How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 142: The whole story

He didn't come to the car. Did he go out? He's out with his colleagues. Clubbing. Yes. He drank and forgot to tell me he's not coming over.

Please, please just let me know you're fine!

I feel my phone vibrate and pull it out, expecting it to be a message from Austin.

"Home already?" Harry texted me.

I take a deep breath. Fuck. Where is he? Where is Austin?

After two more attempts to reach Austin I decide to give Harry a call.

"Hey! Got home?" He asks as he picks up.

"Harry." I say, now feeling a slight uneasiness spreading in my body.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"I- I can't find Austin." I say.

"Isn't he at your house?" He asks.

"No, I mean I don't know. His car is here at the bar." I explain.

"Uhm. Maybe he drank and someone else drove him?" He suggests. "You know how important that is for him."

"Uh, yeah, probably. But- uhm, he'd call me." I say. "Or text me. And he left his stuff in the car."

"Maybe his phone is dead?" He asks.

"No, my calls go through. He just doesn't pick up." I tell him nervously. "And no one could have let him in. Because they'd informed me or already noticed I'm out when I'm not supposed to. But no messages or calls."

"Okay. Okay. Drive home and call me when you're there and he isn't there. Okay?" Harry says. "No need to worry. Alright?"

I feel like my heart's gonna burst out of my chest.

"Yeah, you're right. I'll drive home first." I agree.

_____

Twenty minutes later the car is parked in the driveway and I'm walking inside the house as silently as possible. Please let him just wait in my room!

I close the door behind me and sneak up the stairs and to my room. My empty room.

My heart drops at the realization he's not here.

So I try calling him again and again and again. Each time no one picks up and I'm growing more worried.

Where is he?

"Hey! Found Austin?" Harry asks as he picks up.

I'm crying at this point. "He's not here. Harry, I'm so worried." I manage to get out in between sobs.

"Hey, no. Calm down. He's okay for sure." Harry says. "Just sit down and take a deep breath, alright?"

I do that and sit down on my bed.

"Alright. Do you think he's maybe out? He could be just at a club. He'll call back once he sees your missed calls." Harry tries to assure me.

"Yeah, probably." I answer.

"Look. You also always just disappeared. Maybe he also just wanted to go out without telling anyone. Maybe he's drunk, having fun. He maybe met friends. He'll be alright." Harry says.

I nod my head. "Mhm. Okay. You're right." I say.

"Lie down, get some rest. We can only wait." Harry says.

"Thanks. You're right." I say quietly.

After hanging up, I lie down in my bed, not bothering to take off my jacket.