“I thought we could take a little drive,” he says, taking my hand and walking me over to his car.
“Oh?” I question. “And where are we going?”
“We could drive out to a small restaurant I found for dinner. Away from the school. Away from our friends. Just some time for the two of us to talk. There are still so many things I need to learn about you,” he says. I nod my head.
“That sounds nice.” I smile at him, and he smiles right back. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
The drive is long,about an hour outside of the campus grounds, but it feels so nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of college life. The restaurant Aussy found is a quaint little mom-and-pop Italian restaurant in the next town over. A town where small shops are all the rage and vendors line the streets selling art, jewellery, and home goods. The restaurant is tucked away between two alleys.
We walk in the door, and the ambiance is set. The intimacy of the restaurant sets my nerves ablaze. It looks so fancy, and I feel completely underdressed, but Austin assuresme this place doesn’t have a dress code. I look around and notice that other customers are also dressed in casual attire.
We are greeted by an older Italian man, who introduces himself as Alessandro. He seats us and tells us that our waiter will be with us soon, and that his wife has prepared today’s special: traditional spaghetti and meatballs. I look to Austin, who waggles his eyebrows.
“Lady and the Tramp style, huh?” I giggle.
We’ve been here for only a few minutes, and I already love this place. It’s intimate, beautiful, and so welcoming. We order our food and sip on our drinks while we wait.
“So,” Austin starts the conversation. “How are you feeling… about us?” he asks, and I bring my index finger to my chin as if pondering his question and then smile.
“Ten out of ten, would recommend,” I tell him, and he chuckles.
“Five stars all around,” he replies with a twinkle in his eye, and I giggle.
He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his.
“I meant every word last night,” he tells me, his tone serious and attentive. “I love you, Vix. And I want this. Us. I want you.” I release a breath, the intensity of the moment stealing all of the air in the room. “You’re mine,” he says, and there’s that word again.
Mine.
I lean across the table and place a delicate kiss on his lips—just a brush of our mouths against one another to leave him wanting more.
“I love you, Austin,” I tell him. “I’m yours.”
I always have been.
SEVENTEEN
AUSTIN - AGE FIFTEEN
The school dayhas come to an end, and I’m gathering my things before heading to meet Vix at her locker so we can walk home together.
“That girl doesn’t talk to anyone. I bet I could get her to say yes to me, though. I’m a catch. Every girl in this school wants a chance at a date with me.” I roll my eyes.
Luca Chamberland, the school’s biggest asshole, has been blabbering about how he wants to put the moves on Vix.
“Sure, Luca. Shoot your shot,” I tell him, slamming my locker door and turning to walk away.
“You don’t think I got a shot?” He catches up, not taking the hint. Luca and I were never friends. He’s always been cocky, arrogant, and way too entitled to have a genuine friendship with. But he has his eye on Vix, and that leaves an unsettling feeling deep inside of me. It’s also the only reason why he’s talking to me, knowing I’m her best friend.
“I’m not saying you don’t have a shot, I just don’t know what you think is so special about Vix anyway, doesn’t everyone think she’s weird?” I say, hoping it will steer him away from pursuing her.
“I guess there’s nothing special about me, huh?” I hear Vix’s voice coming from behind me. I turn to look at her, regret and guilt pooling in my gut.
“Mavix—” I start, but she brushes me off.
“Save it, Austin.” She sneers, betrayal and hurt flash across her face as she storms out of the school.
“Vix, come on! I didn’t mean it!” I shout after her. “Luca Chamberland is a douche bag, I was trying to get him to leave you alone!” She spins on her heel and storms right up to me, pure rage in her blue-grey eyes.
