Thanks for the love everybody has given to this story. This chapter is shorter than the others were.

Disclaimer I do not own Austin and Ally or The Duff.

"Pour me another one, Greg." I slid the empty glass toward the bartender, who caught it easily.

"I'm cutting you off, Ally."

I rolled my eyes. "It's just Cherry Coke."

"Which can be just as dangerous as whiskey." He put the glass on a counter behind the bar. "No more. You'll thank me later. Caffeine headaches are a bitch, and I know how you girls are. When you gain five pounds, you'll blame me."

"Whatever." So what if I gained weight? I was already the Duff, and the one guy I wanted to impress had a serious girlfriend. I could gain seventy pounds and be no worse off.

"Sorry, Ally." Greg moved to the other end of the bar, where Kira and her best friend, Piper, waited to order drinks.

I drummed my fingers on the wooden surface of the bar, my mind far away from the music and strobe lights. Why hadn't I insisted on staying home with Dad? Why hadn't I just made him talk to me? I kept imagining him, wallowing in his misery… alone.

But that's how us Dawsons handled stress. We just pushed it down and refused to talk about it

Why was that? Why couldn't either of us open up? Why couldn't Dad admit that he and Mom were having issues? Why couldn't I confront him about it?

"Hello, Duffy."

Why did that jackass have to sit next to me?

"Go away, Austin," I growled, staring down at my restless fingers.

"I can't," he said. "You see, Duffy, I'm not one to give up easily. I am determined to hook up with one of your friends-preferably the one with the fantastic rack."

"Then go talk to her," I suggested.

"I would, but Austin Moon doesn't chase girls. They chase him. It's like law" He grinned at me. "It's all right. She'll be over here begging me to sleep with her soon. Talking to you will just speed up the process. Until then, you get the honor of my company. Lucky for me, it doesn't look like you're armed with a beverage tonight." He laughed but stopped suddenly. I turned to look at him to see his eye laced with concern, his eyebrows were furrowed and his forehead was scrunched up as if he was trying to solve a math equation. I hate to admit it but I was slightly taken aback, he actually looked concerned about something more than him just getting laid. I felt like Alice through the Looking Glass seeing this new side of Austin.

"Are you all right? "He said breaking me out of my trance "You don't seem as aggressive as usual."

"Leave me alone, Austin. I'm serious." I said regaining my composure and my distaste for him

"What's wrong?"

"Go away."

"Ally…"

The anxiety inside me needed to escape, to be released in some way. I couldn't wait until Trish and I got back to her house to vent. I needed to let it out right then. But I didn't want to cry, not in front of half the school, and there was no way I was going to talk about it with Greg or the douche bag next to me, and punching someone would just get me in trouble. I couldn't see any other options, but I felt like I'd explode if I didn't let it out soon.

Mom was in Africa.

Dad was drowning.

I was too much of a coward to do a damn thing about it.

"There has to be something bothering you," Austin persisted his voice laced with worry. "You look like you might cry." He put a hand on my shoulder, forcing me to turn and face him. "Ally?"

Then I did a really messed-up thing. My only excuse is that I was under an unbelievable amount of stress, and I spotted an outlet. I needed something to distract me-anything far away from my parents' drama-just for a second. And when I saw my chance I didn't stop to think about how much I'd regret it later. An opportunity sat on the bar stool beside me, and I lunged at it. Literally.

I kissed Austin Moon.

One second his hand lay on my shoulder, and his hazel eyes rested, for once, on my face, and the next my mouth was on his. My lips were fierce with bottled emotion, and he seemed to tense, his body frozen in shock. That didn't last very long. An instant later, he returned the aggression, his hands flying to my sides and pulling me toward him. It felt like a battle between our mouths. My hands clawed into his platinum blonde hair, tugging it way harder than necessary, and his fingertips dug into my waist.

It worked better than punching someone would have. Not only did it help me release the agonizing pressure, but it definitely distracted me. I mean, it's hard to think about your dad when you're making out with somebody.

And as much as I hate myself for admitting this, Austin was a really good kisser. He leaned into me, and I tugged at him so hard that he nearly fell off his bar stool. In that moment, we just couldn't get close enough to each other. Our separate seats seemed like they were miles apart.

All of my thoughts vanished, and I became a sort of physical being. Emotions disappeared. Nothing existed but our bodies, and our warring lips were at the center of everything. It was bliss! It was amazing not to think.

Nothing! Nothing… until he screwed it up.

His hand slid up from my waist, trailing along my torso, and came to a stop right on my boob.

Everything flooded back, and I suddenly remembered exactly who I was kissing. I tore my hands out of his hair and shoved him away from me as hard as I could. His hands dropped, one landing on my knee, as he pulled away. He looked surprised but distinctly pleased.

"Wow, Duffy, that was-"

And I slapped him. I slapped him so hard, that it would put Susan Lucci to shame.

The hand on my knee flew to his cheek. "What the hell?" he demanded. "Why did you do that?"

"Jerk!" I yelled. I jumped off my stool and stormed outside. The tingling sensation refused to leave my lips.

I didn't want to admit it, but I was madder at myself than at him. Mad that I let my emotions get the best of me. Mad that I acted like one of those reckless teenagers that I looked down on. I was mad that I kissed Austin Moon and even more mad that I wanted to do it again.

Three chapters done! I would love to give this story a twist or two. I f anybody has any ideas I'm open to suggestions. Please review!