The Best Life

Chapter 2

Everyone exits my room and I start plotting my exit to get the money to Austin. After I get out the shower and get dressed I head out. I tell my dad I'm going over to Kesha's house for a few that being in the house was not helping the situation. He agrees and I head out the door but Jazz stops me in my tracks.

"Where do you think you are going?" he asked me "Kesha house. I just don't want to be home right now." 

I reply. " ok well stay there. Do not leave her house Ameris. If you do let us know.". he says. I roll my eyes but tell him ok and that i needed to go because Kesha is waiting on me.

 I know Jazz is not happy with me leaving and may follow me so I head straight to Kesha house. Getting to her door she looks at me and knows I'm up to something. "whatever it is I'm down." Kesha looks at me and say. "I need your mom's car but we need to wait about an hour." I say. Kesha mom's car looks like legit spy mobile.

After some time passes we leave in her mom car. I head to the bank. I don't tell her what I know because I don't want to get her involved. After successfully receiving the money I call Austin back.

Me: I have it. Where do you want me to meet you?

Austin: the one place we go when we don't want to be found.

Me: be there in 10. 

I hang up and look at Kesha and tell her that she couldn't go with me any further. I drop her off at home and head to the one place me and Austin only knew about. The one safe haven we had. I pull  to the old church and park in back. 

The old abandoned church that was sitting literally in the middle of no where. I found it one day after my mom had died. It was my safe place. I would come here and spend hours playing the piano that was inside and just having my own peace of mind here. Austin stumbled upon it one day after my stepmother and I got into an argument and I left the house. He told me dad had him follow me so that they knew I was safe and all that stuff. It was the one place that we shared that he promised not to tell the others about. When he would be upset about stuff he would come here and I was the only one that knew how to find him. I take few deep breathes before grabbing the requested items and getting out the car. I was so ready to see my brother that I did not notice the blood on the door.

My heart is racing but I need to see Austin. I get out the car and walk in. "Austin Austin" I call he comes into my view he is beaten and bleeding and of course scared.

I ran to him and grab him. "Ameris listen to me. When this is all over you may hate me but I have to do this. Just know your college tuition is paid in full just go and learn and be the best you that you can be.  This will the last time you see me. I love you." "Austin what is going on? Why are you doing this? I need you." I reply. "No time to explain. I will contact you when I'm safe. Now get out of here and never look back. NOW!!!!!" He shouts. I run out the door jump in the car and drive off. As I'm leaving I see it happen..... the old church blows up. "AUSTIN" I yell.

I pulled over and cried. I cried until I was no longer sobbing just hiccupping. Why was this happening? Austin was a good kid. Yeah he and the others go off and come back battered but for the most part we think they just be kicking each other's asses. This is too much for me to bare at the moment. 

I got myself together enough to drive the car back to Kesha's house. I was still trying to process everything that had happened. Pulling back up to Kesha house I am still shaking. Did my brother blow himself up? I was so lost in thought I didn't see Jazz's car parked outside of Kesha house.

"We need to talk." Jazz snaps at me causing me to snap out of my own head.

"What is it now?" I say back

"Where in hell have you been? I have been calling your phone and it has been off and I know that is not like you. I get here and Kesha says you left with Ethan but clearly that is a lie to." He shouts

"Jazz you are not my father. I left and I came back that is all that matters." I say.

"Dammit Ameris I know that but I have lost one sibling I will not loose my sister too. Now where have you been?" Jazz says

"I went to the one place me and Austin would go when your guys didn't want to be bothered with me and him. The old Church. I just wanted to feel close to him. He was my twin and best friend. We did everything together and—" he cuts me off "You mean the old church what was just blown the f**k up? Omg Ameris they could have killed you. Why can't you listen to me when I say to stay put I do not being say that " 

I don't say anything right away I process what he has said. Was Austin killed be cause of Jazz or someone else?!?! Who is "they". How did he know about the church?!?

I walk away from Jazz because I know that he knows more than he is willing to tell. I just have so many unanswered questions. I can see Kesha feels sorry for telling him I was gone but I understand why she did it. She had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. Just glad she didn't follow.

"I'm staying here tonight. I will be back home in the morning." I tell Jazz. "Don't leave again. Stay in the house. I swear to God if anything happens to you." "Ok I get it. Bye" I cut him off and walk into Kesha house.

My phone buzzes and it's Ethan. I have been avoiding him because I can't lie to him about what was going on. I also think he knows more than he is willing to tell me. They all seem to run in the same circle. they have these crazy schedules and spend a lot of time with Jazz. I want to ask a million and one questions but I know no one will tell me the truth. I know i can't avoid him any longer so I decide to answer this time.

Ethan: hey I been calling are you ok?

Me: I'm fine just needed to get away but if Jazz or any of my brothers ask I was with you.

Ethan: Ameris what's going on? Where are you I need to see you and know you are ok.

Me: I'm at Kesha's house. I just need you to trust me please. If they ask I was with you.

Ethan: I'm coming over.

Me: ok see you soon

Ethan is honestly one of my bestfriends and honestly I like him a lot. I think I have fallen in love with him. I I know that it might not seem like a big thing but he has been there for me for the last couple of years and no we haven't really put a title on it mainly because of me but I am to the point where now I think we should. He and his ex broke up a while ago and we just be chilling. When the others go on a date or say they want to go on a double date we normally try to get out of going but  most times that is the only way Kesha can go so I suck it up and go. He goes so I do not have to be a third wheel and since he is Mason's bestfriend. "Hey beautiful." I'm greeted by this heavy sexy voice. As he wraps his arms around me from behind. He smells amazing. "Hey handsome. Where have you been?" "Work baby girl now would you like to tell me where you have been?" I sigh "I went to the old church. It was the one place i felt like was just mine and Austin's." I tell him. he hugs me for a little while longer before we sit on the pourch swing and just talk. I love moments like this with him. I felt safe with him. I guess now is a better time as any to talk about our relationship status. I mean I know where I Stand I just want to make sure we are both on the same page as far as it goes. I love him and I hope he feels the same. I will say things have take a turn ion the last couple of months with us and we have been closer and he has said I love you to me one night last week but I thought it was because he was drunk but now I'm not so sure. "Thank you for coming to check on me earlier and now. I didn't think you was going to come. I know" he cuts me off with a look that said it all "I told you I'm going to always be here for you. I love you baby girl and I know you love me too." He says. "I love you too E, I guess I need to tell my parents and brothers about us. I don't want us to end. I need you now more than ever." " I don't want us to end as well so I guess we need to inform them of what is going on. Are you ready for whatever may come from this?" "I am." he hugs me again and I feel safe.