Looks Can Be Deceiving

Austin and I danced for a while to the fast paced music before a slow song came on. I put my hands on Austin’s shoulders as he put his slightly above my hips. He leaned down to my ear, speaking softly.
“So are you having a good time?” I smiled and nodded, looking up to him as he pulled back.
“Thank you for bringing me out. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t fit in here, but being with you makes me feel at ease.” He smiled and pulled me closer to his chest.
“I’m glad,” he whispered. I laid my head down on his shoulder, closing my eyes. “Are you tired?”
“A bit,” I admitted.
“You wanna go check out the room? We can hang out in there if you want,” he suggested.
“No, I wanna stay here with your friends. They all seem so nice.” I was in awe. Despite all their fame, most of Austin’s friends, besides the Playboy Bunnies, were all so humble and… regular.
“Were you expecting them to be mean?” he laughed.
“No…” I shook my head. “I just wasn’t sure if they’d accept me.”
“If I accept you, then any true friend of mine will accept you too; as long as you’re not a coke addict. Then we’d have to have a serious talk.” I burst out laughing at his sincerity.
“I’m clean.” I laid my head back down on his shoulder as he slowly ran his hand through my hair, keeping the other arm around my waist.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt your,” Ryan paused trying to think of something to say, “Whatever this is, but I was wondering if you two were going to take the room for sure.” Austin looked down to me.
“Yeah, we’ll take it,” I answered with a smile.
“Okay, sorry again. I’ll leave now!” he laughed walking off.
“Obviously he’s had a little bit to drink,” Austin chuckled.
“At least he’s a happy drunk,” I pointed out as the inside of my purse lit up. “I think my phone’s ringing,” I pulled it out to see my brother’s number on the screen. “It’s my brother. Do you mind if I take this outside?”
“No problem, tell him I say hi.”
“I will.” He leaned down to kiss my cheek before I walked to the entrance of the building. “Hello?”
“Pandora? Where have you been? I’ve called your place twice and your cell three times. Are you alright?”
“Sorry,” I frowned, breathing in the cool nighttime air. “Yeah, I’m fine. Austin and I are at his friend’s birthday party.”
“Austin? The guy who you turned down?”
“Yeah… he’s a really good guy, August. I’m so happy I let him into my life.”
“He’s treating you well?”
“Better than well; he treats me like a queen.”
“Good… you’d tell me if he wasn’t right?”
“If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t be with him.”
“Alright… I trust your judgment. Did you tell him?”
“Tell him what?”
“About your sickness?” he said softly. I looked down to the ground, realizing that being with Austin made me forget about everything that was wrong with me. I hesitated.
“No…”
“Are you afraid he’ll run?”
“Part of me does… but part of me trusts that he’d be supportive and try to help.”
“You need to tell him, Pan: before he finds out from experience.”
“Yeah, I know. Well his friend rented us a hotel room for the night, so maybe I could tell him tonight.”
“Hotel room? For what?”
“Relax. Austin gave me the chance to opt out of the room, but I wanted to take it. I just want some time alone with him. He always has people over at his house.”
“I don’t know about this Pandora… how do you know he’s not a rapist.”
“Austin?” I laughed, “A rapist? August, this guy wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Do you truly believe in your heart that he’s a good guy?”
“Yes,” my heart beat fast in my chest as I thought of him. “I would love for you to meet him.”
“Eh,” he sighed. “Work’s been busy lately. I’ll have to find time and money to fly out.”
“Well when you find time, let me know… I miss my brother.”
“And I miss you too. Anyways, I don’t want to keep you from your party. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Go and have fun, and please stay out of trouble. For me, okay?”
“I promise,” I smiled. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” I hung up and put my phone back in my purse before turning back to go inside.

Notes