Fifteen: A Ride Home

"Dad! I can explain!"

His heart was pounding and his cheeks probably would have paled at this point. He knew he was in trouble, knew he'd been caught. Knew he was dead!

"no need to explain, it's fine. She explained everything. They went upstairs" the confusion that was on Austin's face must have shown cause Brian chuckled and smiles, giving a wink toward his son before turning to go into the kitchen.

What? She already explained? They? Did that mean Tess was home. Who was they? Eyes widening he slowly turned his eyes to the stairs and reached for the railing as he slowly eased up like a cat his stepped cautiously and quietly.

Who was in his room. He was unsure what to expect when he moved to open his door, or who to expect? Brows furrowed he shifted his bag uneasily on his back, on edge and confused as he reached his bedroom door. It was ajar and he could hear voices inside.

Female voices.

With one hand he pushes the door open slowly, its hinges squeaking, painful on the ears. Eyes widening, he loooked inside and as he peered in he saw a body sitting on the edge of his bed!

"What the f-?"

~~~

I stood alone for what seemed to be an eternity waiting for Austin to come pick me up. He'd clearly forgotten about me and I didn't know if I should be mad or upset, especially after he avoided me also at lunch.

Jules and Cherry had stayed for as long as they could before their buses left and they had to rush away through the giant students to get on. It was intimidating to say the least. Each one of them, loud chatting and laughing in groups, towering over me. Two girls walked past me, talking loud with laughter in their voices about a sleepover they had and how fun it was. Remembering my old friends, I frowned and dropped my head, strawberry blonde locks coming into view while twisting my toe into the ground as I waited.

This was so embarrassing. Looking up i frowned as the grounds began to empty, silence taking hold of the air and staying there, heavy and lasting. Sighing, I began to list my options. I could just go get the bus by myself, but I didn't know which one was mine. I could go back inside, sit there and hopefully Austin would turn up.

He was so irresponsible, she couldn't believe she'd actually been forgotten about again. It was the car situation all over again. He just forgot all about her. Groaning, I began to pace back and forth in front of the small doors, not caring who saw as I tried to work up courage to go over to the bus stops myself or make a decision on whether I should just stay or not.

"Excuse me?" I gasped hearing a large voice above me, my heart nearly leapt into my throat. I was so focused on how to get home and how annoyed I was at Austin that I didn't even notice the giant girl walk over to me who was now looming, looking down at me with large green eyes.

Giving a hesitant smile, I take a step back feeling uneasy at this stranger and at the sheer size of her. "H-hi" I swallowed tightly, my words being unintentionally soft. I didn't mean to, but just the size of giants wasn't something easy to get use to.

The girl had long brown legs were like trees towering over me, she had white sneakers on and shorts with a loose fitting black top. She was pretty, with large green eyes and long lashes that curled lusciously. Full lips smiled down at me so kind and sweet. She would be smaller than Austin and was delicate-featured it seemed if she were my size. Pretty in a flawed, accessible way. But what was most interesting about this girl was her shaved head, black hair that had grown out a bit from her head. This girl could pull it off, she looked effortlessly beautiful

"Hi um~ my names Katy. Sorry I was just headed to bus and I saw you by yourself.. you look kinda stressed out.. Do you need help or a hand onto a bus?" She had a lovely voice, smooth and warming. She had concerned eyes and crouched down closer as she tried getting a better look at me by her feet

I looked away briefly, turning to look around the larger girl trying to spot Austin incase he was walking over. "Uh~ well someone's meant to be picking me up but I think he forgot about me" I looked up to this Katy and felt my heart rate in my ears, feeling intimidated by the sheer size of this girl who was just trying to be kind

"I could help you if you'd like? Where abouts do you live?" Katy smiles, a smile so honey sweet that it calmed me a little to know she was only being kind. Hesitant at first, I spoke Austin's address which I had written down earlier to remember and the girls brows raised for a second, head tilting ever so slightly.

"~ really? That's Austin Taylor's house" she spoke slowly, brows knotting together and full lips pursing.

"Yeah, our parents are like a thing now" I sighed and rolled my eyes, at the mention of Austin it made my stomach knot, angry. Of course he left me.

"Oh really? Interesting~" Katy glances around them for a second as if she were looking for someone before shaking her head, "lucky for you, I live around the corner from Austin's so you can come with me.. I'm on the bus if you'd like?"

I hesitated, I don't know why she was sweet and nice and didn't seem like she was thinking of anything evil. Biting at my lip, tightening my teeth around my bottom lip. I took a glance around the school once more, unable to see Austin. There didn't seem to be any sign of him anytime soon. I let out a low sigh and shifted a little, uneasy by being around a giant but also, comforted by it being a girls present.

"Okay, uh~ why not" I smile shyly up to the girl and I couldn't help but lightly chuckle at her face lighting up and a large grin coming across her face. It reminded me oddly in a lot of ways of Jace. The glint in the eyes and long lips that drew into a crescent smile.

Yet her kindness didn't stop me from jumping when the girls hand came down to rest on the concrete before me. Swallowing tightly my eyes widened down at the slightly chipping pink painted nails, which slowly travelled up the long slender arm to Katy's eyes that were large with awe

"Sorry sorry" the larger girl chuckles noticing she had been careless "I've just~" she bites her lip, gazing down to the ground at me, cheeks deepening pink "never held a human before" she gives a heavy scoff, shaking her head in shame almost

"Oh.." is all I seemed to muster, which didn't seem to comfort the giant girl who's smile fell just a touch. I felt guilty seeing the look that came over her face, for some reason, I found myself quickly clambering onto the girls palm to try and fix the look into a smile. Smiling a little up to her, i came down to sit, holding onto the straps of my bag anxiously looking across the expanse of the large hand

"I'll be very careful, I promise." Katy spoke with a small smile now that I was sat in her hand and which brought confidence into her eyes. And In someway in my heart too I knew I was okay. Unlike Austin and Jace, Katy was delicate and soft, the skin of her palm was silky and plump. She moved slowly, unlike the boys her movements were smoother, taken with care.

It wasn't long til we were at the bus, Katy looking down at me as she moved to the open doors as if she was holding a delicate piece of art "am I doing okay?" She spoke, looking for confirmation that she was holding me okay.

I give a nod and it made her grin that large smile, moving up the steps. but the trip up the stairs wasn't as smooth sailing as expected, instead interrupted as a large body; moving quickly and frantically toward us nearly knocked me and Katy off our feet. Her hand jerked as i thought I would fall but found a large hand coming over my entire body and sending me into darkness. I covered my face on instinct, hands shooting up to hide my head and close my eyes. But found that instead of falling or being crushed in between large hands, I looked to see I was cupped in Katy's hands like a dark cave.

A distant, familiar voice calls back and I sit up to see if I could see Austin. "Sorry sorry" But instead was entrapped between dark fingers, holding me in an attempt to keep me safe.

"Uh Au- um" I hear Katy make an attempt to call out to Austin but there seem to be no reply. I sat in the darkness, eyes wide clutching at my shirt anxiously being kept in the dark on whether Austin actually heard Katy, or not. Pressing into the large fingers around me, I tried grabbing Katie's attention wanting to be let out since it was getting rather stuffy within the clasped hands.

As if on cue the fingers unwrapped from around me and I saw large eyes looking down on me with concern "he seems to be in a rush.. must have forgot something" she tried at giving a soft laugh as she takes a seat, suddenly realising that she had walked down the isle to take a seat towards the back of the bus. I give a light hearted chuckle in return, but felt uneasy now that Austin was gone.. arching my neck I try to sit up to peer up over at the large windows that looked out onto the giant world, but found them to be too high to manage to look over, trying to see where Austin could be going. Clearly realising he'd forgotten a little someone, me!

"What do I do now?" I spoke soft, slowly turning my gaze to look up to Katy seeing she was also looking out the window but she could actually see, her eyes moving as the bus started pulling out of its stop out of school.

"I~ I guess I'll get you home then. Since Austin is too thick to" Katy scoffed, turning her eyes down to me with a small smile, but it falls a little "no offence, sorry.. he just can be so~"

"Dumb, annoying... I know, trust me. I live with him" I smiled back at her, making the both of us laugh in unison in a fit of giggles.

"Took the words right out of my mouth" Katy laughed, shaking her head, her hand coming to rest upon her knee with me sitting upon it, her other hand moving over her shaved head, fingers grazing over the short hairs back and forth.

We sat upon the bus, the ride short as me and Katy sat and spoke about each other, talked about the stupid things Austin had done which I didn't know about. Supposedly he was quite popular at school, very well known which I had in some way already predicted. Katy spoke of how him and the BOYS consisting of five were all very different but had been together since anyone could remember.

Before I knew it, Katy was standing to and delicately lifting me in her hand as she moved off the bus, stepping down the steps onto the pavement with smiles on both our faces. I looked before me and realised we were standing out the front of Austin's house, seeing the familiar front door and driveway.

"Are you okay to walk in or do I.." Katy started, her eyes turning down to me and I shake my head

"No come in, Austin will be awhile. I need some company anyways, I'm sick of boys" I smiled but I couldn't help but notice the uneasy look come over Katie's face then a hesitant nod to go inside and greeted by Brian with a kind smiles

~~~

"What.. what are you doing here?" Austin exclaimed with wide eyes and his hand clamped tightly in a fist on the door handle, his knuckles turning white as he stared in at the dark, shaved headed girl that sat upon his mattress. Katy, from the bus, was in his room! Confusion wrapped him in its tight grasp and it showed, looking at Katy for longer than he should have. He could feel a breath on his neck, Jace having come upstairs and now peering over his shoulder inside to also see that there was now two girls in his room. Austin was like a block in the doorway, unmoving as he took in the picture before him.

Katy's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water gasping for air, "I'm just here to drop Tess home" she sat, eyes turning between Jace and Austin then down to Tess who was sat in her lap with wide eyes and pursed lips. Relief flooded through Austin's veins and his muscles relaxed, heart slowing and taking slow breaths. But then tightened realising what he must look to Katy right then, wide eyed and shocked. Stiffening he stands straighter, eyes became stern as he held his gaze with Tess. He gave a slight apologetic look, which she rolled her eyes at in return and turned away. His heart shuddered a little at that but he took it on the shoulder, he deserved it.

"Hey Katy, thanks for looking out for Tessie" Jace spoke, breaking the silence in the room, not angry as he was before as he pushed past Austin quickly and moved into the room to take a seat beside Katy, who seemed confused as Jace sat beside her so easily and leant over to look at Tess, his anger diminishing now that Tess was back and safe. Jace reached out for her, with delicate fingers he brought Tess into his palm so easily like he'd done it a hundred times before.

"It's okay.." Katy gave a small smile to Jace, he always seemed to make everyone calm. Turning her eyes down to her feet, twisting her toes into the ground she seemed uneasy sitting on Austin's bed "I uh I gotta get going, sorry for any intrusions.. Austin" Katy spoke quickly, avoiding eye contact as she began grabbing at her things and pulling them into her arms now that Tess was in Jace's hands "bye Tess, see you at school"

"Bye Katy" Tess gave a wave, pushing against one of Jaces wandering fingers that prodded her side as she said her goodbyes as Katy stood, smiling and giving a wave in return. Austin watched Katy as she grabbed her things and stood, Katy giving a large smile, before turning to the door to face him, only to pause seeing Austin hadn't moved from where he stood in the doorway. He was big and took up the entire doorway, there was no pushing to get past him. He realised, Katy now knew. Katy knew Tess lived in his room, Tess surely would have blabbered about him. He couldn't have her tell the whole school.

Katy gave a noticeable shaky breath realising Austin wasn't about to budge, her eyes turning up to meet his's who stared back into her soul, his large hand coming to rest on the door frame in-front of her.

"I'll show you out" he spoke deep and low, something Tess had never heard, but Jace recognised but wasn't heard often. Austin was serious, something was wrong but Jace couldn't read the hard look that had come across the Backnott captains face, brows furrowed into a hard line and lips pursed. Moving his hand he turned slowly, he could tell Katy felt uneasy, uncomfortable, he didn't care, he needed to speak to her about Tess.

Guiding her out and down the stairs, he kept his eyes forward not looking to Katy as she followed silently behind him hugging her bag. He didn't care if she was scared at this point, opening the front door he waited til she stepped out til he looked to her, arms crossing across his large chest as he gazed down to her, seeing her shift on the spot.

"you know you can't say anything about this, about Tess and me. You know what people will say, what they'll do to me.. and her"

He saw her flinch against his words but didn't soften, instead moving til he could meet her eyes, having to lean down a little as she was shorter than him. His brown curls fell lightly into his hard eyes, but he didn't move them, instead cocking a brow waiting for a response. She was pretty, very pretty, smooth dark skin and plump lips.. his eyes wandered over her features for a second before trying to meet her gaze again. She was looking down at her feet, breath low as she seemed to consider what to say next.

Her shyness suddenly changed, he could tell instantly when her attitude toward him changed and her eyes hardened, her body straightened and her eyes turned to meet his with a strong gaze.

"I know, cant be ruining your reputation" Katy spoke, a little more sternly than he'd expected which made his brows raise. Standing up straighter he gave a small nod, looking to her with a cocked head. Now that she'd finally looked up to him, he swallowed tightly seeing her.. glare? Was she glaring at him?

"Austin Taylor, friends with a human, ooo" she gasped softly, almost mockingly as she rolled her eyes before him then turning slightly move down the front porch steps. He'd never had someone stand up to him before.. not a girl especially, he felt.. weird. Weird In his stomach, weird in his chest.. his hand became a little clammy as they eyed each other "I won't say anything, even though I want to"

"Uh~ good.. good" he nodded, clearing his throat "better to keep it that way" he shifted, a little taken aback by her comment, now the one feeling uneasy he turned his head to look inside his home then back to Katy as she walked slowly away from him. His walls came down and his features softened, she didn't seem to like him very much.

"Whatever Austin" Katy waves over her shoulder, moving out of his lawn and down the road toward her house. Austin watched as she left, his face contorted a little in confusion before wandering back into his house, closing the door behind him before leaning into it. Letting out a low breath, he brings his hands over his face and shakes his head. His reputation, could be over in a heart beat. It all depending on Katy and whether she wanted to ruin him.

"Crap~"

Finally updated! I'm sorry for always leaving you all waiting all the time! I hope you enjoyed I'll be trying to update sooner but no promises xoxo