Follow You, Follow Me

Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to The Disney Channel or Austin and Ally. Any characters not related to the show is that of my own creation and the plot itself is that of my own work.

Author's Notes: This is my first attempt at an Austin & Ally fic. I'm writing this for story for my cousin who loves the show and fan fiction fanatic. This story will deal with some mature and sensitive topics so certain chapters the rating will change. The title of the story was inspired by the Genesis' "Follow You Follow Me" song and some of the inspirations for the story are from a few movies which I'll reveal sometime during the story. The majority of the it will be a Auslly shipper and I hope you all enjoy the story.

Summary: Austin is a teen determine to get his life back on track after treatment for bipolar disorder. He connects with Ally, the daughter of an old family friend who has dealt with her fair share of trauma. The two become close as they cope with their problems.

Chapter One: Hoping for Clean Slates

Austin's POV

This has been the routine of my supposed "vacation" for the last four months. Literally speaking, most teens my age would be thrilled to have their spring break extend pass one week. However, the ideas of rest and relaxation of this supposed getaway of mine includes an itinerary of daily dosage of prescribed medications, regular psychiatric evaluations, group therapy sessions, dealing with mental illness and one on one sessions with the psychiatrist.

It wasn't like I chose to voluntary go on vacation and spend four months away from Miami unless you're my parents. On the contrary at least I was provided with a tutor in order to help me keep up with my studies and hopefully graduate on time from high school. I watch as Dr. Brady is writing down notes in his book as we begin another day of mandatory therapy.

"I'm impressed Austin with the progress you've made these last couple of months" He complimented me but should I be proud of myself? People who knew of my situation would think otherwise of me instead.

"Well I'm not sure if you call it progress if you're being mandated to take a bunch of pills and talk about your feelings to keep yourself in line." I said, scoffing.

"But you must be excited to go home in two weeks before the start of the new school year."

The thought and mention of school got to me. I know that the upcoming school year everything will be different. "Okay, so I'm excited to go home and I miss Miami I admit. Heck, I even miss seeing my parents' somewhat lame mattress store. Gosh, what I put them through…is it…"

"We've talked about this many times Austin your parents understand and you know why they did what they did." Dr. Brady reassures me. "They felt you needed help to cope with your mental illness."

"Yeah but look where it got me. I mean…I'm not going to be the person I was before all of this happened. I wasn't aware of what I did but it got me into some serious trouble and my social life went down the toilet doc. I know it's going to be a dotting task trying to get my life back on track. From what my parents told me we're living in a neighbourhood close to one of our old family friends. I'm going to spend the next two years in the public high school system, but maybe it might be a nice change I assume."

"You sound uncertain but at the same time you sound determine to get your life back on track. You told me about your aspirations and love for music and how you want to pursue it in the future. It can be beneficial and a coping mechanism to keep your condition in check. Think about this upcoming school year as wiping the slate clean." Dr. Brady suggested but how am I suppose to do that when I got this problem to deal with.

"You make it sound easy and for the record, yes I do want to pursue music in the future. The thing I'm worried about is facing the same criticism and stigma I dealt with after my first episode. One day I can be calm as a soft summer breeze, the next day I can go nuclear like a bomb. Can't there be a way I can be normal and not have my emotions go haywire all the time?"

"The second my diagnosis came out it sophomore year turned out to be hell for me. I don't know what was worse: my first psychotic episode, the incident with Mr. Horton the English teacher, or finding out about your girlfriend's affair with the social chair president?" I continued trying to keep calm and collective. "I'm known as the nutcase that beat the pulp out of the school's social chair president and publicly trashed Cassidy's car resulting in a restraining order filed by her family. I mean it was more than anger management issues was it? Or maybe I overreacted."

"And despite your diagnosis, you can still live a normal life. Tell me Austin, what do you want out of this whole experience?"

Obviously the doc had to ask the million dollar question and the logic answer was to say for things to go back to what it was before. However, I know once I'm back in Miami it's going to be a whole new ballgame. Suddenly, a thought came to me as I replied.

"I like to say I want things to go back to normal but there is no normal is there? I got to deal with this thing and manage my condition on a daily basis. If I could ask of what I want when I go back home," I said looking at Dr. Brady and gave him what I consider an honest answer. "I want…I'm just hoping for something out of norm while I try to get my so called hectic life back on track. Does that seem for too much to ask?"

Ally's POV

"Are you serious? You're doing this to me again Elliot. This is the third time you bailed out on me again," I sighed once again leaning my elbow on the store counter. It's been the same routine over and over the last couple of months. I'm staring daggers into my boyfriend's eyes showing my frustration and disappointment once again. Of all the days today this was when I needed his support.

"I know I'm sorry but today is quarter final game for the club. I can't afford to miss it and besides I'm starting," Elliot replied seeing him ready in his soccer uniform to play once again in his stupid little tournament. I rub my round stomach trying to ease the tension and hoping to keep myself calm. "Please Ally try to understand what this game means to me and my family is going to be there."

"Family? Oh you mean the people who months ago try to pay me off to get rid of this baby I'm carrying so I don't ruin your chances of getting into an Ivy League school in the next two years?" I pointed to the pregnant belly which was in full view and not so obvious to hide. "Ever since we started dating they have disapproved of me from day one. I feel like I'm in a losing battle with you trying to compromise with you and you're not making an effort."

"I understand Ally but please don't be upset with me. I'm sorry I missed your doctor's appointment and I wasn't there for the latest ultrasound scan. At least, can you compliment me in making an effort to step up and take responsibility?" He asked trying to plead with me.

This was what disappointed me and it was the fact that Elliot wasn't coming to terms with the revelation that we were about to head into our junior year of high school as teenage parents. I wanted this pregnancy over with because sophomore year was one I wanted to forget. How I managed to survive that school year during my pregnancy was a testament all in itself. It was one of the unexpected traumas that plagued my adolescence life up to this point. I dealt with the rumours, the gossips, the demeaning comments from my peers, a hinge in what was left of my reputation and constant disapproval from Elliot's family.

If it wasn't for the support of my dad, and my best friends Trish and Dez and also Elliot to some degree, I don't know what would have become of me during sophomore year. Elliot promised he help Trish and Dez with planning the baby shower as a compromise for his lack of support lately. After we finish our discussion he left Sonic Boom and headed off to his soccer game. Once Elliot left my dad arrived back at the store carrying a package he picked up at the post office.

"Let me guess Elliot apologize again for missing your appointment?" my dad asked hoping to comfort me.

"Pretty much and then he left for another soccer game with his local house league team," I said with a bit of dejection. I mentioned to my dad that Elliot promised to help with the baby shower since my due date was fast approaching. My dad has been my biggest supporter throughout my pregnancy despite the string of uneventful incidents that befell my family. I recall when I broke the news of my pregnancy to my family and timing wasn't on our side. However, I had their support but like Elliot's family disapproving of me and our relationship, my family and friends had their doubts about Elliot's commitment.

"If you want honey I can always call up your brother Quentin to knock some sense of responsibility into that baby daddy of yours." My dad replied in a sarcastic manner of speaking. My siblings were protective of me since I was the baby of the family and I saw through them what they thought about Elliot. "He'll be down in Miami on the next flight in no time."

"Yeah I know it's Quentin's job to keep an eye on his baby sister just like what Avery and Scarlet would do with him and me when we were kids." The mention of my oldest brother and sister left a pang in both my dad and me. However, he just looks at me and smiles hearing their names though I know as a parent their absence still gets to him. Minutes later my dad suggest I open up the package my mom sent from Africa in the practice room while he offered to watch the store.

I made my way upstairs into my private practice room collecting my thoughts. I open it to see a new baby blanket she sent for her new grandchild. I sit on the sofa gently rubbing my stomach. I looked at the picture on my table my dad has of me with Scarlet, Avery and Quentin along with my parents. It was the last family picture we took before the incident. Between my pregnancy, the status of my relationship with Elliot and the state of my family it's a lot to handle. Slowly I reach for the picture holding it in my hand lost in thought.

"If there's anything I could wish for this upcoming school year…is to start everything over on a clean slate." I said to myself but staring particularly at Scarlet and Avery's picture in the family picture. "I wish you guys were around to give me your naive, poor old defenceless baby sister some advice. Adolescence is more dramatic than you expect it. So I gotta ask…how am I suppose to hold it together and wipe the slate clean? I wish I could change the past and hope things would be what they use to be. But if you guys aren't here for me, then who will when the time comes everything will fall apart around you?"