I sat on the streets and watched as people walked by. Some shot glares my way while others offered sympathetic smiles and tossed a quarter my way. I would catch it and smile before stuffing it in my pocket.
I lived on the street.
I was fifteen when the incident happened. It left me alone in the world. I was assumed dead. It was better this way. I don't know what the government would do with me if they had found me. Probably I would be shoved from orphanage to orphanage. Well you can bet that Austin Moon will never ever need help from anybody. Ever. Well, except the money strangers give me but hey, a guy's got to eat.
I have a guitar. I strum it sometimes but never actually play anything. Crowds form when I break it out, but they disperse when they realize they won't be getting a show out of me. It's sad sometimes to watch them go. Then I remember that they are just more people walking out on me.
It's been two years. I've been scraping by for two years. I have a blanket, some cookies and my guitar for tonight but I'll make it work. Like I always do.
Oh! I almost forgot. My companion. The little ball of scruff that's been following me around for the past week. It runs off during the day but always comes back by night. He's a cool little guy.
I'm scratching behind his ears when I see a pair of small feet clad in those shoes that Madeline used to wear. You know, the redhead cartoon from Paris? My little sister used to watch it all the time. Anyway, those feet were connected to long thin legs that extended upwards until they were covered by a floral skirt. My eyes wander further upward to see the smiling face of a girl around my age.
"Hiya!"
"Ally, come one." She's being pulled away by her friends and I watch as she turns to them. She looks at them and back to me. She winks and holds up one finger before they yank her away completely. I shake my head. Girls.
I break out my guitar and begin to strum earning some money from people walking by. I stop my playing when those same Madeline shoes show up in my line of vision. She takes a seat next to me and opens up her bag.
"I'm Ally. Here you go." She hands me a wrapped sandwich from a restaurant down the street. She pulls out an identical sandwich and unwraps it. "I didn't know what you would want on it so I just got everything. I'm a condiments girl myself. What about you?" She turns in my direction and sees that I haven't opened it yet. She gives me a flat look. "Why would I poison you? Just a question." She bites into her sandwich and then looks at me again. "For goodness sakes!" She rips open the package and takes a bite out of my sandwich. "There. Now eat." I obey. She smiles.
"I don't know why you're doing this, but thanks."
"Oh it's no big deal. So, what's your name, Mister?"
"It's Austin."
"That's cool. My favorite city in Texas is Austin. It's way better than Dallas. But no! Everybody loves Dallas. You know what? I hate Dallas." Jeez this girl never shuts up does she.
"I'm not a fan of Dallas myself." I respond. She grins at me.
"I like you. I have a feeling we're going to become good friends." She hands me half of her sandwich and stands, brushing off her skirt and begging to walk away. Before she turns a corner she looks back at me.
"You better finish that sandwich. And go to bed early tonight. You hear me Austin?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good."
A/N: This is just an introduction to the story so it is shorter than usual. It is an AU story so let me know what you think! Review!