Too Young To Live This Way

--Austin POV--
I always loved Christmas time. It's not snowy yet, but there's something about the fresh air, that steams up when you breath out. The frost that settles in the mornings, leaving feathered patterns on cars and pavements. Also, this is the first Christmas I've ever had when I've been in a relationship, so that's cool. It's not like I've always been single, I had a girlfriend two years ago, and I had a boyfriend in my last school. He was pretty cool, but it just didn't work. Also he couldn't handle how depressed and self-hating I was. Dick.
I walk through the cold air, billowing clouds of my breath warming my cheeks. I'm on my way to Shayleys; he wanted help with some homework thing, which basically means we're probably gonna play xbox and guitar and ignore everything. Shayley is cool, besides Alan, he's probably my best friend at this school.

When I reach Shayleys door, I nock politely, and it swings open almost straight away.
''Hello Austin! Shay didn't say you were coming over? He's upstairs, come on in.'' Mrs. Bourget ushers me through the door, steering me up the stairs. Her enthusiasm makes me smile, as I wander up to Shayleys room.
''Shay?'' I call, tapping on his bedroom door. I ignore the massive dent in the door, probably from an angered punch, Shayley gets like that sometimes.
''Hey Aus! Come in.'' Shayley yells. I go in, and he's curled up on his mini-sofa thing. He has some Math homework on the floor at his feet, but a guitar is in his lap, with his song-writing book on the arm.
''What do you need help with now?'' I grin, flopping down in the empty seat.
''Shut up.'' He smirks, taking in my obvious sarcasm, he clearly hasn't even started his homework. Same. ''Anyway, Austin. I've been thinking...''
''Yeah?'' I gulp, wondering where this is going. Most conversations that start like that don't end well. ''What's wrong?''
''Oh, nothing's wrong!'' Shayley reassures me. ''I've just had a fabulous idea. So like, you scream, I play bass, I sing, Phil plays guitar, Tino plays drums. And doesn't Alan play guitar? You might have mentioned it.'' He smirks again, we both know I probably talk about Alans pretty guitar playing too much.
''So what's your point?'' I ask curiously.
''We should start a band!" Shayley claps his hands together to emphasise his excitement. ''You said before that you wanted to be in one! If the guys agree, we should do it! It'll be awesome!" Shayley leans towards me, eager for a response.
''Um... wow.'' I blink, thinking. I mean, I know I want to be in a band, I have for a long time. I jus can't quite get my head around the fact that someone wants to be in a band with ME. ''Wow.''
''What d'you think?'' Shayley asks,
''Yeah! Sounds awesome! Let's talk to Tino and Phil! I'm seeing Alan later, i'll ask him then. It's gonna be awesome! I mean- if it works. It'll be-''
''Don't doubt us Austin, we've got the ability to be fabulous!" Shayley announces dramatically, flinging his arms out wide.

''So what do you think?'' I ask Alan, feeling exactly how Shayley must have felt- slightly overexcited, hopeful, and nervous. Alan sits with his mouth slightly open, looking stunned.
''Really?!'' He asks. ''That's awesome! You guys really want me to join you? But I never usually hang out with them, what if they don't like me?'' Alan says in one breath.
''Well, yeah, otherwise we wouldn't ask you. Of course they'll like you Al, you're awesome. And i'll be there too. You're not alone!'' I reassure him.
''Let's do it! I always wanted to be in a band!" Alan grins excitedly, flicking his hair out of his eyes.
''Awesome.'' My smile is wide, and I hug Alan tight. ''Thanks babe.''

--Alan POV--
Austin and I had an interesting afternoon... After the discussion about creating a band happened, Austins Dad went out and we were alone.

The shower water is warm on my skin, washing away everything except the tattooed ink. I'm actually really happy right now, either the idea of having a band, or something I like to call the 'Austin-effect' when you feel like everything will be fine if you're just with him. Or maybe that's only something I see, because not many friends seem to like him much. I trail my fingertip over his chest, outlining the flowers and the anchor there.
''What was your first tattoo?'' I ask curiously, tilting my head to meet his gaze.
''Uh... this one.'' Austin smiles and points to a little star on his inner bicep. ''Yours?''
''Well I've only got the 'California' one Aus... They started on C.'' I smirk, nudging him jokily. We stand under the shower water for a few more minutes, quietly talking about our tattoos.

--Austin POV--
The canteen in our school is ridiculous. Crowded, noisy, smelly, it's disgusting. We have started a routine of sitting awkwardly in the corner of the Lecture Theatre, just because not so many people hang out in there, so we can actually hear ourselves think. Considering Alan and I have been together for a few months now, we don't hang out at all much in school. I usually hang out with Tino, Shay and Phil. Sometimes I go off with Alan, or hang around with his friends. I get a feeling they don't like me that much, so Alan and I tend to do our hanging out outside of school. I honestly think today is the first time Alan has sat with us at lunch. Like, I know it's not a big deal, but Alans nervous, and so am I.
''So Alan, we've heard loads about you. I think this is the first time we've properly met though?'' Tino breaks the ice, sticking his hand out to shake Alans.
''Yeah, haha, I think it is.'' Alan smiles nervously, before perching on the edge of his seat. Neither of us have specifically told anyone we're together, but i'm pretty sure it's obvious. And from all the jokes he makes, i'm certain Shay has noticed too.
''So, how long have you been playing guitar for?'' Phil asks excitedly, shifting forward to look at Alan properly. I assume i'm not needed in this conversation, and start to eat my crappy canteen baguette.
''I started when I was 11, so a good few years.'' Alan smiles, seeming a little more relaxed now that Phil has steered the conversation onto comfortable grounds. ''I used to play classical stuff, but when I was 13 I decided heavy was the way to go. What about you?''
''Oh, forever. I started when I was 9, life on the big stages is mine.'' Phil says, flipping his hair dramatically and gesturing to an imaginary stage.
''I started drums when I was 14.'' Tino puts in.
''I started guitar when I was 10, bass when I was 15.'' Shayley adds, and I feel kind of awkward. I've never officially started playing anything, just a couple goes at random things here and there. I panic a little when they all turn to me, and try to nod smoothly.
''I uh... well I don't really properly play anything, just bits of things. Oh! But I started learning how to scream well 2 years ago.'' I mumble, trying to put together a convincing front, as to why my friends and boyfriend might want me in the band I see forming.
''So guys, you wanna practise at my place? My Mom would be chill with us using our basement, it's pretty soundproof.'' Tino announces a moment later, clapping his hands together in a business-like fashion.
We all agree to meet after school, and go straight to Tinos.

''I can't believe they actually like me!" Alan says happily, as we head to our next classes.
''Of course they do Alan, why wouldn't they?'' I ask, slightly confused.
''Well, I've spent a long time being an asshole to everyone, I just kinda... I thought i'd made a terrible first impression back when I thought it didn't matter. Then I guess you turned up and they gave me a second chance? I never used to be at all nice, Austin.''
''Okay... But they're seeing the real you now, right? So everything should be fine.''
''I guess...'' Alan smiles at me. He glances quickly either side, and when seeing there's no one else around, reaches up to kiss my cheek. Then, he dashes off to his lesson.

Notes

sorry it's kinda fillery
got the whole story planned now though! Holy shit it's exciting
Thank you for 1900 views! That's fucking sick!
Comment, rate, and subscribe please, it's really motivational
(except for you, you little shit who knocked my 10.0 down to a 9.7 you twat xD)
(kidding btw)