Aloha!
So I am kind of excited about this chapter. Maybe I'm just a nerd, but I really like it. Ally gets a little bit of confidence and you can see her grow a little as a person. I hope you guys like it! Thanks so much for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. Keep it up!
Yours Always,
Undercover Dreamer
Disclaimer: I dont own Austin or Ally or Austin and Ally. Blah Blah Blah...
As Matt, the thirty-something year old camp director told instructed us on the rules and regulations here at Camp Shamogoon, his voice echoed in the huge space. The main lodge held the dining hall, a few offices for people who worked at here, and dorms for counselors. As of now, I sat at a long wooden table with benches lining either side. Looking around the room I could see about twelve of these, all completely full of teenagers. Judging from this, I guessed that there were around a hundred campers here.
To my left sat Trish, looking utterly bored with the speech I'm sure she has heard at least three times already. Cassidy was seated on my other side, grinning with the pure excitement of what I assumed to be just being here. Her anticipation for what was to come relieved me of my nerves. A little.
Across from Trish was the fun kid with bright red hair I had met just moments ago. When approached the table he had immediately rushed over to introduce himself.
"Hey!" The redhead spoke confidently, "I'm Dez. You must be new here."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I huffed, frustrated. He pointed down at the hot dog that lied unimpressively on my plate.
"If had come here before, you would have known to pick the hamburger over the hotdog." Dez stated, causing me to giggle.
"I guess that makes sense. I'm Ally."
"Good to meet you."
Looking at him again now, I almost felt myself laugh once again at his appearance. He wore a navy blue shirt with a red mustache on it the color of a perfectly ripe tomato, and green and orange stripped jeans. I felt almost jealous of Dez's complete self-assurance. He seemed to know exactly who he was, and wanted everyone else to know it, too. I hope one day I might become that kind of person: beaming, carefree, and cool. But I guess for now I will just have to be Ally Dawson.
I remember sliding onto the bench and Trish following soon after. I looked up to ask Dez about which breakfast food to choose the next morning, since he seemed to know the food here better than anyone else. I expected to see Dez's sky blue eyes, but instead I found myself peering into a familiar pair of dark brown ones. I almost choked on the pickle I had been chewing on.
"Hey Ally." Austin's eyebrows were raised as he chuckled at my reaction.
"Hi…" I barely managed to get out through my staggered breath. I could feel the heat rising to my face, embarrassing me further.
Why do I always humiliate myself in front of him?
"Been keeping yourself on solid ground?" All the anxiety I felt melted away at those few words. It seemed he knew exactly what to say to calm me down. Feeling a little bit more confident, I gave him a little smirk when I replied.
"Not exactly. What can I say? Gravity's a bitch." I stated frankly. I realized I had gotten the response I hoped for when I saw Austin let out a low laugh.
"Let's just hope I'm around next time to catch you when you fall." My eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
Does he mean it in the way I think he mean's it?
Suddenly I saw Kira's long arms wrap around Austin's neck, and she planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Hey boyfriend!" She squealed, then proceeded to giggle obnoxiously in his ear.
"Hey babe." Austin said nonchalantly as Kira hopped into the seat beside him.
Kira sat so close to her boyfriend she was practically on his lap. When she started to tell him about all the bikini's that she brought in excruciating detail, I turned to talk to Trish.
"So, what school do you go to?" I asked, hoping she was somewhere near me.
"I go to Antonio High, it's kind of in southeast Miami." Trish explained, as I broke out into a grin.
"I go to Marino! That's only like twenty minutes away from Antonio!" I could feel myself getting animated.
"Maybe we could hang out after camp is over." She was not nearly as excited as me, but still gave me a reassuring smile.
I was about to respond with a definite "YES", but Matt choose that moment to begin his lengthy welcome speech.
Now, Matt finally concluded his presentation, telling us we had the first night to settle in. I was silently thankful, exhausted from the long day. I followed the large group out of the double doors into a dark night. I walked for a few minutes in the cool air, until I looked around and realized my group was gone. The crowd flowed around me as I stopped to crane my neck to see over and around the mass. The darkness masked my vision, and I couldn't differentiate anyone from one another.
"You look lost." A voice breathed down my neck that gave me sudden chills. I spun around, saw the close proximity of the person and took a step back.
It took a moment for my eyes to adjust in the darkness, and I could make out the outline of a boy. His hair blended in with the surroundings, causing me to believe it must be dark brown or black. The mystery guy looked me up and down, and a cocky smile played across his face.
"Just lost from my group." I explained to him, "I can wait here for them for a little while."
"I can walk you back to your cabin if you'd like." He added, "My name's Dallas."
I opened my mouth to politely decline his offer, like the old Ally Dawson would do in a heartbeat. But then I stopped myself.
You are coming here to become a new and better you. A nice seemingly cute guy just asked to walk you back to your cabin. This is your chance.
"I'm Ally," I took a deep breath, "And sure, why not? I'm staying in Firefly."
We began walking again, blending back into the group.
"Ally, that's a pretty name. It fits you." I couldn't help the nervous giggle that escaped my lips.
"You can't even see me." I countered, thankful for the shadows that covered my blush.
"I can tell by your voice. Beautiful people have beautiful voices." No one had ever said anything like that to me before. I was unbelievably flattered by this Dallas' compliments. He was bold and flirty when he spoke, and guys like that had never even seemed to be interested in me before.
Say something back!
"Your name isn't so bad yourself." I said smoothly and could hear him scoff.
"I was named after my parent's favorite football team: the Dallas Cowboys." When I couldn't hold it in any longer I burst out laughing.
"You…were named…after…a FOOTBALL team?" I gasped between words. I felt bad for laughing, but it really was tragic. He wasn't even named after the city, but the team INSIDE the city.
"YES. Why were you named Ally then?" He questioned.
"My parents named me after a composer named Allie Wrubel. It's spelt a little differently than mine, my parent's liked Ally with a 'Y' better than an 'IE'. My dad loves music and owns his own music shop in Miami. Wrubel is one of Dad's favorite songwriters." I loved to tell the story of my name. It made me feel like my name really means something.
"Your name is so much cooler than mine." He said sounding like a small child, which caused me to giggle yet again.
What is up with all this giggling?
Before I knew it I realized we were back in front of my cabin. I turned towards him and gave him a gentle smile.
"Thanks for walking me back."
"It was no big deal." I could see him dig the toe of his sneaker into the dirt.
"Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked hopefully.
"I'll look out for you." I turned to walk down the short path to my cabin, but felt myself suddenly stop. I pivoted around and saw Dallas standing exactly where I left him.
"Goodnight Dallas." I said genuinely.
"'Night Ally."
Satisfied with the goodbye, I turned and walked back to Firefly. I heard some rustling in the leaves behind me and spun around, expecting to see Dallas yet again. What I did see wiped the grin clean off my face. What I saw felt like a punch in the stomach that knocked the wind right out of me.
Kira and Austin stood just off the side of the path, and I could tell they did not know I was there. Austin had Kira pushed up against a tree and they seemed to be in the heat of a make out session. I just stood for a second, paralyzed by the picture in front of me. Even though I knew they were dating, it was different to see them like this. It felt more real. And it hurt more.
Why does it hurt? You should not be upset to see a guy I KNOW is in a relationship, kissing his GIRLFRIEND.
But I was upset; and I couldn't do anything about it. I pulled out of the trance, and took a few steps back, only to trip over a fallen branch.
Why do I have to be so clumsy?
I saw them pull away and turn to face me. Kira looked smug when she saw me, sitting there on the ground covered in leaves. Austin on the other hand, looked completely caught off guard. He gaped for a second then took a few steps towards me. I quickly pushed myself up from the path before he could reach me.
"Ally…" Austin began, a look of dread in his eyes.
"No. I am so sorry I…interrupted." On the last word I glanced to the grassy ground, trying not to look too mortified.
Before anyone could say anything, I marched to the door of the tiny building and pulled myself inside.