It was dark by the time Ally was starting to walk home, Austin by her side. Her tear-stained face reflected in the moonlight. "You didn't have to walk me home," she told him.

Austin stopped. "Of course I do. I wanted to make sure you got home safe. I care about you," he said sincerely.

Smiling, she nodded and told him she felt the same way.

She checked her phone, that was on silent. It had at least 10 missed calls from Vanessa and Elliot; and a really long text message from Vanessa telling her that Elliot didn't mean the things that he said and for her to come home.

Ally wondered if it was actually true that Elliot didn't mean it. He's on me all the time about it though! she thought, sliding away the messages and locking her phone. She didn't want to talk to them.

"You should call them so they know your safe," Austin advised.

"They'll know soon enough," she grunted, and Austin sighed.

"You know you keep telling me that your brother doesn't care about you, but from those text messages it seems like he does." She looked up at him, and he raised his eyebrow. "Well?"

She was stumped. "I...I know he cares. And I know that I care," she said slowly.

"Then why did you say you hated him?" He cocked his neck. He looked like a child, trying to figure out a hard math problem. In other words he looked adorable. "And why did you say he hated you?"

Ally shrugged. "I guess I didn't mean that," she said softly, realizing that she didn't hat Elliot; she'd never hate Elliot. She would never hate anyone. Hate was a strong word, and she didn't feel that strong of an emotion for Elliot. She didn't know what she felt, but all she knew was she didn't like him. But it was those kind of relationships where she did love him, but didn't like him. Elliot did a lot for her and Vanessa. He worked so he could afford food in their stomach and a roof over their head and clothes on their backs.

"People don't always say what they mean," he said gently, looking into the distance, only God knew where. Austin Moon was such a mystery, and as crazy as it sounded, Ally sort of liked it. His view on the world was just so different. He found something ugly and made it beautiful. He made everything look different.

"No," Ally reasoned slowly, nodding, "they don't..."

They reached her house.

"Bye Austin," she said, hugging him.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, kissing her cheek, and walking away into the darkness.

Ally held the part of her cheek that he kissed and a small smile appeared on her face. She could almost feel his soft lips on her cheek again and again. Repeating and repeating...

She snapped back into the real world when the door swung opened to Elliot. He got out a pack of cigarettes, but before he had the chance to light it, Ally ran up and hugged him. He jumped a little, then tightened his grip, tears forming in his eyes.

And they went inside.


"Where have you been?" Vanessa stood up from the couch. "We've been calling and calling!"

"Calm down Vaness," Elliot said. "It's not her fault I was being a jerk. She went to the park because she needed time to think," he explained gently.

Ally was surprised it hadn't been the other way around and Vanessa would be outside and Elliot in and rising from the couch, asking where she had been. Vanessa actually looked mad. But Elliot wasn't like she thought he'd be. And he actually admitted he was being a jerk.

"You just had me worried," Vanessa said, hugging her. "I thought something bad happened."


Later that night, Ally tossed and turned. Her bed felt like a rock. She sat up and sneaked passed Elliot's room and went to Vanessa's. Vanessa was on her side, eyes open and blinking slowly every few seconds. Ally was about to leave, but Vanessa stopped her. "Ally, can you sleep with me?" she whispered.

Ally nodded and went into the bed, putting the blanket over her. "Can't sleep either?" she asked once comfortable.

Vanessa shook her head. "No. I don't know why though, usually I don't have any trouble."

"Me neither."

"I guess I just have a lot on my mind," Vanessa admitted.

"What is it?" Ally asked curiously, and her sisrer looked hesitant. "You know you can tell me anything."

"Well...Sean is thinking about going to a film school in LA. Because, you already know this, he's not in college yet."

"Since he's deaf, how-"

"He doesn't let his disability get him down. That's one of the things I love about him. And he doesn't care what people think, he wants to be a director regardless."

"Wow, he sounds determined. That's good."

"Hopefully he'll get excepted, I just don't want him to go. But we'll work it out."

Ally wasn't so sure. "Well I believe in you guys."

"Thanks Ally," she yawned.

"No problem."

"Well...goodnight Ally-cat," she yawned again and turned her back towards Ally.

"Goodnight Vanessa."

Soon enough, they were both asleep.


Austin lay awake in his bed, thinking about Ally. Tomorrow he would get to know her better, and he was going to make her happy. He just didn't know how to start.

Soooo...This chapter sucks I know...But hopefully I can update tomorrow, so please leave a review :)