Hi there! I figured I needed a little break from the heavy angst that I've been writing lately and thought a little humor would do me some good. And I love the song this is based off of and thought... hey, why not? It's a long one shot, but one I'm proud of, and I know some of you have been very excited for it. I hope it lives up to your hopes. Please don't be shy to let me know what you thought of it.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!


"Seniors!" Trish leaned over the diner table, her eyes gleaming with excitement and achievement, mixed with a little mischievousness. "We're going to be seniors tomorrow!"

Ally stirred her milkshake, looking down at the vanilla liquid with a bit of disgust. Trish had been shouting and cheering about heading into their final year of high school for the last hour or so—practically since she stomped up the stairs of her house and barged into her room, declaring they head to their local diner and have one last 'summer memory'. The bland tasting milkshake hardly screamed summer adventure to her, but she really didn't have it in her to argue with her ambitious best friend that day.

"Can you believe it? I can't believe it."

Trish babbled for a few more minutes, oblivious to Ally's lack of concern. Finally, she was the one to cut her off and speak up, "It's so boring."

"I can't believe—what?!" Trish's eyes nearly bulged onto the table. "How can you say that? It's one of the most exciting years!"

"My vanilla milkshake," she added, giving the other girl a look of distaste. She motioned around her, showing off the familiar setting with lack of interest. "Everything in my life is so boring, Trish! I get a vanilla milkshake every time we come here—the waitress knows me by name—and we do the same thing every week! I'm going into my senior year and I haven't done one thing that was adventurous!"

"… sure you have!"

"Name one time."

Trish scratched her head, "Well, I didn't think you were going to make me name one."

Ally sighed, "Exactly. Trish, I'm boring. I'm so boring I bet paint drying looks interesting!"

"You're not that boring, Ally. I hang out with you."

She snorted, "Only because we've been best friends since we were kids."

Ally noticed she didn't deny that. "Okay so," Trish started, taking a sip of her soda. "What do you want to do about it? Do you want a chocolate milkshake?"

"No!"

Just as she shouted this, the bell to the diner chimed and in walked a group of guys. Two of them were familiar – one being Trent, Trish's ex, and Dallas – Ally's old crush and turned decent friend. The one to the left of him she did not recognize but boy, was she attracted to him. He was tall and lean, but muscular underneath his band t shirt, blond hair tussled in a way that she assumed was meant to look like he just rolled out of bed. His eyes, clear on hers were a chocolate color, but in the light they seemed to flicker almost. She immediately felt her cheeks redden and her fingers turn clammy. He was model-like beautiful.

"Holy hell."

"You got that right," Trish murmured. "Who the hell is that?"

"I don't know."

"He's looking at you."

Ally squeaked, pulling a menu over her face. "Why is he looking at me?!"

"How should I know? He can't do that now!" She tried to pry the menu out of her hands. "Ally, stop it! Go say hi."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because he's cute," the girl deadpanned. Ally didn't budge. "Oh my God! Ally, do something! You clearly think he's cute. Go say hi and introduce yourself." Again, she didn't move. She could feel her heart and stomach doing funny things, classic signs that she found him attractive. If only she wasn't in public – she'd go back to her old habit of hair chewing. But Trish thought she broke that years ago – she wasn't about to tell her that she still did it from time to time. "Ally!" The girl's sharp tone made her lower the menu just a bit, "Listen to me. You just told me how boring you think you are, and how you don't want to be boring! There is a gorgeous guy who is clearly checking you out, right now over there and you're hiding behind a menu. You've been timid all your life – why not change that and become brave? Go say hi. Introduce yourself. Start this year off with a bang. … Or be banged! I don't care which. Just. Go. Do. Something!"

Ally put down the menu and peeked that direction again. The blond God blinked at her, a tiny smile curving onto his lips. She squeaked, ready to pull up the menu once more when Dallas waved, as if he was beckoning her toward him, and she sighed. Maybe Trish was right. She spent so much of her life hiding behind her best friend, behind people, trying to just get by. She was predictable, boring—blah! She didn't want to be that girl this year. She wanted to stand out… but for good reasons.

She carefully inspected her outfit and looked quickly at her best friend, who was nodding her head in encouragement. Ally shifted on her booth, then got up slowly. She didn't have much practice being smooth, but everyone had to start somewhere. With one final glance toward Trish, she tried her best to saunter her way over to the group of boys waiting to be seated. Brave Ally was coming their way.

Dallas greeted her first, a wide, pleased smile on his face. "Ally! How have you been?"

"Good," she started, trying to make eye contact with the blond. Her legs shook under her and she prayed for some sort of strength to make it through this encounter. "How was your summer? I haven't seen you for the most of it!"

"Oh, that's because I was up North with my family and my girlfriend. You remember her, right? She's out shopping with her friends right now, but me and my boys figured we'd get one last bro-hang in before classes start." Ally was relieved that Dallas threw in that he was dating Cassidy and said they were just friends. She needed any help she could get. At the mention of his friends, Ally smiled warmly at Trent, despite her wishes to rip his throat out and then glanced at the blond boy. "Oh, right! You don't know Austin! He just moved in next door to me a few weeks ago. He's from LA."

"I'm Ally," she told him, deciding to cut off her friend. She wanted to make the first impression herself. "Welcome to Miami. Are you going to Marino High?"

"Yeah," he answered, his voice heavenly (Ally thought so, at least). "I'm a senior. A little nervous, to be honest."

Ally laughed a little too hard and then added, "Oh, I imagine. It is a nice school though, I'm sure I'll see you around. Me and my best friend go there." She pointed to Trish over at the booth. The conversation lulled as he nodded his head, shoving his hands into his pockets. She noticed his feet fidgeting and she wondered if she were boring him; she was going to boring Ally. She panicked, wondering how to keep his interest! Quick, what would Trish do? "Are you doing anything tonight?"

What? Ally nearly covered her mouth. She wanted to scold her brain for allowing such a comment to leave her lips, but at the same time, she was curious to his answer. The worst was done; she asked the question and could only be told no at that point. He exchanged a look with Dallas. "Well, school is tomorrow…"

"Yeah, but it's still summer right now," she added. "Might as well have one last adventure."

Austin grinned, flicking his hair aside. "I like the way you think. My answer is yes. Will I meet you here?"

"Sure," she said easily. "That'd be great."

Austin thanked her and she tried to make as grand an exit as she did an entrance, but probably looked like she ran back to her table. Trish waited eagerly, and she could barely contain herself, "I think I have a date!"

Ally nearly destroyed her closet trying to find something to wear later that night with Trish, throwing clothes in every direction and finding herself unsatisfied with everything she owned. Everything was boring, and bland. She wanted none of it. She glanced at the clock—it was too late to head to a store, and she didn't have all that much money anyway. She desperately looked at her friend, who was lying on her bed, reading a magazine despite having clothes piled on her. "Help me!"

"We already went through your closet," she reminded her. "I don't know what to tell you."

"I need an outfit! Something that makes me… crazy!"

"You're already crazy."

Ally huffed, and then looked at her another time, "Help me, please!"

She finally looked up and sighed. "Alright, but you're not going to like what I have to say." Ally motioned for her to continue, and then the other girl just smiled. "I need a pair of your jeans, and a top that you don't care all that much for." Before Ally could question her though, she had pulled a pair of Ally's old jeans off the floor, and demanded she give her a top. Ally only watched as Trish pulled a pair of scissors out of the drawer and snapped off the hem of the shirt, tearing it so that it was jagged and edgy. Then she did the same to the jeans, only she made them torn further, as if they'd been through a fight with a razor or two. She glanced at her best friend. "Try it on."

"Do I get a top under it?"

"Ally, that's boring."

She smiled slightly, "Right."

The shirt looked awesome. It showed off her waist and her body just enough that she didn't feel naked, and her jeans looked like something out of a magazine. Trish was quick to pull her to the vanity in he room, pulling her hair out of the ponytail. It fell effortlessly to her shoulders. Trish frowned at this, then found a bottle of hairspray. Within seconds, she had it wavy and full of texture. "How do you feel about make up?"

"I'd rather not."

Trish shrugged, offering her a lip gloss which Ally took. She didn't want to completely lose the stuff she knew she loved and make up just wasn't her thing. "Oh my God. I look like a rebel," she laughed into the mirror. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Trish smiled at her work and then flopped back down on the bed. "I can't believe this."

"Are you excited?"

"A little nervous," she admitted. "He's gorgeous and brand new. I can't believe he said yes."

"Ally," her best friend scolded. "Boring as you claim or not, you are beautiful and sweet. He'd be dumb to turn you down. Though, I do wonder how smart he is for hanging out with Dallas and Trent, but we won't go there."

She ignored her friend's comments. Dallas was a little bit dumb, and she knew just how cruel that Trent could be, so she didn't want to push it. She glanced at the clock. "I need to leave now or I'm going to be late!" She quickly grabbed her purse and a jacket in case it decided to get cooler. "Don't wait up!"

"That's what I like to hear!"

Ally drove to the diner she frequented with her best friend, her heart hammering in her chest. She wasn't used to this, and she wasn't sure now that she was alone she could hold up this whole 'brave' act. This boy was gorgeous and funny from what she could see and she knew she only had once change to steal his heart, or even keep his attention. She parked her car, looking in the mirror to catch her reflection a final time. A tiny smile graced her lips because the girl in the mirror looked confident and if she could fake it until she felt it, she'd be good.

"Now or never, Ally," she murmured. "Let's do this."

She quickly walked inside to beat the heat and took a seat in one of the nearby booths. Austin was not there yet, and she wanted to be in view when he entered so that he didn't have to look. As if on cue, he walked through the door. Her jaw wanted to hit the floor – how did someone pull of jeans and a t shirt so well? His red jacket only added to the hotness factor, as did his old converse. She wanted to squeal. This was truly happening to her.

He spotted her almost immediately, walking over to take a seat across. "Hey."

"Hi," she smiled. "Aren't you hotter in that?"

His eyes twinkled.

"I mean – hot! Hot in that! I mean, not that you're not hot! I mean—oh God. I'm going to shut up now."

He chuckled, "I'm a little warm, yeah." He didn't further indulge her question, though she could see the amusement in his eyes. "Do you wanna grab something to eat before we head out?"

"Sure," she quickly answered, still reeling from her question before. "That's fine."

He flagged down a waitress, one of the many who knew her. "Vanilla milkshake, Ally?"

"They know you here?" he teased. "I thought Miami was a big place."

She blushed, shaking her head. "It is. Uh, no, actually." She looked down at the menu for the first real time in years. Her eyes landed on another drink. "I'll have a half and half, please. Extra lemon." She looked at Austin. He was studying the menu himself. The waitress seemed surprised but waited for Austin to order his own milkshake, oddly vanilla. "They're pretty good."

"Are they? Why didn't you get one?"

She considered telling him about her plan, but figured she'd weird him out. "I just felt like a tea today. Where did you move from?"

"I lived up further north, almost near the border. My parents moved for their job; they own a mattress store. We opened a new one downtown. They'll be traveling back and forth. Miami's got a better buyer rate."

"Oh. My father owns a music store in the mall."

"Really?" he seemed surprised. "We just opened there!"

"I didn't realize you meant there," she laughed. "You must've moved where the old craft store was."

"Yeah!"

They both chuckled, clearly trying to find conversation as they went along. Now alone, she realized how truly brazen her question had been earlier. She knew nothing about this boy, or if he was anything more than a pretty face. Her cheeks burned as this came to mind, and she squirmed in her seat. He had to be more than a pretty face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she lied, surprisingly well. "Sorry. What do you want to do after this?"

She had no idea. She hadn't been on a real date in almost two years and she wasn't even sure if this was a date. She thought about all Miami had to offer, all she could show him and yet somehow came up blank. Gripping at anything she could, she tried to picture what Trish would suggest. Something bold, something worth remembering. "What do you think about open fields?"

"… They're uh… open?"

Ally giggled, "I know where there is one we could hang out with." She twiddled with a loose hem on her top. "The planes touch down not far from it. It's pretty."

"Sounds good to me."

He was so laid back and sweet. She wanted to squeal.

"What do you like to do?"

His question threw her off guard. When she blinked at him, he added, "For fun. What do you do around here?"

She thought about lying, telling him some elaborate tale about surfing, or another adventurous hobby she'd never done. Instead, she shrugged, looking timid. "I like to write songs."

"Do you sing?"

She shook her head, "I'm a little afraid of being on stage."

"Really? I love to sing."

"Do you?" she smiled at him. "That's great. I appreciate music."

He was silent for a moment, "Me too." The bell on the door chimed. "Do you want to head to that field now?"

"Sure."

He threw a twenty on the table and offered her his hand. She glanced at it before taking it and then quickly followed him out the door to an old pick up truck that had seen better days. Blue and rusted in some spots, he seemed almost embarrassed to have her near it. "I'm sorry. It's not the best ride, but I love her."

She shook her head, "It's got character. I like it."

"You'll have to tell me where to go."

"That's fine," she told him, climbing into the truck. As he started the engine and began to drive onto the main road, she took in the vehicle. Despite it's outward appearance, it was still relatively put together on the inside. The seats were dark leather, no cuts or broken areas. A tiny treble hung on a small chain that dangled on the rearview mirror, twinkling as they went under streetlights. The sun was still in the sky, but was clearly heading to the west. Finally, he spoke, asking where to go next. "Take the next right."

Austin allowed himself to be led down an old road that looked as if it were condemned. Had he led her there, she probably would have been planning her goodbye letter in fear that he might be trying to kill her. Instead, she saw he almost looked enthralled by the outside of town; the outskirts where there were farms and large plots of land that no one seemed to claim. She told him to turn a second time, down a dirt road that lead to the nearest field to the airport. They'd be able to watch the planes land from there, and she hoped for a little more than that.

Her heart was pounding in her chest for a second time that day.

"There's a NO TRESPASSING sign up ahead," he noted.

Ally dipped a smile, "Does that bother you?"

His eyes twinkled, "Not if it doesn't bother you."

Cop Car

She was not beautiful. Beautiful was a simple word, the first thing people used to describe someone they found attractive. She was more than that. She was special. He searched for a word to describe her as she had him take another right down a dirt road, trying his best to hide the ever growing smile on his face. He didn't want her to think he was weird; some kind of odd person who came from a weird background.

"We're almost there."

"Awesome," he breathed, slowing the car when she pointed to an area near a fence. He parked his truck and then hurried out of it, opening her door before she could get her hand on the latch. A tiny smile dared to cross her face as he offered his hand. "Ever heard the story about a guy who drives a truck?"

"No, what's that?"

"We're gentlemen," he grinned. He shook his head, "I'm sorry. Gentlemen don't say that. I'm an idiot."

"No, you're sweet," she laughed, walking slowly in her boots to the fence. He watched her hair blow in the breeze, the waves dancing around her shoulders. He tried to resist looking at her body, but it was hard. He had to admit; he was a male and she certainly had curves. She turned around just in time and he quickly crossed the distance to join her at the fence. "I like coming out here." She fell silent and he wondered if he should ask why, but then she continued, "I come out here to write. The city is too full of light and life sometime. The only thing out here is the sound of the wind and the planes. It's peaceful."

He wanted to kiss her right then and there, but knew it wasn't the right time.

"What do you write about?"

Ally leaned against the fence, her shirt rising enough that her midriff was in full view. Her pale, toned stomach made him shiver. He remembered seeing her in the diner that morning, with her dark haired friend and couldn't help but stare. Even in her looser shirt and jeans she was captivating and when she walked up, he thought he'd hit the jackpot. Dallas told him he had. He didn't understand why the guy hadn't gone for her himself. He decided he was crazy.

"I write about life," she answered, giving him a tiny smile. "Anything I can think about. How I feel; what it feels like to be alive. I just wish I had someone to bounce ideas off of sometimes."

"I wish I could say I'd give you that, but I can't write a song to save my life."

"Sure you can," she stated easily, her voice melodic. "Writing is easy. You just have to find inspiration; that's the tough part."

He again couldn't resist a smile. "Maybe I need to come out here more often."

This time, she grinned and pointed a finger at his chest. "This is my spot. Find your own!"

The silence came over them a second time and he walked back over to his truck, dropping the tailgate so that he could sit on the end of it. She followed him there, sitting closer than he would've thought. She seemed nervous by this, probably wondering if it was alright. He hadn't had experience with girls in a while—not since that night, but he wanted to be close to someone again. He missed that. So, he made a choice and quickly slipped his fingers through hers. He could feel her tense almost immediately, though she soon relaxed. "Is this okay?"

"Yes," she answered, her voice tiny. "It's okay."

Again, silence. He noticed it wasn't a bad silence; just one where neither of them wanted to interrupt. A plane flew overhead, landing on one of the roads nearby. Another plane prepared to take off. He looked at her. "Tell me something about you."

Ally didn't answer him right away, as if the conversation turning to her again was almost painful. She finally shrugged, "I'm pretty boring, to be honest. I like writing. I like cloud watching." She seemed to cringe as she announced this. "I work at my parent's store. I like to spend time with Trish. I just like … life?"

"That's not a bad thing. Not everything has to be exciting," he assured her.

Ally's eyes were suddenly on his directly, "Really? I don't know if I believe that." She quietly played with a hem on her shirt. He noticed when she got nervous, she did this. When she finally looked up, the doubt in her eyes was gone. "Tell me something I wouldn't expect about you."

He took a deep breath. He didn't like to keep things in the dark and he figured the faster she knew, the quicker she could run. If only figuratively, considering they were on the outside of town, miles from the diner. "Well, I was really close to my brother all of my life. We did everything together; he used to inspire me in every way. He was a couple years older and had so much to live for. One night when we were home alone, he collapsed. He played sports; he had hopes to play baseball in college. That night he was diagnosed with cancer." He looked down at the truck. "It didn't take long for that dream to disappear."

Ally squeezed his hand, not saying a word for a moment. Oddly, it felt right. When she did speak, she spoke carefully, "I'm so sorry. How long ago?"

"I never said he died," he stated, looking at her with surprise. "How did you know?"

She seemed apologetic, "You spoke in past tense, and I could feel your demeanor change."

"Oh." He again looked back her way. "Thanks, though. It's been a few months now. That's part of the reason my parents opened a new store. They needed to get away from our hometown. It's supposed to be a new beginning here."

"Well, I think you're going to enjoy it here."

Austin smiled, "Me too."

Over the next few hours, as the sun went down, they talked further. Austin learned about her stage fright, her mother's trips to Africa; how she once almost dated Dallas… everything he wanted to know and more. Much like he thought, she was absolutely… he still couldn't find the word for her. He just knew that she was something else. Despite claims that she didn't "do much" or "say much" he thought she spoke wonders.

The sun was gone as they lied back on his truck, discussing what they wanted to do when done with their senior year. "Music," they both stated, much to each other's surprise.

"But your father wants you to run the store!"

"Your parents want an athlete!"

Ally was first to smile, "My dream doesn't involve the store. I love it. I was raised there, but my heart belongs writing a song."

"I can't hit a baseball if it was only a foot away from me." He showed her a scar. "I once fell into a fence trying to hide from the ball. My brother thought it was hilarious."

She stifled a giggle. "That's quite an accomplishment."

"It hurt, a lot," he feigned hurt of his own.

She punched his shoulder, then the timidness returned. "Do you think I'm boring, Austin?"

He was taken back by her statement, looking at her with disbelief and astonishment. "No, not at all. I hope you don't think that."

"I think that about myself sometimes." She shifted on the truck. "I've gone all of my life and today was the first time I stepped out of my bubble."

"Yeah?"

"I asked you out."

Austin couldn't help the wide smile that spread across his face.

Just as he was about the answer, he saw flashing blue and red lights coming their direction. Ally was first up, her eyes wild with fear. She glanced at him and he had no idea what to do. Cop cars were coming their way and they'd driven past that sign hours ago! Ally gathered her things only to realize they had no where to go.

"Do you think we could make a run for it?"

Austin had to snort, "Ally, I don't think I want to try to outrun a cop."

"Good point," she realized. A tiny laugh escaped her lips, "It'd make a good story, wouldn't it?"

He too laughed as the cops came toward them, flashing lights in their faces. Austin walked to the right, Ally to the left and immediately as the cop began to speak, she put her arms up both to shield her vision and in defeat – or so he thought.

"Do you think I'm boring?" played again in his head as a though familiar, teasing voice asked, "Is there a problem here, officer?"

Austin bit back a laugh.

"Miss, do you realize this is a privately owned area?"

"It is?!" Ally was a fantastic liar. She sounded particularly confused by his question. "Oh no! Austin, did you know that?"

The cop flashed the light toward him and he had to do his best job to hide the smile that was threatening his lips. She glanced at him as the other cop came up beside them.

"There is a clear sign that blocks this road," the cop added, un-amused. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you two in for trespassing, kids."

"What?!" he didn't mean to question the cop in such a manner, but it just happened.

"Please put your hands where I can see them."

"Officer," Ally pleaded, her voice tiny. "I apologize, truly. You see, Austin here is new to town and I was just trying to show him a good time – I didn't realize we passed that sign." Her voice began to sound airy. "I mean, does it really matter? I thought we had freedom of … driving? Isn't that an amendment?" She scratched her head, eyes feigning the best innocence he'd seen in a while.

He found himself captivated by her another time that night. The way the lights were flashing in her mischievous eyes, the way they seemed to dance despite the obvious trouble they were in – they were freeing; bold; beautiful. Different. He again wondered how to describe her, but came up with nothing but empty. Not because she was boring, but because she was anything but.

"Miss, that is not an amendment!"

"Are you sure?" she glanced at Austin. "I thought it was! Oh no! No wonder I didn't pass history last year." As if on cue, she stomped her feet in the dirt, kicking up dust. Ally swung herself in circles, singing about failing and he again stifled a laugh. He had no idea what she was doing, but he was loving it. The girl was a firecracker in every sense of the word. "Darn it, darn it!"

"Miss, are you drunk?"

"What?" she flipped around angrily this time. "No, sir!"

"I'm asking you to come to the side of this car and put your arms against it. We're taking you two in."

"Do you have a light?" She twirled a strand of her hair. Austin could almost bet that Ally didn't smoke, so he didn't know where she was going with this part, either. "If I'm going to be in a car all this time, I really need a cigarette."

"Miss, please," the cop begged. As she twirled in the headlights, the other cop came up beside Austin and motioned for him to lean against the car. With a little more force than necessary, he slammed the cuffs onto his wrists and leaned him the opposite direction of the vehicle.

"Has your girlfriend been drinking tonight, son?"

Austin too smiled, "She's not my girlfriend."

"Has she been drinking?"

Ally was now dancing around the truck, mystifying the cop to the point where he was just standing there, staring at her with troubled eyes. He probably didn't want to be the cop who was rough with such a tiny, young girl or be the next one on the news. So, he just watched her. Austin finally lost his control and began to laugh at the two of them, only in time for the cop to glare in his direction. Boring? No. Ally Dawson was a wild child that night.

"I told you we should have ran for it!"

Austin was glad the cop shoved him into the car as she stated this because he'd lost all semblance of control when she yelled that. The door slammed and the cops focused on the task of getting Ally beside him. Minutes later, they put her next to him.

She winked as the door was closed and they made their way to his truck to inspect it. "How many cops does it take to restrain a girl of my size?" she teased.

"What got into you?"

Ally shrugged, "I don't know. We weren't doing anything; there isn't a reason for them to do this. I come out here all the time and no one bothers me." She looked at the boy next to her, in his worn clothes and even more beat up truck behind them. "I don't care what they think about us. I want them to remember how much it took to get us into this car."

"Your father is going to kill me," he muttered. "He doesn't know me and I've already got his daughter arrested and in jail."

They were definitely going to jail. He wanted to groan. So much for a new start.

"Oh, please. He won't even believe it."

Austin had to laugh a second time in the last few minutes, "I really like you, Ally."

This time, her brave exterior and bravado for the last few minutes melted. She fumbled with her fingers, running them through her hair, back to the hem on her shirt before she made herself look at him again. He put a smile on his face. "You mean that?"

"I mean it. You're … I don't know what to call you, but you're ... Ally."

She blushed as the cops slammed his truck door. He wanted to shout at them to be careful; that the truck was his only way to get to and from class tomorrow; that it was his everything and the only connection he had left to his brother most days. It'd been his first and he didn't want harm to come to it. Still, he couldn't keep his eyes off Ally for more than a few seconds.

"Can I tell you something?" she asked.

"Of course."

"I've been trying to be brave all night long," she explained, reminding him about their earlier conversation. "But holy crap, I am so scared right now."

He didn't know what to say, but he shimmied his fingers close enough that he could latch himself onto hers. "We're going to be alright. Despite your little display back there, they don't really have much."

She tilted your head, "Seriously?"

He shook his. "No. I think we're screwed."

This got a laugh. "That's it. I'm telling my father it was your fault."

"Oh!" he pushed her. "That's cruel."

"I'm kidding."

"I know."

The door opened and the cops took their seats in the front, not looking in their direction.

"Do you think we would've made it that far?"

The cop didn't answer.

"I mean it. I'm sure we weren't the first two to consider making a run for it. I think we would've made it a few feet before you caught us. I'm just curious."

The cop again didn't budge.

Ally shrugged, "Probably not too far. I suck at sports."

"Me too, remember?"

The other cop looked into the mirror. "You too are very calm right now for being in the back of a cop car."

Austin didn't know what to say to that at first, considering they truly were. Despite everything, he wouldn't take back the night they'd had. He'd met a wonderful girl, one who didn't pity him like everyone back in his hometown. She wasn't very good at being bad, but he'd gotten a good laugh out of her attempts. Something told him that she knew every amendment by heart. Still, he'd made her feel good for the first time in months. He didn't know how to explain this, but figured it wouldn't matter. "I'm with good company, Sir." He shifted so that he could look at Ally. "I met someone today who makes me happy."

Ally just smiled.

"I know we're on private property, and that we've broken the law, but we really didn't mean any harm. We both start our senior year tomorrow, please consider not going through with this."

Before he could say much else, the cop chuckled. "Relax kid. We're letting you go."

"Really?" Ally asked.

The one Ally had bothered pointed a finger at him, "Dumb doesn't look pretty on a girl as smart as you are," he told her, his voice firm. "I know you, Ms. Dawson. Your friend Mr. Dez Wade's father would not appreciate your comments tonight."

Her cheeks burned and she turned to him, "My friend's father is the police chief."

"Seriously?!"

He rolled his eyes, "Ally, nice try, but please, stick to yourself. You're just fine the way you are."

He noticed her take that to heart. They came around and unlocked the cuffs. "You're free to go."

"Thank you," Austin told him honestly.

"Get out of here. You two got school in the morning!"

They rushed off toward the truck, looking back. "I said go!"

Austin considered what she was again as he hopped into the car, looking at her peaceful expression. They chatted a bit about the night as they neared the city, giggling at the cops. He thought about other words to describe her. Charming, sweet, delightful, exquisite, lovely, radiant. The list went on and on. He couldn't put a word on it. He wondered if that was how it felt to fall in love.

She glanced at him, her pale features studying him in the dark.

Oh yeah, he was already gone.

Cop Car

Ally fell onto her bed that night, practically collapsing with exhaustion and yet fulfillment. She never thought she'd be where she was today but she didn't regret it. She touched her lips with a smile on them, knowing only a short while ago they were on a gorgeous boy's, and sighed. Maybe she wasn't all that good at being a rebel, but the cop had been right. She didn't need to be some wild child to make an impression. Before Austin had even seen that side of her, he'd taken an interest.

And now she had a boy who liked her. A lot.

She rolled over on her bed, grabbing her phone. It was almost midnight, but she knew he'd be up.

Another smile crossed her face as she typed 'Austin' into the 'New Message' field.

I still say running for it would've made a good story.

You're crazy as hell. ;)

Ally laughed. I'm too innocent to go to jail.

Is there a song about running from the cops and falling for someone?

She smiled. I don't know. Maybe you should help me write one.