So, I'm sorry that this is off to a bit of a slow start, but I've already got plans for this one… I really hope it turns out alright! As always, I don't own the show… if I did Ross would have already realized that we are meant to be together. Okay, that's all!

Everyone in Sonic Boom turned their heads toward the television as the anchorman turned the news over to the journalist. The woman in a suit appeared, a stark contrast against the crowd of the scantily-clad teenage girls surrounding her.

"For the first time in two years, international superstar Austin Moon is bringing his tour back to the place where it all started, Miami." she paused for a moment as a few girls screamed from behind her, "Just three years ago, Austin seemingly appeared out of nowhere with his viral music video, 'Double Take'. From there he quickly rose to the top, taking over local, then national radio stations with his catchy, upbeat singles. By the time he had released his first studio album, his fans were already demanding a tour… from there Austin began his ascent to superstardom, moving to California and taking the music industry by storm."

I watched the clips flash before my eyes, of all the videos that they had shot in various places around town… his hair was longer then. A few clips of fans screaming in languages I honestly did not know as Austin walks by, on his way to various concerts, shooting winks and award-winning smiles in their direction. Then there were more recent photographs: him playing at Times Square with Lady Gaga just before the countdown (people hadn't stopped talking about it for days); him at the red carpet premiere of his silver-screen debut, Starstruck; candid shots snapped by paparazzi during his vacation in Puerto Rico, of him and his girlfriend… London… Paris… Sicily?

Hundreds of girls erupted into screams as the blonde began to make his way to the SUV outside of the airport…Austin had never been one to hide from his fans. The camera zoomed in just in time to catch a wink and a grin to a group who'd proclaimed their love. He made a heart shape with his hands before holding the door for a skinny blonde who'd apparently been trailing a few feet behind him.

As the journalist signed off, I casually hit the power button on the remote, letting my mind go blank as I watched it fade to black.

"Maria?" The brunette looked up from the corner where she had been polishing the acoustic guitars. "You're on the register now… I'm taking my break."

"…Wherever you go,

Whatever you do,

I will be right here waiting for you.

Whatever it takes,

And how my heart breaks,

I will be right here waiting for you."

"Waiting for you…" I echoed, letting the note slowly fade as my fingers danced across the keys, producing a beautiful, familiar melody. As they came to a stop, I allowed my thoughts to wander for a moment in the poignant silence.

"I said, no running near the instruments!" Maria shouted, her accent becoming thicker in her frustration as rolls of her tongue dotted her words.

"I know, I know- I'm sorry!" A few more exclamations followed, along with a loud bang. "I'll pay for that!" The well-known voice offered, noticeably nearer.

Without a knock or signal of arrival, the door swung open and shut within a moment, revealing an equally familiar face. I mirrored his grin as he stood before me, unable to control myself from launching my arms around his scrawny frame.

"Oh my gosh, Dez!" I exclaimed, stepping back and examining his slightly more stylish wardrobe (well, he had finally begun to wear normal colored jeans and his shoes at least matched each other… so that was an improvement.) "How are you?"

"Good, good…" he muttered, his eyes wandering away from me as he examined the renovated practice room, "Something's different about this place."

"Dez," I rolled my eyes as a smile spread across my face, truly feeling at home for the first time this summer, "Everything's different about this place… well, almost everything." I added eyeing my old piano and the refrigerator that my father swore was too expensive to replace.

"Oh, I like what you've done with the windows."

I nodded as I followed his gaze to the only other unchanged piece of the room… vividly remembering the last time they'd been touched and all the chaos that had immediately ensued.

We seemed to lapse into a silence as I stood lamely, watching Dez peruse the room. After a few moments, he strode over to the piano and began tapping a few random keys, and commenting on how well-tuned it sounded.

"Dez…?" I prompted, as he cast a confused glance in my direction. "You wanted something?"

His face lit up as everything seemed to rush back to him in a wave of excitement.

"Oh," he paused a moment as he recollected his thoughts, seemingly focusing hard as he chose his words… "Austin's back."

I watched him expectantly for a moment, before remembering who I was talking to and realizing that this was apparently the big news.

"So I've heard…"

"We're having a welcome home party on the beach at seven." he finally got to the point, "You know… if you can come."

I froze in place as I mentally began to search my schedule for any little thing that could keep me at the shop tonight… Um, I had to lock up. My dad was out of town. Oh, shoot, today was Wednesday night and every Wednesday night we had to take inventory… of every item in the store… manually.

"He'd really love to see you again." Dez offered, as I looked up to find his focus intimidating and unwavering.

My eyes flickered around the room, before hesitantly making their way back to his grey-blue stare. A fleeting moment later, I could feel my conscience eating me alive.

"Seven?" I don't think he hears my voice squeak as I question, before taking a deep breath and turning to face the window.

"Seven." I automatically turn to face him, his eyes softening and gaining a little more sparkle as a grin spread across his face.

I'm not too sure how that went (first chapters are always quite iffy) but I don't really have anything to say except to review if you want another chapter of the story. It's simple: if you don't tell me what you want, then I'm not going to know.