Billionaire's Childhood Love

IX. Buckets of Anxiety

Hailey's POV:

I know the look on my face - guilt, and anxiety. Buckets of anxiety.

I swallowed and looked at Josh, whose soul had not returned.

"My...My dorm room?" I asked.

"Yes. Your dorm room," mom said. She's not playing around. She wants to see it, and she won't leave until she's satisfied with the result.

"Right. My dorm room," my voice trembled, "is...is over there." I pointed towards the area where all the dormitories are located.

"Well, why are we standing around? Let's go," mom said.

All the boys groaned.

"Boys. Why don't you go to the food court with Jada, Juliette, and the guards," Mrs.Greyson said. "I have an odd feeling we're going to stay at the dorms for a while."

One by one, they left.

"Why are you still here?" Josh asked Ahmend.

Ahmend broke in a wide grin, "And miss everything? No way!" He smacked his hands together, "Allow me to escort you all to the Golden Dorms." He skips towards the dorms, "Come! Come!" He waved a hand at us.

All three adults looked at us with suspicion before they followed Ahmend.

Once we're out of range, I grabbed Josh's shirt. "Explanation! Excuses?!"

How can I explain to my parents that I'm staying in a room with not one but two boys!

Josh smiled, "At my funeral, I would like it if there are no flowers. I'm not allergic, but the scent makes me sneeze."

"Josh," I hissed.

"And I would like it if everyone dresses casually. I don't want my funeral to look like someone died." He laughs, but I could hear the sadness behind it.

"I'm serious."

He stops smiling, "Me too."

We reached the front of the dorms, "Here we are." Ahmend's positive aura is making me even more depressed.

In front of the dorms, I spotted Austin with two women. They were in light-colored dresses and wore large hats.

"Austin!" Josh screamed. If I didn't know any better, I would think Josh is buying time.

Austin turned around and smiled, "Hey!" We met in the middle. "Mrs.Greyson, as beautiful as ever." He kisses the back of her palm.

Mrs.Greyson smiled, "Nice to see you again, Austin."

His eyes went towards my parents, "Good day. I am Austin Delford. You must be Hailey's parents."

Mom smiles, "I'm Stephanie, and this is my husband, Kevin."

"Pleasure." Austin gave my parents a handshake. Then, he stepped aside, "This is my mother and younger sister."

"Hello. I'm Loretta. Austin's mother. And this is my daughter Savannah. Savannah, baby, say hello."

Savannah smiles, and her freckled cheeks plump, "Hello, sir. Hello ma'am."

Everyone's moods seem to brighten with Savannah's appearance.

"Is Abby not here?" Mrs.Greyson question.

"Abby is back home with Beau and dad to wrap up some things. They're coming tomorrow, ma'am," Austin replied.

Josh lowered himself, "Abby is Abigail Martinez, Jackson's younger sister," he whispered. "She's engaged to Beau, Austin's older brother."

My mouth widens at the sudden connection. I never knew that.