Chapter two! I had a really hard time with this one because this story could have gone two very different ways; country boy Austin or slightly-distant/slightly-mysterious Austin. I'm glad I chose the one that I did. Hope you do too!
DC; Don't own anything.
Read on!
The next day was Tuesday, which meant Dez had a film class at the rec center, Trish was watching America's Next Top Model and her dad was working late that night. Which also meant that Ally had to walk home by herself today. Oh, joy.
She just hoped that Lisa and Jenna wouldn't find her and harass her. She was alone, so who knows what could happen if those two got to her.
She adjusted her floral backpack and trudged on in the August heat, silently thanking god that she'd have her license in a few short months.
She put on her headphones and played some music from her phone to help pass the time on her walk. A few short moments later, someone was tapping her shoulder.
Ally took her headphones off as she hesitantly turned around, ready to run for the hills if needed. Instead of a murderer or a kidnapper like she'd expected, she was relieved to see the blonde boy from the hallway, clad in a grey shirt and worn-out jeans that she suspected were the same ones he wore the previous day. His blonde hair was much messier than it had been in Pizza Hut.
"Uh, hi?"
Austin. Trish said his name is Austin.
He pursed his lips, almost awkwardly. "Erm, you dropped this back there. Looked important." He then held out a brown leather book with her name on the front; it was her song journal, the most important thing she owned.
She let out a sigh of relief, taking the book into her hands. "Oh my gosh, thank you so much. I don't know what I would've done if I lost this." She put the book in her bag and zipped it up to be safe before smiling up at the boy beside her. He has really pretty hazel eyes. "Uh, Austin, right?"
He nodded slowly, eyebrows knit together and a look of caution in his eyes. "I didn't-"
"You have biology with my best friend. The loud Latina with big hair who probably sits in the back. She mentioned you."
A look of realization crossed the blonde's face as he nodded. "Oh, Trish. Yeah."
There was an awkward beat where both teens glanced around, not sure of what to say or do next.
"I, um, didn't catch your name..?"
She smiled again, holding out her hand. "I'm Ally Dawson."
He smiled slightly, against his will might he add, as he shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Dawson."
"Ally." She corrected, doe eyes looking up at him through her thick lashes.
"Right." He adjusted his black backpack and stuffed his other hand in his pocket. "Quick question, am I heading in the right direction of Cloud lane? I feel like I took a wrong turn or something and my phone is dead so no GPS.."
She nodded right away. "Yep, you're heading that way. I actually live right around the corner from Cloud lane, so if you want, we could walk together?"
He nodded once. "Thanks."
It was a quiet walk for a bit when she was deciding on how to break the silence, but luckily for her, Austin spoke up first.
"So, you from around here?"
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "I actually grew up here. I could walk this town blindfolded, probably." She let out an airy laugh, knowing good and well that she could. "And yourself?"
He hesitated, eyes searching her own - but for what? He seemed to find whatever it was he was looking for in Ally, and finally spoke, quietly, curtly.
"I'm from a small town in Texas."
"Really? Man, I would love to see Texas. I bet the sky is so big you can see every little star out there.."
"You can. When you're not in a city." He said, shrugging. Then he turned to her, eyes serious. "Can you not, uhm, mention that around anyone, though?"
She raised an eyebrow, but decided not to question the blonde. "Sure."
"Thanks."
Ally noticed they were in front of her house now, and stopped walking. "Well, this is my stop. To get to Cloud just go down another block and take a right." She instructed as she dug her keys out of her pocket.
He repeated her instructions in hopes of remembering them correctly before nodding and stuffing his hands in his jean pockets. "Thanks. Again."
"You're welcome." She smiled, tilting her head up slightly to look at him due to their height difference.
He couldn't help but let his eyes linger on her face for a moment longer than acceptable; he wasn't going to lie, she was gorgeous. Her big brown eyes screamed innocence, her hair reflected the sunlight perfectly and her bright smile made him feel the way a good live guitar solo did; wildly alive.
And despite the promise he made to stay away from girls after the last one he got involved with, he had a sneaking suspicion that he would be seeing a lot more of this tiny brunette and her beautiful smile.
She looked down as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The way Austin was looking at her made her blush, but she wasn't sure why so she ignored it.
He coughed, forcing himself to look away. "See you around, Dawson."
"Ally." She corrected with an eye roll, albeit biting back a smile.
"Yeah, sorry."
She nodded before walking up to her front door and unlocking it. She waved at the blonde before shutting the door. She peeked out the window to see him stare at her house and shake his head slightly before walking away, towards his house.
The way he had looked at her just minutes ago...she wasn't sure why, but she hadn't wanted him to stop. It made her feel like she was on a roller coaster, right before the big drop. And she liked the rush.
She doesn't like him-like him, no, she doesn't even know him well enough to like him that way. But she does have a strong feeling that she'll probably be seeing more of the blonde with pretty hazel eyes sometime soon.
She sighed, attempting to push the blonde out of her mind and setting out her homework. It was time to focus.
