I watch Kat walk away, and once she turns the corner I know that I'm stuck here with Austin. I turn to face him and see him staring at me quietly, almost creepy like.

"Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer." I say, rolling my eyes.

"That's a great idea!" Austin smile, taking out his phone.

"I was joking, please don-"

Before I know it I hear his phones camera click and it was too late.

"This one is going on Twitter!" Austin declares, with a triumphant smile.

"No, please!" I beg forming my mouth into a pout.

"Give me one good reason not to." he challenges.

"Pictures steal part of your soul." I inform while crossing my arms over my chest.

"Lamest excuse ever!" Austin laughs, "and it's too late, I already posted it!"

"No, take it down." I plead.

"Nope!" Austin smiles, making a popping sound with the 'p'.

"Austin." I warn.

"If you keep complaining I won't buy you dinner." he retaliates in a serious tone.

I pause for a minute, thinking it over.

"Fine, then I'll leave." I answer and then start walking away.

"Sophia, I was joking." he says.

"It's not funny, now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to leave." I state, taking a step around the corner.

I feel Austin behind me, trying to catch up.

"I'll take down the picture if you stay." he bargains.

"Really?" I ask.

"I will if you promise to stay." he says.

"Deal." I agree.

I start walking back to where we stood before and I notice that Austin has matches his pace with mine.

"This doesn't mean that I'll delete it from Camera Roll." he laughs and I groan.

*

Austin practically drags me to some small pizza shop, not to far away from the heart of Times Square. I take a seat while he grabs our pizzas and walks towards me.

"Here you go, one cheese pizza!" Austin declares and hands it to me with one arm behind his back.

"Why thank you good sir, I am simply famished!" I joke, taking the slice and nibbling on the point.

Austin takes the seat in front of me and looks at his pepperoni pizza.

"Was it true?" he suddenly asks.

"What?" I question.

"When your friend said that you wouldn't stop talking about me, was it true?" he rephrases.

"Well, on some level." I reply, taking another bite.

"What level would that be?" he asks, looking at me curiously.

"Well, I was honestly complaining about you." I answer looking back at him.

"Complaining? I'm basically perfect, so I'm sure it was out of pure jealousy." Austin jokes.

"There it is." I say.

"There what is?" he asks.

"The reason I complain, you're quite full of yourself." I laugh.

"Are you sure it's not out of jealousy?" he asks.

"Positive!" I exclaim, looking at my now empty plate.

I go to ask Austin what time it is but see him staring off into the distance. Almost like he's watching someone.

"Austin?" I ask.

"Huh?" he replies.

"Are you okay?" I question, squinting at him through my lashes.

"Uh, yeah, I just need to talk to someone. You stay here, got it?" he warns before standing up.

"Sure..." I agree while eyeing his untouched pizza.

"Go for it." he laughs, pushing his plate towards mine.

"Yay!" I exclaim, reaching across the table and grabbing the last piece.

As I eat it alone I let m thoughts wander to Kat and what could have possible happened between her and her boyfriend Neal. I take my iPhone out of my back pocket and scroll through my messages. Nothing new and I sigh. I finish the pizza and wait a few minutes for Austin, but he doesn't return. I check the time on my phone which reads 10:57. I've been here since 9:30. I decide to wait until it's 11:00 before heading home. After 3 more minutes of waiting I stand up, throw away my trash and head out into the cold.

I keep my eye out for Austin so I can tell him that I'm leaving. I spot him behind the pizza shop talking to some other guy dressing in all black. As I near them I hear their conversation.

"Please, give me more time!" Austin whispers frantically.

"Austin, you owe me the money from the drugs." the hooded man replies, taking a drag off the cigarette dangling from his lips.

"Just another month, it's all I need." Austin whispers back.

"Austin?" I call out; both men turn to face me, startled.

"W-what did I tell you?" Austin demands, raising his voice from the whisper.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to tell you that I was going to leave..." I answer quietly, almost scared because the man in black is staring at me.

"Fine. Go." Austin demands, waving his hand at me.

I turn to leave, catching the last words of the man in black.

"One more month Austin, or else your life will pay the cost."

I feel myself shiver and I run around the corner mentally promising myself that I won't ever get involved with him again.

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