~~~IMPORTANT PLEASE READ~~~

This chapter has been rewritten as of Dec 1st, 2015. This will not effect the plot line of any future chapters.


Ally's POV

"Another dreadful day of being me," I thought to myself as my alarm clock beeped continuously beside me. I didn't want to get out of bed, nor did I want to go to school, but I knew that if I didn't I would regret it. I hesitantly rolled out of bed and trudged to my closet, skimming through my clothes impetuously. I decided on a pair of black, baggy sweats with a blue t-shirt. I didn't care much about what I wore, it didn't matter what I looked like as long as I was comfortable. I made my way into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water warm up for a little before I hopped in. I didn't care how good my grades were, or how much I studied. I hated school, and not because of the teachers, or the horrid school lunches. I hated it because of him. Austin Moon. For 12 years now, Austin has made my life a living hell. Why? I wasn't sure. Every day was hell, name calling, pushing, shoving. You name it, he's probably done it. And it all got even worse when my mother died giving birth to my little brother, every word stung even more now, and hearing him talk about my mother; as if he knew what was going on in my life, angered me. I thought things couldn't get any worse after my mother's passing, but I soon found out I was wrong when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. For a while, things stayed the same, he continued working, I went to school, and Ryan went to the babysitters. But things took a turn for the worst when money became tighter, it became harder and harder for my father to get treatment, and take care of Ryan and I. So without a thought my father stopped treatment. Thing went downhill fast, my father became more and more ill as the days went by, and not long after my 16th birthday he had to quit his job. Soon after I had to get a job to start supporting Ryan and I. And ever since then, I've been working the same job at Sonic Boom. I wouldn't lie, it was hard, going to school every day and working until night time was hard. But I wouldn't have to worry about school much longer, I would be graduating in a few months. After that I would work my job at sonic boom from 9 to 5 and take care of my brother and father.

I stepped out of the shower, and shook my thoughts. I dried my hair and threw on my clothes, then I grabbed my backpack and made my way into the living room, where Ryan was busy watching TV.

"Come on Ry, it's time to go," I said. He nodded his head and turned off the TV. I waited patiently as he made his way to the front door and put on his shoes. He looked up at me after a moment, a bright smile worn on his face as he finished putting on his favorite light up shoes.

"Ready?" I asked. He nodded his head and opened the front door. Ryan was never much of a talker, even before all of this stuff started happening with my father. But I will admit that things did take a turn for the worst when he found out about it. Ryan doesn't say a single word anymore, he nods and shakes his head and waves. That was the only form of communication I was able to get out of him. I knew that he was probably hurting, I couldn't blame him, if I could get away with not talking I would.

I walked out to my father's old, red truck and helped Ryan into the car. With help, he buckled in. I shut the door and made my way to the driver's side, hopping in and starting the car. We drove in silence to the babysitter's house.

"We're here," I said, as I pulled into the drive way. I unbuckled and waited silently as Ryan unbuckled himself. Soon enough, I heard his seatbelt unlatch and I got out of the car, opening the door for him in the process. I took hold of his hand as we trudged up the steps.

"This is Jessica's new house," I announced. Ryan smiled happily, gazing in awe at the house, Jessica had been telling him for weeks and weeks about what her new house was going to look like. And even though Ryan didn't speak much, I knew he was excited. He let go of my hand and rang the door bell continuous times, bouncing on his tippy toes as he waited impatiently for her to answer the door.

"Ryan ! Ally! So nice to see you two, do you like the new place?" she questioned as she opened the door. Ryan nodded his head, grinning from ear to ear.

"I love it Jessica, it's beautiful," I said, eyeing her big, green yard in awe. For a second, I wished that I could own a property like this sometime in the future. I knew it wouldn't be possible though, I was taking care of my father and moving while he was sick didn't sound like such a good idea. I felt selfish for even thinking about it.

Jessica grabbed hold of Ryan's hand and ushered him into the house; "There are some toys in that room," she said, pointing to a room that was out of my view; "You can go play in there while I finish talking to Ally." He nodded his head and removed his shoes, he waved at me before disappearing into the other room.

"So how's your dad? Does he seem to be getting any better?" she asked, a worried expression worn on her face.

I shook my head, my eyes filled with tears, talking about my dad was tough; "No, he actually seemed a little worse last night, but I'm trying to hold onto hope, maybe one day he'll start feeling better, who knows."

"Yeah, you're right, who knows, I'm sorry Ally, I'm sure everything will get better," she replied, pulling me into a right hug. My dad was my everything, losing him would totally ruin me.

"Well, it's almost 7:30, I should probably get going." I said, as she released me from her hug and nodded.

"Alright, well I'll see you at 3:00 then."

I nodded my head and walked off, clearing my mind of our previous conversation, talking about my dad was not how I wanted to start my day.

I made it to school and parked in my usual spot. I gathered my things before exiting the car, I made sure to keep my head down as I walked through the parking lot, I didn't want anyone seeing me. Running into trouble this early in the morning was not on my agenda. I walked through the halls silently, until my best friend Trish joined me.

"Hey," she said in her usual joyful tone.

"Hey Trish, what's up?" I replied.

She shrugged "Oh, the usual, what about you?" she turned to me, a worried expression worn on her face. She was the only person, besides Jessica and the principal, that knew what was going on with me, at times I felt like telling her these things would be a burden, but no matter what I had to say, Trish always listened with open ears, and was even willing to give me advice in certain situations.

"Same here, just trying to stay invisible, as always," I said with a light chuckle.

She sighed heavily; "Ally, you can't do this forever, you only have a couple months of senior year left, enjoy it!" she beamed. I looked at her in disbelief.

"How in the world am I supposed to be happy when I have to work 24/7, support my brother, father and myself, and watch as my dad crumbles by the minute?!" I quietly exclaimed.

"I'm sorry… I just want you to make the best out of your senior year. You know you have been bullied by Austin since kindergarten, you haven't been able to enjoy school much because of him," she informed me.

"Oh wow! I didn't know that, even though I am the one who's been put through all this hell for the past 12 years," I reminded her sarcastically.

"Sorry…. Again…." She replied quietly.

"It's alright Trish."

"I just want you to experience school like everyone else has, you haven't even gone to your first party yet, you've never been to a dance, and I just… I want you to finish high school with no regrets," she mumbled. I smiled halfheartedly. I knew that it hurt her to see me like this, but by now I would have expected her to be used to it. She had known me since the first day of pre-school after all.

"I know, I want to do all those things too, I just feel bad being happy while my dad is cooped up in his room, sick, and sad," I replied, holding back tears.

"Don't you think your dad wants you to be happy? If he found out what's been happening to you for these past 12 years, it would make him feel even worse since he wasn't there to help defend you," she pointed out. I looked up at Trish, forgetting about hiding for a moment as I realized she was right. I never thought about it that way.

"You're right, I… I just don't know how to be happy."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't know how to be happy anymore. If there was a contest on who could be the happiest, I would lose in last place."

We walked in silence for a moment as she thought up something to say; "Well…. Happy isn't something that you force on yourself, happy is something that comes naturally," she replied.

"Well, nothing other than sadness will be coming naturally to me," I sighed deeply and stopped at my locker.

"And why is that?" she asked.

I hesitantly turned around and pointed to the tall blonde boy standing in front of his locker, chatting up a girl. Austin moon. The bane of my existence.

"Oh," she mumbled; "I'm sorry Ally," she said once again. I shook my head and turned back to my locker, putting in the combination and retrieving my books.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," I said.

"Well, I should probably get going, class starts soon, and I haven't gotten my things yet."

I nodded my head and bid her a quick goodbye before she turned around and headed to her locker. And just like that, I was alone again, in the crowded halls of Marino High. I began making my way to homeroom, the quicker I got there, the better. I could get my favorite seat in the back of the classroom.

Just as I began to round the corner to my homeroom class, I ran into someone. My books falling from my hands. I immediately fell to my knees, attempting to retrieve them before the person exploded on me. But before I could finish, I was picked up by the collar of my shirt, and pushed into a locker. I squeezed my eyes shut in agony.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here," he said. I knew that voice anywhere.

"It's Dawson, it's been a while since I've seen you," he spat. Austin Moon.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. This is what I went through every day, and it was starting to get on my nerves.

"Oh it's you," I whispered.

"What was that Dawson? I didn't hear you, say it again?" I turned my gaze back to my shoes, not daring to speak another word.

"Dawson! I SAID what the hell was that?" he ordered. I still didn't speak, by now there were a few people crowding around us.

"Oh I see. You're playing the quiet game, you can't play that for too long Dawson. Because I swear by the end of the day you'll be running to your mommy and daddy, crying for help," he said, smirking. I was furious, I didn't have a parent to run off to, and even if I did, I doubt I would.

"Back off," I mumbled.

"Wait, you're speaking again? What was that?" he cupped his ear.

"I said, back off."

"Hold on, am I hearing you wrong? Say it again?" He stated, leaning closer.

"I SAID BACK THE FUCK OFF!" I yelled. He shot back and looked at me, anger boiling in his eyes,

He chuckled venomously; "Well lookly here, Dawson's gotten bold," I rolled my eyes. I wasn't sure what came over me, but I liked it.

I nodded my head and ached a brow; "Yeah? And what the fuck are you going to do about it?" I quipped, standing up straight.

"You might want to watch the way you talk to me Dawson, I don't mind humiliating you, right here, right now," he threatened.

I rolled my eyes, I was sick of being treated this way, I would not back down; "Go ahead and do It then ass hole, you've done it tons of other times, only difference is I didn't have the nerve to stand up to you then."

"You think that just because you told me to back off, you're some tough shit huh?" he questioned.

"Hell yeah I do, now are you going to stand here and continue to waste my time or are you actually going to do something?"

He looked at me for a moment, before turning around and walking away. I couldn't believe myself. I stood up to Austin moon!

"All talk no walk!" I blurted in his direction. He turned around and sent me a death glare, but continued on his way.

After School

I stepped out of my truck and headed up to Jessica's front door. I rang the doorbell, and waited quietly for her to answer.

"Hey Ally! How was your day at school?" she asked, inviting me inside.

"Oh, today was actually really good, I stood up to Austin today, I feel like I'm on top of the world," I said, smiling widely.

"Wow that's so great to hear! I'm proud of you for standing up to Austin! Ryan is in the other room watching Spongebob* I'm going to go get him." I nodded my head and decided to look around for a moment, she still had a few boxes scattered around the place, but it was still really nice. I admired the color scheme she had going on in the living room. Blues and an off white color made the room stand out more. I admired the room a little more until I felt two small arms wrap around my leg.

"Hey Ryan! How was your day?" I asked. He gave me a thumbs up, a wide grin appearing on his face.

I looked up at Jessica; "As usual, thank you so much for watching Ryan."

"It's no biggie really, I love him."

"I should probably get going, Trish is coming over to study and I'd hate to be late."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow morning Ally."

I took 60 dollars from my pocket, placed it on the coffee table, and left. We made it home at 3:45.

"Would you like a juice box?" I asked Ryan,

He nodded his head as he removed his shoes and followed me into the kitchen. I retrieved a juice box from the fridge and gave it to him; "You can go watch TV in my room, my friend's are coming over soon and I wanna get everything ready."

He nodded his head and made his way up the stairs, I followed behind him to check on my dad. I slowly crept the door open.

"Dad, you awake?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm awake Al's, how was your day?" he questioned.

"It was great, I had a lot of fun today, my math teacher told me I have the highest grade in her class right now!" I beamed.

"Well that's nice to hear, I'm proud of you."

"What about you, how do you feel?" I questioned, even though I already knew his answer. It was the same almost every day.

"To be honest, I'm feeling a lot worse than I felt yesterday," he replied, coughing; "You know I only have a bit left in me," he stated, a sorrowed look worn on his face.

"Yeah…. I know… I just don't want to believe it. I want you to be okay, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I know Ally, but I'll be looking down at you from above, you'll always be my little angel and I'll always be by your side, rather you see me or not," he replied, as a reassuring smile appeared on his face.

"Do you need anything?" I asked.

"No, nothing right now, a little bit of rest would be nice," he said. I nodded my head.

"Alright, I'll let you sleep then, call me if you need me," I replied, as I closed the door. I wiped away a few tears as I made my way back downstairs. I hated seeing my dad like this, it wasn't fair, why did he have to be sick? I didn't care how selfish I sounded, I needed my dad here, on this earth with me. If my mother couldn't be here, then I at least needed him. I went into the kitchen and retrieved some snacks for Trish and I, then I sat them on the coffee table.

I waited impatiently for Trish, and soon enough she was here. I went to the door and answered it.

"Hey Ally!" I hope you don't mind that I brought Dez along," she said, stepping inside.

"No, I don't mind at all," Dez was her new boyfriend, who just happened to be Austin's best friend. I don't have a problem with him so I didn't mind him being here.

"Hey Ally," he said, smiling.

I waved at him and sat on the sofa;"I say we start with chemistry," I said, pulling the book from my bag.

"Okay…. Dez, tell her," Trish demanded. I looked up at them.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Dez has something to tell you," she replied, nudging him in his side.

"Alright… what is it then?"

He nervously scratched the back of his head; "Well… uh…. No offence or anything, but the way you dress is kind of… bad."

"Who are you to tell me, you don't dress any better," I quipped, looking him up and down.

"Hey, my style is unique and awesome according to trish," he said, smiling. I looked back at Trish who was shaking her head rapidly and mouthing the word "No."

"So what if my style is bad, I mean it's me, I don't need to be different."

"Oh Ally, come on you dress like an old man at a rundown garage sale, I know you have some good clothes in there why don't you wear them?" Trish asked.

"My mom gave them to me, it would hurt to wear them," I replied.

"Well don't you think your mom would be happy if you wore the clothes she gave you?"

"Yeah…B-….Sh-…..we…. fine what do you what me to do?" I asked, throwing my hands up in defeat.

"Well I'll be over here first thing in the morning to help you get dressed. I'm bringing my makeup and some shoes," she said.

I nodded my head and rolled my eyes; "Alright, can we get on with studying now?" I asked. Trish nodded her head and grabbed the chemistry book from her bag, Dez took a seat beside me and searched for his. As she began to flip through the pages of her book, I couldn't help but look at her attire. Cheetah print pants with a turquoise shirt and a black vest, her hair was pulled into a tight, black bun. Her style was cute for her, but not my cup of tea. I couldn't help but wonder, what the HELL did I just agree to?


Oh My gosh! Yay its heart skips a beat! I'm so happy right now! Introducing a new AWESOME story WHOOOOOOO.

Its been a long process trying to get the other chapter to Vegas up and everything. I'm so happy right now.

:D Anyway, I've been wanting to say this for like ever.

-Makes serious face-

I'm Nikki, and get ready for the exciting journey through a whole new world.

-looks away, looks again, looks away-

-Slow motion walks away-