Chapter 17- The fault in my stars Focus . Focus . Focus . I chewed on the tip of my pencil as I edited Aerin's manuscript . Focus . " Ah , screw it . " I grumbled my patience snapping as I reached for my phone . 1 voicemail . 5 missed calls . Austin . My finger hovered dangerously over the hear option as I chewed my lip . " Why are you making this so hard Austin ? " I whispered and pressed the delete all option . I had to kick him out of my mind . Tango entered my room with his half chewed tennis ball in his mouth , tail wagging . " Why are boys so complicated , Tango ? " Tango c **** d his head to a side . " I need to get him out of my head . " Tango placed his saliva slicked ball in my hand and yapped . I sighed . " Let's see if playing ball with you can help . " +8 Points I tossed the excited beagle the ball and watched him bring it back to me . I tossed it back to him again and I felt a small smile tug at my lips as Tango chased his tail losing his ball in the process and then getting dizzy and crashing into the couch . What a little goof . I chuckled as my phone rang , it was Blake . " Hey there Blakey . " " Hi Soph , are you free right now ? " " I was working on some editing but yeah .. do you have something in mind ? " " Actually I do , I was in the neighborhood , a new designer wanted to discuss a new modelling project with me , I finished just now and there's this really nice food joint that just opened here , they serve some amazing comfort food , I was wondering if you wanted to join me . " Comfort and food together . Mmm , how can I resist ? I smiled . " Sure ! I would never say no to food ." ២០០០០៩៧ ០៩ E ak DOM DT 111 O 1/5 * Chapter 17- The fault in my stars Blake chuckled . " Atta girl . You want me to pick you up ? " + Points " Nah , its fine , I'll walk , my legs need the exercise , besides its time for Tango's walk too , we'll meet you near Pat's flowers . Okay ? " " Okay . See you . " I ended the call and quickly pulled on some jeans , exchanging my shirt for a turtleneck and tucked my hair in a messy bun . I wore my favourite boots and I was ready to go . There's nothing like good comfort food that could lift your mood . I put a leash on Tango and walked out . My crutches had finally been shoved aside , I could walk without them to short distances and I was working my legs to a longer distance these days . I passed the local park and saw a young couple walk together , hand to hand and felt my heart twist painfully inside my chest . Little things like these made it incredibly hard for me to push him out of my mind . He was like an unwanted piece of me that I wished I didn't need . I passed a newspaper stand and saw Austin and Esmeralda's approaching wedding in the front page highlights . I swallowed , he was everywhere . Trying to forget him was like trying to know someone you never met . I saw Blake waiting near Pat's flowers, looking effortlessly handsome with his chiseled face , sparkling eyes and smiling mouth . He was wearing jeans with a dark sweater and was donning an adorable beanie that added extra charm . I smiled and waved at him as he swept me in a hug . " There you are , it's so good to see you without that cursed wheelchair . How are you feeling ? " Broken . " Fine . " I smiled as Tango yapped happily , placing his two front paws on Blake , wagging his tail . Blake crouched down to pat Tango . " Hey there boy , wow haven't you grown big . I miss your puppy face . " Blake cooed as Tango pushed his head into Blake's chest more than happy . " So .. where's this amazing new place that you've been telling me about , huh ? " " It's time to find out for yourself , senorita . " Blake stood up and offered me his arm and I happily looped it into his as we made our way to the place he was taking me . We chatted about everyday topics , lightly dodging the entire Austin topic to avoid unwanted mood change . We stopped outside a small little cozy joint tucked in the end of the street . The newly painted board saying Joe's Joint was written in cheerful writing as the new glass doors shined in the afternoon sun . The place sure was packed which was surprising considering it was a new place . We decided to sit outside in the garden tables since the inside of the joint was jam packed . I ordered a cheeseburger with curly fries , chicken wings and a chocolate milkshake . I had a stomach of an elephant . Trust me when I say that . Blake ordered some good old macaroni and cheese , a coleslaw sandwich and root beer . " Have you heard from Trish ? It's been quite a while since I heard from her . " Blake asked . " She's really busy these days .. " 14 2/5 OM @ < Chapter 17- The fault in my stars " Because of Marvin's recital ? " +8 Points ) I nodded and loosened Tango's leash . He wasn't exactly a troublesome dog , I trusted him to romp around on his own , I had trained him well . The waitress returned with our orders and we thanked her . I bit into my cheeseburger and moaned as the flavours melted in my mouth . " Oh my gosh , Bwake , thish is sho good . I'm having a foodgasm ." Blake laughed at my declaration . We spoke on light topics as we devoured the food . Blake was right , the food was excellent , it was the epitome of " feel - good - lip - smacking - deliciousness " . I sneaked a few tid bits to Tango who finished them before I could blink . I laughed at Blake's ridiculous impersonations of the customers nearby and clicked selfies with him and felt . a little lighter than I had in a month . The waitress arrived to give us the bill and while me and Blake argued on splitting the bill I felt my chair wobble dangerously . " Whoa ! Sh * t ! " I yelped and gripped my table to avoid being dragged down to the floor , butt - first as Tango fought against the leash to escape which was tied to my chair . " Tango ! Bad boy ! Sit ! " I stood up before I could fall and that was enough for Tango to topple the chair over and run like his tail was on fire . " Holy crap ! " I tried to run behind him but my leg wasn't accustomed to strenuous exercise and I half limped , half jogged behind Tango as Blake tried to explain what happened to the miffed waitress . " Tango ! Stop right there ! " I panted , losing my breath with the sharp pain running up my legs which almost made me lose my balance but I caught myself and slowed down as I saw Tango jump at a random stranger . From my line of vision , I couldn't see who it was because the person had their back to me . This dog is definitely going to end me in a pit of social humiliation . I hurried to catch the little rascal before I could get another earful for not watching over my dog . The stranger picked Tango up and turned around and I stopped , sucking in a sharp breath as my heart skipped a beat . Oh , the fault in my stars . I bit my lip as I tried to tuck the crazy tendrils of loose hair behind my ears and tried to calm myself . " Hi . " Austin's eyes widened before his mouth set into a lazy smile . " Hey there cupcake . Looks like there's no escaping me , is it ? " No , no there isn't . " I'd like my dog back , I'm sorry for the inconvinience . " I tried to sound calm and composed but my blushing face probably ruined my façade . 3/5 11 DOM F O < < Chapter 17 - The fault in my stars " You know being formal , doesn't really help ? " I blushed . Smug bastard . + Points I drew in a long breath . " Look Austin , I don't know what you want from me , but I really need you to stay away from me . " Austin gave me a crooked smile . " But cupcake , doesn't it seem that it is you who can't stay away from me ? " I put a hand on my hip and stared him down . " Technically it was Tango who ran to you and I prefer to call it sheer- co - incidence and bad luck . " Austin stepped closer to me , still smiling . " I call it fate , cupcake . " I bit my cheek . She is your fate , not me . " I'd like to have my dog back . " " On one condition . " I let out a rather unattractive snort . " That's my dog . There are no conditions . " " Oh there are conditions when he is with me . " " Are you kidnapping Tango ? " Austin sighed . " Come on , cupcake , don't be so difficult . " " No. " " Please ? " " No. " I felt my resolve melt as Austin gave me a pleading look . Where on earth did he learn to make puppy dog eyes like that . Damn my stupid heart . " Fine , what is it ?" " Have a cup of coffee with me . " I arched my eyebrow at him , what was he up to ? " But- " " As friends . " I shut my mouth . I felt a painful tug at my heart but I swallowed it back . I asked to be friendzoned , I really did . But why did that sting so much ? Get over yourself Sophia , you can't ask for everything . " I really don't think so . " I mumbled as I lowered my gaze to the ground , staring at my slightly worn boots . Austin put a finger under my chin and made me look into his eyes . His touch sent a spark right to my heart 4/5 M T O < < Chapter 17- The fault in my stars as I bit my lip . " Please cupcake , don't push me out . I know you can't stand me but please . " +8 Points Longing and desire shot through my veins . I wasn't pushing him out , I was protecting myself . What was the point in telling him how I really felt about him? What could we do about it anyway ? We were not supposed to be together . I wanted to open my mouth and tell him what I really felt but I bit my tongue just in time . I sighed , resigned . What was the point of running from him when I always came back to him ? It was like running in circles . " Okay . " Austin raised an eyebrow . I rolled my eyes . " Okay , I'll come with you for coffee , but just as friends . " A flash of emotion ran through his features but it was gone before I could even decipher what it was . Austin smiled clearly victorious . " Let's go then , cupcake . " I rolled my eyes . " Wait a second . " I took out my phone from my pocket and called Blake and informed him my entire solution . To my surprise , Blake actually urged me to have fun . I think every one has lost their mind . I cut my phone and smiled at Austin . " Let's go . " Austin put his hand in mine and led me forward . I felt my breath hitch , it was a friendly gesture but it was enough to send my heart racing . His touch sent every single fibre in my body to another heaven . Feeling my hand entwined in his I felt panic set in , panic because I felt scared . Scared how complete I felt with him , like our hands were meant to fit together perfectly . Until the end of time .