Austin's POV

"He told you he loves you?!" My best friend Phil asked me, his eyes wide in shock.
"Be quiet!" I said, looking around the crowded dining hall to make sure no one was listening in on the conversation.
"Shit. What did you say?" Phil replied, leaning forward across the table, obviously intrigued.
"I told him I had to sort something out and then I left." I muttered, feeling guilty for how I left Alan hanging.
"What do you have to sort out?" He asked, his eyebrows pulling together in confusion.
"I don't know." I sighed. "I just needed to get out of there and clear my head."
"What the fuck Austin! You so obviously like him so why won't you admit it to anyone."
"I'm not gay!" I shouted back.
Phil laughed and raised his eyebrows, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "Yeah and you obviously think I'm completely oblivious."

He went back to stuffing his face with his lunch and I was thankful for the silence. I wasn't up for anymore of an interrogation than I've already had and I know that eventually Phil will get the truth out of me. He always finds a way. But in all honesty, I really didn't know how to react to what Alan had told me. It came as such a surprise and I hadn't even considered that he was gay, even though he kissed me. I figured it was just an impulsive, heat of the moment thing. I was beyond confused and my head ached from trying to sort out all of these feelings. Admittedly, I knew deep down that I did feel something for Alan because why else would I be making such a big deal over all of this? And why would I have gone back and kissed him if I was so certain I was straight.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed, staring out across the big dining hall. At the other end of the room, in the far back corner sat Alan and his friend... Aaron was it? They were laughing together and Alan seemed genuinely happy. I noticed the way he threw his head back slightly when he laughed and how he put his hand against his chest to catch his breath. I smiled as I admired him.
"Who are you staring at?" Tino asked as he pushed me aside to sit on the bench with me.
I rolled my eyes and quickly looked away from Alan.
"No one." I answered immediately. "I was just daydreaming."
He laughed and slapped the back of my head a little too hard and soon absorbed himself in a conversation with Phil. I looked back over at Alan to find his big, brown eyes staring back at me, his bottom lip trapped in between his teeth. I half-smiled at him. It was hard to exchange glances with him after what had happened. I just keep remembering his face once I left. How his whole face dropped and his eyes filled with hurt from my rejection. I felt my chest tighten as guilt rushed through me again. I noticed Aaron look towards me too and then tug on Alan's sleeve before they stood up and walked away.

As soon as they were completely out of view I knew I needed to speak to him. I was feeling something for Alan and even though it wasn't as strong as what he felt towards me, I knew I had to tell him. I stood abruptly and made my way down through the hall and into the corridor, Tino and Phil shouting after me but not making the effort to follow me, which I was thankful for. I quickened my pace and began jogging down the corridor until I found Alan and Aaron stood against a set of lockers. I didn't give myself chance to slow down so I just grabbed onto Alan's hoodie and pulled him into the nearest classroom.

"Austin, what the hell?" He shouted, pulling himself out of my grip.
"I-I need to tell you something." I panted, still out of breath from running after him.
He pulled the ends of his sleeves over his hands and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, looking nervous.
"Alan. I don't know exactly what I'm feeling but I know I feel something for you. I can't keep lying to myself and I can't keep lying to you. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you and I know I've already done that numerous times. I don't ever want you to feel like this because of me. Hell, you're far too good to ever waste your time on someone like me but, I think, I mean... I like you too." My words came out at one hundred miles an hour and I hoped he'd heard what I had said but soon his lips were on mine.
I put my hands around his waist and his were laced around my neck as he stood on his tip toes to reach me. I smiled against his lips at how small and cute he was. Our mouths moved together and I let my tongue brush against his bottom lip. Moments later I felt his lips part slightly and I used the opportunity to explore his mouth. His tongue was cold and tasted of mint. His grip around me tightened and he pulled me closer to him so that our chests were touching. I felt the urgency in his kiss and realized just how much Alan did love me. He was desperate to have me like this and I had wasted so many years ignoring him that I didn't realize what I'd been missing out on. I pulled apart and broke our kiss, only to rest my forehead on his.
"I'm so sorry Alan." I whispered.
"For what?" He asked, his eyes closed and his chest moving up and down quickly as he tried to catch his breath.
"Waiting this long to tell you." I answered.

Just as I had finished my sentence I heard someone clear their throat from by the door. Alan quickly stepped back away from me and we both looked towards to noise only to find Aaron stood awkwardly staring at us. Alan laughed and followed Aaron out of the door, pausing before he was completely out of the room and whispering "You were worth the wait, Austin."

Notes

I was going to wait until next week to upload this but after the feedback I received on the last chapter, I couldn't wait.
I really hope you all like it. This is the first chapter I've written all in Austin's POV and it won't be the last.

- Georgia x