I stared at the quiet piano keys in a solemn, perpetual blank. My mind has been vacant for the past few days now, and it's scaring me. I never blank when it comes to music! When I'm in front of a piano, I just let my emotions loose and write! However, today, and for the past week, I can't even come up with a simple chord progression!

Hoping something would come to mind, I played a C major chord. Nothing. I then switched to a C minor to see if that could spark something. Again, nothing. The sad sound just resonated throughout the room in the Sonic Boom music shop loft, but my mind echoed in silence.

I miss Ally. We we're a great song writing team, that is, until our separate contracts split us apart. Ally and I worked well too. She did lyrics, I did chords. Now, however, I can't even do what I did best. I'm concerned for the lyrics.

What is my problem? I have a deadline in two weeks for three new songs, and I can't even get started on the first! I tried to pin it on no inspiration, but that I just can't do. It's a blessing and a curse that I can get inspiration from just about anything. Then, I tired to generalize it to writers block, but it didn't satisfy me. I needed to know what the problem was so I can fix it head-on.

I played an E-flat major 7th chord to see if it can help. When it didn't, I wasn't surprised, yet I was still disappointed. Why is this happening to me? I thought. My last few songs set the bar pretty high, so I know that my manager and label are expecting something even better! Maybe I need a muse, a human inspiration. Some pretty face to imagine while I write. I live in Miami and tourist season is picking up speed so there is bound to be a gorgeous girl that will catch my eye and give me that rush of inspiration that I desperately need.

"Austin," a voice called out. I was deep in thought when it rang out that it scared me and I jumped up in my seat. My eyes then shot towards the door 15 feet away from where I sat. Ally was poking her head through the door and seemed a little surprised, probably from my little seizure. "are you okay?"

"Yeah," I replied. "just don't do that to me!" she chuckled, and then entered into the room.

"No promises! How's the song going?"

"It's going nowhere!" I sigh, putting my palms to my face.

"What? You're kidding!" I shook my head. "Austin Moon, the Austin Moon, has writers block? Well this is a first!" I rolled my eyes and shook off her little taunt.

"Yeah, thanks." I reply coldly.

"I'm just kidding, Austin! Jeesh!" she said faintly. I should know better than to snap at her. Ally has had recent string of bad relationships, so I needed to be as gentle as I can because she is still tender. Moreover, considering I was one of them, I should be extra careful.

Ally took a seat next to me at the piano and I promptly laid my head on her shoulder. "Ally," I said with a sarcastic whine. "I so-o-o-o-o lost!"

"Well, what do you need help with?"

"I don't even know," I whines again, lifting my head from her shoulder to lay it on the piano keys, giving off a horrid sound.

"Well let's start somewhere. What chords do you have so far?"

"Nothing! That's the problem, I can't even get that!"

"What's not to get? You just …." she faded, moving her hand to the lower octave on the piano and playing an F chord, then moved up and down the scale in these chords and finally resolved it with the same F chord. She is so talented, I don't know how I got lucky enough to work with her, and learn from her, as long as I did.

"Ally," I vented. "it's just not that easy today."

"Austin," she cooed, turning her body to face me. "what do you need? Inspiration? Steady stimulation? Sexual motivation? Because I will get you a hoe!"

I found myself chuckling. "No! Not that!"

"I'm just saying! I got connections!" I looked up at her,

"How, do you have connections?"

"Well, there's half the girls at school!" she replied, laughing. I began to laugh too. Once that died down, I'll admit I did feel a little better. Ally then spoke, "Look, let's just get your mind off of it for today. How about we head to the beach? It's beautiful out and a good day to cool off!" I pondered the idea for a few moments, ultimately deciding that she'll force me to go anyway.

"That sounds good!" I smiled. Ally smiled back and giggled in anticipation.

"Great, now go get changed!"

"Yes, mother!"

"Good boy, now eat your vegetables!"

We chuckled at that and then headed off in our different directions to get changed.

Life is good! That's all that can be said. Ally and I were coasting down the highway towards the beach. The windows were rolled down, the wind was blowing, and the sun was shining making everything warm. The radio was also playing our favorites at the perfect volume. I was cracking jokes and Ally was somehow laughing at all of them, even snorting sometimes, which would send another wave of laughter from both of us. The drive to the beach made me miss Ally and I as a thing. I knew it wouldn't work out anymore, because if it did, there would be no reason to go to beach; my muse would be right there.

Once we reached the rather packed beach, we searched for a good spot and lied our stuff down. While putting on sunscreen, Ally spoke up,

"I just realized something."

"What?" I asked

"We're a couple of stalkers!" she chuckled. You know what, we are! We're at the beach to watch attractive people. It sounded really weird in my mind, but I didn't care, I really needed a muse! I began to look around as I took my shirt off and placed it on the towels. "Y'ready?" Ally asked. I nodded with a smile as we headed towards the water. My eye began to wander around, seeking out the prettiest women around here. Ally then tapped my shoulder and nodded toward a group of teenage girls 10 feet from us lounging on the sand. They were all pretty, but none struck me like I needed them too. I shook my head and shrugged.

We made our way in the water and went out farther than most of the people so we got a good vantage. Only a few others were as far as we were. I spotted a few other girls that caught my eye, but not my heart. Sadly, the beach was just seemingly filled with middle-aged and elderly people. Not many peers there.

Time passed and things were looking bleak. At least the sun was out and I got to spend some quality time with Ally.

Just as I was about to give up and leave, I saw … the one.

This was the last person I expected to peak my curiosity. I found myself staring at them for an unhealthy amount of time, admiring all their features. Wait, what? Why am I staring at them, it's disgusting! But, it's not … how can I be disgusted while staring at them!

They were out as far as Ally and I and a mere 10 feet away. They were also cuddling another person in their arms which nearly killed me. I felt inspiration and motivation begin to bubble up within me and I was nearly bursting at the seams with it.

My stomach dropped with I first lied eyes on them; so much so that I nearly fainted because I was so blown away. Apart of me was disgusted and another part of me wanted to strip naked and just let me have my way with them.

I admired their glowing blonde hair which was a lot like mine but it seemed to flow with a lot more grace. Their chest was large and defined and gave me some very involuntary excitement and their face looked ever so kissable. I just wanted to hold them in my arms like they did with their other half.

"Austin!" a voice rang out. "Austin! Are you okay?" It was Ally again, and again, I jumped when she spoke.

"Ally …" I murmured, turning to her. "I-I found them."

"You did?!" she replied, excitedly. "Where?" she asked looking around. I didn't want to point them out. I couldn't! My mind was at war that I couldn't think of even speaking at all! Austin, this isn't you! One side roared. But just look at them, they're irresistible! The other side retorted. "Austin!" Ally cried out. I didn't even look up at her, but just kept staring down at the water, watching, and feeling, my trunks growing by the second.

I felt disgusted.

I felt alive.

I was shocked.

I was in love.

Whoa! Love? How can I even think that? I've only seen this person once and I'm already using 'love'? Plus, I'm having all these mixed feelings about them and they obviously are with someone else, so how can I possibly even think to use that word?! I don't even believe in love at first sight!

"AUSTIN!" Ally called out roughly. I barely looked up. "Earth to Austin! What's wrong?" I tried to utter something out, but it came out as just some stutters and groans. I looked up, fully, at Ally. Her eyes looked up at me lovingly, but now, they weren't the same ones as before! "Austin, please tell me!"

I said nothing, but sprang from where I was. I moved around her and headed for the shore. "Austin!" she called following me. I didn't budge, but just walked back to the shore as fast as I possibly could. Ally kept calling out, but I didn't answer or even look back. I found myself passing our towels and going straight to the car, and when I reached the car, passing that and going to a small alcove of palm trees, falling down on the ground, and crawling up in a ball. I was nearly in tears at this point and I wanted to just be left alone.

"… Austin?" a voice cooed. I looked up and saw Ally standing there. "Austin, please. What's wrong? Who did you see?"

"My muse." I said with no hesitation. I began to shake from admitting that.

"Who?"

"I-I-I can't …." I faded.

"Yes, you can." she cooed, sitting down next to me.

"No, I can't."

"Yes, you can!"

"No!"

"Yes -!"

"No!" I snapped at her. She gasped slightly and I immediately felt guilty. Great. More emotions added to my pot of life! "I'm sorry, Ally!" I exclaimed, putting my arms around her.

"It's fine, Austin, but you know you can trust me! Please just tell me!" I knew I would have to tell her sooner or later.

"… okay." I sighed. "Y'know the couple that was next to us?"

"Her? You really felt something for her?" Ally replied, cocking an eyebrow.

"No, no her."

"Then, if not her …?" I sighed and my shakes got worse. I finally responded after a moment.

"Him."