Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter seven - Feel like home

Rosie's POV:

Austin invited me to live with him for a whole month. I don't know why he decided to do it. I am happy. I think it'll be good for me to be with him for a while. He knows me well and might be able to help me. I wish I could tell him everything, but I can't. Jessie keeps saying horrible things about him. I know she won't do anything. I'm still scared of her. The good thing is that my best friend is not interested. If she manages to get close to him, I will make sure this will be the last time. This girl can't do whatever she wants and get away with it. I don't care who her father is. Maybe my best friend is right. He has no idea what his daughter is doing every day. The problem is that no one is on my side at school. Everyone is scared of her. Austin is the only one who can help me. That's why everything he says is true, but I don't feel brave enough to do it. Sometimes, I am too scared to do things. The problem is that I don't want to get humiliated. I have no idea why she picked me. As I see it, she won't leave me alone soon. Maybe I have to do something about it. I want to tell her many things. I'm scared of her reaction. After all, I don't want things to get worse. The last thing I want to happen is for her to go after me every single day. It's not like she is not doing it now. The thing is that I didn't tell Austin. I know what he will say about this. That's why it's better if he doesn't know anything. I know he will help me, but I don't want him to get in trouble. The less he knows, the better. I need to keep him safe and out of trouble. I don't want things to get worse for him too. I hope that we will always have such a good friendship.

It's the weekend. That means Austin has to come and take me to his house. I still don't know why he wants me to live with him for a month. It's not like a mind. I think it will be fun. Also, it will be good for me to spend some time only with my best friend. As I have said before, he is the only one with who I feel comfortable sharing everything. I don't want him to take care of me. Well, I would need his help. Jessie is going after me every day. I didn't tell him that, so he didn't have to worry about me. Well, I might do it.

I woke up and checked my phone. It was only 8 am. I got up and went to get ready for the day. Austin said he would come around lunchtime. We'll probably eat here before we go. I would love it if we could have dinner together. When I was ready, I went into the kitchen. I decided to eat a sandwich. Later, I went to pack my stuff. I have already left some things in his guest room. I started going there often. The thing is that these things won't be enough for a whole month. I need more. I was taking out my clothes when there was a knock on the door. It was my dad.

- Hey.

- Hey, are you ready?

- Almost. A couple of things left me.

- Do you want this?

- What do you mean?

- I want to make sure you want to do it.

- Yes, I do. Dad, Austin will take care of me.

- I know. He always does it.

- Well, he is not you. It will be only for a month. Also, you can always come to check on me.

- I will leave him to do it alone. He will like it.

- If you say so.

- Do you need help with something?

- No, I'm fine. I won't take that many things.

- You already took a lot.

- I'm a girl. I need some things.

- You don't have to say more. - dad said, chuckling

- That way is better.

Dad and I talked for a while. Then I finished packing. Later, I went to check on mom. She was cooking. I can help her if she lets me. I walked up to her. The food smells so good.

- Hey, do you need help?

- Oh, hi, Rosie. I'm almost ready. You can set the table if you want.

- Sure, no problem. Do you need anything else?

- No, that's it. Thank you.

- You're welcome.

I set the table and went to check on my dad. I heard the shower and walked out of his room. I was about to go to my room when I heard the doorbell. That has to be Austin. I opened the door and let him in. It was visible that he was happy.

- Hello. I'm glad you came.

- Thanks. It's good to see you.

- I see you are in a good mood.

- How am I not supposed to be? I will have you for a whole month. - he said, chuckling

- Keep dreaming.

- What?

- I'm kidding. Come in.

- Thanks.

- Austin, hello. How are you? - mom asked

- I'm good, thank you. Do you need help with something?

- No. You can go and sit. Lunch will be ready soon.

After half an hour, all of us were around the table. Austin was talking with my dad. I'm glad they understand each other so well. They might not be related, but they have a father-son connection. It's visible. Maybe that is because my best friend is here often. Most of the time, it's because of me, but it doesn't matter. Josh doesn't have much time for us. His family is more important.

- What are the plans for today? I will let you choose. You can tell me what you want, and I'll do it.

- I haven't thought of that. I want us to have dinner together.

- No problem. I would love that. Something else?

- No. That is for now.

- Ok, cool. I might think of something.

- Well, we can go out after dinner.

- You said there was nothing else.

- I changed my mind.

- Boy, are you sure you can handle her? - dad asked, chuckling

- I'll be fine. I know how to make her do whatever I say.

- That is not true at all.

- You can keep protesting if you want me to make dinner alone.

- What? That's not fair. I want to make it with you.

- Then, you have to listen to me.

- Ok, ok. I will do it.

- See? It's easy.

Austin and I talked with my parents for a while. It feels like I am leaving them for a long time, no matter that we live in the same town. Also, it's only a month. I need this. My best friend took my bags and put them in his car. Later, we went to his house. This will be my home for the next month. Honestly, I have always felt at home here. I don't know if it's because of him or the house. I feel good here. No matter when I come, I know he'll be here.

- We are here. Feel like home.

- Thanks. I'll go and leave my stuff.

- I will help you. If you want, you can order them later.

- Maybe. I don't know.

Both of us walked into the guest room. It's not like I didn't sleep here last week. Now it's different. I'm here for a reason. It's my choice, and I'm happy about it. It will be good to get away from everything for a while.

- Hey, is everything ok? You can tell me if there is a problem.

- No, I'm fine. This will be a fun month. I hope you can handle me. - I said, chuckling

- The question is if you can handle me. My house, my rules.

- There are no rules for me. You know it.

- That was because you have been here for two days. Now it's a month. I'm serious.

- Ok, fine. What I'm not allowed to do?

- Come home after midnight on a weekday. I want to sleep. I won't be able to do it if I know you're not at home.

- That's it?

- No strangers here.

- Don't you forget something?

- What?

- I don't have other friends.

- I still have to say it.

- Something else?

- Feel free to do whatever you want. I don't want to put limits on you. All I want is for you to feel good here. That's it.

- Thanks. With you here, things will be good.

- I hope so. What do you want us to do now? It's early for dinner.

- Why don't we go to the grocery store?

- What do you want us to buy from there?

- I'll tell you when I see it.

- We better make a list, then. In case we forget about something.

- That's a good idea.

- Will I get broke?

- You better take some money. After all, you didn't let me take mine.

- Because you are my responsibility now. I will take care of you.

- This sounds good to me.

Austin and I walked into the grocery store. I would love to get something sweet. Maybe we need popcorn. After all, we'll watch movies. Probably it won't be today, but we'll do it. I went and took five packs. Then, I went to the candy section. They have so many good things. Well, I'll take only what I think it's necessary. I don't want my best friend to spend too much money on me. I feel horrible about him, but it's better if he doesn't know. He has to take care of me and spend money on me for a month. That's a lot. We finished shopping after an hour. In total, we paid seventy dollars. I expected it to be more. I got most of the things for a discount.

We went home and started with dinner. My best friend didn't want to tell me what we would eat. I guess that will be a surprise. I cut some vegetables into small cubes. For some reason, I feel like an adult. We are doing something so simple, but it makes me happy. When we finished cooking, we went to eat in the living room. Austin wanted us to watch something. I won't deny it.

- Do you like the food? - Austin asked

- It's delicious. We did well.

- I'm glad to hear it. You can think about what you want us to do for the rest of the night. I won't mind going out for a walk. You wanted that.

- I do, but we have a whole month for that. Maybe we can stay here.

- You like being here, don't you?

- One word. Paradise.

- That's how I feel now. - he said and pulled me for a hug

- Thank you for letting me stay here. It means a lot.

- Hey, that was my idea. Also, I like spending time with you. I think it will be good for both of us.

- For me, it will be for sure.

- I can say the same about myself.

Both of us watched the movie peacefully. No words were needed. Honestly, they won't be enough to express how good I feel now. I feel good here. The fact that Austin is with me only makes it better. Jessie probably won't stop going after me, but I have a best friend who will help me. I won't let her take him away from me. He is mine, and I'm not giving up on him. She can get this idea out of her head. I won't let her hurt him. If she does something to him, I will kill her.

After the movie, we cleaned the table. Austin went to wash the dishes. I wanted to help him, but he didn't let me. In that case, I can organize my stuff. I walked into the guest room and pulled out everything I had. It's not much, but it will be enough. First, I went into the bathroom. I already had a toothbrush and toothpaste. I left my hairbrush there. I don't have makeup. Well, I took some pimple patches in case I need them. Later, I went to order my clothes. I like to organize them by type. My hoodies will be on hangers. Everything else will be folded. I was folding a shirt when my best friend came in. He sat on the bed with a smile. I don't know what is happening with him today, but I like it when he is in a good mood. I continued folding my clothes until I finished. Then, I sat next to him.

- Why are you looking at me like that? - I asked

- Like what?

- Weird. I haven't seen you smiling so much. Hold on! Did you find a girlfriend?

- What? No. I told you I don't want one.

- Then what is that smile? Please, tell me.

- It's for you.

- Me? Why? I didn't do anything.

- Do you have to do something so I can smile?

- No, but it's rare.

- Ok, I will do it more often.

- I didn't say that.

Austin didn't say anything and pulled me for a hug. Then he kissed the top of my head. I don't know why he is doing this, but it's enough to make me stay like that all day. There are some things that only he can do right. Dad has done this many times, but it felt different. Probably because he is my dad. Austin and I are best friends. I won't compare him with Josh because I have nothing to say. The winner is obvious.

- What is going on with you today?

- I don't know. I woke up in a good mood.

- I see it. It's not like I'm not getting my benefits from that.

- What do you mean?

- I can make you whatever I want.

- Don't be so sure about this.

- Why? You are in a good mood.

- Maybe, but it doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. That is not how it works.

- Then you can tell me.

- No chance. Using it against me is not something I want you to do.

- That won't happen. I promise you.

- We'll see, shall we?

- Yes.

- What do you want us to do for the rest of the night? It's the weekend, so we don't have to wake up early tomorrow.

- Nothing.

- Really?

- I want to stay like that. Would you mind?

- Not at all. I like it.

- Thanks.

Austin and I talked until midnight. Then he left me to sleep. I felt sad when he left, but it was better. After all, we are only friends, even though he treats me like his little sister. Maybe that's why I like being here. He always has time for me. Even if he is working on something, he will stop doing it and come to me. Not every person will do that. Mostly, I mean my brother. I'm starting to think he doesn't want to be with me. I don't know why. We used to be close, but I don't feel like that anymore. Something broke, but I don't know what. Well, it's his loss. I have a best friend who will put his attention on me. I hope this month will be good.