Let Live (An Austin Carlile Love Story)

It Burns Red Like It's Not Over

Warning: There is a possibility of some sexual content ahead......maybe....I don't know you'll have to read to find out ;)

Austin's P.O.V:

Banging. Loud banging. The noise filled my ears, pulling me out of my dreamless sleep. I focused in on it, soon realizing someone was knocking on my door. It stopped, and I closed my eyes, trying to lull myself back to sleep.

There it was again. Whoever it was sure was persistant. I pulled myself out of bed, yanking on a pair of shorts as I stumbled towards the door. The knocking quieted once again, and as I opened the door I noticed that no one was there, not anymore. "Hello?" I croaked out, peering into the hallway. I noticed a girl halfway down the hall; she paused at the sound of my voice. When she turned around I was surprised, and a little confused. "Tyler?" I questioned as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. She looked sad, her eyes red as if she had been crying. My confusion was soon replaced with worry. "Ty, are you okay? What are you doing here?" She didn't respond to my string of questions; instead she took a few steps towards me. "Ty-" I tried to formulate more than that, but I couldn't, I was too taken aback by the current situation. She took one final step, placing herself directly in front of me.

Our eyes met as I searched her face for anything, trying to figure out what was going through her mind. Before I knew what was happening she reached her small hand up, grabbing the back of my neck, and pulled my lips down to hers. I kissed her back without hesitation, the shock and surprise kept hidden below the surface. I rested a hand in the middle of her back, leaning farther into the kiss.

I had wanted this for so long. These past six months had been the most miserable of my life. I could hardly function without her. I was just starting to get back on my feet, at least that's what I told everyone. I didn't think it was humanly possible to miss someone so much, to feel so incomplete without them...so broken. I hadn't expected to run into her while I was here; New York City is a big place, but somehow, someway, I wandered into that coffeeshop this morning, and there she was...it was almost as if it was meant to be.

She looked different, way different. But not only that she was different, I could tell simply by the conversation we had had earlier today, despite the fact that it was so short. Seeing her, being near her again, it was as if we had never been apart. My heart still raced as she smiled, I still got chills when we touched.

As we stood in the doorway kissing I still couldn't help but wonder what had brought her here. I pulled my lips from hers, but still kept a tight grip on her, not allowing myself to let her go. I found her green eyes with mine, watching as tears fell down her rosy cheeks. "Tyler, why are you here? I thought you had a-" I paused before I finished my sentence. My mind raced as I remembered that she was supposed to have a date tonight. Now here she was on my doorstep, kind of, wearing a beautiful dress, and crying. Anger and worry crept their way in. "Your date - did he do something to you? Did he hurt you, Ty?" I couldn't help but let those thoughts swirl around my mind; I tried my best to stay calm. She shook her head in response, and I allowed myself to relax a bit.

"No, I-I left. I couldn't be there anymore." Her voice cracked as she spoke for the first time. I reached my hand up, cupping her soft cheek as I wiped at her falling tears. I was still a little confused about what was going on right now. It was only natural; she had left me, she had ignored my phone calls. I know I was the one who pushed her away, but - I had figured that she had moved on.

"Ty, why are you here?" I asked compassionately. She pulled away from me, stepping back a little, and looked away.

"Because I miss you." Her response was so quiet it was almost inaudible. I was stunned. I couldn't get my mind to formulate any words; I just stood there and stared at her. "I just- I miss you so much, Austin. I haven't been doing as good as everyone thinks. All I do is think about you, about us." She started to cry harder now, her face contorted in pain. "I need you, Austin. I love you so, so much, and I'm so sorry for-"