Austin rushed through the halls, bumping into only one person in his rush to get to his destination. He kept his cell phone slipped up his sleeve, perfectly aware of the school's policy on technology. But, he kept slipping it back out, checking for the light flashing to signify receiving a message from Ally.
I'm in the library, A.
He stopped, checked over his shoulder to make sure the coast was clear, and typed up a reply.
Be there in two! Moon.
Austin slipped the phone back up his sleeve (thank God the school was air conditioned and his long sleeved tee allowed him to do this), and rushed back in the opposite direction to the library that he'd just passed.
Nodding hello to the librarian, Austin rushed through the shelves to the back of the large room, where he knew he'd find his friend.
Or so he thought.
I'm here. Where are you? Moon.
He leaned against the history books, catching his breath and waiting for a reply. The library was always a good place to eat, or text, or even take a nap- all actions prohibited by school policy. But, supervision was almost non-existent here, so Austin considered it neutral and safe territory.
Under the table in front of you. I see your shoes, A.
Austin laughed, noticing the sweater peeking out from under the table cloth for the first time. Austin crouched down and climbed under.
"What are you doing under here?" he asked, grabbing her sweater in- keeping their secret spot just that, a secret.
"I needed an escape. I have so many tests to write tomorrow and no time to study because my dad has me working all evening until the store closes at nine pm. Plus, I'm running dry on ideas for your new song. Oh! And I'm avoiding Dallas," the petite girl whispered. Her hair was all over the place, and she looked exhausted.
"When was the last time you slept?" he asked, grabbing a RedBull out from his backpack. He'd been saving it for later, but Ally seemed to need it more.
"Thanks," she said, popping it open and gulping it down. "I tried sleeping last night, but stress kept me up. So, I tried studying instead, but then realized that my stress made me forget my books from school too!" As she kept talking, her breath came out shorter and shorter. Austin frowned.
"Slow down on that stuff; I think the caffeine is having a negative effect on you," he grabbed the drink, setting it beside him. He grinned at Ally, hoping his calm would settle her down a bit. It seemed to work. "Now, let's work each of your problems out- one by one."
"Sounds good," Ally said, changing positions and throwing on her sweater. Austin noticed her shivering and realized just how tired she was- cold because of fatigue. He reluctantly handed her back the energy drink. She giggled.
Well, at least he'd made her laugh.
"Okay, what was your first problem?" he asked, sitting cross-legged, focusing on her seriously.
"My tests and lack of time I have to study because of work," she answered, just as serious. She curled her fists into the sleeves of her sweater, shivering again.
"Come here," Austin reached towards her, enveloping her in his arms. She could feel instant heat. "Better?" he asked, and she nodded against his chest. "Good. Dez and I will cover your shift at the music store. We've done it enough to know what to do," he said to the top of her head.
Although he liked and respected Mr. Dawson, he hated the fact that he took advantage of his daughter's kindness. She willingly gave up hours upon hours in her week for Sonic Boom, without thanks for praise.
"You guys shouldn't have to-" she started, but he cut her off.
"We want to. Now, what's your second issue?" he asked, sitting back against the wall. The weight of Ally's body against his was comfortable. He could sit like this forever.
"Umm… your song. I haven't come up with anything, and tomorrow is Friday. Trish is going to kill me," she said. Austin could feel her body relaxing though. Although her voice claimed stress, her body was almost limp against his, sleep setting in.
"Don't worry about it. We've had new songs or videos for months now. One Friday will not matter. Besides, we're getting a lot of fan mail asking questions. Maybe I'll just get Dez to film me answering some of them," Austin reassured her. When Ally didn't respond, he shook her gently. "You awake down there?" he asked. She laughed.
"Yes, I'm just being lulled to sleep by the vibrations of your voice from your chest to my back," she said. She tilted her head so that she could smile up at him.
"Cool! What's your last issue? Avoiding Dallas. Why?" he asked, finally getting to the part that interested him most.
When, again, she didn't respond, he gently tugged on a random strand of hair. "Al-ly," he sing-songed to her.
"We haven't been getting along lately. The time I spend with him seems, I don't know- wasted, I guess. We don't like any of the same things and while I go out of my way to try out the things he likes, he doesn't do the same for me," she cuddled herself deeper into Austin's embrace, suddenly sad as well as cold and tired.
Austin's hold on her tightened. He'd known Dallas was a dud from the start, but he didn't see it as his responsibility to say anything. Maybe he was wrong.
"He should at least try," he mumbled. She nodded against his chest.
"I know I should do something about it, but I just don't want to have to deal with it right now," she admitted. He could sense her slowly succumbing to the fatigue and decided to let her.
"You don't have to. Just take this period to relax. I'll wake you up when it's time for English," he said.
He sat there for a while, just listening to the deep sound of her breathing. The sounds of the library were muted: the occasional scratch of pen on paper; the clicking of a keyboard; the hum of the photocopier in the supply room. The noises of the library, paired with the comfortable weight of Ally sent Austin from day-dreamland to the real deal.
a/n: This is part one of four little short snippets of events occurring under a table. Inspired by the similar event featured in Club Owners and Quinceaneras. I do not own Austin and Ally!
-Kali xo.