Best Friends… Or more?
I strolled into my father's store, Sonic Boom, and flipped the "Closed" sign to "Open" as I went, yawning. A certain playful, blond boy trailed happily after me, repeating my name over and over until I acknowledged him.
"Yes, Austin?" I turned and smiled at his boyish grin. Austin Moon, my music partner and best friend, was a morning person, which I was definitely not.
"Hey, Ally! I just wanted to say good morning." His large brown eyes danced and glistened as they peered into mine. Those puppy-dog eyes have gotten him into so much mischief. I chuckled to myself at the thought.
"Well now that you've said it, do you mind moving those boxes upstairs to the storage room? I really need some extra help with the inventory today." I said. As he got to work carrying boxes upstairs, I opened the register and polished some of the instruments. I could hear Austin grunting or yelping in pain as he dropped a heavy box on his toe occasionally.
Soon our other best friends, Trish and Dez, arrived, bickering as they always were.
"You promised that you would help me scrub my turtle yesterday!" Dez whined.
"Why would I ever say that?" Trish retorted, rolling her eyes. The small Latino girl had quite a temper.
"I don't know, but Superman needs cleaning, and it is a two person job!" The tall redhead stalked off towards the tubas in the back corner of Sonic Boom.
"His turtle's name is Superman? What on earth…" Trish sighed to herself and walked to the counter where I was silently polishing instruments while eavesdropping on their amusing conversation. "Hey, Ally, how's it going? Wow, you look really tired."
"I had to stay up late last night and finish the summer reading. Even I hated that book!" I exclaimed.
"Ally, we don't have school for another two months! You are such a dork." Trish tossed her voluminous curls over her shoulder, scoffing. Austin jogged down the steps and plopped himself on the counter next to us.
"It's ok, Ally. I think it's cute." He winked and poked me. I felt a blush creeping up to my cheeks. Even though he was my best friend and nothing more, I always got nervous about these flirty comments he would say.
Suddenly, a loud blaring noise shook the whole store, and we all covered our ears. There was a huge crash followed by a girlish scream, and we all yelled "Dez!"
"Sorry! I think I lost my touch on the tuba…" Dez shrugged sheepishly. After all the broken instruments and damaged eardrums, I've accepted that no one can stop Austin and Dez's fooling around, and have learned to embrace it. Sort of.
On my lunch break, I was sitting in the food court sipping my strawberry smoothie, secretly watching Dallas and his adorable hair and smile and skin and eyes and… "Ally!" Austin abruptly interrupted my Dallas-stalking and sat down next to me.
"Oh, sorry. I guess I was distracted. Hey, do you want the rest of my smoothie?" I turned my attention to Austin. His long legs were stretched out under the table, completely taking up my space, just like they always do.
"Sure," he said, taking my smoothie, "Where's your dad? At another convention?"
"Yep, up in Birmingham. It's cellos this time." I smiled at my dad's quirkiness. I didn't really mind being alone at home a lot, especially since Austin liked to keep me company.
"Come over for dinner tonight. My mom is making burgers or something. Anyways, I was hoping we could go to the beach tomorrow?" He looked at me hopefully, knowing my dislike for the sand, sun, and sea. I put up with it sometimes for Austin, but I'd rather spend my time watching a movie, or casually walking past the cell phone accessory cart…
"I guess, but not for the whole day. You know how I hate all that sand in places it shouldn't be." I looked at him firmly. He nodded eagerly, taking whatever he can get. He glanced up at Dallas, and looked back at me. I saw the knowing look he gave me, but ignored it. Why does he always see right through me?
"Just talk to him!" He prompted.
"Definitely not. I just get so nervous and end up completely embarrass myself around him. How do you have so much confidence? Man, I wish I had some of that." I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest.
"It's a gift. You know how I do." He laughed. I rolled my eyes. "But I could try to help you. Teach you some of my amazing moves." Austin suggested.
"We both know how that would turn out. Nope. What's the point, anyways? He would never like me. I'm just… Ally. I'm not fun or anything like you are." I looked down. I know he would try to object and make me feel better, but I know it's the truth.
Austin's warm hand grasped mine while the other forced my chin up, meeting my eyes with his. They burned with determination, and I squirmed under his strong gaze. I just couldn't pretend with Austin. He knew me better than I knew myself.
"Stop. You are great, Ally. I wish you could see how freaking amazing you are! No matter what, I love you." He flashed his famous Austin Moon smile, and I had to smile back.
"Thanks, Austin. I love you too. "As I spoke the words, I realized how much I meant them. The crazy thought went through my mind that maybe I should be with Austin… But, no. I couldn't do that and risk our friendship. I wouldn't be able to live without him if I lost. Every day, I am afraid I will lose everyone. I know they will all leave me someday, and I can't stand it. Austin, in particular. He is such a kind, joyful spirit, and I can't lose him. It's selfish, actually, how much I need and rely on him.
"Hi, Carrie. How are you?" I greeted Austin's mother as she opened the door for me. I could already smell the delicious smells from the kitchen. Austin is so lucky to have a great mom that cooks so well.
"Oh, I am wonderful. And you? I was so happy when Austin said you were coming. You know you're always welcome, Ally." She had the same warm eyes Austin had, and she smiled. I thought of her as my own mom sometimes, since I didn't really have that.
"I'm great. Thanks!" I said. Austin came flying down the stair banister with wet hair and no shirt. He hopped off and grinned at me. I chuckled at the sight of him.
"Ally, come on!" He pulled me quickly back up the stairs and to his room, me waving helplessly to Carrie from his grasp on me. We entered the messy yellow room with a music note on the door. He jumped on his bed, while I took my usual spot in his desk chair.
" Is it possible that this place got messier?" I looked around. I was itching to clean, but resisted.
Ignoring my comment, he eagerly thrusted some papers into my hands. "I got some lyrics to a song, look!"
I read them over, and my eyes widened as I did. "Wow, Austin, these are great. When did you come up with these?"
"Last night. I couldn't sleep, so I just started writing!" He grinned, and it felt as if the world was suspended for a moment. It's like I caught a glimpse at true happiness in that one flash of a smile, and I was hypnotized. I couldn't help but mentally smack myself for thinking these weird thoughts about him. He's my best friend, for crying out loud!
"This is awesome. We should totally finish it so it can be your next hit! Looks like you won't be needing me very much anymore." I looked away from his eyes, fearing his absence from my life.
"Um, no. That will never happen Ally! I'm always gonna need you! Are you kidding?" Austin came over to me and poked me in the ribs. He grabbed a towel and dried his hair. I couldn't stop myself from staring at his toned stomach…
"Stop it, Ally!" I whispered.
"Huh?" He turned to me, a look of confusion on his face.
"Oh, nothing. Hey, let's go help your mom with dinner." I said, and left the room, avoiding his intuitive cocoa eyes.
We sat out on the Moons' back porch while we ate, with the beautiful flowers and sunlight shining. I loved their backyard. It was a place I wish I had grown up with, instead of our small, woodsy yard. Carrie had made great burgers with potato salad, and I was grateful for a good meal. My dad didn't really cook much at home, and I didn't have the time, since I normally worked the later shifts at the store.
"So how is Lester?" Carrie asked me.
"He's doing fine. I'm sure he's having fun up at his cello convention." I told her. Austin was passionately eating his burger next to me.
"That's good. Don't you get lonely over there all the time? I'm sure you wish he'd stay home more often. I know I miss Brett when he's out of town." She questioned with concern.
"Sometimes. I don't really miss him as much as I wish I had my mom around with me. It was different when she was here." Oops, I said too much. I don't like talking much about my mother. But it's just too easy to talk to Carrie. Austin straightened up at my words. He has always been curious about my mom, but I haven't said much, and he doesn't push me.
"I understand. I would be miserable without my mother. Do you talk with her much? Do you know where she is nowadays? Boy, I remember when I used to see her around the grocery store. She was always very friendly…" Carrie trailed off, knowing when to stop talking, in case she had said too much. My mother was a touchy subject around here, and everyone knew it.
"Um, no. I haven't heard from her at all." I say, abruptly ending the topic of conversation. Austin gives me a worried look, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. I push my potato salad around my plate, knowing they were both looking at me. I hate that look of pity when people talk about my mom.
"Well, now have you heard about that storm coming through tonight? I heard it would be pretty rough. You should stay over here." She says, moving on from the awkward silence. I'm glad she has, although I can still see Austin deep in thought.
"Yeah, I have. Maybe I should stay over, if you don't mind." I don't like all the Miami storms we get, and I hate being alone during the loud thunder and pouring rain.
"We can pull a mattress in my room." Austin says, finally speaking up.
"Can I trust you two in there alone?" Carrie says jokingly. I laugh nervously, and Austin looks down and blushes.
After I had gone to get my pajamas and toiletries for our little sleepover, I texted Trish and asked her to close up the store early. She's been helping around Sonic Boom some when my dad is out of town, and I can count on her, most of the time.
I went back over to Austin's house, and he opened the door for me right as I got there.
"Were you waiting for me?" I asked him.
"Pshh, no." He says with a laugh. Leading me up to his bedroom, I notice how good his hand feels in mine. It's tough yet warm, and makes me feel safe. I don't ever want to let go, even though I know I should.
I see the mattress set up right next to the bed, and I drop my things onto it. Austin looks over and moves them to his bed.
"What's that for?" I ask.
"You're sleeping on the bed, I'm sleeping on the floor. What do you think? I'm a good host." He says, smiling to himself. I push him playfully.
"No, I can sleep on the floor. You don't have to move!"
"But I want to!"
"But-"
"No." He says, and gives me a stern look. I bust out laughing. I love his facial expressions.
"Hey, I got us some movies we can watch. Look, I even got you a chick flick." He told me, holding up a movie with a man and woman in each other's arms in the rain, about to kiss.
"I'm not the only one here who likes chick flicks! You loved The Notebook when I made you watch it." I giggle at him, and he tosses a pillow at my head. "What? It's true!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Don't forget, I still have all of the Zaliens movies…" He smirks.
A/N: Soooo…. What do you think? That's my first story! It's kind of boring, and pretty long. But I will definitely add chapters! Please review it. I need yall to help me out here!
I don't own Austin & Ally, or anything else. (The Notebook)
