DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. These characters are solely those of the original producers, 'Kevin and Heath Productions' and 'Disney'. I do not take credit for characters or relationships between characters. Do not sue. Copyright infringement not intended.

Around 6:50 I started to tidy up the store before closing time. I'm glad we close earlier on Saturdays because evening shifts are absolutely brutal during the week.

I scribble a few notes in my song book and I say goodnight to the final customer as I close the doors. I don't lock them, though, because Austin's on his way.

I'm sitting at the bench with my back to the door still writing away some rough ideas for Austin's song. Chasing my fears is one thing, I write. But letting them go is beyond me. I don't have a clue where to start, but, I know I'll be fine if you're with me. I scribble a few more chords until suddenly-

"Boo!" Austin yells, jolting me off my seat.

"Austin," I yell. "How long have you been there?"

"About 2 seconds," he says with a laugh. "Here," he offers his hand to pull me up. I stand up and start walking towards the stairs that lead to the practise room. "Wait for me," he calls.

When we're all settled in to the room, I close the curtains. I really don't like the dark. I find it extremely oppressing. I turn on the overhead light as well as the standing light directly above the piano. I pull out the bench and my song book, then gesture for Austin to take a seat. I sit beside him.

"Okay," I say. "So I wrote a few lines and want your opinion." He nods. I play a single note to prompt my song. "I know the struggle it is to be scared, I know how badly I want to believe, that some day I'll be free from my own fears, that I can let it all go and be so free. But chasing my fears is one thing, and letting them go is beyond me. I don't have a clue where to start, but, I know I'll be fine if you're with me."

Austin stares at me. Oh, no, I think, did he hate it? I swallow.

"Oh my gosh, Ally!" he exclaims. "That was incredible!"

"Really?" I ask, surprised by his reaction.

The smile on his face is huge when he wraps me up in his signature bear hug. I don't hold back and I hug him back. I don't know how long we stayed like that, but it felt good, and I was so, so cold. When he pulled back, his face turned from an expression of gratitude to one of concern.

"Ally," he said slowly. "Are you okay? Your lips are a little blue." He inched closer, looking frightened.

I nod slowly, touching my own lips to see if I could feel it. Yeah, that makes sense, Ally, I say to myself. Because you can actually feel the blue. I mentally roll my eyes at myself. I reply, "yeah, just a little cold."

"Ally, it's 87 degrees outside. It isn't exactly chilly." He frantically searches the room for a blanket and finds one, folded, just behind recording table. He wraps me up in the soft, warm plush and he pulls the spin chair closer to me, gesturing me to make the switch from solid bench to comfy chair. I almost do it, but decide at the last second to stay where I am, suddenly afraid that if I move, I'll fall.

But I didn't want to scare him too much so I stood up to move. Immediately I felt my legs stop and I began to crumple to the ground. Luckily, I felt Austin catch me, but I didn't get the chance to thank him before I blacked out.