I don't own Austin & Ally, David Letterman, Christopher Wilde or the song "No Place Like Home by Laura Marano except for the plot of the story.

Ally's POV

"Alright, Chicago! Let's go out with a bang! Home is important to me and that's where I'll be heading after this, so sing along if you know the lyrics which I'm sure you do." I say with a smirk as two of my back up dancers get behind me and pose in place as the music starts...

There's nothing wrong with spending summer in another city

I've seen the lights above the streets at night, they look so pretty

I've flown above the clouds and thought I'd never come back down (back down)

Now I find myself where I started

Picked right up like we never parted

Feels like I'm in between

Am I wide awake or in a dream? (a dream)

No matter where I go

There's no place like home

There's no place like home

No no no matter where I go

There's no no no

There's no place like...

There's nothing better than a wave that's louder than the ocean

I heard the sound and there was love, I felt every emotion

I always wanted more and I got what I waited for (waited for)

Feet on land, I know I belong here

Can't forget, I'm never alone here

So put your arms around me

make me feel like I've been found (I'm found)

No matter where I go

There's no place like home

There's no place like home

No no no matter where I go

There's no no no

There's no place like...

No

Matter where I go

No

No matter where I go

There's no place like home

There's no place like home

No no no matter where I go

There's no no no

There's no place like home

There's no place like home (home)

No no no matter where I go

There's no no no

There's no place like home

"I wanna thank you so much Chicago. This has been the greatest and saddest night of my life. Tour has been incredible and though this is the end of it, we'll be singing forever. You are all so amazing, and I love you with all my heart. Stay safe and happy. Kevin, drums!" I say to my drummer who starts doing his signature move and making my exit as I turn around and start switching up the steps as the fans cheer louder and louder. I turn around and smile widely at the crowd of fans who have supported me through the years through everything and even my worst scandals.

Soon, I fall back through the floor as my exit and the concerts over. I sigh out of relief and excitement that I completed my third world tour at the age of 18. "Come on love." I hear my mom say extending her hand as I take it standing up. "You did amazing as always. Michael, coffee." My mom snapped her fingers at her assistant who went away to get it for me. Michael came back handing me the drink as I take it. He looks at me as if he's expecting something which confuses me. "Oh right, thank you." I said as he smiled and left. I try not to be rude but I'm not good with manners. For some reason, they are so hard to remember.

"We will need your energy up. You have an interview tonight at 9." My mom told me as I widened my eyes.

"What? Why didn't you tell me this before? Why is it so late?" I asked frustrated that she was doing this again!

"Sweetheart, the interview was just decided an hour ago. I squeezed it in with David Letterman because he loves you and it's your last interview for the next few months since you're officially off tour." She told me as I thought about it and eventually rolled my eyes giving in.

"Okay, fine. But just one."

"Just one." She said with a smile as we headed out the stadium and onto my tour bus.

When I get on, all my back up dancers and singers cheer as I smile. "There's the queen! You rocked it tonight!" Candy said. "Killed it as usual. Best ending show ever!" Grace added as I nodded. "Yeah, I'm just happy to go home and rest. I'm tired." "You should be. It was a 12 country, 137 city tour. You are amazing and you should be proud that we're probably going to be doing this in a year from now again! Chris said as I smiled. "Of course I am. I'm going to head back. Take a nap." I said as they nodded and cheered and I smiled as I went back and as soon as I closed the doors, it went away.

I dropped my suitcases by the side of my bed and plopped down on my back. I got it all. Fame, fortune, fans. Why am I so miserable? In the beginning I was so happy and it was everything I wanted but now I don't feel like myself. My team controls every single thing I am. My hair, my clothes, my thoughts and what to say, who to date. My complete image isn't mine and less and less do I feel like myself. Who is the real Ally Dawson now? "Ally, sweetie. We'll be pulling up to Letterman's building real soon." My mom shouts out. "Great!" I say before hitting my head against my headboard taking out my phone. I go into my Twitter seeing all my tweets from my fans that I adore with all my heart.

allydbiggestfan: Ally is queen. Everything she does is magic. Tonight's concert was the best night of my life!

xoxgrande: never though I'd say this, but I'm happy my friend invited me to see Ally Dawson's show. It was amazing. Talented girl :)

dawsonfanboy1: my wife was on fire tonight as usual, too bad I wasn't there to see it. When are u coming to my city?

cassidyjones: I can't help but be jealous at everyone who got to go to my idols tour! It's not fair that I loved her my whole life and I'm just not lucky enough. Urgh, one day...

I smile sadly at the last tweet from the girl who never got the chance to go to one of my concerts. That's one thing about being a celebrity and having fans. Not all of them get the chance to experience a connection with you and it sucks because they put all their time and effort in loving you when they don't need too.

I hear a knock on the door which is to tell me that we are here. I open it and start walking down the bus aisle when my close friend Raina stops me.

"Hey, this is going to be live, so please be great as always." She said a little worried as I fury my eyebrows.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know, Als. Lately, you have been...distant. I might even say a little down. You smile but I can tell when you're faking. I'm your friend Ally. Since childhood and before all this."

"Maybe I'm not happy anymore Raina."

"Ally, why wouldn't you be happy? You have the perfect life."

"No, I have a perfect life. But it's not mine. It hasn't been for a long time." I said and after that she had nothing to say so I walked off the bus and headed into the building.

I went backstage for about an hour preparing and stuff. Of course my mom was telling me what to say and what to promote as usual. Blah blah blah. "Okay, are you ready, sweetie?" She asked as I looked at her with a blank face. "As always." I said in a non enthusiastic smile but of course she didn't notice because I'm pretty sure my mom has lost the ability to know how I'm feeling or what I want. What do I want?

"Our next guest is a singer, songwriter, model and actress and I couldn't be happier to have her on tonight. Please, help me welcome. Ally Dawson!" David Letterman introduced as the crowd screamed and I came out waving with a big smile. I walked over to David as I shook his hand then hugged him and then he turned me to the audience showing me off as I giggled as they cheered even louder. "Isn't she beautiful?" He said as guys whistled and I laughed finally sitting down. The cheer started to get lower and calm down.

"Ally Dawson."

"David Letterman." I mocked as the audience laughed a bit.

"How are ya darling?"

"I'm great, and you?"

"Same. Same. Now you know I think of you as like my daughter even though you could be my granddaughter." He said as they laughed including me.

"Of course."

"But you are growing up on me!"

"No, what are you talking about?"

"Yes, you are. I'm pretty sure the last time you were on my show was 2 years ago and you were 16 but still looked 12." He said as I laughed with the audience.

"But now you're 18 and you are a beautiful young woman but driving these guys crazy. What are you up to?" He asked as we laughed.

"I'm not up to anything I promise. I'm just getting older just like everyone does and living life." I told him as he smiled with a nod.

"You just finished your 3rd World Tour tonight in Chicago. How was it? Were you sad to end it?" He asked as I folded my leg over the other making myself more comfortable in the seat.

"Oh, well of course it's always sad to end a tour but it's nice too because you feel accomplished. It's like each time I enter a new era and then ending it. It's sad for it to be over but liberating that it happened."

"That's amazing. You're the youngest artist to have already done three world tours at the age of 18." He said as I nodded while the audience clapped for me and I smiled towards them grateful.

"How did you feel when you found that out?"

"Um...shocked more than anything. I knew I was doing a lot. I didn't know it was that much." I said as everyone laugh.

"It's truly an amazing feeling knowing that my fans continue to make it happen. I wouldn't have anything without them or my team so I'm really grateful."

"So, I know you're gonna hate me for this next question..." He led on slyly as I had a feeling of what was coming.

"Oh god, what is it?"

"I mean, you know we have to talk about Christopher Wilde." He said as I smiled towards the audience shyly.

"What about him?" I ask like I didn't see the big deal and the audience laughed once again.

"Don't play coy with me Dawson. You guys have been dating for the past year. Is that hard? Being in the media all the time? No privacy?" He asked as I pretended to think about it.

"Um, I guess so. Yeah, of course when you want time to be alone with your friends and family or lovers..." I said as he and the audience laughed.

"The media can almost take away the spark you wanna have in your relationships because it suddenly isn't about you two anymore, they are in it as well. But Chris and I have great communication and we always find time for each other so it doesn't effect us as much as anyone else."

"That's nice to hear. He was on last week and he was acting pretty coy about your relationship as well but blushed hard when I showed him a pic of you in your new photo shoot." He said as I giggled along with the audience.

"Awe, he's sweet. I'm actually flying out to see him next week."

"That's right. You guys have been separated for the past month, right?"

"Yeah, because of my tour. It's gonna be nice to see him."

"Yeah, I bet. Young people, I swear." David said as I laughed as they did too.

"What are you going to be doing since your tour is over?" He asked curious.

"That's a good question. I'll actually be on a break for a couple of weeks and then it's back to the studio."

"Wow."

"Yeah, it's like a cycle, but I never get bored. It's very liberating for me. I get to come back better each time. I'm very lucky." I said with a smile as he returned it.

"Before she goes, Ally Dawson promised me backstage to sing one of her songs from her Spotlight Tour. How would you like that?" He asked his audience as they cheered louder than ever and I smiled as I got up and went to the stage as my back up singers were ready. I don't need my backup dancers for this one.

The music begins to play.

I've been wishin' for somethin' missin'

To fill this empty space

To show the person behind the curtain

So you'll understand

Who I really am

The me that you don't see

Is praying there's a chance you still believe

Tell me that I'm worth it

I'll prove that I deserve it

And I can be

The me that you don't see

This dream we're facing is so amazing

And I want to fit in

My whole life I wanted, to be a part of something

I'm reaching out my hand

I'll show you that I can

Ooohhh

The me that you don't see

Is praying there's a chance you still believe

Tell me that I'm worth it

I'll prove that I deserve it

And I can be

The me that you don't see

To be standing tall

No shadows at all

That's all I really wanna do

To be a circle of one

Stepping into the sun

Sharing the light that's here with you

I'm here with you

Ooohhh

The me that you don't see

Is praying there's a chance you still believe

Tell me that I'm worth it

I'll prove that I deserve it

And I can be

Ooohhh

The me that you don't see

Is praying there's a chance you still believe

Tell me that I'm worth it

I'll prove that I deserve it

And I can be

The me that you don't see

I finished and the audience clapped but were a bit confused because it wasn't a song from my tour. It was actually the only song I've ever written by myself besides "No Place Like Home" obviously because I love my home Miami. No Place Like Home was chosen but "The Me That You Don't See" got rejected because it wasn't my 'style'. Can you believe that? It seems like the audience loved it.

I waved and walked backstage where my mom stormed up to me in a fit. I rolled my eyes as she grabbed my arm and pulled me into a dressing room. "Ally Marie Dawson, what the hell was that?! That was not the song you were scheduled to sing!" She said highly upset. "Yeah ma I know that! And I honestly don't care." I said as she looked at me like I was crazy. "What's gotten into you, mija?" She asked cupping my face like a 5 year old. "Mom, stop calling me mija. We're not Hispanic." I said as she scoffed.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because it's my song."

"It was rejected."

"It shouldn't have been!" I said as she got quiet.

"I liked it because it came from my heart and it's how I truly feel."

"What are you talking about, sweetie? How do you really feel?" She asked as I looked at her in disbelief.

"Listen to the song, mom. Maybe you'd actually know." I said smartly shaking my head and walking away.

I got on the bus and went straight to the back room not wanting to be bothered by anyone. I feel like a fraud. Talking about things I don't like, things I don't have the energy to do and relationships I'm not even in! Christopher Wilde is another famous singer. We met on the set of this acne commercial and we became good friends. Our agents wanted us to pretend to date for just a couple of weeks for publicity but when the time came to stop, our agents both wanted us to keep going. We didn't want to but we listened anyway. It's not hard since we're good friends and just go to red carpets and hangout together. But we do have to hold hands and kiss and stuff which sucks because it's holding us back from finding someone we actually could like, like that. I hear everyone come on board and the bus starts a few minutes later. I feel my eyes way heavily and I began to go to sleep.

*Time Skip*

I slowly open my eyes to see that my tour bus is stopped in front of a gas station, which happens to be right next to my favorite ice cream shop from when I was a little girl. Which also means, that I'm back home in Miami! Thank god. I'm sad I can only stay for 3 weeks before going back to Los Angeles to get in the studio.

I smile and get off the bus realizing everyone is in the gas station buying snacks for the road. I go next door and enter inside.

I look around and it looks just the same as it was 10 years ago. Just more modern. "Hi, what would you like to-" The red headed girl stopped in her tracks when she noticed it was me.

I smiled a little walking up to the counter. "Oh my god, you're Ally Dawson. I can't believe Ally Dawson is in my store." She said in an excited tone talking to herself.

"I'll give you $50 if you don't scream. I'm really tired." I said in a nice voice as she tried to control her breathing.

"I'm sorry. I just love you so much." She said overwhelmed.

"Don't apologize. I love all my fans. Do you want an autograph?" I asked as she nodded quickly making me giggle.

"I would love one." She said as I smiled and she handed me her phone case and I signed it for her.

"Here ya go." She smiled like I made her world.

"Thank you so much, Ally. Now what would you like?" She asked sweetly.

"I would love a raspberry mint swirl." I told her as she nodded with a smile going in the back.

While I wait, I decide to take out my phone from my purse and look at what's new. I see an article about my "boyfriend" Christopher seen out with another girl. She's a brunette and very pretty. When I look at him, he looks very happy and this is exactly what I'm talking about. Faking for publicity takes away the opportunity of really getting to know people.

I see the girl who I look at her name tag that says Rose come with my ice cream and I giver her my credit card. "Here ya go!" She said handing me my ice cream with a smile as I gently take it. "Thank you so much. It was nice meeting you." I said as she handed my card back. "The pleasure was all mine. Thanks for the autograph again." She said as I nodded and with that I left.

When I walked out, I notice my tour bus pulling off and when I try to scream for them to stop they don't hear me and already turning the corner down the block. Damn it! They must have assumed I was still sleeping in the back. Oh my god...what the hell am I going to do?! I've never been in this position before. This has never happened to me...

I start to walk down the street not knowing where to go until I stupidly realize I still have my purse with me. I take out my phone and dial my mother's number. "Sweetie, why are you calling me from the back of the bus? That's just lazy." She said as I stopped in my tracks when I notice a building. "Maybe because I'm not in the back of the bus because you left me." I confessed as her breath hitched. "What? That's not funny, Ally stop playing aro-" I hear her open a curtain and she stops what she's saying realizing I really wasn't there. "Oh my god, how did this happen?!" She asks as I sighed. I got out to get ice cream when you all went in the store to get snacks. It's my fault." I stated. "Don't you worry baby girl, I'm telling Steven to turn this joint around." I internally groan at my mother using the word joint.

"Okay, I'll be he-" I cut myself off when I see a huge billboard poster of myself on stage in a singing position. In that moment, I contemplate everything I've done in my life. The same thing. It's been great but is it gonna be like that always? Am I ever gonna get a break? If I go back, I'm heading back to being miserable because I'm not being myself. I'm 18 for crying out loud! I don't wanna live scared to take risks anymore.

"Mom, don't come back." I told her on the phone.

"What? Why would you say that honey?" She asked confused and I could hear the bus turning around.

I run to the bus stop corner and get on the bus coming while I pull my hood on. I hand the man $20 because I don't know how much bus fare cost. I've never been on one.

"Mom, I can't do it."

"Can't do what, honey? You're scaring me. We're almost there."

"I can't pretend anymore. I need to be who I really am. I need to figure out who the real Ally Dawson is. I love you, mom but I have to go. I don't how long I'll be away but I will see you again."

"Ally, stop speaking like this. Don't be so dramati-"

"I love you, mom." I said before I hung up and sighing as I lean against the window.

The bus drives around for a good twenty minutes before I realize everyone got off.

"You gonna ever pull the string lady? How far away do you live?" He said frustrated and tired.

I sit up confused. "What string?" I asked as he looked at me in disbelief that I didn't know what it was.

"Young lady, you are on a bus and don't know how to-" He sighs before stopping and turning around to me.

"Where do you need to go?"

"Um...the nearest hotel would be great." I said as raised his eyebrows a bit.

"That's honestly not my job or responsibility, but I'll do it for you because you seem lost and gave me a great tip." He said as I smiled.

"You're welcome." He said offended I didn't thank him.

"Oh right! Thank you." I said. I told you I've never been the best at manners maybe because I've always been given everything willingly. "Teenagers." He mumbled shaking his head and dropped me off at what looked like a 3 star hotel.

I got off and thanked him again which made him chuckle that I remembered. "Just be safe little girl." He said as I went into the hotel and checked in for a room for one day because I don't wanna stay here permanently. I know I can find a better place.

After I check in, I head out and walk around with my hoodie on when I see my tour bus turn down the street and I hide in nearby bushes until they past. They are still looking for me and I feel bad that my mom is probably worried sick but I have to finally start thinking about what's best for me.

I walk for what seems like an hour when I come across a high school. I smile when I realize exactly what I wanna do. I run to a couple of stores I passed on the way there and buy some things that will change my complete appearance. I go back to the school and enter it and it's completely empty because it's after school hours and I know probably only staff is here. I go to what looks like an office and where an older white haired man looks up at me.

"Hi, who are you?" He asks me as I look at him before a wide smile appears on my face.

"Hello, my name is Amy Russo. I would like to enroll in Marino High School."

END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

1.) What do you think of Ally and her mother's relationship?
2.) Do you think what Ally did was wrong or selfish?
3.) How do you feel about the first chapter?