Anger Issues

103

Jessica

Where's your phone?" Noah asked us. "Upstairs," I said. Mom picked hers up from the coffee table.

"Jess, go get yours. We're leaving," he said. "What? Where?" I asked. "I don't know. Just hurry. He's being reckless we might get hurt. Hurry before he comes back," he urged. "I got Nite," he added.

I nodded and wiped my eyes, running upstairs to grab my phone, then going back down.

Noah waved for me to move faster as he opened the door. Quickly piling into the car, we shut the doors fast and he immediately took off.

"What if he hurts himself?" I asked Noah, trying to stop the tears. "Did it look like he was? He was gonna hurt Mom. He'll be fine, he just needs to cool down," he shook his head. Mom was silent, in shock I assumed.

My phone started vibrating in my hand, making me look down. Austin was calling.

"He-llo?" My voice cracked. "What happened, are you guys okay?" He frantically asked.

"I- we.. we're not home," I stuttered. "Where are you going?" He asked. "I don't know," I sniffed.

"Come over," he said. "What?" I questioned. "Jess, come over. Bring whoever's with you," he sternly said.

"Are you sure?" I asked. "Yes," he said.

"Noah, Austin said we could go to his house," I spoke through tears.

Dad really scared me. I hadn't been so scared in.. ever. He never acted up like that.

"It's late," Mom said. "He said it's fine," I added. She looked at Noah, nodding her head. He made a turn, going in the direction of his house.

"We're coming," I said. "Okay. I'll wait for you," he said. "Thank you."

By the time we got there, he was already waiting on his porch. Once we got out of the car, he came down and engulfed me in a hug.

"Are you guys okay?" He spoke loud enough for the three of us to hear. I nodded against his shoulder. Once I blinked, a few more tears had fallen.

"Thank you, Austin," Mom said. I could still hear the shakiness in her voice, too.

Once I pulled away, Austin hugged my Mom. I was so glad Mom liked Austin. I was wrong to think she didn't. It's just Dad.

"You guys can always come here," he assured her. Pulling away, he went towards Noah and clapped hands with him.

"Thanks, bro," Noah said. "Always," Austin nodded.

He led us up the stairs to the door, allowing us inside.

After a couple minutes, we adjusted fairly normal. Still shaken, we slowly got our minds off the subject.

Mom was talking to Austin's Mom, and Noah and Caleb were already down in the basement.

"Are you alright?" Austin softly asked. I looked up at his eyes for a split second, knowing that I'd cry again if I stared any longer. Nodding my head, he softly held my hand and brought me away from our Moms.

"Come here," he softly said, pulling me into a hug. I held him tightly, immediately letting the tears loose.

"What happened?" He asked. "I- I don't know. My Dad just got angry out of nowhere," I managed to say.

"It's okay, relax," he cooed, rubbing my back. "I've got you, you're okay," he spoke soft, slightly calming me down.

After a few minutes, we went to the kitchen, sitting at he island. I wiped my eyes and leaned my head in my hand, looking at him as he did the same thing.

"We're okay, Austin," I assured him. He nodded his head. His facial expression hadn't changed, but the look in his eyes did.

He put his arms down and laid his head in them, still looking at me.

"I love you so much," I ran my hand through his hair, kissing his head. "I love you too," he sat up.

He wiped my cheeks with his thumb and cupped my face, before leaning in and kissing me softly.

As we pulled away, I stood up, wrapping my arms around him.

"I promise we're okay, Aus," I reassured him.

Although I was reassuring him, I was reassuring myself. We had arguments, but nothing too serious. This would have been one of our worst, so when he questioned whether or not we're okay, my heart sank.

"Where's Becca?" I pulled away, clearing my throat.

"She's in her own world. Hasn't come out of her room since we got home from school," he walked to his fridge, sliding a bottle of water towards me.

As I took a sip, both Caleb and Noah's voices were heard from downstairs.

"Jess!"

"Austin!"

He nudged his head down, making me nod. Slowly taking my hand, he led me downstairs, where Noah and Caleb were playing video games.

"Join us," Noah glanced at us.

We agreed, sitting beside them as they explained the game. It was a game where you're a flimsy ass character and have to throw each other off of the map to win, but since they're so flimsy, it's hard to do.

I have to admit, the game lightened my mood, but I was over it after about thirty minutes.

Once my character died, Nite ran up to me, making me drop the controller and pick him up instead.

"Hi buddy," I smiled, petting him.

Austin leaned back, making me look up at the screen only to notice his character fall off the building.

"Uh oh," I said, looking at him.

He shook his head, trying to hide his annoyance.

"Are you okay?" He quietly asked.

I looked down at Nite, lifting him up and kissing his head, nodding my head, I assured him that I was okay.

At least for now.

Oof :(