The Best Life

Ameris POV Today was a typical day like any other. I got up got dressed and headed to school. Normally I would take the bus but I over slept so my father is dropping me off being that my brother had already left with his friends and girlfriend. My step mother had already left as well. My father waste not time getting me to school mainly because I hated being late . I may have missed the bus and was left by everyone else but I was not about to be late for school.  I am Ameris by the way I am my dad's only daughter and I am the youngest of his children. I have 7 brothers including my twin brother who happened to be born 3 minutes before me and before midnight giving us two separate birthdays. Our birth mother died when we were about 6. She was in a horrible accident. I blamed myself. Me and Austin never celebrated our birthday's together. We each always wanted our day to be about us and not collectively so our parents made a point of celebrating our birthdays on their respective dates.  Anyway once we arrived at the school dad hands me lunch money and tells me to make sure I catch the bus or one of the guys home. I tell him ok and head in the building. I meet up with my best friends and the guys and we head toward the lockers. I grab my books for class as we stand there and talk about me missing the bus. "I will be glad when you can legally drive so you won't have to take the bus or wait for one of us." Kesha my bestfriend said.. "I know it sucks but if my dad finds out I been driving after he told me that I only could with him he is going to go batshit crazy and none of us want that. Especially if he finds out why I do it most of the time." We head to class. and of course the guys walk us, Kesha is dating one of the guys that hang out with my brother and my brother is dating our other friend Skye. I am dating Ethan well sorta dating him. We hang out a lot since he is at the house a lot but I haven't dated anyone since I was with Bruce...  Time is flying and before long its lunch time. I don't normally eat lunch at school. The food here sucks. I grab a banana and a drink and head to our table. Me and Kesha discuss our English notes because even though its the Friday before Spring Break we still have a test today its our midterm for the class. I won't lie and say I's not nervous because I am. The boys and Skye come sit with us. "Where is Austin?" I asked. No one seemed to know. I shake it off. Austin skips school all the time so I figured he had just left like always. We finish up lunch and me and Kesha walk to English. Ethan and Mason walk with us. We talk and they leave. They have free period which normally meant they was leaving but would be back. After class they are normally there to walk us to our locker as we head home but today they wasn't there. We went to our lockers and head out to see if they are there but they are not so we head to the buses. The bus ride to my house is typically a short one being that I am normally one of the first ones to get off.. I say Bye to Kesha and Skye and tell them we can catch up after everyone has a chance to relax. Skye said something about a date but I do not normally respond. I looked up and seen two of my brother's cars parked in the yard. This is nothing new so I head inside like normal.  Dropping my keys in the bowl I look around to see if Dad is sitting in the living room. He isn't so I yell for him "Dad I'm home." "In the kitchen." He replies. I walk down the hall greeted by my dad, step mom and 2 of my 7 brothers. "What's going on?" "Nothing we just dropped by to see how mom and dad were doing." My brother says. Rolling my eyes I look at my dad I ask again "What's going on?" This time I feel myself getting upset. But my dad sticks to what my brother says. I walk out and walk right into my brother Jazz. He grabs me and hugs me and promises me everything will be ok. Now I'm confused. Jazz has always been protective but never has he shown emotion. I turn around and walk with Jazz into the kitchen. I look at Jared and Drake and ask again this time yelling "WHAT THE f**k IS GOING ON?" of course my dad is taken back by my language but at this point I know they are lying. Jazz says "She doesn't know?" "Know what?" I ask "It's just a miss understanding Jazz." Jared says. I still want to know what they are hiding. By now my step mom is crying and my dad is in a daze. "What's going on for real? Why are they crying?" As I get the question out of my mouth the last of the Davison boys arrive all except Austin. In my brothers eyes I can see rage yet I also see protection. Why are my brothers so mad? Why is my parents crying? But most of all where is Austin? "Hey everyone would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?!?" "Austin left and is not returning for a while. He has some demons he need to work on and it will only work if he" my step mom is cut off by Jazz "Do not lie to her she and him are super close and if y'all want tell her I will." He spat "Tell me what?" I ask. Jared my oldest brother walks over to me and take my hand and leads me to the table and sit me down. "Jared what's going on? He drops his head and says "Austin is dead. We don't know all the details all we know is dad got a call after you left this morning. He called all of us so we could be here when he told you. That's when we decided him leaving would be easier than telling you he was dead." "That's impossible. Austin and I talked this morning and this afternoon. We had plans for graduation and all. I know he missed class this morning but he he..." I bury my face in Jazz chest and cry. Jared, Drake, Jazz, Dez, Jamie and Chris all stand around me and love on me. ~~~~~~~~hours later I sit in Austin's room looking at all his things. Dad and Janet(my stepmom) walk in she first and dad followed. I had been crying again and dad could tell he grabs my and hugs me. "I know baby girl. I know." I'm still a little mad with them but I know they wanted to lie so that I wouldn't let my grades slip and still graduate at the head of our class. "Some of your class mates are here would you like me to send the away or let the come see you?" My step mother says softly. "They can come up." I say. "Come here best friend." Kesha has known me all my life and she knows how close me and Austin were. I look at her and I burst into tears. "He can't be gone." I say. "It's ok you will get through it. I'm here. We all are here." Kesha says. "Let's go downstairs. You shouldn't sit in here. It's just going to hurt more." She says. "Ok." As we start to leave I hear a buzz. I know my phone is not up here and Kesha was out the room. I tell her I will be down in a minute I needed to wash my face. Who's phone was in Austin's room? If it's his how did they know who to call? The phone buzz again and I find it in the night stand drawer. Austin never used his nightstand. I take his phone and head down stairs. When I get to the bottom of the stairs a few other friends come over and hug me and give their condolences. One of Austin's friends Ethan walks in. He looks at me and I know something is off. He walks up and hugs me. He smells so good. "I'm here and I'm not leaving your side." He whispers in my ear. "Thank you." I reply. After mingling with a few people and getting them out the house. I go to take a shower and the phone rings again. This time it's a call. I'm not sure I should but I answer it. Me: Hello Austin: Ameris, I'm not dead. Do you hear me Me: what kind of game are you playing Austin?!? Where are you and why does everyone think you are dead? Austin: listen to me don't tell anyone I have contacted you. I need you to something for me and Sis you are the only one I can trust to do this. They won't suspect you. Please sis I'm begging you. Me: What is it. Austin: in my phone there is some information for a bank account. I need you to go withdraw the money from the account. I need it tonight. Once you have it call this number and I will give you my location. Sis come alone. I love you. Me: Wait don't hang up Austin Austin.... I leave his room and go to my own. None of this makes any sense, I didn't realize I had started to cry again. I wanted to tell my parents and bothers that I talked to him but his instructions were clear come alone.  My brothers and parents come in the room. I am sitting on my bed in tears.  Jazz and Jared can see something is off by the expression on my face. I quickly look away. "Ameris it's going to be ok." Drake says. I nod I felt so reassured but after hearing the fear in Austin I am not sure if it really is going to be ok.