Hello people of the internet. First off, thanks for the reviews, I definitely wasn't expecting that.

Also, there's something I should make clear before continuing. This story takes place prior to Austin and Dez meeting Ally and Trish, so it will mainly focus on the boys' friendship.

I forgot a disclaimer in the last chapter, but if I did own Austin and Ally, would I really be writing fan-fiction of it?


"Dez." Austin repeated, his eyes wide with astonishment. "You're here."

"'Course I'm here, Austin. Why wouldn't I be?" Dez nearly laughed. Austin sat in a hospital bed, cords connecting him to countless machines. His left arm was covered in bandages, and he was impossibly pale and he looked extremely weak, but he was alive.

"Because I—" Austin gestured helplessly at their surroundings, "y'know." Austin looked down. "I thought you'd..." Austin's voice trailed off.

"What? What did you think I'd do?"

Austin folded his hands in his lap and squeezed his eyes shut. "Hate me," he muttered quietly.

Dez furrowed his brow in confusion, "Austin." He took a step toward the bed, "I could never hate you."

Austin gave Dez a look of disbelief. Dez closed the space between them and pulled Austin in for a hug. Austin hesitated at first, then he gripped Dez hard with his undamaged arm, tears welling in his eyes.

"Why would you think I hate you, Austin?" Dez asked when the hug was over.

"Everyone else does," Austin said bitterly.

"Nobody hates you, Austin. Nobody," Dez bore into Austin with his gaze.

Austin slowly met Dez's gaze, "My parents do," he deadpanned.

Dez shot a look at Austin. "No they don't, Austin, don't ever tell yourself that. They're just scared and confused and not thinking properly. They just...don't know what to do."

"Yeah, me either." Austin looked down. "They're sending me back, Dez. For good." He said quietly.

It was Dez's turn to look down, "I know."

"I'm never gonna get out. Never."

Dez put an arm around Austin's shoulder and pulled him close. Austin leaned on Dez and choked back sobs. Dez knew it was hard for Austin, he hated the rehab center, it made him feel trapped. But Dez didn't know what he could do to help. So he sat there with his hurting best friend, only speaking to comfort Austin as he sobbed into his shirt. Sometime later, neither of them knew how long it had been, a nurse came in to inform Dez that visiting hours were over.

"I'm sorry, Austin. I'm so sorry. I'm gonna try to make this right."

Austin looked at Dez, confused. "What?"

Dez just smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow," and walked out of Austin's room.


That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed it.

Sorry this chapter was a little short, I didn't want to include the next part in it.