one.
Ally stifled a yawn as she padded downstairs to get the mail. A few minutes earlier, she had heard the familar clang of the metal letter box opening and shutting, and she dragged herself out of bed to collect it.
She would have liked another hour in bed, but she supposed it was time to get up, and start doing things.
Bending down, Ally grabbed the bundle of letters, and padded towards the kitchen.
"Bill, bill, acordian society letter- thats Dads, anyway," Ally mumbled as she flipped through the pile. "Bill, junk mail, fancy looking letter for Ally Dawson, bill-"
Ally stopped herself mid-sentence. "Fancy looking letter for Ally Dawson? Thats's me!" She made the all too obvious declaration to the empty kitchen.
Dumping the other letters on the table, Ally ripped open the cream envelope that was addressed to her, scanning the contents quickly.
"Ally Dawson," She mumbled aloud. "We are pleased to be able to offer you a place at Brooker Phillips Academy of Preforming Arts in New York for the forthcoming school year.."
Realisation dawned on Ally as she re-read the opening sentence of the letter over, and over. Brooker Phillips? That was the school Austin was always talking about! From what she had gathered from his excited gibbering about the school, it was one of the best in the country.
Ally couldn't help but snort. Why were they sending her a letter then?
Fumbling in her pocket, Ally unlocked her cell phone, and called the number she knew all too well at this point.
"Austin?" She could barely hold in her excitment. "You are never going to believe this-"
"You're never going to believe what I just got Ally-" Austin said, cutting her off.
"I got a letter from Brooker Phillips!" Ally practically yelled down the phone.
"I got a letter from- wait, what?"
"I got a letter from Brooker Phillips, that boarding school you're always talking about." Ally repeated.
"Ally, this is amazing! I got one too!"
"You did?"
"Yeah!" Ally could almost see her best friend nodding furiously, his blonde hair flying everywhere.
"Why did we get letters from them?" Ally questioned. "I mean, I can understand you getting one-"
"Are you forgetting that you're the one who writes pretty much all my songs?" Austin interrupted, his tone laughing. "You're really talented Ally."
"This feels surreal." Ally commented. "They offered you a scholarship too, right?"
"A full scholarship, yeah."
"Wow, this is just.." Ally couldn't quite put it into words.
"I know." Austin agreed. "I've been talking about this place forever, but I never thought I'd be going there."
"Did you apply?" Ally asked. "Because I didn't."
"Neither did I. My parents said it was too expensive, and they wouldn't let me."
"How did they find us then?"
"The internet Ally, where else? I guess they saw some of the videos we posted."
Ally rolled her eyes. Of course it had been the internet. She just really wasn't thinking that morning.
"What are we going to do?" She asked suddenly.
"Celebrate with ice cream, obviously."
"No, I mean about going Austin. Do you think your parents will let you?"
"When its a full scholarship, maybe. What about your dad?"
"Maybe, seeing as it is a scholarship." Ally echoed. "We should tell them."
"My parents wont be back until later." Austin said. "But I could come to the store with you, when you tell your dad? I mean, if he knows both of us were offered places, he might say yes."
Austin knew just how protective Mr Dawson was of his little girl. He had experienced it firsthand, after all.
Ally held back a shudder at the thought of the warnings her father had given Austin the night they were going to a school dance together. He really didn't seem to understand that she and Austin had been going as friends, mainly because Austin had been preforming and didn't really have the time to spend with a girl, and Ally didn't have a date.
Grimancing at the thought, Ally turned the kettle on. That had been a few days after she and Dallas had broken up. Another reason why she had gone with Austin, she needed the best friend support to face seeing Dallas at the dance with the blonde girl from her math class he was now dating.
"Hello-o? Ally, are you still there?"
"Yeah, I am." Ally nodded. She must have spaced out for longer than she'd realised. "I'm supposed to head over to the store in an hour, so will I meet you there?"
"An hour? Sounds good, I'll see you then Als."
"This is so exciting!" Ally said, the news starting to sink in a little more. She, little Ally Dawson, the girl with crippling stage fright had been offered a place at one of the most prestigious schools for preforming arts in the country.
If that wasn't a confidence boost, she didn't know what was.
"I'm dancing around my room right now, I'm that excited."
"At least you're a good dancer," Ally laughed.
"Ally, if today goes well, we'll be going to a school with an amazing dance program. I think they could make a decent dancer out of you in two years!"
"It would take a miracle and an injection of rythmn to make me a good dancer." Ally said wrly. "I'm going to go and get ready, I'll see you in an hour."
"It takes you an hour to get ready?"
"And to get to the store!" Ally said defensively.
"Ally, you live a five minute walk from the mall. And that's if you're walking slowly."
"Okay, maybe it does take me an hour to get ready, but I'm allowed! I'm a girl, its acceptable." Ally grinned. "You on the other hand.."
"I don't take that long to get ready!"
"Yeah, you do." Ally laughed. "You took like three hours to get ready for that internet awards show a few weeks back."
"I needed to find the right shirt, okay?"
"You're a bigger girl then I am sometimes." Ally said, her tone teasing. "I'll see you in a while Austin."
"See you later Als."
Ally set the phone down on the counter, and picked up the letter again. She couldn't move her eyes from the opening line, no matter how hard she tried.
We are pleased to be able to offer you a place at Brooker Phillips Academy of Preforming Arts...
Being a student at Brooker Phillips didn't sound half bad, the more she said it. Ally Dawson, junior at Brooker Phillips Academy of Preforming Arts.
It had a ring to it.
/
"ALL-Y!"
Ally whirled around as she heard someone screaming her name, pulling out her earbuds as she did so. "Austin!" She beamed as she saw her best friend jogging towards her.
As he skidded to a stop in front of her, Ally noticed that he had his letter stuffed in the back pocket of his jeans, and was wearing a smile big enough to split his face in two.
"Why are you so happy?" She asked, her tone teasing.
"Oh, you know. I got a letter from Brooker Phillips this morning, but it's no big deal." Austin gave a shrug.
"Nope," Ally agreed. "Its not a big deal at all. Its a massive deal!"
"Massive isn't a big enough word." Austin said thoughtfully. "I think humongous is better."
"Okay," Ally laughed. "Its a massive, humoungous, life changing deal."
"I like that one." Austin laughed.
"But.." Ally's face fell. "What if dad wont let me go? What if your parents don't let you go?"
"Don't think like that." Austin said. "They will."
"How do you know that?"
"Well, I was thinking." Austin said. "My parents will probably go for it because its a good academic school. And your dad Ally? He loves you, and if this is something that will make you happy, I think he'll go for it."
"When did you get so wise?" Ally teased.
"I had an hour to think about this." Austin shrugged. "Now, come on. Lets go talk to your dad!"
Ally let Austin tug her along enthusiastically, pulling her into the store where her dad was standing behind the counter, reading a magazine. The shop was empty, save for one person in the far corner, looking at sheet music.
"Hi dad," Ally greeted brightly.
"Hi Mr Dawson!" Austin sounded just as overwhelming bright.
"You two sound happy this morning." Clark Dawson looked between his daughter, and her best friend, closing his magazine.
"We are." Ally said, rooting in her handbag, finding her letter quickly. "Look what came in the post this morning dad. Austin got one too!"
Clark took the letter, unfolding it, his eyes scanning the paper. "Brooker Phillips?"
"Mmhm." Ally nodded furiously. "Its a preforming academy in New York-"
"One of the best in the world." Austin interrupted.
"Yeah, what he said." Ally confirmed. "And anyone whos anyone went to Brooker Phillips. Plus, Austin said that its a really good academic school as well."
Austin nodded. "It is."
"And its in New York?" Clark looked between both of them.
Ally's face fell. "I know its kind of far away dad, and you wont have anyone to help you with the store, and-"
"Will going here make you happy Ally?" Clark interrupted.
"More than anything." Ally said slowly.
"Then I want you to go." Clark replied.
"But what about the store?"
Clark waved her question off. "Don't worry about that. You're more important,"
"I love you so much dad." Ally said, leaning across the counter, and hugging her dad tightly. "Thank you."
"I'm so proud of you." Clark commented. "I didn't think anyone could have a music career.. But here you are, with a scholarship to a great school."
Ally's cheeks flushed.
"Your mom would have been so proud of you too Ally." Clark said, his eyes getting misty as he thought of his late wife. He coughed slightly, before continuing. "What did your parents say Austin?"
"Nothing, yet." He said. "They wont be back until later."
Clark nodded. "I really would prefer if you two were going together."
"Don't worry Mr D," Austin said brightly. "I'll convince them."
"Have you told Trish and Dez?" Clark asked.
Ally and Austin exchanged looks. Trish and Dez, they hadn't told Trish and Dez yet.
"Go on," Clark laughed. "Tell them. I can handle the store, its a quiet morning."
Ally nodded, and she and Austin left the store without a protest.
"What are we going to do Austin?" Ally asked, looking at him.
"What do you mean?"
"About Trish, and Dez!" Ally said, as if it were obvious. "We can't just leave them behind!"
"I.." Austin was lost for words. "I guess we just come right out and tell them."
Ally sighed. "I'll call Trish-"
"No need." Austin interrupted, pointing into the distance. "Trish and Dez are right there."
Eventually, Trish and Dez had worked past their pizza topping argument (though it always errupted on movie nights) to become good friends. Austin and Ally spent so much time together writing music, and songs, it made sense for them to hang out.
"Dez and I were-" Trish cut herself off mid sentence. "Why do you two look serious?"
"We have something we need to tell you." Ally said quietly.
"Did you two finally get together?" Dez squealed, jumping up and down like a four year old girl. "I've been waiting for this to happen since-"
"Dude," Austin interrupted. "Thats weird, first of all. And no, thats not what we need to tell you."
"Is someone dying?" Dez's face fell.
"Will you let them talk?" Trish rolled her eyes, lightly hitting his stomach.
"Thanks Trish." Ally said, and took a shaky breath. "We.. I mean, Austin and I got accepted to a preforming arts school called Brooker Phillips."
"On scholarships!" Austin interjected helpfully.
"Guys!" Trish looked between them, a smile spreading across her face. "That's amazing!"
"Yeah," Dez agreed. "But why do you look so serious about it?"
"Its.. Its in New York." Ally said.
"New York?" Trish's face fell slightly.
"We don't have to go!" Ally said quickly.
"Yeah, I mean we're best friends, we don't want to leave you guys behind-" Austin began to hurriedly say.
"Are you two crazy?" Trish interrupted, her eyes shocked. "You can't give up a freaking scholarship to a big fancy school!"
"Trish is right!" Dez agreed. "You have to go."
"We do?" Austin looked confused.
"Of course." Trish nodded furiously.
"But what about you two?" Ally asked.
"Preforming, that you and Austin's dream." Trish said, looking at Dez who nodded. "Its not ours."
"I want to make movies." Dez said. "Or open a window burger restaraunt, but I haven't really decided yet."
"The point is," Trish rolled her eyes. "You guys deserve to go to this school."
"But-"
"No buts Ally." Trish said. "Dez and I will be fine."
"We'll just have to order seperate pizza's now." Dez said.
"But we'll miss you guys." Austin said, his voice small.
"And we'll miss you," Trish said. "But theres email, and Skype-"
"And smoke signals." Dez nodded.
"They wont be able to see you making smoke signals from all the way in New York." Trish snapped.
"You want to put that to the test?" Dez challenged.
"How about you-"
"Guys!" Ally interrupted, cutting Trish's insult off before she could finish it.
"Sorry." Dez mumbled.
"The point is," Trish said. "We'll stay in contact. And you'll be in Miami during the holidays. Our friendship isn't going to end because you go to boarding school."
"Promise?" Ally pouted slightly.
Trish held up her hand. "Pinky promise."
The four of them linked pinky fingers, smiling at each other. Their friendship was strong, they would be fine. Right? Right.
"This calls for a group hug." Dez said, his long arms already moving.
"Group hug!" Austin echoed.
"No way." Trish shook her head. "I don't do group hugs."
"Group hug!" Ally joined in, grinning. Within a matter of seconds, the three of them had Trish pulled into a tight group hug, the small Latina hugging back despite her loud protests against the show of affection.
"Now all we have to do is convince my parents to let me go!" Austin said, his voice muffled. Easier said than done.
/
Ally anxiously looked at her watch for what felt like the millionth time since they had gotten to Austin's house. Their blonde haired friend had disapeared into the house forty minutes earlier, leaving the three of them sitting outside on the kerb.
Someone's iPod was playing, but Ally couldn't consentrate on the music. Or anything much at all, really.
She just needed to know if Austin was coming to New York. Ally couldn't go without him, that much she was certain of. Over the years, they had become AustinandAlly, not Austin, and Ally.
They were a duo, partners, and she wasn't going to go to the school of their dreams without him.
Sighing, Ally checked her watch again. Forty three minutes.
She knew exactly what Austin's dad was like. He was bossy, controlling, and he didn't aprove of Austin pursuing a music career, and more often than not, Austin's mom went along with everything Mr Moon said.
It would take a lot of convincing on Austin's part, a hell of a lot of convincing actually.
"Ally," Trish's voice brought her back to reality.
"Huh?" Ally looked at her best girl friend.
"Calm down." Trish said, grinning. "You look like you're going to be sick, and you're chewing your hair again."
"Oh," Ally let go of the chunk of hair she was nibbling on.
"Austin's good at convincing his parents." Dez commented from where he was lying down, his legs in the air. "He got his parents to let him go to plate spinning camp once."
"But thats camp!" Ally said. "This is school, and its New York, and its music!"
"Ally, please try not to have a mental breakdown at the side of the road." Trish said, her hand on Ally's shoulder.
"I can't help it!" Ally sounded as though she was ready to cry, or explode.
Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a door slam.
"Austin?" Ally jumped up to see Austin leaving his house, looking dejected.
"I'm sorry Alls," He said quietly, looking at the floor. "You're going to have to put up with me 24/7, because we're going to New York!"
"What?" Ally looked at Austin's grinning face, both shocked and confused.
"They said yes Ally!" Austin said, almost yelling he was so excited. "I'm allowed go!"
Ally's expression flipped, going from sad and nervous to an ear to ear grin in a matter of seconds. "They did!"
"YES!" Austin said, and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her in for a hug. He picked her up slightly, spinning around. "WE'RE GOING TO NEW YORK ALLY!"
"Austin!" Ally giggled in protest as he lifted her off the ground. "Put me down!"
"Nope!" Austin grinned. "Not until you yell it with me."
"Yell what?" Ally rolled her eyes, holding tightly onto Austin's shirt.
"We're going to New York."
"Really Austin?"
"If you want me to put you down.."
"Okay," Ally relented. "We're going to New York."
"With feeling Ally," Austin said. He was starting to loose his grip on Ally, and he looped his arms around her waist even tighter in an attempt to keep holding her off the ground.
"WE'RE GOING TO NEW YORK!"
"Thats better." Austin grinned, setting her down, but not letting go of her waist.
"We're going to New York." Ally repeated, her hands resting on Austin's shoulders. "Oh my god."
The two friends grinned at each other, their minds fast forwarding to September, and their new school.
Brooker Phillps, here we come.
/
authors note: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! This is my first fanfic, the first one I've actually uploaded at least, so feedback would be greatly appreciated! I'm not entirely sure how old they are on the show right now, but I assume its around 14/15? For the purposes of this fic though, they're now 15/16.
I'll stop talking now.. Again, feedback is amazing. I'd like to know if I'm keeping this wonderful people in character.