The Kid From The Carnival

Chapter 3

Brandon's POV

As much as I'm worried for Austin, I'm glad he didn't come out of his room for the rest of the day. We finished the basketball game, with Zion and I agreeing to let the girls and Nick win but Nick insisted it was because he's better than the both of us...

After the game we all went inside the house just in time for the pizza to come. When it came to the last slice Edwin and Zarahi got into yet another argument with Zion of course jumping in and taking it. This caused Zarahi and Edwin to start fighting with him and Nick to jump in also to yell at Zion. All while Jen, Mari, and I just watched laughing as Zion threw Zarahi over his shoulder and tossed her on the couch to "shut her up" and then threatened Edwin that he'd do the same to him.

And that's how we all ended up sitting on the couches with a pouting Zarahi and watching 'Bed Time Stories' by the time the movie ended it was now 7pm and the girls had to go. I have a feeling it could have something to do with Mariama's phone going off quite a bit during the movie.

At some point Zion got annoyed by the vibrations, took her phone, and shut it off. I'm not sure what gave him the idea that he could just do that when he just met the girl yesterday but I did yell at him for it. Sadly though, now that the girls are gone, it's now time to go up and talk to Austin and see what the fuck is going on with him and Fiffany.

I slowly make my way to the room at the end of the hall and knock.

"Go away," the person on the other side deadpans.

"Austin, c'mon buddy. Let me in the room," I try to reason with him attempting to wiggle the locked door handle. I'm genuinely worried about him. I may be the youngest but hell, Austin is practically a baby even for his grown age. "Austin, c'mon bud. You gotta talk to someone."

"PORTER! Open the door for Brandon or I'm gonna have to do it myself. And you know I don't wanna do that to you, buddy!" Zion yells walking up the stairs towards me.

We hear the click of the door and shuffling on feet and then blankets. Zion and I just look at each other before I turn the handle and we make our way in.

The room is dark. That's the first thing we notice. The blinds are closed, the lights are off, and he's under his blankets. It's only about to be 8pm.. the sun is still out. Why is he so closed off? This isn't good.

"Porter, what's going on buddy?" Zion questions taking a seat on his bed and patting him from over the blanket.

"Nothing," Austin mumbles out being muffled by the fabric over his head. I crouch down beside his bed and slowly pull the blanket down.

"Austin, what's wrong? What happened with Fiffany? We thought you guys were done?" I ask his softly and his eyes well up with tears.

"Fuck. I really don't wanna talk about it guys," he rubs his eyes. "Can I please just be alone? I'll tell you both when I'm ready, I promise.." he covers his head with the blanket again. Zion and I look at each other with wide eyes seeing that what ever this is is hurting him badly.

"Okay, But don't take too long, We're here for you man," Zion says patting him again before standing up.

"We're brothers Austin. we're with you through thick and thin. No matter what. Please talk to us soon," I say softy and receive a mumbled back 'okay, thanks.' I stand up and Zion and I make our way outside of the room.

"I don't like the sound of him in there, B," Zion sighs looking down at me once we've shut the door.

"Me either, but we've gotta trust that he knows what he's doing. He'll come to us when he's ready.  I just hope he's okay and nothing bad is happening right now. Still, I can't help but to feel like Fiffany did something to him," I reply softy not wanting Austin to hear me.