The Aftermath

They broke up.

No crying, no screaming, no storming, no nothing. Everything was just closed with a promise that they weren't ready yet, and a hug that lingered longer than usual. And the following day, they wake up and be normal again. Easy as that.

He's back to be the childlike, goofy boy with a desirable confidence and optimistic character, she's back to be the shy, smart and dorky girl who likes watching clouds and doing stuff that he calls lame. They're back to be them, best friends and partners, back to the way they used to be, the way they're supposed to be.

Like nothing has ever happen. Yeah, they could keep reminding themselves that. But they can't fool the fools. And they are the fools. Everyone know there is something. The way they treat each other, less but more intimate, less but more insecure, seems to be a lot more obvious than they think it is. And they know it themselves, that there's no way they could get over their exes as they see one another every single day, at school, at home, talking, laughing, touching, trying to act like normal friends. Especially, when they still care for each other an aching lot.

The line is so thin, the tension is almost unbearable, but as the fools they are, they decide to try to ignore its presence.

They don't touch, don't hug each other as much as before. But when they do, it would always last longer than a friendly touch should be. They would stand there, enjoy the warmth, the smell of one another and the relaxing feeling of all the time in the world suddenly seem to stop for a while. And they would pull away, they would avoid to look at the other's eyes, and they would hope somehow the light could hide their blush.

There are moments, when they are both silent, their fingers float on the keyboard, let the voice of music rise. Music would transport everything, the hurt, the bittersweet, the hidden feelings, the secrets of their hearts, to one another, in a way that words couldn't. Those little talks are just for them to keep.

There are moments, their hands accidentally touch. They would hold still, let the beautiful spark run through their skin, before pull away, make some lame excuses, and do it again.

There are moments, that they actually risk the line, when there are just the two of them in the practice room. Her head would lean on his shoulder, soft caramel locks would tickle his cheek and neck in three seconds. Or, their foreheads would rest against each other's in six seconds, then they would pull away, shyly increase the distance inbetween a little bit more. And in those precious six seconds, their eyes would remain closed, because they both know if they don't, they could not take it anymore. They know in the back of their mind that the second they open their eyes, they will be lost in the other's sight, and they would stay in that position much too long, and their eyes will trail down each other's lips, and they cannot hold it, and someone will get hurt. Just staying like that was hard enough. Her vanilla cinnamon breath is enough for his knuckles to go white, and his summer breeze-like smell is enough for her to bite her lip.

'You know, you really should make it up with Ally.' Kira says while they are wandering around the store, picking some stuff for Ally's surprise party.

He sighs. 'Nah. It's not going to work. You know it. We're not ready to be a couple.'

'Well, maybe you were just confused. First dates are always the worst, since people have absolutely no idea about their company. But you two are another situation. You've known way too much about each other, it led your date to be bad in another way. That explains the awkwardness.

"Maybe you're right. But that doesn't prove anything.'

Kira rolls her eyes. 'As if. You tell me now that you didn't turn down my dad's offer because of Ally, or you're not throwing a surprise party just for her, or you didn't buy her the whole flower shop after her first gig, then I'll believe you, okay?

He protests. 'We're friends. Friends do such things for each other. Besides, I didn't buy a whole flower shop, there were only five bunches, three baskets and four vases, including some orchids, roses, pansies and some stargazers. Those are her favorites!'

'And have you ever done something like that to your other friends? To me? Trish? Or more particular, to Dez?'

'Of course I…' she raises an eyebrow. 'Well, probably.' He blushes. 'Dez doesn't like flowers!'

'Sure he does.' Kira shrugs. 'Listen Austin. I will not rush you to fix things with Ally. But I also know that you still have feelings for her. Like a hell lot. I've seen it coming. That's why I refused to go out with you at the beginning. And I know you think you're not ready to be with her back then, but that doesn't mean you're not really ready. At any rate, you dumped me for her. You must like her a lot. And come on, my sacrifice must be worth more one date, right? And eventhough you're really inconsiderate, but not that bad, are you?'

'Jeez, thanks. But I still think we're not ready yet.'

'Well, you'd better man up hurry. Ally's now gotten over her stage fright, and let me tell you, it changes a lot more than what you think it does. You can protest and say I didn't know her as much as you do and all you want, but as a matter of fact, girls know stuff. And because girls know stuff, here's an advice: The window doesn't stay open forever.'

'I never sleep with my windows open, so thank you.'

Kira rolls her eyes, mumbles something like 'Boys!' and raises her hands in surrender.

Kira is right.

After getting over her stage fright, something about Ally changes. Some sort of light has burst out of her, like a butterfly, and suddenly, she becomes too noticeable, too attractive, much to Austin's disapproval. Sure, she's still the same Ally, as adorable and adorkable as ever, and he has always known that she was awesome, and he has always known that people will notice that someday, and he's super proud of her for making it happen. Still, it kills him watching all those monkeys (customers and whatnot) literally drool over her like she's something like a smoky bunch of pancakes. Or bananas. There's something in the way she talk, act, and smile, even the most half-hearted smile, that is so magical, enough to make those guys' eyes pop out of their heads, and cause him the urge to strangle somebody, but right then he realizes he doesn't have the right. Not anymore.

So instead, every time an idiot ask her out, he would sink deeper into the couch, pretend to be interested in any freaking thing that he was doing, and refuses to look up.

Little does he know, every time, before she replies a guy's offer, her big doe eyes would look at him, pleadingly.

So, there you go. Right now it's just an one-shot, but it can turn into a multi-chapter too, depends on your request. So, review, please. Let me know what you think. Love it? Hate it? Disappointed in it? I know many of you might consider about the lack of an ending, but I did it on purpose. Ha! I'm so evil. Leaving a story hanging so I can earn your reviews.

I don't see why so many people hate Kira. She's cool. Was it because she dated Austin before Ally? So people think she's a snobby little bitch that separates them? Let me remind you, Kira turned Austin down in the first place because she suspected that Austin liked Ally, the events after were all Austin's action. And if it wasn't for her, Ally wouldn't have realized how much she liked Austin. And the following episodes, she showed us that she's a totally cool, down-to-earth girl, and she wisely behaves. She's awesome. One vote for Kira.

Violet Fier