Chapter Three, ( Do you want to be friends?)
Austin's P.O.V
I wake up feeling extremely happy and confident-but that's nothing unusual. *Stop it Austin! If you want Ally to see you not as a self-centered egomaniac and a decent human being then you have to stop being so arrogant.* My self-conscience is right, because I really want to have a chance with Ally. So I have to stop being who I've been pretending to be. That'll definitely be a challenge. I've made a reputation! It may not be one I'm particularly proud of, but hey you know what they say. You are what you've become. So as I decide to to walk to school instead of taking my fancy, bad for the environment sports car, I wonder just how hard I'll have to try to show Ally that I've changed.
Ally's P.O.V
As I get ready for school, I think about how I'm going to function on hardly any sleep. Last night was one of the "bad nights" because I had "the dream" last night. They usually don't occur that frequently since I'm older, but I think the stress of Austin talking about "love" was a trigger. But who needs love from a man? They're not worth it anyway. All I need is my mom and it'll be us against the horrors the world throws at us. I sit down on the stool at our bar style table and I tell my mom about my dream as I eat my pickles and toast. "Mom, I need to talk to you" I say, and I get a soft "Sure" in reply."Mom, it happened again. I had the dream." and then I start to burst into tears. My mom walks over to me and rubs my back trying to calm me and she kisses my head and tells me,"It's gonna be alright sweetie. Do you want to talk about it?". I wipe my tears and try to give her a real smile. "No thanks Mom. I need to get to school, but maybe later?" I tell her. I grab my backpack and walk down the old, worn-down steps of our little 2-bedroom house that's in desperate need of repair. Unfortunately since It's just me and my mom, we don't have as much money coming in and can't afford to fix it. I take one look back at my mom waving through the window, and I vow that I will do something to make our lives better. I walk done the sidewalk and being so consumed in my efforts to rid my mind of the memories of my horrible dream I don't notice someone walking next to me. I am shaken out of my thoughts by a soft tap on my shoulder and a quiet "Hey" from a family voice. I look over and surprised to see that it's Austin. I'm even more surprised that he's walking and not driving in that "sorry excuse for pollution" car of his. I reply in a small voice, but I don't know why I'm being so shy. He probably wants help on his homework or something. I am once again shaken out of my thoughts by Austin waving his hand around in front of my face, and then I hear, "Ally? Ally? A-ll-y? Earth to Ally?". I wonder what he could possibly wants from me.
Austin's P.O.V
Since I live on the richer side of Miami, I am really regretting not driving because it is such a long way to school. As I am grumbling to myself for being so stupid I look up and I am shocked to see Ally walking to school- I never knew she lived on this side of town. *Probably because you speed right past her every single day. You never take the time to slow down!* I really wish my conscience would shut up because it's only succeeding in making me feel worse. I try to get her attention but she seems consumed in her thoughts. *Wow, she doesn't even know I'm here. This girl would have no idea if a kidnapper was next to her. I wonder if she's thinking about me, and doesn't even realize I'm next to her? How ironic.* I try repeatedly to get her attention until I finally get fed up and tap her on the shoulder. She turns around and looks shocked. *yeah probably cause you're walking instead of driving that expensive car!* Once I have her attention, I get nervous and try to say something smart but instead I embarrass myself by saying " Wow! Don't we have some nice grass?". She looks at me with a puzzled expression and I can't deny that she looks adorable. *Jeez, way to be cool Austin! Couldn't you have retained some of your qualities?* I am really hating my conscience but in reality I'm hating myself-which is something I never thought I'd do. * Oh, so you can retain your egotistical attitude, but not your charm?"* Ok I seriously need to stop arguing with myself and just talk to her. But apparently I hadn't said anything for almost 10 minutes so Ally had left. I see her about 5 blocks away and I quickly jog to catch up with her. " Hey Ally, why did you leave like that? I was talking to you" I tell her. I then hear her witty response, "Um no you weren't Austin. You were talking to yourself. I didn't want to be late so I left. I do have my reputation to protect." I am slightly taken aback at her boldness. No one EVER walks away from Austin Moon. EVER. * That's why you like her stupid! She's different! Now go she's leaving again!" Before I have the chance to think about what I said I blurt out, "Ally, I'm sorry we kinda got off on the wrong foot but I think your cool and I hope we can be friends Will you give me a chance?" Then I hurriedly take a jar of pickles out of my backpack. She kinda stares at me (not that I don't love it) and I'm a little worried that she thinks I stalk her. She hesitantly take the jar of pickles and examines it very carefully. I hold my breath and wait for her reaction.
Ally's P.O.V
I hesitantly take the jar of pickles from Austin and I look at very closely. I'm not sure how, but he managed to buy my favorite type of pickles and my favorite brand. I know I should've been cautious, but all I cared about it that I had more pickles. A big smile spreads across my face, and I see him visibly relax. I think about what he said- us being friends and stuff. "Does he really think I'm cool?" *"Why do you care?"* I then hear his reply, "Yeah Ally. I really do think you're cool.". I am embarrassed because I realize i was thinking out light and I know my cheeks have a red tint to them. I turn to Austin and take a deep breath before I answer. I don't know why I'm trusting him so easily, I don't need any men in my life! But something is different about Austin. I don't feel afraid, I feel safe. I just my trust doesn't backfire on me. "Austin, you say you want to be my friend? Why? I need to know you want to be my friend not for the wrong reasons. I want you to promise that you'll be a true friend, and that this is not a prank. I want you to be faithful, honest, and trustworthy. I want you to be a caring friend who will not intentionally hurt me. You will have to prove to me that you have the qualities I seek in a friend. If you do not, I shall give you a warning to get your act together, and if you don't improve I will terminate our friendship! Do you promise? I finish my lecture and I see Austin has a slightly scared expression. Hah. Dynamite comes in small packages.
Austin's P.O.V
Oh my god! Oh my God! Oh my God! She said yes! She said yes! I am silently screaming on the inside, while trying to maintain my cool exterior. I am a little frightened by her demands though. If I screw up, then I screw up. There's no fixing it. I just want to kill the sicko who made her distrust so deeply. But I know I will do whatever it takes to show Ally that I've changed. I'm willing to sacrifice everything for her. Right now I am so happy that ignore all the puzzled stares from the kids in the hallway who just watched us walk in locking our pinkies.
Author's Note: OK so let me just say I AM EXTREMELY SORRY! I have not updated in such a long time and I hope you can all forgive me! This chapter was kinda "ehhh" but I wanted to do something for you guys! So I apologize if it sucks! Anyway, I was originally gonna give you the details of Ally's dream at the end but I was like "eh" let's create some suspense? Also do any of you think Austin CAN change? So hate me all you want. It's my story! So what was your favorite/worst parts? Let me know your thoughts! Also please review! I appreciate any readers I still have left and once again I'm extremely sorry! Have a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! :)
