That noise, was the sound all teenagers feared. The noise that signalled you to get out of bed and have to start participating in life. And as for me, just having to wake up was a struggle, having to go on with life when you're constantly reminded of what a waste of human space you are and having you're father not present in your life anymore isn't really a reason why I would want to participate in life.
I went downstairs to make myself some breakfast and in the living room I saw my dad passed out on the couch probably drunk. After me mother died, the fun loving dad that I used to know disappeared. He went from being my dad to a guy that I was ashamed to call me dad. I never knew were her would go and why he would come home so late, I was just glad that he would always end up coming home.
After I got dressed I quietly made me way out of the house, preparing myself for the torture I was going to endure that day. Luckily for me I got to school early so I wouldn't have to face Cassidy. The day consisted of me trying not to fall asleep in math class and sitting at me locker alone so no one could see me. The scenes of what happened last night with Austin and I kept replaying in my head. I couldn't believe that I said what I said, I was all out of thoughts as to what was going through Austin's head that night. I guess you could say I gave up. A feeling I was very familiar with. My day was actually pretty good, luckily for me I haven't seen Cassidy and Austin all day, but I then realized that my next class was music.
''Okay class, today is going to be a very straight froward. I want you to continue working on you're songs, don't forget these are due in three weeks. And at the end of today's class I have an announcement to make, so get to work'' And with that she clapped her hands that signalled for us to start working. Austin took a seat next to me so, I noticed that Cassidy had sat down next to him with her partner. Wonder why she did that, probably to keep an I on Austin and myself. ''Can we hear you're song babe?'' Barf! Was the first thing that came to my mind as Cassidy wrapped herself to Austin's arm in order for her to get her way. ''I don't know Cass, we don't really have a lot done, but you will be the first to here it when were finished'' Austin reassured her, wow, the queen didn't get her way, that's a first. Cassidy shot me a dirty look, and continued to work on her own song. ''So, should I write the third verse?'' Austin asked looking at the lyrics we worked on yesterday. ''Yeah that's a good idea, I'll work on the tempo then?'' I said agreeing with Austin. He nodded and gave him half of the lyrics. ''okay the bell is about to ring in 15 minutes so, my announcement is, we are going to preform these song's at the school assembly!'' What! No! I mean I don't have stage fright or anything but I'd rather not go in front of people that hate me and sing, there were already thousands of negative thoughts swarming in my head. This was a bad idea and it looked like Austin thought that too, or was it because he was afraid of everyone seeing me with him?
I wasn't really happy about the news Mrs. Harp gave us, but none the less I was to do it so I could get a good grade. ''Hey Ally, you forgot this in class'' Austin said running up to me, handing me the other sheet of lyrics he was working on in class. I thanked him and took the sheet from his hands and placed it in my notebook. ''Do you need a ride home?'' Austin's question took me by surprise. Why was he being so nice!? Maybe the old Austin I was once friends with, was still there. ''I'm good I like to walk'' I said rejecting his offer, but just like his mom Austin wasn't going to take no for an answer. ''It's raining Ally, I don't think anyone likes walking in the rain'' Of course no one like walking in the rain, but Austin you just don't get it, I'm not like everyone. None the less I didn't have a choice but to end up giving in.
The car ride was really awkward, he tried making a conversation but I kept giving him one word answers. ''My mom was really happy to see you again'' Austin said griping the steering wheel. Was he nervous? ''Yeah, it was nice seeing her too'' I added, that was the most things I said since I entered this car. Austin didn't say anything after, when we were close to my house I quickly thanked Austin for the ride and got out of the car. ''Ally! is that you?!'' Oh no please, please, don't come over. I soon felt to arms grabbed me shoulder. ''Hey dad, it's good to see you home before midnight'' I said sarcastically, he smelt like cigars and beer, it was disgusting. I gave Austin a frightened look. ''Don't use that to..n...e with m..e, me'' He said slurring his words, his breathe was reeked of alcohol, and it smelt like he hasn't taken a shower in days. Austin had noticed my scared emotion and had stepped out of the car. ''Hey Mr. Dawson, it nice to see you'' Austin said making his way towards the passengers side of the car. ''Austin? little maaaan'' my dad said, extending the 'A'. My dad was really tipsy, he was about to fall, I quickly caught him before his body made contact with the cement. ''Ally, Ally always helping me'' My dad said caressing my cheek, I awkwardly smiled at Austin. ''Okay dad I think we should head inside'' I said putting his arm around my shoulder, Austin noticed me struggling and went on the other side of my dad. So far, everything was fine, the angry drunk hadn't kicked in yet and I was glad. We were at the door step and again, I had to look for me house key, thinking that my dad would probably be unable to remember where he kept his. ''Get off of me! I don't want to go home yet!'' there it was, the angry drank. My dad forcefully removes his arm from Austin's shoulder and walks down the porch steps. ''Dad! I think you should gets some rest'' I said running after him, Austin was quick to fallow. '' don't fucking tell what to do! As far as I'm concerned, I am the father not you!'' SLAP, I felt a tremendous amount of pain on my left check, my father clenching his fist, stared at me and stormed off. I was fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. I had to be strong, I didn't want to show weakness, but you can only endure so much pain in life, until you're ready to just break right. ''Ally are you okay?'' Austin coming up from behind me, putting his arm around me. ''I'm fine'' I tried so say in between tears. My cheek was in so much pain, it was worse than getting a bee sting on your nose. ''Ally I know your not okay, here I'll take you to my place'' Austin said making me face him, he slowly moved my hand to reveal a diagonal red hand print that went from my ear to the corner of my mouth, and a small scar forming. I didn't resist, I nodded and let him help me to his car. ''My mom isn't home so I guess that's good, so you wont me bombarded with questions'' Austin said quietly. I was wiping away the tear stains from my eyes as we arrived to Austin's house. He helped me out of the car and directed me to the sofa.
''Here's some polysporne, I didn't really know what else to get'' Austin said handing me a regular size tube of medicine. I smiled and took it from him. I applied it to my cheek, I winced in pain as it made contact on my skin. ''Thanks for not, you know leaving me'' I said returning the medicine back to Austin. ''It's the least I can do'' He said looking at me cheek, I knew he wanted to say more, but he was debating whether or not to to say anything. '' do you mind me asking about your dad, as to what happened today?'' Austin said looking down at his hand, I gave him a little smirk and nodded. ''well, long story short, when my mom passed away he lost it, it was like he lost a piece of himself, and I'm guessing this his way of coping.'' Wow it all suddenly got really real, when I told Austin. I guess I've been just trying to deny everything. Maybe that was my way of coping. ''I'm sorry, I feel really bad'' Austin said standing up from the coffee table to sit next to me on the couch. ''Why? It's not like you were the reason why my mom died and same goes for my dad'' I said reassuring him. He looked guilty and I didn't know why. ''Austin, thanks for helping me today'' I said standing up from the sofa. ''do you want to stay for dinner?'' Austin said standing up with me. Again? two nights in a row, but I wasn't going to go back home, so I agreed. ''Yeah, that sounds good! What are you planing on having?'' I asked quietly. ''Ally you don't have to be scared, and I don't know I was thinking take out?'' Austin said touching my arm. I smiled and said I was fine with anything. ''Great, come with me and I'll show you the menus'' Austin said leading me to the kitchen. ''wow, do you guys eat out a lot?'' I asked astonished with the piled up take out menus on the kitchen table. ''well since my dad went on his business trip, my mom hasn't really been cooking so we just go out'' He said picking up some of the menus, I scanned through kitchen table to see a restaurant that caught my eye, but none of them did. ''well, I can see that'' I said laughing aa little ''find anything you would like to eat?'' Austin said handing me some more take-out menus. ''I'm fine with anything to be honest, it's been a while since I actually had a real meal, minus last night of course.'' I said handing them back and smiled, he and asked if sushi was fine, I accepted saying that sushi was my favourite.
''so what kind of sushi do you want?'' Austin asked dialling the number on his phone. '' I'm going to be original and go for the california roll'' I said as I made my way to the washroom. When I walked out I saw Austin setting up the table for him and myself I smiled, thinking how a bad day could turn out like this. I helped him set up the table, by grabbing the cups and water. ''They said the food would be here in thirty minutes, is that ok?'' I smiled, laughing at how nice Austin suddenly was I nodded told him it was fine and continued to set up the table. True to their word the food had arrived exactly thirty minutes, Austin had gladly paid and I apologised for not being able to pay for my half of the food. He told me I was being ridiculous and that it was the least he could do. ''So what time is your mom coming home?'' I asked dipping my sushi in the soy sauce, having difficulties trying to grab the sushi with my chopsticks. ''She probably might be home around midnight'' Austin said, noticing I was having trouble with my food he kindly grabbed it and placed it on my plate. I smiled feeling embarrassed of the fact I wasn't able to use chopsticks. I looked at the the clock that was hanging behind Austin realizing the she would be home in six hours. ''do you, think your dad is back yet?'' Austin said as he took a sip of his water. ''I doubt it, last time he came home at 4:30 in the morning'' I said, it was true, I don't remember a day that my dad has been home sober since my mom died. ''oh, well if it gets really hectic at your place, you can always come over here'' Austin said to me reassuringly. I thanked him for the offer and continued to eat my food. ''So how are you coping?'' Austin said taking me by surprise. To be honest I've never really been asked, so I wasn't sure how to answer. ''Honestly, I don't know. I guess my way of coping is not really recognizing it happened'' I spoke, suddenly not interested in my food. ''Do you think that's healthy?''was it? I don't know, it never really crossed my mind if it was or not. ''well, we all cope differently and this is my way. I live in a world of fantasy, I see what I want and I want what I see and that's all okay with me'' I said standing up topbut my garbage away. ''I know what you mean, but aren't you afraid that you wont come to what's really happening around you? Like reality?'' Austin said following me, man what was up with him today! Was he trying to make me feel bad? ''I still notice reality, it's just I choose not to recognize the negative parts in my life. And trust me there's a lot and if you were me then you would understand.'' I said giving him a simple shrug, signalling that I had dropped the conversation.
It was already seven o'clock by the time we finished our food. I thanked the lord that tomorrow was Saturday so I wouldn't have to go to school. ''It's pretty early do you want to stay and watch a movie?'' Austin said as we both walked to the living room. ''I don't know, I guess it's better than going back to me house'' I said flopping on the couch. I suddenly felt really comfortable here than I've been in a long time. It was nice. ''so what movie do you want to watch? How about a horror movie?'' Austin said taking a seat next to me. ''Oh hell no! Horror movies bore the crap out of me!'' I said taking the remote from Austin. I hate horror movies, they were always so predictable, I mean it's usually someone goes missing or a killer comes town and all they do is kill people! BORING! ''how can you think horror movies are boring! All girls love horror movies'' Austin said playfully. I laughed and spoke again. ''Well Austin, I'm not like most girls, and the only reason why girls like horror movies is because it was an excuse to cuddle up next to the boy and pretend to be scared'' Austin laughed realizing that I really wasn't like most girls and I wasn't sure if he thought that was good or bad. '' how about the amazing spiderman?'' I asked pointing at the television. ''Nahh, I watched it already how about, white chicks? It's a classic'' Austin said suggesting another movie. I realized picking a movie a movie that we both liked was going to take all night. ''How about Flipped?'' Austin said, this movie seemed good, so I agreed. Finally we chose on something to watch!
The movie was about a girl that was head over heals for a boy that didn't give her the time of day, and when she stopped liking him the roles flipped. And from there the romance grew. All in all it was a really good movie! ''That was a really good movie!'' Austin said exciting from the movie channels. I turned around to noticed the time, It was 8 o'clock, I frowned realizing that I was acouple hours away of having to go home. ''Yeah it was really good.'' My thoughts were cut off with a noise that sudden'y filled the ears of mine and Austin's. We both looked at each other a little frightened, me obviously be more scared then Austin. The noise was coming from the front door, he told me to stay close to him and I wasn't going to reject that offer! We made our way towards the from door as Austin grabbed a pillow. ''Seriously you grabbed a pillow!'' I said slapping him in the arm, confused why he thought that was going to defend us. ''It was the first thing I saw, and I don't see you grabbing anything else'' Austin said whisper yelling. ''well I'm sorry, all the pillows were taken! I said sarcastically. The door was still frantically moving moving, I was getting really scared. ''AHH'' I screamed loudly, to my surprise Austin wrapped his arm around me protectively, I felt really safe, you know as safe as a girl could feel when she was about to probably get killed right now. ''Ally it's okay I will not let anything happen to you.'' Austin said whispering in my ear. Suddenly the door blasted open to reveal a shadow that was unfamiliar to both Austin and I, and with that we both screamed like we never screamed before! ''Why are you guys yelling!?'' The voice said walking into the light. To our grateful surprise it was Austin's mom! ''Mom! What are you doing home?'' Austin said letting go of me to talk to his mom. '' My client didn't show up so they cut my work time early. And may I ask why your holding a pillow?'' Mimi said taking it from Austin's hand. ''That's what I said'' Slapping him in the arm. ''Oh Ally! your here, it great seeing you again'' Mimi said swallowing me into a hug. I graciously hugged back. ''So how long have you been her?'' She asked finally releasing me from a hug as we made our way to the living room ''up until we got out of school'' Austin said for me, I looked at him, mentally thanking him for not tell his mom about what happened earlier today. ''well it's glad seeing you and Austin are friends again'' Mimi said giving us both taps on our shoulders. Were we friends, or was Austin only being nice because he felt bad for me? ''You were so scared!'' Austin said mimicking my screaming voice, I laughed at how bad he was at imitating me. ''Me scared! please, I was not even that scared'' I said still laughing. ''Oh really because I remember you saying 'Austin, Austin please protect me!'' Austin said with the same high pitched voice he used before. ''I did not say that!''I said defensively '' I think you did'' He said taking a step closer to me. Once we were both really close to each other Austin was the first to speak again. '' I think were having a stare off'' Austin said not leaving my eyes. ''I think we are!''I said with the same playful intensity as Austin. ''You break first'' He demanded, I laughed telling him I wasn't going down without a fight. Suddenly without any warning Austin had started to lean in, and without my body giving me any sign I was moving in as well. Were we about to kiss? ''Ally honey, are you going to stay the night?'' Mimi called through the kitchen, causing me and Austin to awkwardly break apart. I looked at him he suddenly turned really red, I smiled looking down at me feet trying to hide my rosy cheeks.
OKAY! HERE`S THE NEXT CHAPTER! HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE IT! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW, THE NEXT TIME I AM GOING TO UPDATE IS WHEN I GET TEN REVIEWS FOR THIS STORY, SO PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN! :) REVIEW ON YOU`RE IDEAS FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER AND HOW YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE `ALMOST KISS! BYE MY LOVELY READERS AND DON`T FORGET TO REVIEW!