Looks Can Be Deceiving

I sat in the airport’s parking lot, staring at planes coming and going. My mind had rested and was now quiet. Maybe I should just tell Austin what’s going on. I closed my eyes, my stomach tied in knots. Without hesitation, I put the key back into the ignition and pulled out the parking lot. Rain fell as I drove down the highway, not sure what I was doing. I was following my heart I guess. I put my car in park, turning off the headlights. After waiting a few minutes I sighed and looked up, staring at Austin’s bedroom window. I wondered if he’d let me in. I got out of my car and walked up to his front door, gently knocking. The living room lights were on as well as the kitchen. A few seconds later, a tall figure came from the back porch. Austin opened the door and looked down at me.
“I…” I locked eyes with him, not sure of what to say. I could feel tears coming on as he tried reading me. He pulled me into him, kissing my forehead.
“Tell me what’s going on,” he whispered. “I want to help.”
“It’s so hard to explain… I don't even know what’s going on, Austin.” He let go of me and looked around.
“Let’s go inside.” I followed him into the kitchen, sitting down as he got me something to drink. He leaned against the counter watching me as I took a sip of water. “You can’t keep pushing me away, Pandora.”
“It’s the only thing I know.” He rubbed his eyes, clearly stressed out.
“You need to let me know when you’re upset so we can talk about it, so I can fix whatever it is I’m doing wrong.”
“That’s the thing, you didn't do anything wrong.”
“Then why did you leave?” I was quiet. “In order for this to work, you need to tell me what’s going on inside your head. You’re a really hard person to read. I know I’m just a clueless guy and maybe sometimes I don't know what to say to make things better, but I’m willing to do anything to make you happy.”
“I was fighting with myself this morning. Stress just makes everything worse. Once they start taking to me it’s really hard to get them out. This morning things just spiraled out of control and I never should have pushed you.” I looked up to him, letting my breath out. He chuckled.
“And to think all of this happened because of a test you never even took.”
“I’m just too used to running when things get hard to handle,” I blushed. He reached over and put his hand over mine.
“Are you alright now?” I nodded, getting down from the barstool I was sitting on. I wandered over to him and buried my head in his chest.
“Thanks for not giving up on me. I know I’m not an easy person.”
“You think I’d wait around for you as long as I did, and then give up that easily?” he rose an eyebrow, looking at me like I was crazy. “You may be a difficult person, but that doesn't mean you’re hard to love.” He whispered, leaving down to give me a kiss.
“How would you know?”
“Because I love you Pandora.” I faintly blushed.
“I love you too, Austin.”

Notes

How many of you guys are still with me?!
Another chapter or two to come this weekend :)