“You don’t get to do that, Austin! You don’t get to decide things like that for me!” she yells.
“I was just trying to help, he’s not good enough for you!” I tell her, trying to plead my case.
“Oh?” She stands, hands on her hips, a brow raised in question.
“And who is, Aussy? Who is good enough for me? You?” she asks, and I still, unsure of how to move at this moment.
“No,” I reply, and she drops her hands, letting out a sigh.
“I’m not good enough for you, Vix, Luca sure as hell isn’t good enough for you, and Brantley fucking Jackson isn’t good enough for you,” I yell back at her, frustrated that we’re having this conversation at all.
“You should just mind your own business, Austin. I thought you were my best friend.” She turns again and continues to walk away.
“I am damn it!” I call after her, but she won’t hear me and continues her way home.
The next day at school,Vix wouldn’t talk to me; she ignored me every time I tried to make things better, and I’ve been frustrated as hell at how stubborn she’s being.She has no idea how much I care about her. No way in hell was I letting that loser think that he could have her just because he’s unaware of what a dick he is. Was I wrong to talk like Vix isn’t anyone special? Yeah, I was. But fuck, I can’t go back now.
A bunch of people are going to Janie Asher’s house after school to hang out, play video games, smoke pot, and steal beer from Janie’s dad like they do every Friday night. Janie’s house is the place to be if you’re somebody at all at this high school, which is why Vix and I have never gone. Instead, we would go to our usual spot at our secret picnic table, listen to music and make our own fun. But tonight I sit alone at our table, and my gut is telling me I know exactly where she is.
I head straightto Janie’s house, knowing that Vix isn’t safe around those people. If something happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.
The infamous basement is filled with smoke, giving me an instant headache as I step inside. LED lights of all different colours flash around the place, making the smoke look even thicker with each flicker of light.
I’ve never been one to smoke weed excessively. Vix and I have tried it a couple of times together and spent the night laughing at absolutely nothing. This is a lot different than what I’m used to, though. A group of guys and girls sit around on beanbag chairs, flirting, smoking, and playing a game that I’ve just walked in on. Music is blaring so loudly in the background that it’s almost impossible for anyone to hold a conversation.
I see Vix sitting on a barstool, slightly separated from the group, but close enough to listen. She sets her eyes on me as I walk further into the room. Luca jumps up from a beanbag.
“Austin! My man!” he shouts, holding out his fist for me to bump. I look at him, unmoving, then turn my attention to Vix. She looks away as if I’m not standing right here.
“We’re just about to start a new game, you in?” he asks me, and the room goes quiet, waiting for my response.
“Uh, sure,” I say, leaning back on a wall, still close enough to the group, but far enough on the outside to walk out if I wanted to.
“Great!” He claps his hands together.
“Seven minutes in heaven, spin the bottle style,” he declares with a sly grin on his face. My eyes fly over to Mavix, who is still refusing to make eye contact with me. Luca begins explaining how to play.
Spin the bottle on the table until it lands on a partner they are to take into one of Janie’s closets to do whatever they’d like for seven minutes—a game for idiots who just want an excuse to mac on each other.
Everyone turns to Vix, chanting her name, pressuring her to take the first turn. She stands up and walks over to spin the bottle. I don’t think anyone else in the room can tell, but I can see she’s uncomfortable, and her hand is slightly shaking as she gives it a gentle spin. The bottle lands immediately on Luca, and Vix’s face pales.
“Right this way.” Luca gestures, bowing at Vix as he waves towards the closet. Suddenly, I’m feeling violent.
“Absolutely not,” I protest, walking over to take Vix’s arm.
“Dude, back off. Rules are rules,” Luca says, pushing her towards the closet a few feet away.
“Fuck your rules, let’s go, Vix,” I demand, but she stands there, staring me down. I know she doesn’t want to do this. Her anger towards me is greater than her need to leave at thisvery moment, though. She shakes her head, her pride taking over.
“I’m going in.” She stands, head held high, fire in her eyes. A challenge, I’m more than willing to accept.
I walk towards her, taking the bait, “Let’s go then.” Her eyes widen, shock registering on her face. She turns and storms into the closet with me hot on her tail, slamming the door behind me. I can hear Luca shouting profanities on the other side of the door.
“What the hell is your problem?” She starts hounding me. “You couldn’t just leave me alone, huh? You had to come be the protective big brother and rescue me from the big bad douchebag?” She seethes. I let her continue her ranting, standing back against the door, waiting for an opening to say my piece. Silence settles between us.
“Are you done?” I ask her, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
“Austin!” she shouts.
