One Moment

"Y-Yeah? Well you're hot," I tried at a come back, but it ended up a compliment and both of us giggling. Austin really is always warm, though. It's just an Austin thing.

He ran his hands up and down the sides of my arms fast, creating friction which created heat. "Body heat, huh?" I teased, winking at him. "Mayb-"

"Not tonight, Haze," he cut me off, then sighed when he realized it sounded harsher then he meant.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, a little startled, and I was a little slow on watching Austin starting to walk to the door. I still managed to grab onto his upper arm, pulling him back a little then stepping in front of him. "Is something wrong, Austin?" I asked lightly.

He didn't respond, but I did notice his eyes flicker down to my chest before down to his feet. No, it wasn't my chest. It was my necklace. "Is this about the ring?" It had been in clear view this whole time, probably bothering Austin. I know he didn't like it and wasn't happy with it one bit, but I was working towards it. The other day I actually took it off my neck, but I felt weird with out it.

I thought Austin could try to understand that it was hard for me to just get rid of. It reminded me that what happened was real, that Mark will never be able to get the ring back. That the old Mark I married and once loved wasn't just a messed up allusion I dreamt up.

"You know how i feel about it," was all Austin said.

"Austin, I'm working on it," I searched his eyes, trying to see if he got that.

"I know, but I just don't understand why you can't just.." He huffed. "Why do you have to wear it everyday, Haze?"

"Because it reminds me that it was real. I need to know that it was real or-or I'll go crazy!"

"We're real, Hazel. Isn't that all that matters? We're real."

"Of course, Austin. But you have to understand," I held my hands out as I talked.

"Do you even understand, Haze?" He barely raised his voice.

I hesitated, Austin and I just looking at each other for a moment. "I-I.. I don't have exact words for why it's hard, but it is. It's not something I can just do! I'm trying! I'm trying, Austin! I'm trying to let it all go."

He sighed and reached to the counter, grabbing the sweatshirt I had yet to put on. He then brushed a piece of hair away from my face, looking deep into my eyes. "I love you, Austin," I mumbled.

He nodded, sighing before he leaned down and kissed my forehead, handing me the sweatshirt while he did. I watched as he then stepped quietly back out of the bathroom, leaving me standing here. I moved back to the counter, leaning on it while I looked into the mirror.

I reached up to grab onto the ring on my neck, twirling it in my fingers.

So easy to take off, but I still felt like it was superglued onto my neck. Like it was connected to my skin.

Standing back up straight, I reached behind my neck and found the clasp. I could take it off right now, move past this. Even if it's not that easy to move past what happened.

But where would I put it once I take it off?

Using that as an excuse for now, I slid the sweatshirt over my head and left the bathroom.

I looked around, trying to find everyone, but had to follow the voices to find them in the back room. A few people were curled up on the couch while the rest were wrapped in blankets on the ground, chatting to each other. Austin was the only one missing, but the sent of popcorn cooking reassured me that he was still here, just in the kitchen.

"Everything okay with you two?" Izzy asked quietly to me when I sat down on the floor next to her.

"Yeah, he's just not happy that I wear the ring all the time," I mumbled. Izzy looked confused until she saw my hand go up to my necklace, knowing what I was talking about.

"Are you gona take it off?"

"Yeah," I looked down as I responded lowly.

"..When?"

"I'm working on it," I looked back up, into her eyes and she nodded.

"Hey, does anybody know how many more dates we've got to go to?" Aaron asked aloud, taking away Izzy's attention from me.
"Uh, not too many, the summer's windin down," Alan said, his voice a little glum. No body wanted Warped to end even if they wanted to get home and stuff. It was bitter sweet.

"Lemme check," Sammy said, opening up the internet on his phone. "Our last show is at the end of the month; July 31st, so like 15, 20 more venues? Maybe more?"

"Oh, plus that add on one that's coming up. It was finally added because they managed found a place for us to play at down there," Alan added, taking a sip of his beer.

"Yeah? Where's that at?" Kush asked.

"Somewhere in Texas," Alan shrugged, but my stomach dropped and face paled.

My band's heads all turned over to me, watching my expression drop to something no less than horrified. Did they know about this?

Texas.

Mark.

His brother... Ian.

Fuck.

Notes

i really have no idea why I split these chapters up but blah.

Please comment and let me know what you guys think! Am I boring you? Do you get the whole Hazel ring thing? What do you think will happen next? Am I sucking?

And thank you guys so much for all the subscriptions and stuff! 8,000+ views?!?!!? That's insane!!!!! <3333