You're all probably wondering why I'm publishing another chaptered story. It's because I enjoy torture, I tell you. And because this story poked and ate at me for the last two days or so. So, here it is. I'm telling you guys this: I was partially inspired by the book/movie Me Before You but have also been inspired by two songs, 'From the Ground Up' 'Dan + Shay and the song 'Better Place' by Rachel Platten, among a few other interests that I've been itching to write about. That said, I'm not giving up on TIOOM by ANY means, but am just working through a bit of writer's block there. Anyway, I've got about four chapters prewritten so you can expect an update fairly soon with this story. Finally, feel free to ask me any questions or comments here or on my twitter (theredheadariel is my twitter name - let me know you're from ff and I'll follow back :D) because I love talking to people.
And uh yeah, our lovely Auslly is a bit OC in this, but do y'all expect any less of me by now?
Let me know what you think. Enjoy!
"I'll meet you at Brad's house after ten." He followed the other young teenage male to his locker, shoving papers and assignments further into his worn book bag until they stopped, looking up in time to see his close friend and practically brother Dez Wade nod his head with approval. "I have to wait until my parents go to sleep. Then, we can get to the party."
The redheaded friend smiled widely, "I hear Carrie is going to be there." He slammed his locker door shut and practically jumped with excitement. "I saw her looking at me the other day in History. I think she likes me."
"You were looking at her," he reminded, "Maybe she was weirded out, dude."
"Bro," Dez complained. "You're my wingman, don't say things like that."
He wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulder and just laughed. "I'm just playing around, dude. Calm down." He made it to the door of the school and glanced around. He didn't see the girl or her friends, so he added, "I'm sure you have a chance. I believe in you, man. Just relax a little."
Dez folded his hands over his chest. "Believe in me a little more, would you?" He rolled his eyes. "I'm not the one on the fast track to marriage with Piper." The young male smiled at the thought of the pretty girl who smelled like cotton and vanilla. "It must be nice to have that kind of thing. You never have to worry about it."
"I like Piper a lot," he admitted. "But I don't have to marry her."
"But you will," he stated.
Austin nodded, "Of course."
"Your parents would freak out if you didn't," he pointed out.
He had a valid point. He didn't want to admit this though. It seemed too weird-set-up-marriage kind of deal. "They would deal. I get that I have it easier. But Piper and Carrie are cousins, so I remind you that you stand a chance. I'll talk to Piper before I leave. Maybe she'll put a good word in for you."
The redhead grinned ear to ear, waving as his ride pulled up. "Good to hear, my man! I owe you one. See you later, Austin!"
Austin waved a final time to his now thrilled best friend and chuckled. He then slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way down the parking lot so that he could walk home in the blistering near summer heat. Miami was warm all year round, as most people knew, but when it got to the warmer months, it could be unbearable. At times like this, he wished he had some sort of car, even a junk one that broke down every few weeks. He was eighteen-years-old and one of the few people he knew that had a license, but no car. Dez was on his fourth attempt for the test, having failed each previous driving test. He knew eventually he would get it, but for the time being, he was happy scoring rides from his older brother.
Besides, Austin knew his parents couldn't afford to get him a car. If they could, they would have. His mother worked as a stay at home mother, she had been one all of her life. His father worked as a firefighter during the day for the town (it changed from a volunteer job about a decade back, but the money was not good—it only barely paid the bills) and was their local church's pastor on his off days. Most nights, they were counting up change to make sure the bills were paid. He never wanted to make it so that they couldn't afford the important things, like food and shelter.
Austin wished he could work, but he often found himself at the church when he was out of school, helping keep it running with Piper, the other pastor's daughter. Oddly enough, they both had children before taking the oath to become closer to their Lord (though unlike the priest of their church, they were allowed to marry and have children, though it seemed some members of the church still frowned upon that), and the families knew each other since they were in diapers. Austin often felt like some old time country song each time his mother and Piper's mom got together. They were their fairytale romance in the making. And Piper was great. She sang in the church on Sunday's and volunteered her time down at the homeless shelter when she was not busy at school or at the church. She loved animals and hoped to one day take over the vet clinic the next town over.
Austin of course was expected to follow in his father's footsteps, though he often wondered how well the town would take to another pastor of the same family. He believed thoroughly in religion and was at church every Sunday, though he also was not sure if he was the right person for the job. His father often told him that he would come into his role as time went on and he would feel more worthy of it as well.
Still, he just wanted to get through the last few weeks of high school first, and have a relaxing summer before heading off to college. His parents were working him hard so that he could get a full scholarship (he was smart, but sometimes wondered if he was that smart) and they wouldn't have to add another bill to their already full tab. He would go to school for religious studies, again following in his father's footsteps.
But that was all in due time. Tonight, it was the start of the weekend and Dallas was having a huge party down by the lake. All of the school was practically invited. Though summer was still a few weeks away, it was usually known to be the start of the warm celebrations. If you were anyone in the town, you wouldn't miss it.
The problem happened to be that his parents did not approve of teenage parties, like most respectable parents did not. Though, unlike most parents who knew it was a right of passage and uncontrolled in many aspects, his parents forbid him from going every year. The last couple he'd stayed out from, but even this year, Piper was going. And he really did like Piper, maybe even love her, and something told him that she looked really good in a bathing suit. Though, they were both waiting for marriage, he'd seen her close to naked a couple of times (don't tell their parents) and he could only imagine… you get his point.
The walk home was quickly over and Austin tore off his book bag and changed out of his school clothes and into something more comfortable. His mother was out on errands, and his father was still at the firehouse. He had a few hours of peace and quiet until the party, and he lied down on his bed, closing his eyes. He pictured how great Piper would look in a bikini, though she was self conscious so he figured she'd probably opt for a one piece. Maybe if he'd get lucky…
Thinking of it, he quickly texted her.
A: Hey beautiful :) you are still coming tonight, right?
P: yessir :) getting a ride from Carrie I will see you there
A: Awesome… tell Carrie that Dez wants a chance with her if she's willing
P: Dez Wade?
A: How many Dez's do you know?
P: Fair enough. I'll let her know. He's a little strange, though.
A: He's my best friend, Pip. And he's a nice guy.
P: I know that. He's God's child and I do not judge. I only shared a thought.
A: I know. :)
P: I'll see you later, alright? :*
A: Back at cha
He closed his phone and glanced at the clock. It was only five pm. He could take a nap and be up with plenty of time to sneak out. With that thought, Austin closed his eyes. Tonight would be one to remember.
From the Ground Up
Ally Dawson glared at her closet, walking from one side of it to the other, absolutely hating every piece of clothing she owned. With a sigh, she found her phone from where she placed it (near her shoe collection—103 and counting, thank you very much) and quickly texted her best friend.
Trish called her immediately at the text of distress but laughed into the phone, "What is it Ally? You have a walk-in closet. How can you possibly not find something to wear?"
She huffed at the giggle in her friend's voice and rolled her eyes. "I have nothing to wear," she repeated her text out loud. "I'm going to meet Cooper for dinner tonight and all I see is blah, blah, and more boring choices. I want to wow him—we've been dating for three months now! I need to keep things interesting, spice them up! How can I say that with a dress I've already worn?"
"Good God," she heard her Latina best friend mumble. "You sound ridiculous. I'd offer you something from my closet, but it wouldn't fit." She would be correct. Trish was curvy in all the ways that a short girl should be, while Ally was also curvy, but much taller than her friend. She would look ridiculous in her clothes. "It's too late to go shopping," she also pointed out, "So what are you going to do?"
"I am going to sit here and cry my eyes out because I'm going to look like a homeless person."
Trish snorted, "Dramatic, much? Listen, why don't you just head to the mall and grab something quickly. Or have someone go get something for you."
The girl snorted back at her, "I don't trust anyone to pick out clothes for me." She glanced at the clock on her wall and sighed, "I suppose I could be back within an hour. But it's really going to cut into my make up time. What should I go for?" She glanced into the bag she picked out that morning when they had gone to school and picked out her father's credit card. He said to only use it when she needed to and then laughed when she smiled and said of course. He knew that she would use it whenever she wanted. He wasn't the naïve kind of parent who thought his teenage girl would be mature and responsible with his deep pockets.
"You're staring at his card, aren't you?"
"You know me so well," she laughed, flicking the card with her manicured hand. "I'll call you before I leave later. Tell me how your night in with Jace goes. All the details, girl."
Trish practically blushed through the phone. Her friend had met his boy online several months back and had discovered he only lived a town or so over. They fell helplessly into each other and now that he had his license, he was making regular trips to see her on the weekends. He always laughed, according to her, when he pulled up to their neighborhood. Something about how Trish's home looked like a mini hotel. She had shrugged and said, "Money talks, you know?" It was nice to be the daughter of a fashion designer.
Ally often got first dibs on her best friend's mother's designs. It looked fantastic on her almost every time, as if the clothes were made for her. But, unlike Ally who lived in a large house too, Trish's parents tried to remind their daughter what it is like to grow up a normal kid. They didn't throw money at her or try and buy her more things to make up for the days they were away. In fact, as much as she was set with financials like Ally, they would never give her a credit card. She even had the smallest room in her house (which was saying a lot because she still had her own bathroom—but enviously so, not a walk in closet, and she too loved clothes).
"I'll make sure I savior every memory so we can gush over them later," Trish replied finally, bringing Ally back to the present. She smiled into the phone, glad to hear her best friend so happy. "I'll let you go before you burn down your closet. Call me when you're on your way or text me a picture of what you pick out. I don't think I'll be able to stop by tonight before you leave."
"Sure thing," Ally agreed. "Love ya. Bye!"
The phone clicked and Ally listened to the house as she came out into her room. The silence answered her and Ally sighed. Her parents were both doctors and often worked long hours away from the house, usually only home on weekends, but that wasn't even sacred. Her father was a well known and respected surgeon who worked on some of the worst trauma cases at a private Miami hospital. He made off extremely well on his own, not to even begin to speak about her mother's private practice just down the road which also took in considerable profits. She couldn't remember a day that she wasn't wearing designer clothes or driving the newest sports car.
Her father was once a very cheap man, especially back when he had just graduated and become a doctor and had yet to pay off his loans. He would save every dollar he made, but as the money came in, the habits faded off and he insisted that they enjoy every dollar instead. She'd never gone without in so many ways. In fact, she was probably more pampered than any teenage girl should be.
She waved at one of the house cleaning lady's as she bounded down the stairs, running to her car in the garage, finding that someone had vacuumed it out for her and washed it in the two hours she was home from private school. She was set to graduate in a few weeks and could not wait. She too wanted to become a doctor and follow in her parents footsteps, though she did not want to work in a hospital, or near any old people. She wanted to deal with the least threatening doctor job she could. In her eyes, maybe working with children A pediatrician would be her safest bet.
Trish always told her she was too stuck up to have a bedside manner anyway. It wasn't that—she just knew what she wanted and when she wanted it. If she didn't get it the first time and she God forbid had to ask a second, you weren't going to like what you heard.
She was a nice person. Just as long as you gave her what she wanted, that is.
Ally beeped at the lawn mower as she backed out of the large house and pulled onto the road. She put on some bubble gum pop and sped down the gated community until she reached the highway, accidentally cutting some four door piece of junk off. With a hand to her mouth she simply continued on until she reached the mall, parking in a handicap spot because they were always empty, anyway. Half of the people who parked there didn't look like they needed it. So why couldn't she use it?
She went inside and went immediately to one of the new boutiques that had opened, looking for something that spoke to her. Putting her sunglasses in her bag, she stared at dress after dress, hating every one she saw. Maybe she should call Trish back and ask if her mother had anything she could lend her. It was only for one night, anyway.
Then, she saw a simple but well made dress out of the corner of her eye. She hurried over there but just before she got her hands on it, some other girl had picked it up. Her eyes bulged further seeing it was her size.
"Excuse me!" she snapped, giving the small girl a look of contempt. "I was going to buy that."
The blonde girl glanced at her as if she was mentally unstable. "I'm sorry. I think there are a few more." She pointed to the rack of other sizes, all larger.
She felt heat come through her cheeks. "Are you calling me fat?"
"What?" the girl was immediately caught off guard. "No… I was just suggesting…"
She glared at the girl dressed in distressed jeans and an old, worn tank top. "Those are all larger sizes." She again made sure to see that the girl saw her look at her. "Can you even afford this dress?" She plucked the price tag in front of her eyes. "Maybe you should go try Forever 21 or something. It seems more in your range."
The girl went from being confused to immediately on the defense. "I don't think it's any of your business. But look, I had the dress first, and there are plenty of other dresses here." She smiled sweetly, but Ally was the queen of fake, sweet smiles. She saw right through her. "Maybe you will like one of them. I have a date with my boyfriend tonight and I really want to make him happy."
"That's great," she snarled, "But take your own advice."
She went to rip the dress out of her hands, and the girl held firm. "You bitch, just give it to me!"
She shook her head, going toward the register when the cashier behind it started to get worried over their confrontation. "I'm sorry you seem so unhappy in your life," she stated. "I hope you find happiness someday." Ally only then saw the silver cross under the tank top then, dangling in front of her. Damn religious nut, she thought under her breath. Telling me to find happiness. I am happy!
Ally growled a final time and then stormed off, going to another store. She found a dress, one that she did not like nearly as much and paid for it with a victorious swipe of her father's card. While she did not like it, she knew that the other girl definitely couldn't afford this one (it was twice that price) and smirked to herself. She showed her.
Tonight would be one to remember.