Chapter One

Austin's POV

I sit in Sonic Boom on the couches by the door strumming an acoustic guitar. The store is really busy, so my songwriter/best friend Ally Dawson is bustling around to assist customers. My lifelong best friend/video director Dez was probably out somewhere doing something strange as usual, and Ally's lifelong best friend Trish, who is also my manager, is probably out somewhere getting a new job.

I watch Ally dash around the store in her pink heels. How do girls do that? Run in high heels. Her little pink summer dress flopped side to side against her thighs as she hurried around assisting people. She actually looks cute. Well, I mean she always looks cute- okay I really have to stop thinking about this. I'm dating Kira Starr, Jimmy Starr's daughter. Jimmy Starr is the head of my record label.

As if reading my thoughts, in through the door strolls Kira. She's looking gorgeous, as always. Her hair is falling down her shoulders in thick, black curls and she's wearing a cute floral summer dress. "Hey Austin," she says coming over to me, her eyes sparkling. "Hey Kira," I say melting into her gorgeous brown eyes. "What are you doing here? Why don't you come with me to get some lunch?" she asks with a sweet smile spread across her face. "Alright," I agree, "Just let me go say good-bye to Ally." Kira sighs, obviously displeased. She thought I liked Ally and wouldn't agree to go out with me, but then she finally did. "Kira, Ally and I are just friends, how many times do I have to say it?" I ask. She shrugs.

"Kira," I say looking into her brown eyes, "I like you and only you. I love to spend time with Ally, but that's just because we are best friends. My heart is for you," I say and smile. That seems to assure her and she smiles with relief. "Thanks Austin," she says, "I'll wait outside while you say goodbye to Ally," she says and strolls out of the store.

I walk over to Ally who looks like she is going to explode. "Guitars are over there," she says to one man, "That violin was hand-carved," she says to another. "No this isn't the ear doctor," she screams to a man coming into the store. He shrugs and walks out.

"Hey, Ally. Chill out," I say and smile. "I wish I could! But there are so many customers- yes that is $500," she says to somebody behind me. "Okay, well I just came to tell you goodbye. I'm going out to lunch with Kira," I say. She stops then dead in her tracks ignoring everybody asking her questions. Her face falls slightly. "Um, okay. Have fun," she says and turns away from me. Well that was weird. I walk out of Sonic Boom, and make my way to the wooden bench Kira is sitting on. She stands up and we hold hands as we walk to the Lenny's Lunch.

Ally's POV

I don't know why I acted as I did around Austin. It was probably so obvious I was jealous of Kira. Now he probably gets a hint I like him. Later on, I just tell him I was stressed out if he questions it. I don't want him to know I have a crush on him.

I continue working until my dad comes down to the counter to take my shift. I was going on lunch break. I smile at him as he takes over, and he says "Be back in an hour." I nod and then walk down to the food court.

Dez is sitting at a table alone in front of Mini's eating a plate of miniature tacos. I smile and then walk over to take the seat across from him. "Oh, hey Ally," he says looking up from his plate, "What's up?" he asks.

"Well, I'm just here for my lunch break," I say and shrug. "Do you know where Austin is?" he asks curiously. I sigh. "Well, he's on a lunch date with Kira," I say. It leaves a pang in my chest to say it. "You're upset, aren't you?" he says. Now, Dez is not usually a deep person. He's weird and says strange things. But there is a side to him that is smart and wise, and he is always blowing our minds when he acts civilized.

"No," I lie quickly, "I'm fine." He shakes his head. "Don't have to be all defensive," he says and laughs. "I'm not," I say and look down at the table. "Alright then. Hey, did you know that I'm getting a dog?" he says, changing the subject. My muscles are no longer tense, and I relax back into my seat. "Really?" I ask the red head whose face was full of excitement.

"Yep! I'm going to name her Ausalishez," he says. I look at him confused. "What kind of name is that?" I ask. "I know it sounds weird,"he says, "but I actually put a lot of thought into it. Aus- is for Austin. Al-is for Ally. Ish- is for Trish. and Ez-is for Dez," he says and smiles proudly. I sat there thinking about what he just said and then I smiled. "Awe, Dez. That is the cutest thing ever!" I swoon, "I can't wait to meet her!" Dez smiles. "Well, I should get going," he says, "Have to go take care of my gingerbread family," he says. And strange Dez is back. I giggle and wave good-bye to him.

I go to the counter of Mini's and order a couple of small French fries. Then I sit at the counter. I make small talk with the worker who is a teenage girl from school and eat my fries, when I feel a small tap on my shoulder.

I spin around and see a hunky boy with brown hair, gorgeous eyes, and big muscles. "Um, yes?" I ask. I obviously did not know him. " I was just going to ask if you could grab me a straw. I didn't want to reach over you and be rude," the hot boy answered. "Oh yeah, sure," I say, grabbing him a straw. I turn around and hand it to him. He stares at me for a couple of seconds, until excitement washes over his face. "Ally!" he exclaims.

Okay, so this strange boy from somewhere knew me. I stare at his eyes to see if I can recognize him. Then it hits me. "Elliot!" I exclaim. I jump of off the stool, and then he embraces me in a large hug. "It's good to see you again," he whispers still tightly holding onto me.

Elliot and I were best friends one summer at a camp. It was several years ago and he definitely looked different- for the better. We had so much fun at the camp, and I remember I developed a tiny crush on him. We used to sneak out of our cabins at night to go down to the lake and stare at the stars.

We spent the rest of my lunch break talking about our lives now and reminiscing over camp times. It felt so good to be with Elliot. Elliot is the perfect distraction I could use to get my mind off of Austin and Kira. When I say I have to return back to Sonic Boom to work, his face slightly falls. That's a good sign. As I walk away, I feel him grip my wrist. "One more thing," he says. I stare at him waiting for him to speak. "Do you want to go out with me? Tomorrow night?" he asks. I smile and nod my head. He gives me a kiss on the cheek and I blush deeply. This was going to be perfect.