Chapter 20

*Madison's POV*

When we got back to the house Austin's truck was already there. I booked it into the house and upstairs to his room. He laid on his bed on his back, staring at the ceiling.

I went in and shut the door, going over to him and sitting next to him. "Hey Awesome Austin." I tried to hold his hand but he wouldn't let me. He just stared at the ceiling, tears rolling down his cheeks. I sat there. I didn't know what to do. "I'm so sorry, Austin. I wish this didn't happen."

"Yeah." He said, his voice was horse and scratchy.

I looked at him and wiped a tear away. "You need to talk to me. What's going through your mind?"

He rolled over, putting his back to me. "Please get out. I wanna be alone."

I shook my head. "No. I'm not leaving you alone."

He sat up so fast it scared me. The look in his eyes was crazy. "Madison! Get the fuck out of my room!" He pushed me so hard I fell off the bed, hitting the floor hard. He laid back down as started crying.

I stood up and felt my eyes fill with tears. "Okay. I'm sorry." I went into the hallway and shut his door, then I leaned against the wall and cried.

---*3 days later*

Mark and I sat outside the church. I smoked a cigarette and he pulled at a loose thread on his jacket.

"Have you talked to Austin?" He asked.

"I talked to him once this morning. He asked where his tie was." I said, putting my cigarette out on the bottom of my heel.

Mark put his arm around me. "He won't be like this forever."

I nodded. "I know. I know he's scared and angry. I just wish he'd talk to me."

"Come on. Let's go see him." Mark said, opening the door.

I walked inside and saw Austin immediately. He stood in front of her coffin, crying.

I went over to him and slid my arm around his waist. "She looks so peaceful."

He nodded, but didn't say anything.

I grabbed his face and made him look at me. "We're gonna get through this."

He pulled away and walked towards the doors. I sighed and looked at Mrs Carlile, then walked two wards Mr Carlile. He stood over by the collage of pictures Austin's aunt made.

"Hey, Mr C. You okay?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. I am." He looked at me. "I just want to be alone right now." He looked away.

"Okay." I said, walking away. I went and sat down, pulling tissue from my purse and wiping my eyes.

I knew Austin was falling apart inside. And I hated it. I'd never see him like this before.

A few hours later we were heading home. I sat in the back seat. Mr Carlile and Austin were silent. I reached forward and out my hand on Austin's shoulder. "You okay?"

"Stop asking me that." He said.

I sat back and sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah." He said.

When we got to the house I got out of the car before it even fully stopped. I went into the house and upstairs and threw myself on my bed, crying. I cried myself to sleep and woke up a few hours later. It was dark outside.

I got up and changed into sweat pants and a t-shirt.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!" Austin yelled from downstairs.

"Do not raise your voice to me!" His dad said.

I opened my door and peeked out. What were they fighting about?

"I just buried my mother!"Austin yelled.

"She was my wife!" He called back.

"Fuck you!" Austin said.

I gasped. Austin came running up the stairs and looked at me, then walked past me and slammed his bedroom door.

I went to his door and knocked. "Austin?" No response. "Austin, can we talk?"

The door flew open and Austin stood there, his face red. "What, Madison? What? You wanna talk?" He grabbed my arm and pulled me into the room, slamming the door. "You wanna know what's going on?" He pushed me on the bed. "My mother's dead. She died of a heart disease, that turns out, I have too." His eyes filled with tears and he clenched his fist. "I can't play baseball anymore. And now Dad is making me move to Arkansas." He stepped closer to me. "I lost my mom, I lost my dream, and now I'm losing my home." He turned and punched his bedroom wall, leaving a gaping hole. I was scared. He looked at me. "So, no, Madison, I'm not okay. So stop fucking asking me stupid ass questions!"

I moved away from him. "I was just trying to make sure you were okay."

He sat down on his bed and sighed.

I sat down next to him and held his hand. "Everything will be okay. I promise."

He looked at me, giving me a dirty look. "How is this gonna be okay?" He stood up and shook his head. "You're so stupid sometimes Madison."

I frowned. "I'm not stupid. I'm trying to help my friend."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"I get that your life is falling apart but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like crap. Stop being an asshole." I stood up to walk away and Austin smacked me in the mouth.

"Shut up." He said, walking out of the room.

I put my hand over my mouth and felt blood. I can't believe he just hit me. I started crying and went to my room, grabbing my duffel bag and packing some clothes and grabbing my money. I had to go. I had to get out of here.