eye, turning his head. "Caleb," Mom said.

"I'm done eating," I stood up, carrying my plate to the kitchen.

"I was joking, bro," Caleb said behind me. "I'm sure Mom wanted to say that when she got pregnant with you," I retorted. Becca let out a laugh.

"You really wanna say that?" He threatened. "Boys," Mom said. "Keep it up and you're both grounded," Dad said. "Austin, go to your room," he said.

I threw my paper towel in the garbage, nodding my head while eyeing Caleb.

"My pleasure."