"Take some water, honey."
Because if there was one thing that was going to change anything that just happened to her, it would be water, right? Ally wants to reach out her shaking hands and take the plastic cup. She wants to down the refreshment until it's cleansed her of everything that she'd just witnessed but she doesn't. She stares at her feet.
The polite woman sighed, stepping back. She glanced over at the two officers who were standing near the back, arms crossed as they watched Ally with apologetic and concerned eyes to which Ally could have seen if she just lifted her head up.
But she didn't.
She didn't talk, she didn't move, heck, the girl hardly breathed right now. She kept her cappuccino irises focused on bare feet. She hadn't grabbed her shoes. She couldn't at the time, somebody had carried her out of her home.
"She's shivering." said the woman, looking back at the officers were a sad quirk to her lips. One of the officers dismissed himself and then came back with a blanket. He slumped it over Ally's shoulders, making sure she was kept warm. The woman looked back at Ally. Ally hardly remembered her name. Molly? Mary? Michelle?
Ally's ears were ringing. She felt like sitting down in the corner and curling up into a ball and she probably would have if she could get her feet to move. There was a sour taste at the back of her throat, it was something like bile and she knew that she would probably be vomiting all over the floors in this cold, private room if she had the strength. But Ally was completely destroyed, she was totally and utterly traumatized. She couldn't even think, move, or talk, all she could do was feel.
She wasn't normally like this: Ally loved to laugh. She adored company and having people around her. She enjoyed music and you could catch her dancing horribly all the time to which she would receive laughs but she never got embarrassed, she always just giggled. She was never shy, she was outgoing- Ally loved conversation.
Things were very different. The woman (whose name escaped Ally's mind) and the two officers standing near the back couldn't get Ally talk for the life of them. She wouldn't make eye contact, she just stared at her feet. Her face was emotionless, the smile that was normally curled there seemed to have run away and it made no promises to ever return. Her eyes that generally had the sparkle to them, were empty.
"Marge," said another officer, coming into the room very suddenly. Ally twitched, startled. Marge stared at Ally for a moment before looking over to the other officer who came into the room.
"No, sorry, Dale. We've got nothing from her." Marge said, already knowing what Dale would have wanted.
"Alright. We've contacted her father and SPP." said Dale. Marge nodded and Dale stared at Ally sadly before he left the room. It was impossible not to feel sorry for her. She looked so broken, so helpless, sitting in that chair.
"Is there anybody else you would like to see?" asked Marge but she never got a response. It was almost as though Ally couldn't hear anything, just the faded sound of what had just happened to her only a few hours ago. Marge sighed. "Is it alright if I see your phone?" she asked. Ally didn't move. Marge carefully grabbed the cell phone that had been placed on one of the tables.
She looked through Ally's contacts. "There has to be somebody other than your father who needs to know about what's going on." Marge said, "How about...Cassidy?" Nothing. "Chuck?" Nothing. "Colin?" Nothing. Ally let the woman read through nearly every name until she came upon Trish De La Rosa's name. Ally's finger twitched slightly. Marge looked at Ally's hand and then to Ally's face. She decided to click on Trish's name and press call.
Marge's voice sounded muffled in Ally's ears as she began to speak into her cell phone. "Hi, Yes, Is this Trish? Hi, Trish, my name is Marge. You might want to come down to the Police Department. There's been a situation: Ally has been traumatized."
It's not even twenty minutes later when Ally's father bursts into the room, Trish following closely behind. The two are frantic. The two officers immediately stepped in, holding the two back. "What happened to my daughter?" howled Ally's father.
Marge stood up, "Sir, please calm down. You may upset her."
And without intention, he had. Ally started to shake and quiver. She tried not to think about what happened and looking at her father brought it back. It brought back her mother's face and that was the one face she could not see right now. One of the officer's standing near the back approaching Ally and tried to console her from her shaking.
"Ally has been traumatized. We will explain the situation to you outside." Marge said. Somehow, Ally's father settled and agreed. Trish decided to join him in listening to what had gone on. Marge explained it exactly how it was: Ally was at her mother's place, there was a drug deal, some physical harm had been brought upon Ally, when cops arrived the doors and windows were shut and locked, the SWAT team had been contacted when police fretted the situation, the SWAT team had kicked down the front door and weapons had been fired back and forth between the drug dealers and the SWAT team, and it had left Ally traumatized. Marge mentions that they are sure more had happened that they are unsure of, but that was as much as they knew at the moment.
"Ally," Ally's father, Lester, comes in. His voice is choked up and tears are in his eyes. She doesn't look at him, she acts as though she doesn't hear him.
"Sir, she seems very incoherent right now. It's the shock, all of the trauma. She has been through a lot in the last few hours." said an officer. Lester nods his head and throws his arms around her to which Ally did not respond to. Normally, she would sink into her father's embrace and hug him back, but she didn't this time. That's when Lester knew that she was really traumatized.
Trish was blubbering in the back, asking the officers why they hadn't gotten their sooner, why they had fired their guns while she was still in the house. They apologize and honestly tell her that they had no choice. Trish walks over to Ally, rubs her shoulder and whispers that Ally will be fine.
"We have contacted SPP." Marge informed. Lester rubbed at his eyes and looked at Marge. "SPP is a Safety Protection Program. They will assign an agent to Ally and they will do their all to keep Ally safe. A few of our dealer's got away and they have threatened to come after Ally. Her agent will keep her out of harm and she will stay with her agent until further notice."
"Anything to keep her safe," Lester said softly, his eyes red with unshed tears. Marge smiled slightly and nodded.
. . . . . . .
"Agent Moon," Jimmy said, handing Austin a file, "We've got a girl for you."
"Oh, you know how I like those," Austin smirked jokingly. Jimmy shook his head, nearly chuckling but not quite getting it out. Austin flipped open the file and took a look at the photo. A pretty brunette with a beautiful smile - one that enraged him.
He knew her.
"Her name's Allyson Dawson. We got a call about her yesterday. Poor girl's been traumatized. Apparently, there was a giant drug deal that went on in her mother's home and she was a witness. SWAT team rolled in, kicked down the door, and there was a gun fight. A few of the drug dealer's got away and I guess they want her back. We've got to protect her now." Jimmy explained.
Austin looked through her file, giving away all the information about him. He slowly shook his head. "Jimmy..." he said, cringing, "I...I think you should get a different agent for this one."
Jimmy frowned, confusion evident on his features. "Why?"
"Well...It's just that..." Austin slowly looked away from her picture, "I know her, Jimmy. I've met her before." he admitted before grumbling under his breath, "and trust me, she is not the lovable type."
"So, what, you've met her before," Jimmy shrugged, "That's not a big deal. What is a big deal is that we need to keep her safe and you are going to do your job and do what I tell you to."
"Jimmy," Austin sighed, "Ally and I...We..." Austin looked Jimmy in the eyes, "You know, there's a line to be crossed when somebody gets on your bad side. I'd like to say that this girl, right here," Austin tapped her photo, "has jumped over that line."
Jimmy rolled his eyes and stared at Austin. "You are going to do everything in your power to protect this girl."
"Jimmy," Austin groaned.
"It seems you two have a past together-"
"-Well, not exactly a past-"
"- You're animosity for her will also be sent to the past. She needs our help and we're going to help her. I don't care about whatever she's done to you, it's your job to keep her safe now." Jimmy stated, firmly. Austin sighed and watched Jimmy walk off.
He grumbled under his breath, "Screw me." Austin looked down at her picture. Could his day get any worse? This morning he got a flat tire, then he spilled his coffee all over his work papers, he lost his watch, and now he just learned that he needs to protect a girl with whom he has hated for over the last few years. This is just grand!
"Austin Moon," Austin grinned at the petite brunette standing there. She was in a red dress, her hair was pulled back in a fancy up-do. She glanced at him and rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I know who you are. You're that jerk who cheated on Cassidy." The brunette looked him dead in the eye and then emphasized, "My best friend."
Austin cringed, "Is that what she told you?" Ally looked up at him again. "Well, she obviously isn't very good at telling the truth, because I didn't cheat on her. I broke up with her and then I got with another girl. It wasn't even a thing, really. Just something that went down at a party."
"You're disgusting." Ally grimaced.
"And you're very judgmental," Austin frowned. Ally shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Why did you come over here anyways?" Ally questioned, "Because I'm obviously not who you wanted to talk to."
"Actually, you were. I thought to myself 'Hey, there's a pretty girl who might be your type', so I came over here, trying to be nice but you proved me wrong. You're nothing like my type." Austin said.
"You have type?" she looked at him with annoyed eyes.
He nodded his head, "Yes. Brunette girls with pretty brown eyes," he answered, then added with emphasis, "Nice brunette girls with pretty brown eyes. So...Obviously not you." Ally shook her head, rolling her eyes and trying not to let out a whine of disgust. Cassidy was right, he really was a player! Ally thought to herself.
"Austin, you came!" shouted a red-head boy before he stiffened when Austin smirked, "I really should word things better," the boy said. Ally looked appalled at the ginger boy who tossed his arm around Austin's neck, practically hanging off of him. He looked down at Ally and beamed. "Oh, Ally, you met Austin!"
"Dez," she hissed, "You're his friend?" she questioned, as if being Austin's friend was a crime against all things good.
"Yeah, for a while now." Dez nodded.
"I've never heard you mention him." Ally crossed her arms, glaring.
"Sure I have, but that doesn't mean you ever listen to me when I talk." Dez cackled. Ally rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Dez straightened up. "I'm sensing that..." he turned and pointed between the Austin and Ally, "You two obviously didn't have a great introduction."
"You could say that," Ally grumbled. Dez winced at her tone and looked at Austin. Austin shrugged, giving Ally a dirty look. "Don't talk to me again," Ally told Austin. She turned around to walk away before she stopped herself and turned to Dez, "And while you're his friend...You don't talk to me either." Then she walked away, holding a pocket full of pride.
Dez cringed, sucking in air through his teeth, "She does not like you, man."
Austin scoffed, "What a bitch."
Austin rubbed his forehead. That wasn't all that happened between the two. That was only senior year back when they were both seventeen and eighteen. The two had crossed paths many times after that. They even went to the same college the first year before Austin decided he wanted to be an agent instead and left college. College was grand, wasn't it?
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ally spat when she saw Austin come inside the lounge.
Austin gave her a teasing look, "Oh? Is this private property? I had no idea. I'll leave." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb before rolling his eyes and narrowing them at her, "I was invited, stupid. Just because you hate me doesn't mean everybody else does."
Ally was fuming. "Austin, leave. You're only here because you want to annoy me."
"Wrong." Austin said, leaning over a table where cupcakes were. "I'm here because I was invited and I didn't know you would be here. Besides, You don't even belong here. There's gonna be a party. Last I checked, you don't do parties."
"Just get out of here, Austin," she growled, clenching her fists by her sides. Austin clicked his tongue, smirking at her.
"Sorry, Princess."
"Ugh, Austin," she grunted, angrily. Austin mimicked her as he grabbed a cupcake and shoved it into his mouth. He then walked off to socialize with other people. Ally ran a hand through her hair. This guy was unbelievable.
That was college. How about the year after? He remembers that well. How could he forget the wonderful time at Dez's mother's wedding?
"She looks so beautiful," Ally gushed to Trish who nodded excitedly. Dez's mother was seated at the head table next to her new husband.
"I can't believe I wasn't even allowed to sit up there! It's like she disowned me!" complained Dez, shaking his head. "At least I have this pie." he pointed down at his favourite dessert
"It really is too bad neither of us could sit up there. I wouldn't have to waste my time glaring at her." Austin glowered at Ally. Ally rolled her eyes and tossed her dirty napkin at him. It hit his forehead and then rolled down his face and falling onto the table. "Thanks, I needed a napkin." Austin smirked, collecting the dirty napkin and wiping his mouth with it.
"You're disgusting!" she howled, looking at the napkin which she'd used several times. Austin gave her a tight smile.
"Learn to love me," he retorted. Ally's face contorted into a look of utter disgust. She focused on the meal that was on her plate. Trish and Dez exchanged annoyed glances. They couldn't hang out with their two best friend's because all they ever did was bicker and fight. If Dez ever mentioned Ally, the only response he was given was: Yeah, what about that bitch? And if Trish was to mentioned Austin, the response she got was: Don't even mention his name to me!
Trish sat up straight, "Dez, there's a slow song, dance with me!" She needed to get away from all this bickering. She'd been listening to it ever since the wedding started. She grabbed Dez's arm and pulled him away to the dance floor.
Ally slowly looked at Austin. Her lips were pressed together, her teeth gritted, her jaw set. There weren't words to describe the hatred in her gaze. Austin stared right back at her. He sipped his water and slammed the glass on the table. Ally didn't flinch at the loud sound. Their gazes were locked on each other and it wasn't romantic whatsoever.
"You're a real bitch, you know that?" Austin suddenly said.
"And you're a jerk who cares about nobody but himself. I'd say we're even." Ally replied.
Austin shook his head, "We'll never be even."
"Maybe not." Ally shrugged, grabbing her glass and downing her water. She was starting to wonder if coming to this wedding was a mistake. She loved Dez's mother, but being in the same room with Austin made her blood boil. Ally finally looked away from Austin, wondering if she could make it through the night without punching him. She's punched him before and even Austin can agree that she's not bad at it. In fact, Ally nearly broke his nose. Her father taught her well. Ally pushed her plate to the side.
Austin was staring at her for a while before his eyes found the glass of champagne that was sitting in front of Ally, untouched. When she was staring away at the dance floor, distracted, Austin felt his lips curl into a smirk. He reached forward and flicked the glass.
The glass easily fell in front of Ally, spilling its contents all over her dress. She gasped and pushed her chair out, looking at the damage on her dress.
"Oh, no!" Austin said with fake concern before he cracked, chuckling.
Ally looked at him astonished, "Austin!" she roared.
"Woops?" he shrugged at her as if it were all a big mistake but Ally knew this was all on purpose. She huffed before shrugging out of her chair and marching out of the reception hall. She was never speaking to Austin again.
And she hadn't. The two had relaxed in their hated for each other but after that wedding, they never spoke or saw each other again. Dez and Trish stopped bringing one another up after hearing what Austin had done to their dress.
Austin shook his head and closed Ally's file. He looked around himself and saw everybody in the office working very hard. This was the first moment he wished he didn't work as a SPP Agent. He could've just been working in the computer lab or something that's lay low and boring.
He sighed, holding her file against his side and signed out of the office. He needed to go home for a break. He started tomorrow and he obviously needed to learn about her and what happened exactly. He wasn't excited about protecting Ally Dawson. In fact, he hated her enough that he was willing to leave her unprotected but of course that goes against everything he works for and believes in. He feels like his life just got a whole lot harder.
Yeah, new story. But this has been in my head for a while and I thought I'd write it. As of my stories that are unfinished, I don't think they will be continued. I've got no ideas for them. Maybe in the future I will write them again, but as of right now, they are being post-poned/discontinued. Somebody To You and Wedding Crashers, however, will still be getting updates!
