A/N I OWN NOTHING EXECPT MY OCs
Ally's POV
I applauded until my hands felt raw and bloody. Well not that hard, but I still clapped pretty hard. Austin's first cover was coming along beautifully. The three of us agreed unanimously that Austin's song was clearly the best and after two hours in the store (I closed early) he had perfected it just like he told Shilio.
"So good?" He asked putting the electric guitar back on its stand.
"Hell yeah" I said. I had been doing more swearing today than in the past year (or so). I looked at my phone timer. He's version ran a few more seconds then the original, but that was to be expected. I closed the timer and glanced at the clock. 4:30
"I got some great footage" Dez said rising up from his bent knee to his full height and closed his video camera. "What am I going to do with it" He asked looking at Austin and I for answers.
"Do you want to put it on the website?" I asked him. "We could do a countdown to slow song thing" I said even though it sounded stupid, both in my head and out loud.
"Nah. We should just keep it and maybe upload it all at once." He said hoping up to sit on the counter.
"Off the counter" I said annoyed making the get off motion with my hand. He sent me a cocky grin but got down. I in turn leaped on the counter. He pouted.
"How come you get to sit on the counter" He said.
"Cause it's my store" I said sending him a sweet smile.
"And I'm her best friend" Trish said sitting on the counter next to me. Austin pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine" He said sounding once again like a four year old.
"So Austin what song are you thinking of doing next" Trish asked playing with her cell phone.
"I dunno. I kinda want Shilio to hear this one before moving on to the next. You know to make sure it's the right kind of song" He said.
"Makes sense. And don't worry it's totally right. I mean it's your style, shows off your talent, and is about acceptance" I said. And then an afterthought hit me. "You should really thank him for helping you." Austin looked at a spot on the floor deep in thought. Was he really thinking off not thanking him? I mean, Austin's shallow and self centered, but he always and I mean always says thank you. Austin nodded and said
"I guess" I nodded and made a mental note to make sure that happened.
"I gotta go guys" Dez said making his way to the door. Backpack and video camera in hand.
"Where are you going" Austin asked.
"My dog needs me" He said wiggling his phone. I vaguely remember Dez saying something about him and his dog texting, but brushed it off as another 'Dez comment'. Dez turned on his heels and walked out the door.
"Well in that case. I should probably get going to" Austin said.
"And where are you going?"Trish pestered. He sent her a mysterious smile. But behind that smile was something else. Something sad.
"That's for me to know and for you to never find out, but I'll be back before your date." He said smirking at me.
"What. Why" I exclaimed as new feeling of fear and anxiousness coursed through my body.
"Well your dad's not here, so who else would threaten your date." He said.
"Why would you do that" I shouted.
"Cause I'm a nice person" He said before turning on his heels, like Dez and walking out the door. I let out a frustrated sigh.
"What's wrong Ally" Trish asked clearly not understanding why I would be upset.
"Austin" I said as if that cleared everything up.
"What about Austin" Trish asked her voice rising hoping for some juicy gossip.
"Who does he think he is just blatantly coming out and saying he'll threaten Dallas," I shouted "My father?" I asked.
"He's just being a good friend" Trish said. "Besides I was going to threaten him too. And I'm sure Dez was thinking the same thing"
"You what" I asked my rage growing. I could take care of myself. Trish held her hands up in surrender.
"But not anymore" She said. I let out another frustrated sigh.
"Hey I'll be right back. I'm going to return this apron and headband to the shoe store. I don't think they'll like I kept their uniform two hours after I've been fired." Trish said hoping of the counter.
"Really I wonder why" I asked sarcastically.
"I have no idea" She said. Weather it was sarcastically or not I couldn't tell.
"Take these shoes with you" I said pushing the two pairs of expensive shoes in Trish's direction.
"What Am I? A slave" She asked grabbing the shoes.
"No slaves usually had jobs longer then you" I said smiling.
"Touché" She said as walked right out the door leaving me alone with my thoughts. And those thoughts eventually led to my upcoming date with Dallas. I leaped off the counter and began to nervously pace while chewing my hair. What if I make a fool out of myself? What if I say something stupid? What if I spill food on him and he never wants to see me again? So many 'what ifs' they were driving me crazy. And I'm freaking stressed out.
I've never been on a date before. I mean I've hung out with guys at the movies and such and I'm always alone with Austin, but I've never been on a real actual date before. I thought back to two hours ago and remembered when Dallas asked me out. I wondered if this was his first time asking a girl out. He was so...nervous. Not like the guys who asked girls out on TV. They basically oozed confidence, like they've done it a billion times. But not Dallas. It was like asking someone out was new to him or something. I wondered if it was his first time going out with someone, but brushed it aside. I mean he was Drop Dead Gorgeous. I remembered how hard his arm was around my waist and thought about how the rest of his body felt like. I shuddered in excitement at the thought.
Stop it Ally I ordered myself. I was thinking like a hormonal teenage boy. But just the thought a Dallas made me shiver. Those warm brown eyes, soft lips, and skinny frame.
Wait…skinny frame. Dallas was a lot of things but, not skinny. More muscular then anything.
I didn't have time to question it because at that moment Trish walked in, with a neatly folder pair of pants and a shirt in her arm, her headband and apron long gone.
"Well that was fast" I said spitting out the chunk of my hair I had been snacking on. She cocked her head to one side.
"I've been gone for like ten minutes." She said.
"What no way" I said checking the time. 4:42
"Oh wow. I guess I got lost in my thought" I said spitting out a few loose hairs that lingered in my mouth.
"You're really nervous about tonight" She said.
"Really? How'd you know" I asked sarcastically.
"Well you're missing the front portion of your hair, so that kinda tipped me off" She said.
"Really" I asked panic rising as I ran my hands threw my hair.
"I'm kidding and don't worry I have a plan to help you relax" Trish said.
"Is it another dance party" I asked not wanted to go through that ordeal again.
"No. that's plan B." She said. "Guess who got a job at the Olive Pit" She said happily.
"Trish. That's where Dallas and I are going on our date" I shouted in disbelief.
"Yeah that's kinda why I got a job there. I'm waitressing from 7:30 to 11:00 so I'll be there to save your ass in case you embarrass yourself." She said and as an afterthought added. "You're welcome"
"I can't believe you did this." I said.
"Really, because it sounds exactly like something I would do." She said. I opened my mouth to yell some more but realized that I lost.
"Yeah. I have no idea why I said that" I admitted shrugging my shoulders.
"Good now we can move onto the important part" She said setting her clothes on the counter.
"And that is?" I questioned.
"What you're going to wear." Trish said smirking. And right then I knew I was doomed.
Austin's POV
The air was hot, muggy, and humid. The tell tale signs of a thunderstorm. I looked up at the sky. Not a cloud in the sky. Ally must be disappointed. I thought. I made a sharp right and found myself face to face with a clear glass door. On the door in press on letter's read Aunty Bethany's
I've done this probably a million times and yet it still doesn't get easier. I sucked in a deep breath, put on my usual charming face, pulled the door open and stepped through the door. A small bell rang alerting the employees that a customer had arrived.
Te inside of the shop was lit by fluorescence lights and the air was cool and damp. Like the outside, the store wasn't very large, but they had the best. And that's all I could ask for. I breathed in the smell of roses and lilies before a voice shook my thoughts away.
"Austin" It said. Turned to the counter and came face to face with Aunty Bethany. She was a short round woman, who wore too much red lipstick, and despite being in her late fifties still had a baby face. She was the most gentle, caring, and over all nicest person I've ever meet. She wasn't really my Aunt. As a matter of fact we weren't related in any way shape or form. She just insisted that I call her that.
"Hey Aunty" I said hugging her. Her soft body giving off warmth that fought the chill I felt. Even if my arms didn't fit all the way around her.
"So the usual" She asked breaking apart and walking behind the counter.
"Every Saturday" I said turning to lean against the counter. She smiled, her red lips reaching what seemed like her ears. I returned it.
"Of course. I'll go get them" She said disappearing through the door behind the counter. "You know I wish a lot more young men were like you Austin" She said loudly. "So kind and caring for other people. Even if you do have a hard time showing it"
That's an understatement. I thought. I couldn't help but remember Shilio's words.
"We need to work on your ego problem" I knew that everyone saw it, but he was the first one I ever met to actually come out and say it…no pun intended.
"Here you go" She said returning with a bouquet of blood red roses. I reached into my pocket and withdrew my wallet.
"The usual price" I asked all ready knowing the answer.
"Yep" She said popping the 'p'. I paid the exact amount and grabbed the bouquet.
"See you next week." I said.
"See you next week" She mimicked smiling. I couldn't help but smile back. I pushed the door open and stepped out into the warm summer Miami air. The change in temperature caused goosebumbs to rise from my skin. I turned left and made my way down the sidewalk.
I believe that what people think of us is one of the most important things. It sounds nearly impossible, but I Austin Moon, am a bit self conscious about…everything. My body, my appearance, my personality, my music, everything. I can put up this shield of the shallow self-centered musician with perfect hair, but I know I'm not. I try so hard to be the perfect son, friend, and musician, because I know that someone is watching. And judging. But as I walk down the sidewalk with a bouquet of roses like I do every Saturday. I don't give a fuck about what anyone thinks of me. I don't care if people think I'm a pussy or gay, because I know I'm doing something...meaningful. Even if it is just to me.
I turn right and my thoughts drift back to the song. I smiled as the lyrics ran through my head.
If you are wrong in all the right ways, all my underdogs
we will never be (never be) anything but loud
With the song comes with the memory of (all people) Shilio. I've never met a gay guy before and the only information I know on them is from TV. It showed them as perverted, sickos who fuck children and kill them, have great fashion sense, and hate regular guy stuff.
Shilio was none of these things. He seemed pretty cool and his knowledge of horror was interesting. Dez, Trish, and Ally didn't like horror stuff, because it was 'too scary'. And his fashion sense wasn't very…good. In fact the only gay stereotype I saw in him was him painting his nails and not wanting to get dirty. (And the boyfriend thing, but that's not really a stereotype).
I took a familiar right turn though the open gates of an iron fence and felt familiar grass beneath my Vans. I looked to my right and watched as I passed the large marble stones. I couldn't help think about the lives buried beneath theses stones. Who were they? What were they like? I didn't have time to ponder because I arrived at my destination. It was a mixture of grey and black marble that read.
Agnes Moon
May 13th 1937- December 30th 2003
Beloved:
Wife
Mother
Grandmother
I stared at the grave, the roses still in my hand. I just stared and remembered. Remembered the good times. Grandma was the first one to encourage my music. She saw my talent in music before even my parents. In fact she was the one who taught me a lot of the instruments I know how to play. She'd always said I never needed her, but I insisted on having her with me when I began a new instrument. I guess it was because it was nice having someone who didn't judge me play. Just me, her and the music.
When she died I took it hard. I felt like a part of me was gone. I sound so unmasculine right now, but it was true. I grew withdrawn and briefly thought about never playing music again, but about a month after her death, the piano called to me and I just played and played. And I felt whole again.
I felt a tear threaten to spill over, but held it at bay. I bent down on one knee and set the flowers in front of her headstone. I smiled.
"I'll see you next week" I said before rising to my full height.
I checked my phone. 6:30. It'll take me a half hour to an hour to walk to the mall and threaten Ally. She was so nice and the best song writer and one of the best people I have known so she deserved the best. And I was going to make sure that happened. I glanced at the headstone once more, before turning and walking out of the graveyard and back to Ally and Trish.
Shilio's POV
My 'friends' say they envy me, because I'm a guy and I can step out of the shower towel dry my hair and it'll look perfect. And while that is true, it makes more time for me to pace nervously in my room in the outfit I picked out.
I chose to wear my black slacks, with my black Merona T-shirt, black gloves too hide my nails from the family, black Nikes, and my black newsie hat my grandma got for me for Christmas. For the finishing touch I took my chain off my neck and wrapped it around my right wrist. Ever since the move to Miami I had been wearing it, as a sort of life line to all my friends who I left behind.
I knew I looked good and the present I got for him was good. After dinner at the Olive Pit, I was going to sing to him. It'll be the first time he's heard me sing and I wanted it to be perfect. According to the girls I was fantastic, but I knew they were just being nice.
"Hey Shilio?" A loud obnoxious voice asked. That was my brother Nathanial (or just Nate). "Have you seen the other Xbox controller?" He asked from my doorway. I turn and saw him and his three minions. Jack, (who had short brown hair, clear blue eyes, braces, and was 6'0) Steve, (who had short curly blond hair, buck teeth, and was 5'11) and finally Rick, (longish brown hair, green eyes, and 5'10).
"No" I said simply. All four of them are going into their senior year and that is nothing short of a miracle. They all play football and are planning on getting a football scholarship.
"Are you sure?" Nate pestered.
"Yes I haven't seen it" I snapped loudly.
"Well someone's on their period" Steve said. The four of them laughed. And I rolled my eyes.
"Is black your favorite color" Jack asked.
"No and for your information black isn't a color. It's the absence of color." I informed them placing my right hand in my pocket and withdrawing my phone. My date was for seven thirty and it was already six fifty. "And if you don't need me I'll be going now" I said making my way to the door only for Nate and Jack to block my way.
"Where you going baby brother?" Nate asked a smirk on his lips.
"None of your business" I said. See no one in my family knows I'm gay, but they suspect it and constantly drop hints they know. Of course they saw they'll accept me, but they won't and I know...mostly from listening in on their conversations.
"I think it is my business. Mom and dad left me in charge, so I want to know where you're going."
"I'm going to the mall and I'll be back by nine" I said
"Who you going to meet" Rick asked.
"Again none of your business." I said getting irritated.
"And again yes it is. Mom and Dad left me in charge and that makes all your business my business" Nate said thinking he had me cornered.
"So by that logic all you business is my business." I said. "Does that make the missing twelve pack and vodka my business?" Nate and his friends paled.
"So I leave and you drink and kill your remaining three brain cells. And no one says anything" I offered smirking. Nate grunted, but moved aside.
"Your brother's weird" Steve said. I turn to him.
"I know, but that just makes me better" I said, before walking out my door, down the steps, and out the front door.
I arrived at the mall at seven ten. I cursed my brother and his friends for making me late. I would be there already, a bit before hand, but I like being early. I walked pasted the Sonic Boom store and threw the window saw Austin, Ally, Dez, and Trish all laughing at one thing or another. I wished I had what they had. Real friendship and not fake plastic friendship.
"Hey Shilio" Dez called from inside the store waving his hands wildly trying to get my attention. I walked into the store not wanting Dez's arms to fly off.
"Hey guys. Can't talk long date soon" I said.
"Don't worry you look great." Ally said. She had changed. Her hair was curled more, her lips were fuller and redder, a black strapless dress adorned her torso, a single fingerless leather glove hugged her right hand and she wore black converse.
"You too." I said. I assumed after I left she hooked a date.
"Glad you're here dude. I wanna run the song by you. See if it's good enough" Austin said.
"Wow, done already Moon. I'm impressed." I said honestly
"Thank you" He said smiling. Austin grabbed a electric guitar and Dez sat behind the drums. Austin began to play and I knew from the first note that this song was exactly what I said it should be.
Right, right turn off the lights
We gonna lose our minds tonight
What's the dealeo?
I love when it's all too much
5 a.m., turn the radio up
Where's the rock and roll?
Party crasher, panty snatcher
Call me up if you a gangster
Don't be fancy, just get dancey
Why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never, never be
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come o, and
Raise your glass
Just come on and come and
Raise your glass
Slam, slam, oh hot damn
What part of party don't you understand?
Wish you'd just freak out
Can't stop coming in hot
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now
(It's so fucking on right now)
Party crasher, panty snatcher
Call me up if you a gangster
Don't be fancy, just get dancey
Why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never, never be
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on, and
Raise your glass
Just come on and come and
Raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on, and
Raise your glass
Just come on and come and
Raise your glass
Oh shit, my glass is empty
That sucks
So if you're too school for cool
And you're treated like a fool
You could choose to let it go
We can always, we can always party on our own
So raise your, so raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never, never be
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never, never be
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass
Just come on and come and
Raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass for me
Just come on and come and
Raise your glass for me
Austin strummed the last note and I felt my hands go numb from applauding.
"Was that good?" He asked slightly out of breath.
"Hell yeah. That was everything I asked of you. Now you one step closer to you slow song." I said.
"Great" He said.
"And since I'm such a nice person. I've decided that if you do one more song about other people accepting themselves, then you can sing you slow song about anyone" I said. His face broke out in a huge grin. I don't know why though.
"Great. Thank you so much" He said.
"Well I'll leave you guys alone. I gotta go" I said.
"What. What did you get him?" Trish asked. I smiled.
"I'm going to sing him a love song" I said. Trish and Ally squealed and Austin and Dez covered their ears.
"What song?" Ally asked happily.
"Arms by Christina Perri" I said. More squeals.
"Good luck" Ally said.
"Thanks. And I love the Converse with the dress" I said before running out of the store and to the Olive Pit.
Austin's POV
"I never knew how comfortable this counter is" I said laying on my back, eyes closed.
"Was" I heard Ally say.
"Was what"
"You never knew how comfortable the counter was" She said before I felt two hands on my abdomen and push. I gasped as I felt myself fall and land with a thud. I heard Dez laughing in the background.
"Shut up" I said standing on my feet.
"Revenge for earlier." He said deeply. And added "Muha ha ha"
"Uh guys" Ally said. Dez and I turn to her. She had her phone out and was staring at it.
"Trish said to meet her at the Olive Pit. It's an emergency" She said panicky. I opened my mouth to respond, but she was already out the door. Dez and I looked at each other, then to the door, and back to each other, before racing out the door.
Trish was outside the Olive Pit when the three of us arrived. She was pacing nervously.
"Oh thank god you're here" She said.
"What's wrong" Ally asked. Trish took in a deep breath.
"You have to see this" She said grabbing Ally's hand and leading her inside. Dez and I right behind her.
The inside of the restraint was nice and the air smelled like butter and parsley.
"Is that Dallas?" She asked as she pointed to a table. There was another person sitting with their back to us so we couldn't see, so we had to lean and crane our necks to see around her.
Sure enough there was Mr. Kind-Eyes-Hair-That-Flops-Just-The-Right-Way-Smells-Like –A-Fresh-Summer-Breeze. Next to me I heard Ally whimper.
"B-but w-w-we had a-a-a-a date tonight" She said her voice cracking. Trish reached up to comfort her friend. I felt rage boil up inside me.
"Maybe she's just a friend" Dez said.
"The reservation was for two and they kissed when he walked in" Trish said quietly. I felt may rage begin to boil over and the overwhelming need to punch Dallas's face coursed through my veins.
"I say we teach that fucker a lesson" Dez said cracking his knuckles. I knew Dez was really, really, mad because he hardly ever cusses.
"I agree" I said cracking my own.
"They're saying something" Ally whispered quietly on shaky legs. I watched as the girl made a motion and brought her hand up to her face, before sanding up and walking towards the exit, which is also the entrance. Right where we were standing.
"Okay when that little whore gets here I'm gonna" Trish said before realizing the girl was running with her hand covering her face…too hide her tears.
With her face covered she didn't see where she was going and bumped shoulders with me.
"Hey" I shouted. I suppose it was a little harshly, but she was at dinner with Dallas.
"S-S-S-Sorry" She said, but the voice wasn't a she. It was a he. He moved his hand, finger nails painted black, and looked at me with red and puffy eyes. I felt my heart stop. I remembered what Shilio said.
"It's our three month anniversary"
Trish and ally out their arms around him as I looked from a crying Shilio to across the room to a smirking Dallas.
A/N. FOURTH CHAPTER DONE. THANK YOU TOO Bubblelina15, Faceless Enemy, Writingaddict169, baconandtoast, Cakey Potter, AND THE PERSON WHO DIDN'T LEAVE A SCREN NAME FOR REVIEWING.