I am literally the worst author ever, I am so sorry. I haven't truly updated anything in a while and I really shouldn't be starting another story but I need to get my juices flowing again. I've honestly lost all inspiration for Behind The Music because I feel that the characters are so OOC and for many other reasons. Heartbeat I hope to update later today but no promises.

The weather is getting colder, Autumn has begun, and my friend is listening to Christmas music. This was inspired by both. Enjoy!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas…"

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November 28th

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Cold air embraced New Yorkers as they walked through throngs of people doing their last minute shopping. Bags full of clothes and toys hit legs of random city goers as the people were smashed together in order to avoid being hit by a taxi. It was when he was in the middle of the crowds that Austin Moon missed Miami.

It was only slightly warmer than frigid New York weather and only a tiny bit less crowded than the city seemed to be during the holiday season, offering little differences between the two metropolises but Miami was one of his favorite places to be, the place where it all began.

When he was sixteen, after uploading video after video of guitar, drum, piano, and trumpet covers of the newest songs, Austin was approached to play lead guitar for his favorite band, Screamin' Monkeys*. His inspiration to learn how to play had backed out of the band, the cause blamed on the player's drug abuse. Disappointed in his longtime idol but elated to take his place, Austin accepted. For the past five years, he had been touring and recording until a few months prior when the band decided to breakup. The original members had been together for over forty years and knew that their bodies were spent, facing the reality that they could no longer do the insane stunts they once were able to back in their twenties.

Alone, Austin had retreated back to his loft in New York City where he would stay when the band was recording. He hadn't returned to Miami since the breakup. He wasn't ready to face the bedroom where his covers and his music career began.

Stars were impossible to see in the city but the lights from the buildings provided just as great of an effect to leave even the oldest residents speechless. Finding himself on a subconscious pathway to his favorite place during the Christmas season, Austin looked at the shining lights around him. A few minutes passed before his feet stopped in the dead center of the sideway. A few hundred feet in front of him stood the enormous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree that would be lit in nine days' time.

Only after news broke of the band's breakup in August was Austin presented with a wondrous opportunity; he would be able to breakout as a solo artist at the annual tree lighting. For a struggling, relatively new, soloist, this was a once in a lifetime chance. All that needed to be done was for Austin to come up with a Christmas song to perform at the lighting ceremony.

Gazing up at the gigantic tree before him, a sigh escaped his lips. If he performed well at the Rockefeller Tree Lighting, Mr. James, the man who ran it, would speak to Gregory Holmes, the man in charge of the "Rockin' New Year's Eve" special this year. If any spots opened up last minute, Austin would be able to perform.

It would seem to be an easy enough task to come up with a song but Austin was at a loss. Words were not his forte and songwriting even less so. Moving closer, the tree began to intimidate him. Some bark and leaves were able to make him nervous, something that never happened to Austin Moon.

The vibrating of his phone broke his thoughts and Austin was thankful.

"Hey man!" an excited voice exclaimed.

With a laugh, Austin responded, "Hey Dez, what's up?"

"I've got a bunch of new equipment for the lighting! When you rock that performance, I can cut it into an awesome music video for the holiday season." Austin didn't have the heart to bring up the fact that he still didn't have a song for the event yet. Dez was just like a young child and it would break his heart to crush his excitement. Besides, no one but him knew of his need for a Christmas song. Heck, no one really knew of his inability to write lyrics!

"Haha, yeah, and we're going to have an awesome time. Just imagine it! We could rub knees with Mariah Carey and Jason Mraz!" Austin said, keeping in mind of his friend's sensitive elbows. After chatting for a few minutes of the possible celebrities they could meet and the shenanigans they could get into (Who cares if they were 20?! When they're together, they acted like teens).

Hanging up, Austin looked up at the star that was placed delicately on top of the tree. This time last year, he and the band had been home for the holidays and he wished on that very star to bring a friend into his life, one that was his age and that he could enjoy spending time with. Back when he was presented the offer, Austin knew he wouldn't be able to stay in touch with his friends much while on tour and he knew he'd gain many fake ones. The friends he did make were years older than him and he felt too much like his father when he spoke with them. By coincidence or chance, only a few weeks later did Austin and Dez meet, on a subway train that Austin was forced to take after waking up late.

Deciding that his time spent freezing while looking at the place he would perform at in the near future was over, the blond rocker moved his arms up, fully concerned with stretching them. They had begun to get stiff after tours and sometimes in the cold weather, it would act up again. He assumed it was from the constantly same position his arms would be in on most nights of the year. But instead of his arms going upward, his right elbow connected with something hard and a small "Umf" was heard.

In a quick moment, Austin swiveled in his spot towards the sound only to look down and see a petite girl, back flat against the ground and one hand reaching for the brown book opened on the cement beside her while the other gripped her nose.

"I am so sorry!" he said immediately. Austin's arms reached down and helped the girl up, picking up the worn leather book as well. The girl's brown curls covered her face but her eyes looked up at Austin and he could tell that she was about ready to attack him. "I didn't mean to hit you. Is your nose okay?" he asked, the concern laced in his voice. The girl's hand hadn't left her nose and he feared it might have been broken.

The only response was a glare.

A sigh left his pale lips before he looked around and ushered the girl, who surprisingly didn't object, towards the nearest open building; a Starbucks.

The rocker made his way through the difficult crowds and shepherded the young woman through the door once. Smiles of relief graced their faces as they entered the warm shop.

"Now can I see your nose?" Austin asked when he brought them to an empty table against the windows. He let her sit in the high chair before standing in front of her and tucking her book safely under his left arm. The girl let out a breath before slightly rolling her eyes and slowly releasing her hand's grip on her nose. A sympathetic "Oh…" came from Austin as he grabbed the girl's chin and examined her nose. He ignored her raised eyebrow and slight glare as he took off the mitten protecting his right hand and moving to touch her very red nose.

"Ow!" she yelped as his finger grazed the surface. Austin's hand was still cold from the outside, she could even tell through the mitten that still covered the left hand gripping her chin before he touched her nose. She swatted his hand away before hiding her nose from his view.

"I'm sorry!" he exclaimed once more. "Just let me see your nose." His free hand took hers away from her nose.

"I doubt you're a doctor, Mr. Musician," the pretty girl mumbled. A chuckle rumbled low in Austin's throat as he continued to look at her nose.

"No, but I've broken my nose plenty of times from hockey." He slowly moved her face around, trying to catch all angles before he moved her head so her gaze was fixated on his. "It's not broken but it definitely looks sore."

Another roll of the eyes came from her before she spoke. "I could have told you that it's sore." It was now Austin's turn to roll his eyes as he removed his hand from her face. She began to stand up, catching Austin by surprise.

"Wait, at least let me buy you a coffee!" he nearly shouted. "You know, to show you I'm sorry…"

"Don't drink it," was her short response. She quickly made her way towards the door, Austin in shock at what just happened. The last time he was turned down was when he was seventeen.

"What's your name?" he shouted to her as she exited through the door. He noticed that she didn't hear him and he made a dash for the door. As he quickly made his way onto the street, he cursed the heavy throngs of people rushing past. There was absolutely no way he could find her now.

Austin moved to run his fingers through his blond hair when a worn, brown leather book made his movements suddenly awkward. He looked down at his armpit to see the book still safely tucked away. Grabbing it, he moved back towards the building and returned to the window seat. His fingers thumbed through the pages before opening to the most recent passage. It was a diary of sorts and on a page close to the back was a paragraph on how much the girl missed hearing new music from her favorite band, Screamin' Monkeys.

It was then that Austin's mind registered her, "Mr. Musician" comment. It had made sense. He turned to the very first page, hoping to see a name etched on the front cover.

A name he did find as well as something surprising; song lyrics. Austin found the way to his Christmas song.

"Looks like I'm not the only musician, Miss Ally Dawson."

Honestly, it's been a very long time since I have done a creative writing piece so my writing is really rusty. I would LOVE some pointers, tips, your criticisms, to help make this story amazing.

Thanks so much for the support guys, you're all amazing! :)

Until next time...