Unexpected

Gabby the Girlfriend

Zach: Did you not call him yesterday? You guys are acting weird af

I look across the table to Zach who's eyeing Austin and I, rigidly seated beside each other and completely silent.

Decided against it when I saw he was with some girl on his Snapchat story

As I type out my reply, anger bubbles back up in my chest and I have to slowly exhale in attempts to release it. Zach's eyebrows shoot up in surprise once he's read my text and I breathe out through my nose again, struggling to keep my face neutral.

While I'll admit I fucked up yesterday, Austin crossed an even more grave line. Knowing him, he didn't just have an innocent mall trip with blondie. And yet I'm supposed to believe he actually cares about me. Now the hot weight in my chest travels to become a lump in my throat, and I find myself biting my tongue harshly to prevent the moisture in my eyes from betraying me.

I'll never admit how badly he's hurt my feelings, especially since it's obvious that was his intention. I understand why he was upset, but I refuse to justify such petty revenge. I knew better than to go out on a limb and trust the first guy to show a genuine interest in me, especially when there's been an abundance of red flags. I know that I have myself to blame, but I'll blame him plenty too. The least he could have done was spare us both the trouble.

As I continue to elicit a stinging sensation in my tongue brought upon by the sharpness of my teeth, my screen lights up in my lap again to display an Instagram DM.

CameronHallBBall: Are you and Austin together?

I instinctively glance to Austin, who does a horrid job of hiding the fact he was also looking at my screen.

Yesterday Cameron had DMed another creative "Hey" awhile after I had accepted his request. Still feeling burned by Austin's story, I decided to reply with a simple "Hi". It felt a lot more scandalous than it actually was, since I usually don't give those kind of messages so much as a second glance.

Feeling just as I did the first time I replied, I decide to unlock my phone to respond with the knowledge Austin will be watching. He's not the only one with options.

CrabbyGabby: Definitely not

CameronHallBBall: Didn't think so. I knew he couldn't get a girl like you.

I cringe and make a face of displeasure, not knowing what to make of his reply, but entirely disliking it regardless.

Austin suddenly scoots his chair back, the harsh scraping noise causing myself and the others at the table to look up.

"Gabby, I need to talk to you." He says with a sense of urgency, motioning for me to get up with him.

"Is that a request or an order?" I ask, referencing our argument from yesterday's phone call. It may be a low blow, but I can't find a good enough reason not to stoop to his level right now.

"Jesus fucking-" Austin cuts himself off and shuts his eyes to take in a long breath.

"Okay, I know I'm not going to get you to move, so I'll just have to do this here." He says, still standing. I quirk an eyebrow at him, but don't budge from my seat, my phone screen still displaying my DMs.