(A/N: I'm back! I am going to the Wisconsin Dells tomorrow! So pumped! Just kidding. I hate water parks. My parents couldn't have picked a worse place to go. However, I am probably gonna spend all my time typing just cause I hate water parks, so you guys should get some updates!)

WARNING: Austin is AMAZINGLY emotional in the first part of this chapter! Prepare yourselves for an emotional breakdown!

Disclaimer: I don't own Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift.

Austin's POV

I woke up with my nose nuzzled into Ally's hair. I breathed in her strawberry scent and sighed. It's Monday, and we have school. I slowly got up, not wanting to wake her in the process. I looked down at her and smiled. She looked so innocent.

I thought back to Friday. Ally had been worshiped by all the girls, and all the guys had been all over me. I am so proud of her. She doesn't have anything to worry about, especially since she has me. I won't let anyone touch her.

Ever.

I slowly crawled out of bed, and slipped out of my boxers. I put on a pair of clean ones and slid off my undershirt. I grabbed a plain blue t shirt and black jeans and out them on, along with my white Nikes. I glanced at the clock, and it read 6:32. I looked at a sleeping Ally and smiled. She has sometime to sleep.

I walked downstairs, expecting to find my parents sipping coffee, but no one was in the kitchen. I frowned, but assumed they had just gone to work early or something. They would be back later tonight. I crossed over to the pantry and pulled out a box of cereal. I grab a bowl from the cabinet and pour the cereal into it.

I take out a spoon and sit down at the island. I dig my spoon in and take a bite, chewing on the crunchy flakes. Yes, I like my cereal without milk.

What? It tastes too wet! Don't judge me!

I looked around the large kitchen, taking in my surroundings. My parents had a good job (one that makes them travel everywhere, but that's beside the point), so we had a pretty large house. The ceilings are quite high.

The problem with the house is that my parents are barely ever home, so whenever I'm alone, it feels so empty. I felt a little better knowing that Ally was sleeping upstairs, but it still felt quiet.

I hate quiet.

I blink, scooting the bowl of cereal away from me. I wasn't really hungry anyway. I decide that I am a bit too lonely, so I start to head off to where Ally is. I get up and almost push through the swinging door that connected to the hall, but something catches my eye.

A piece of notebook paper was taped to the door.

I cock my head to the side and pull the piece of paper off the door. I read the contents, heart sinking.

Dear Austin,
Something came up, and we had to leave for New York City this morning. We love you very much, and we want you to make sure that you take care of Ally. You care for her very much, and we want you guys to be happy. We are so sorry we didn't tell you. Take care! We will be back in about a month!
Love, Your loving parents xoxo

My hands trembled in anger.

I just fucking got SHOT in the arm a less than two WEEKS ago, and they leave, yet they still think they have the right to call themselves LOVING parents!

That's fucked up.

I shred the note into pieces and slam it down on the counter. I was so angry. I punched the wall and screamed when it hurt, but I didn't care.

They just… left.

I grabbed my face in my hands and sunk to the ground, refusing to cry. This is just so wrong! Don't they care about me? They didn't even tell me! They aren't coming back for a MONTH!

I shook and trembled, crouching in the corner. I feel so abandoned. I feel so hurt. Sorry doesn't help anything.

Sorry didn't help the last fifty times.

I was so absorbed in my anger and hurt that I didn't hear the footsteps coming from upstairs. My face was buried in my hands, hiding my red face, when she whispered, "Austin?"

I looked up and saw Ally, dressed in her pajamas, fully concerned. Seeing me breaking down brought sadness to her face, and my expression softened. She walked up to me and pulled me to my feet, staring at me with her beautiful brown eyes.

The tears fell down, and I scolded myself for looking weak in front of her. There was barely any space between us, and she raised a hand to wipe the tears from my face. I shivered, but pressed her hand up to my face with my own.

"Are you okay?" she whispered. I knew what she was doing, so I shook my head.

Because truly, I was not okay.

"Do you need help?" she asked quietly. I nodded my head slowly, new tears beginning to form.

"Will you allow me to help?" (1)

I took a deep breath and plunged myself into her arms. She hugged me back as I cried on her shoulder, not being able to keep my emotions inside.

I felt so… betrayed.

I felt my knees give out, and I sunk to the floor, still in her arms. She sat on my lap, pressed up against me, and whispered, "What happened? Please tell me…"

I looked down at her with blurry vision. Her gaze was pleading, and I knew I wouldn't be able to ignore her eyes. "They're gone," I whispered softly, looking at my hands. "They just… left."

Ally's eyes widened, and she grabbed my hand. I stared at it, and then my gaze flicked up to hers. More tears slipped down my eyes, and she hugged me again, pressing me up to her. I hugged back, thankful that she was here.

Thankful for her.

I cradled her in my arms, but I couldn't stop crying. It was like vomit. It just wouldn't stop! I kept sniffling and sobbing, and Ally kept whispering to me, trying to calm me down, but nothing was working. At one point, she grabbed me by the chin and forced eyes to look with hers.

"Austin," she breathed, instantly making my sniffles cease. She looked me in the eye, scanning my face. "Your parents need to go to work because they care about you. I bet you anything that they wish they could be here with you, but they need to support their family."

I stared at her, not sure if I believed her. She noticed and brought her lips close to my ear, resting her chin on my good shoulder. She began humming a tune I knew all too well. I smiled softly, knowing how hard she was trying to cheer me up. Her lips parted and she sang the words softly in my ear, calming my nerves.

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
And you and I'll be safe and sound

She pulled away and kissed me on the forehead. "They care about you Austin, they really do," she said, staring me dead in the eye. I smiled.

I believed her.

"Thanks Ally," I said, smiling softly. "You're the best. I love you so much, and I know you would never leave me." Her face automatically paled. Her mouth dropped, and I swear I saw tears begin to form in her eyes.

"Ally?" I asked, growing concerned. I rose my hand to her forehead and asked, "Are you okay?"

Ally's POV

I felt my heart sink.

No, Austin, I'm not okay.

I'm not okay because you put your trust in me, and I am going to crush your spirits, even though that's the last thing I want to do.

"I know you would never leave me."

I felt tears sting my eyes, but I didn't care. I couldn't get it out of my head that his parents left, and the only thing keeping him going is knowing that I'll stay.

But I can't promise him that.

He wouldn't understand. I need to find her again, and I have to do it alone. I don't want to be the damsel in distress anymore. I want to be able to do something by myself. I want to be able to take care of myself.

I have to do it alone, and that means leaving him.

I don't want to hurt his feelings. I don't want to leave him. I love him. But I need to do this.

I promised that I would do this.

And here he is, telling himself that I'll stay, when I won't even be there tomorrow morning.

And it kills me, it really does.

No, Austin, I'm not okay.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

:::::

Austin's POV

I sat down on the sidelines, watching as my classmates were divided up to play dodge ball. I touched my bad shoulder and winced as it stung. I knew I was supposed to call the doctor if it hurt, but I don't want to be stuck in that hospital again. I would have to leave Ally.

I would never leave Ally.

Speaking of Ally, I am worried about her. She seemed distracted today, and was really nervous around me. I wonder if it's something I did? It's probably nothing, I just worry is all.

My thoughts were interrupted as a tall muscular body sat down next to me. I turned to see who it was, and growled when I recognized him.

"Trent Holt."

He turned his head, hate in his gaze. "Austin Moon," he growled, smirking a little. "How's life? How about that whore of yours? Is she doing fine?"

I wanted to rip his head off. "She is not a whore, Trent," I snarled, tensing up. "You know what happened to her, yet you STILL act the way you do?" He just chuckled and said, "I don't care if she has the saddest story in the world. She is still her."

I refrained from hitting him, hearing Ally's pleas for me to stop inside my head. I took a deep breath and said, "What are you even doing here? Aren't you supposed to be playing?" He shook his head. "Don't have gym shoes," he replied, pointing to his feet.

He looked me up and down, an evil glint in his eye. "And I know you're sitting out because you took that bullet for your pathetic girlfriend," he snarled, baring his teeth. I blinked the hate out of my eyes and said, "Yep, I took a bullet for the best girl in the world," I replied, watching as students tried to knock each other out.

He laughed wickedly. "Oh Austin, don't you see?" Trent said, chuckling. "Ally was just using you to get away from the principal. She'll leave you before you know it." I stood up, not being able to take him anymore.

"Ally would NEVER leave me," I said, clenching my fists together. Trent stood up and said, "I seriously doubt that." My face twists up, but then my shoulder aches, snapping me back to reality. I wince and Trent notices. "Not so tough now, huh?" he taunts, getting all up in my face.

I take a step forward, but then my shoulder sends a sharp pain through my body, and I grunt, squeezing my eyes closed. Trent just smirks and says, "You should tell your girlfriend to watch her back. You should too." He spun on his heel and strut to the boy's locker room, not looking back.

I plopped down on the bench, scowling. How dare Trent talk like that? He knows Ally's story, and he even was a part of her pain! A couple of boys walked up to me and sat down, trying to make conversation about the bullet. I just answered their questions halfheartedly, still in deep thoughts.

Ally would never leave me, would she? I mean, I know I would never leave her, but what if she…

No, I'm not letting Trent get in my head. Ally would never, ever break my heart like that! I told her I loved her, and she said it back! She would have NO reason to leave.

The bell rang, and everyone got up to go. I was about to leave when something completely disgusting caught my eye.

Trent was walking down the hall, arm slung around Cassidy Hertz's shoulder. They were laughing, and Trent caught my eye, smirking.

Well, they deserve each other.

(A/N: Well, that was it! I hope Austin's breakdown wasn't too much, but I wanted to symbolize how much he hated how his parents left. What do you think of Trent and Cassidy dating? Tell me in the reviews!)

1) Does anyone else remember this from Ally Dawson's Secret? It's kind of their thing when one of them is upset. Well, that and Bella's Lullaby…