Anger Issues

86

Austin

A few days had passed since Jess and I got ungrounded, and life was already looking better.

Except for the fact that some dumbasses don't know how to take a hint. People at school who don't even know me have started to mock me and instigate me for absolutely no reason, and it's taken a lot for me to not knock the shit out of them.

They only came at me when I was alone, though. Not that it made a difference. I haven't told anyone about it only because I didn't feel the need to. And I intended to keep it that way, especially from Jess.

I wasn't sure how things were looking on her side. The only thing I knew was that since her grandparents had left, her Dad started drinking and acting up with her family, again.

As the bell rang and I started switching out my books in my locker, the same assholes approached me again.

"Okay, I'm twice the size of all of you. Who put you up to this shit?" I slammed my locker. There were three of them, all freshmen.

The two that stood in front of me had smirks on their face, like they usually did when they tried to annoy me.

The third though.. didn't. He started mouthing words to me, but I couldn't make them out.

"You can't hurt us, you'd be the one to get in trouble," one of them said. "I'm well aware," I forced a smile.

I looked back at the third kid again, still trying to make out what he was saying.

Making..

Take me in?

Then- I realized it.

Damian.

The second bell rang and everyone started shuffling to class.

I grabbed the two others by their shoulders and rushed them between lockers, even more pissed than before.

"What did he tell you to do?" I asked. "No one told us to do anything," one laughed. I tightened my grip on his shoulder- but not by a lot.

"Ow! You're hurting me!" The same kid dramatically spoke. I instantly drew my hand back.

"Austin?"

I turned around, seeing Jess and Kyle walk towards us from down the hall.

"Bro," Kyle pulled me back. "Are you okay?" Jess asked the freshmen. "Yeah- we- we gotta get to class," they spoke as if they were nervous. But they were putting up and act, and I could tell.

"Yeah," I said. "Me too."

Pushing away from all of them, I went upstairs to my last class.

—

"Austin," Jess called from behind me. I didn't wanna argue with her so I chose to ignore her- that was my form of passive aggressive.

"Austin," she called again, catching up to me as we reached opposite sides of the car.

"I didn't fucking hurt them, Jess," I said, sitting in the passengers side. "They're freshmen," she shut the door, turning to me.

"I know," I nodded. "What the hell were you doing?" She asked. "They've been fucking with me all week, I didn't do anything," I denied.

"He almost cried," she argued. "I didn't- hurt- them," I slowly spoke, emphasizing each word. "You don't know your own strength," Jess shook her head. "Give me your arm," I put my hand out.

She stuck it out, shaking her head. "What's that gonna-" "Did that hurt?" I squeezed her arm the same way I squeezed his.

"No-" "That's what I did to him. If it didn't hurt you why would it hurt them?" I asked. "They're 15, Austin! We're two years older than them," she said.

"Okay, you're right," I said, not wanting to argue.

"Austin," she sighed. "Just drive," I shook my head, biting my thumb.

I heard her lean against the seat, before she shifted the gears and started driving.

The ride was tensions and silent, but once she pulled up to the block of my house, she spoke again.

"We're gonna have to talk about this," she said. "No, we don't," I reached for the handle, but she locked the door.

"Jess," I sighed. "Why did you do it?" She asked. "Cause I'm an asshole, I enjoy bothering children half my size," I sarcastically said. "What happened?" She sternly asked. "You've been tight all week for no apparent reason, why aren't you telling me?" She asked.

I stayed quiet for a second, before unlocking the door and swiftly opening it before she could lock it again.

"Babe," she complained. Shutting the door, I went up the porch, getting into my warm house.

"What happened to you?" Caleb asked, the literal second I walked into the kitchen. "Nothing," I grabbed a water bottle, before going up to my room.

I put my bag down and changed into sweats and a tee shirt, going under my covers and closing my eyes. All I needed was a nap. It usually helped me calm down when Jess couldn't.

But, nothing was really working in my favor, so I couldn't sleep. I ended up going on my phone for a little, when Jess started texting me.

Jess
Austin

Jess
I'm sorry

Jess
Please just tell me what happened.

I sighed and cleared the notifications. I wasn't in the mood for anyone or anything. Instead, I got up again, and went down to the basement.

Luckily, Caleb wasn't using the Play Station, which gave me the perfect opportunity to jump on.

Picking up my phone, I called Kyle to see if he could get on, and thankfully, he did.

Once I saw his icon, I created a chat with him, and we started playing video games.

Bad idea.

After a little over an hour, I rage quit from anger. After two months, I was completely off my game on everything via video games.

Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair before going back upstairs.

"Austin," Mom called. "Yeah?" I turned. "Can you help me with dinner?" She asked. "It's only 5;30," I said. "I know, we're eating early tonight because your dad has to get to a meeting," she said.

I nodded and reluctantly walked into the kitchen.

Once dinner started, I was calm, but still in a bad mood. I just wanted to talk to Jess, but I knew that if I did, I might get angry again. That's what I didn't want.

"You guys should start packing, we're leaving next Friday for the trip," Dad spoke up. "Next Friday?" I asked. He nodded. "For how long?" Caleb asked.

"If you didn't have school, it would be longer. But only for five days. All of you better be up to date and get everything you'll need," he strictly said.

We all nodded, and I smiled. "I'm excited."