Austin's POV
The shy girl was truly paradise. She didn't talk much, obviously, but she talked enough to give Austin an idea of how this project was going to be. Complete and utter paradise.
"Are you new here?" Austin asked. When she gave him an annoyed face he blushed. It obviously isn't the first time she's been asked that.
"I've been here for three years." She said, "we're both juniors, Austin."
"Sorry, I guess I just never noticed." Austin said, which would be pretty accurate. The only human contact he experiences is with Dez and his mother. He never really bothered I get to know who's in his class, because he probably would only see them then.
It was quiet between the two as the class went on. Everyone seemed to be happy and chatting about what they want their song to be about, but Austin and Ally just looked nervously at their shoes. Austin wanted to say something, but he was afraid that he would say something insensitive again. He tends to do that sometimes.
"Do you want to work at my house or yours?" Ally blurted out when she looked at the clock. Five minutes until the bell rings.
"What do you mean." Austin asked.
"This assignment will take more than being in a school music room with just one piano. I want to make a melody for our song, and we need a quiet, non-hostile environment for that to work. Plus I have a piano at my place." She said quickly, twisting her hair on her finger. Maybe asking that question was too forward?
"Yours." Austin said, remembering about his father's arrival. He doesn't want anyone in his wrath. "You live across the street from Dez." Ally gave him a questioning look, stopping mid-write.
"Guess I don't have to give you my address then." She said skeptically. Austin gave her a sheepish grin.
The bell rang and everyone shuffled to get out the classroom. Ally waited for everyone to leave so nobody could knock her books out her arms, and Austin waited so he could play something on the piano. He had a minute, and that was all he needed.
Sitting on the piano seat, he places his hands delicately on the piano keys. Gently, he starts to play the toon of All of me. Playing loudly, he starts to sing quietly to himself.
What would I do without your smart mouth?
Dragging me in and you kicking me out?
You got my head spinning
No kidding
I can't pin you down
He didn't miss a beat as he went into the chorus, feeling the music run through him. The notes got louder, and his voice got louder with it.
Cause all of me
Love all of you
All your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfection
Austin hadnt slowed down until he heard the warning bell. Letting the silence consume the room, he sighed. If he could only play and sing all his life he would, because he hated the silence.
"You sound nice." He heard from behind him. He jumped at the soft voice. Ally smiled kindly at him, and for the first time he was able to see what her face looked like.
She was beautiful.
She had the softest brown eyes that complimented her rosy cheeks. Her lips were pulled into a smile he couldn't help return, and her beautiful brown hair fframed framed the perfection face. If she was more confident, he was sure a lot of guys would be interested in her.
"Thanks," Austin said breathlessly. Partly because of how beautiful she was, and the other part because he thought he was alone. He never had the guts to play in front of anyone, not even Dez had seen him play.
"Maybe working with you won't be that bad." She said, walking up to him to give him her number. She left to go to her class. Austin looked at the number and smiled to himself.
Maybe…
Austin knew he was would to have to go home eventually. His mother hadn't stopped calling him, and left him with a total of thirty seven voice messages. He knew she wanted him to come home, but he really didn't want to see his dad. The only reason why he went was to check on his mothers well being, because what kind of son would he be if he didn't.
"I'm so glad you stopped by Austin." His mother told him as if he didn't live there. He gives a small smile. His mother seemed happy that his father was home, it by the looks of it, it looked like nothing ever changed.
The bottles of beer were scattered across the floor. The house stunk of liquor and vomit, and Austin didn't know what he would have to clean up later. It didn't even take a day for everything to go back to the way it was.
"He's definitely changed." Austin said. His mother smacked him in the back of his head, her eyes landed accusingly at him.
"Austin, you better watch your mouth. He's really trying." She snapped.
"It hasn't even been a day mom. Look at the place." Austin tried to control his tone and volume so he wouldn't wake his dad up. "It's already trashed."
"We'll clean it up." She said, crossing her arms not the top of her belly.
"We always clean it up. When is he going to clean his own messes up." Austin snapped, for once speaking his mind. His mother eyes widen at his mouth, and then her gaze moves to the back of him.
"Why are you talking to your mother in that tone." His father slurred angrily at him. Saying that Austin faltered would be an understatement, because he froze so hard he swore his heart froze with him. It had been seven months since he had last seen his father, and those seven moth had been therapeutic, but not therapeutic enough.
Austin turned to look at his father. He hated how much they looked alike, the only difference being his father's graying hair. Austin had always tried to find differences in them because if he wanted anything in the world, it would be to never be his father.
"It was nothing." Austin said. He flinched at how scared he sounded. He didn't want to be afraid, but he couldn't help it. His father gave that kind of effect.
"It better have been." His father said. "She watched over you while I was in that dump, and I bet she treated you to well. You should know when to shut your mouth, boy."
Austin nodded his head, trying to get away from his father as fast as possibly could. His father grabbed him by the collar harshly. "Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you."
Austin looked into his father's eyes, and he almost cried. They had the same eyes, but his father held so much hate and coldness in them. "Yes, sir."
"Go to your room. I've had enough of you rebellion for one day." His father said, even though Austin knew good and well he did nothing. "Mimi, can you give me another beer."
"Of course." His mother said, handing him the beer without a thought. Austin shook his head at her, she shouldn't have to do anything for him.
He ran up to his room, shutting the door behind him before sliding down to put his head on his knees. If he could barely get through that, then how is he going to live here at all.
Could always run away? No, he would be scrambling back before he knew it. Stay at Dez's House? No, he would only be a burden to his best friend. A dark thought crossed his mind.
You could killyourself? It was an honest choice, and he really thought that maybe that would be the best thing, but then he remembered his mother and unborn sibling. He can't abandon the and leave them with his father. He doesn't know what he would do to them. And it would be all his fault no matter what because he wasn't there.
He shook his head as he pulled out his phone, pulling up Dez's number before freezing. He remembered Ally giving him her number earlier. Would she be mad if he asked to come over. Even if it was for the project?
He entered the number and waited, anxiety flaring through his body. What if she thinks it's weird he's calling her? How would he ever see himself from embarrassment if she does?
"Hello?" He heard the soft voice speak and he gasped, surprised she even answered. He cleared his throat to answer.
"Um, is it okay if I come over?" He asked. Austin heard silence on the other line, and he realized he must of sounded like an idiot. "You know for the project." He said quickly, trying to save himself, but feeling like his attempt was fruitless.
"Sure." She said on the other side. "I had a melody started and wanted you to hear it anyway."
"Okay." Austin said, joy glaring through his body for a second. "I'll be there in fifteen." He hung up and did a little dance to himself. He hadn't been this happy for a while, and over the fact that it's hanging out with a cute girl? Sure it's for a project, but it's progress for someone like him.
Turning to walk out he froze. His father was downstairs and doesn't know. If he did, Austin wouldn't be able to go to Ally's house and in a way, he'd be letting her down. He looked anxiously around, trying to think of a way to go with his father knowing. His eyes land on his window. He had a ledge right under the window, and a fence he could prop his leg on so he wouldn't fall and break his leg. It could work
"On my way Ally." He said, preparing himself to go out the window.
