Looks Can Be Deceiving

Austin’s POV-
We sat on my back porch, looking at the stars in the sky. I held Pandora close, resting my cheek on top of her head. I glanced down every once in a while to see her gaze held on the moon.
“Have you ever been in love before?” I asked, gently running my thumb over her arm. She shifted beneath my arm and sat up, pulling her knees to her chest.
“I thought I was…”
“What happened?”
“It was stupid really,” she giggled, rolling her eyes. “My dad was well known at a country club close to our house. He’d golf with all the rich people and lie to them just to please them. I hated all his friends there.” I chuckled, listening as she continued. “One of his close friend’s son came home from Yale for the summer. My dad insisted that I meet this guys son, and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. So he set me up with him.”
“A guy from Yale huh? And how did that go?” I asked, amused.
“Worst night of my life. From the moment he picked me up to the moment he got too drunk to take me home, I hated every minute of it. He took me out to some fancy place that only served caviar and lobster. He demanded that I order caviar, and then throughout dinner proceeded to brag about himself and all of his money. Oh and it gets better. His friends ended up going to the same place, so I had no choice but to be dragged with them to a bar after dinner to sit there and act happy while they continuously downed shots. He was so drunk, I had to call a taxi for him and ask my brother to take me home.”
“So after that did you see him again?” I questioned, as she laid her legs over mine.
“Oh yeah,” she nodded, “We dated for about four months. I actually don't think he ever asked me anything about myself. It was mostly all about him. And every Saturday night we’d have to go out with his friends to dinner. Then they’d golf and drink and I’d have to drive home.”
“He made you go every Saturday?” I frowned, thinking of the horrible time she had.
“Yeah and if I didn't he insisted I was cheating on him with another man.”
“Why didn't you just leave?” She sighed.
“I really thought I loved him. After I got to know him, he was a nice person. We were pretty serious but he liked to drink a lot. He just got too hard to handle and I was sick of pretending to like his friends. After that, all my relationships were short and not too personal.” She looked to me. “What about you? Have you ever loved someone?” I swallowed, now looking up to the sky.
“There was one girl…” She nodded, keeping her eyes on me.
“How long did you two date?”
“Eh… we were actually married.”
“Oh,” she nervously pulled at her lip.
“I mentioned it to you before, remember?”
“Yeah, I just forgot.”
“So what happened?” I sat up, looking at her for a second before turning to face her. I guess now was a good time to tell her about Gielle and our past.
“Do you remember when we were at the hotel after my friends birthday party?” She nodded. “After breakfast I came back to our room and you asked me why I looked sad and I told you I felt it wasn't a good time to talk about it?”
“Yeah, I remember,” she said softly.
“Well… I found out after a while of us being married that she was cheating on me.” Pandora frowned.
“I’m sorry, Austin.” She reached over and grabbed my hand.
“I was going to ask her for a divorce but something happened before I could get to it. My heart gave out and I had to have open heart surgery. While this was all happening, she was still cheating on me. I stayed in the hospital for a bit to recover.” I cleared my throat, getting nervous. Pandora frowned.
“Austin you don’t have to tell the rest if you feel uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s alright…” I nodded. “I just need you to understand that this is something in the past… I don't want you to overthink it or freak out.”
“It’s aright, you can talk to me.” I nodded, continuing.
“So… the night before I got out, she visited me and I could tell something was off. She wouldn't say right away, but she finally spilled. She was pregnant.” I watched Pandora carefully, as she tried to process what I said.
“And… it was yours?” I nodded.
“So at that point I didn't want the divorce anymore because I wanted to stay around for our child. A few weeks later she miscarried and lost the baby. Although it was a rough time for the both of us, it worked out because then we were able to get the divorce.” I sighed, feeling a little relieved. My heart dropped a bit when I looked over to see Pandora with tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around me and held me close to her.
“Austin I can’t imagine what that was like for you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” she whispered. Now tears were flooding my eyes and falling down onto Pandora’s sweater. “I’m glad you told me though.” She pulled away, wiping away the tears from my cheeks.
“I just haven't really opened up to anyone about it since it’s happened. I tried my best to push it out of my head.”
“I understand,” she smiled. “So do you guys talk much anymore?”
“Sometimes,” I sat back as Pandora curled into my side.
“You’re such a strong person, Austin.”
“I could say the same to you.” She nodded mumbling something I didn't catch. We were quiet for a little bit. I glanced down to see her sleeping. The moon was bright, illuminating her perfect features. “You’re so beautiful, baby,” I whispered. She faintly smiled. “You’re too good to me,” she mumbled, opening up her eyes too look at me.
“Are you staying here tonight?” I asked.
“Will you put up with me?” I chuckled.
“I’d love to.” We both stood up as she followed me upstairs to my room. I pulled off my shirt and handed it to her.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course,” I leaned down to kiss her. “I love it when you wear my clothes.” She blushed.
“I’ll be right out,” she smiled and made her way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I got into bed, fluffing up my pillows before laying my head down. The bathroom door opened as she shut off the light and made her way over to the side of the bed. I pulled the covers back so she could get in next to me. Once she settled in, I closed my eyes and began to fall asleep. Pandora shifted around trying to get comfortable. It wasn't long until I felt her grab my hand and move closer to me. I opened my eyes to see her looking at me. She put her other hand on my jaw, pulling me in to kiss her. I pulled away as she smiled.
“You’re so amazing, Austin,” she whispered. We started to kiss again, this time more passionately. I put my hand on her hip, pulling her body against mine. It only took me a few seconds to start laughing.
“What?” she asked, suddenly embarrassed.
“No pants?” I rose an eyebrow. She giggled.
“I didn't want to sleep in my leggings.”
“I’m not arguing with that,” I chuckled, going back to her lips. She ran her hands through my hair as I moved down her neck, feeling goosebumps rise on her sensitive skin. My hands wandered beneath her shirt, brushing my thumbs against her ribcage. Before anything else happened I pulled her shirt back down and gave her one last kiss. “Sleep good,” I whispered. She nodded, biting down on her lip. I settled back down beside her, keeping my hand on her hip.
“Austin?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” I smiled.

Notes