Annemarie’s POV

I grabbed my luggage from the back and walked to the lounge, sitting next to Tino who was eating some cereal. “I hate this so much.” He mumbled, taking another spoonful in his mouth.

“Then why eat it?” I asked, looking at him. He shrugged, smiling and I laughed a bit. The bus stopped behind the tall building and the bus driver parked. He walked out, yawning and walking in.

“We’re here!” Alan cheered, running out with his bags and grabbed my hand. “Come on cutie, you’re staying with me!” I laughed, walking behind him and in the building. The whole place was beautiful and very bright, considering the fact that the curtains were closed. Alan walked to the front desk and he asked for our keys right when Tino and Phil joined us.

“Are you the six people who are staying in the suite?” The man behind the desk asked.

“Yep.” Phil nodded, claiming our keys. Austin and Aaron joined after we got the keys and we all walked to the elevator, getting in and going to our floor.

“Annie, this is the first hotel you’re staying at right?” Aaron asked me.

“Yeah, I could’ve stayed at the hotel our prom was at but I got sick and had to go home.” Aaron and I laughed at the memory and we reached our floor.

The room was huge! The living room was pretty big, with a nice TV hanging on the wall. There were doors that lead to the bedrooms, each with two beds for the six of us and a small kitchen, minus the oven and stove. I took my bag with Aaron and we placed them in the room we were staying in next to Phil and Tino’s.

“Annie, we’re going to get a few drinks, want to come along?” Aaron poked his head in the room.

“No thanks, I think I’m going to stay here and enjoy a few movies.” I smiled.

“Alright, there’s a bit of whiskey on the counter bar if you want some and Tino made sure to bring all the movies we had.” I smiled at him, walking over and hugging him tightly.

“Thanks, be careful you hear?” I laughed, stepping back.

“We will, don’t worry.” He grinned, walking out of the room. I walked to my luggage, taking out my clothes and putting them nicely in the bottom drawers of the wardrobe. I heard Alan groan outside and footsteps coming my way. I smiled, turning around meeting Alan’s glare.

“Why aren’t you going with us cutie?” I smiled at the nickname he gave me and I saw him holding back his smile.

“Because Alan, I’m not ready to be out and partying. I just want to stay here and relax.” Alan stared at me, nodding and hugging me.

“Alright, but I expect that whiskey bottle to be missing some liquid.” He grinned and I playfully hit his arm. The group said their goodbyes from my doorway and I waved at them. I heard the door close and I stood up straight, listening and hearing nothing. I frowned, wondering why Austin didn’t say goodbye. I pulled on some black skeleton leggings, my favorite bear socks with individual toe slots and a black pumpkin sweater. I walked out of the room, going to the living room and seeing the stack of DVD’s.

I put in The Hills Have Eyes and let it load while I grabbed a small glass and put three ice cubes in it, opening the bottle of whiskey and pouring a bit. I began drinking it, smiling at the taste it left and the cold ice against my lips. I put the glass down, turning my head at the sudden thud behind me.

No one was there and my eyes wandered around the room. My heart rate picked up, my breathing was faster and my eyes scanned the room. Automatically thinking the worst, I thought of Josh being back. I saw a bedroom door open and I clenched my eyes closed, hearing it close again.

“Marie? You didn’t go with them?” I opened my eyes, seeing Austin standing in front of me in a T-shirt and pajama pants.

“Uh, no, I didn’t feel like going out.” I sighed, relief flushing over me and I turned back to the whiskey. “Want some?” I asked, filling my cup again.

“Yeah please.” I turned, seeing Austin sitting in the middle of the couch and I grabbed another glass, putting ice and filling it. I took his cup over to him and sat next to him, seeing as it was the only good seat to watch the movie. I pressed play, watching the opening credits roll by and drink my whiskey a bit.

Austin sat back in the couch, putting his arms on either side of the back and relaxed. I tensed up, relaxing after a bit and continued watching the movie. “Can I tell you something?” Austin whispered, looking at me. I placed my whiskey next to me and looked at him.

“Sure, anything.” Austin continued to look at me until he fully turned to me.

“I told the guys to leave you and me alone tonight.” He confessed. I continued to stare at him, butterflies flying around my stomach and my heart beating fast.

“Why?” I asked. He didn’t even answer me. He left his drink next to mine, his hands softly holding my face as his thumbs caressed my cheeks softly. All the blood rushed to my cheeks, seeing him move closer.

“Can I kiss you?” He whispered. I blinked, realizing that he asked me a question and I moved my head. My lips molded with his perfectly, kissing him softly. His hand went to the back of neck, pulling me closer while I kneeled in front of him wrapping my arms around his neck. His other hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as he leaned back into the couch. I pulled back, catching my breath and looking at Austin.

“Wow…” He breathed out, smiling like a fool and I smiled back.

“Yeah.” Austin giggled, pecking my lips a few times before lying on the couch and pulling me in my arms.

“I promise to protect you baby, okay?” Austin whispered in my ear, having me cuddle up to him.

“Yeah.” I smiled, looking up at him and stretching to kiss him, only reaching his jaw. He chuckled, hugging me tighter and after a while, we fell asleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night. The TV was off, and a blanket on Austin and I. He still held me tightly in his arms, keeping me safe. I grabbed my phone off the coffee table and seeing the time. I cuddled closer to Austin, opening the message I had received from a blocked number.

‘How come when we spent nights like this together, we didn’t cuddle on the couch watching scary movies?’

My breathing hitched and I closed my phone, having it fall on the floor and try to get closer to Austin. He tightened his grip on me, yawning and going back to sleep.

How did he know what Austin and I did?

Notes

Title Credit: All Time Low

Finally got them to kiss! Ugh, took a while but I found the perfect spot to tie it all up! Josh made an appearance by text and the next chapter will be intense!! :D Thanks for reading!