If Only

Chapter 31

Austin's POV

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of glass breaking which makes me quickly leave my bed and look over the balcony only to see that the cause of the noise is thanks to Carlos. "You're here for a day and you already are breaking things in my dorm room." I say rubbing my eyes but I can still see Carlos smile up at me, "I didn't mean to wake you up Austin, but since you're up now I was thinking that maybe we would go out of coffee and something to eat?" I nod my head and walk over my closet but I turn my head to see Carlos now in my room, "Perfect and everything in its place, somethings never change." Carlos rolls his eyes because and I roll my eyes back at him, "Just try to break anything while I am in the shower."I say grabbing my clothes and heading into the bathroom.

Once I am finished with my shower and fully dressed in a nice short sleeve light blue shirt and grey khaki shorts. I step out of the bathroom to see Carlos fixing his hair and is now wearing different clothes. Carlos is now wearing a tank top that is covered in different colored paint splatters, a pair of jean shorts with rips on them, and a pair of white sneakers. "You do know it that is spring, which means you don't need to wear such conservative clothing."I ignore his comment as I walk over to the closet and grab the broom and dustpan and start sweeping up the broken vase off the floor. "I really don't need to hear this from you Carlos. I already get lectured about my clothing, my values, my personality, and almost everything else about me from everyone on campus." Carlos places his hand on the broom handle making me look at him. "I was just joking little brother, and ignore whatever anyone says to you, you are perfect just the way you are." Carlos smiles at me and I return the smile as I dump the flowers and the broken vase into the trash. "We should get going."Carlos nods his head as he opens the door, I grab my brown flat shoes putting them on and as I walk out of the apartment I grab my black waistcoat slipping it on as Carlos and I make our way onto campus.

Carlos and I are walking around campus heading towards the local campus restaurant,"Sounds like from what you told me last night that you are loving campus life."I nod my head as the biggest smile comes across my lips. "Campus life might be challenging at times but It seems the prefect lifestyle for me." Carlos nods his head seeing how excited I am, "We never really talked about what you told me last night." This makes me stop in my tracks as I thought that me telling everything would be the end of that conversation. "What are you mean? You wanted to know about my friends at the fraternity and I told you." Carlos gives me a look telling me that I know that is not what he is talking about and I know that he is talking about the Garrett situation. "You know that I am talking about the feelings that you told me you felt when you hung out with Garrett."I just wave him off not wanting to talk about it because I have spent the last few days trying to forget about them. "Austin, it sounds like you were having romantic feelings towards Garrett." I just shake my head as the sound of my cell phone ringing interrupts the awkward conversation that my brother and I were having.I look at my phone to see that Garrett was calling me, I answer the phone but the person on the other line wasn't Garrett,

"Austin? Are you there?" I hear Hunter's voice say in a panic sounded voice. "Hunter? Why do you have Garrett's phone?" I ask but the sound of Garrett cursing and shouting at people makes me feel even more worried, "Garrett has been admitted to the hospital, and I could really use your help." I feel a little confused as I look at Carlos who mirrors my confused look. "Why is he in the hospital?" I ask hearing another string of curse words from Garret and Hunter yelling at him for it. "To put it simply Garrett has been on a bender since the incident in Ms. Gilbert class yesterday, and he passed out and wasn't breathing so we rushed him to the hospital." The fear inside of me overcomes meas I start feeling myself starting to shake. "Is he okay?" I ask making my way to the parking lot ignoring Carlos who is running behind me, "They got him awake and breathing but the doctor is requesting Garrett stay overnight for observation." I nod my head pulling out my keys and unlocking my car door,

"I am on my way, text me what room he is in." I hang up but before I can get into my car Carlos shuts the door on me, "What is going on?" I take a deep breath as my phone alerts me to a new text message which must be Hunter. "I am sorry Carlos but I need to go, Garrett is in the hospital and Hunter wants me there." Garrett smiles a cocky smile and I know exactly what he is thinking. "Sounds like you are worried little brother, maybe a little too worried." I cross my arms over my chest, "Garrett is a friend, and I know Hunter well enough to know that he wouldn't call me unless it was a last-ditch effort." Carlos leans against my car and I start feeling frustrated because I don't have time for this. 

"You think that you will be able to help Garrett?" I shrug my shoulders not really knowing the answer to that question, "I don't know Carlos, but I have to try." Carlos nods his head and steps away from my car and out of my way, "Text me when you know anything, I am leaving tonight and headed to mom and dads." I give him a quick hug before getting into my car and I drive off to the hospital.