Alrighty now guys, I'm back from spring break! Thanks to all of you who waited patiently. Here's a nice longish chapter for ya. =] Let me know what you think.

Ally's Manager's (Who for now remains nameless) POV

I dreaded telling these two young artists they had to do a duet together. Ally had told me all about their partnership and why it was so messed up. I knew they would absolutely hate having to work together again.

But, like I told Ally, I didn't come up with it. The heads of their record labels came together and started this. They didn't have a choice.

"Austin and Ally, you guys are doing the duet together."

At the same time they both said, "No." They glared at each other.

Ugh, I knew they'd be difficult.

"You guys don't have a choice, you know that."

They looked at each other again, and I guess they decided I was right.

"Okay, here's the deal. You two will have two months to write and record this new duet. Yes Austin, you have to contribute with the writing." I said because Austin had started to speak up. "From there, the next four months will be spent rehearsing a new tour show and you two will be going on tour together."

"You've gotta be kidding me."

I looked to Austin. "Dude, don't get mad at me, I didn't come up with this."

"I know, but they KNOW Ally and I don't like each other, why would they do this?"

"I think it would be for that reason exactly. Now, you both have a concert here in Miami this weekend, Friday for you Austin, and Saturday for you Ally. You are expected to be at one another's concerts where there will be several interviews you must participate in. In the meantime, you will be called into the studio whenever neccessary for updates, interviews, photo shoots, and any other details we have to present to you."

Man, this isn't gonna be easy with these two.

"Right now, you guys are expected to 'catch up' here at the studio, by yourselves. I have a meeting to go to, so all I ask is, PLEASE do not kill each other. Try to get along, and I'll see you guys later."

I walked away, legitimately afraid that I would come back to two dead teenagers.

Ally's POV

This can't be happening. They actually expect me to do a duet with HIM? I thought, for sure, I would never have to deal with him again, and yet here he is, standing right beside me.

Ughhhhh.

We walked to the lounge separating our new dressing rooms, since we were forced to 'catch up'.

"Soo.."

"I saw you earlier."

What? "When?"

"Dez, Trish, and I walked by Sonic Boom. I looked in and I thought it was you, but I figured it couldn't be since you live in L.A., but I guess it was you."

"I saw you too, actually."

"Huh."

Man this is awkward.

"So, I hear you're dating your costar?"

Crap. He just had to bring that up. "Actually, we aren't together anymore?"

"Couldn't deal with you, huh? Shocker."

There it is, he's starting it again. "Actually, we decided to not try the long distance thing."

"Sure you did."

That's it. I'm not dealing with him. "Like you're so much better. Everywhere I go I see your picture in magazines, with yet another story of how desperately single you are."

"Because I don't settle for little pieces of garbage, like you obviously do."

"Okay, stop. We've been together for five minutes, and we're already fighting."

"It's what we do."

"Well, I don't want to do that. I don't want to deal with that. So, just stop."

He gave me the strangest look when I said that, and then started cracking up.

"Oh, Ally. Since when did you think it was okay to boss me around? That's pathetic."

"You know what's pathetic? The fact that I'm still sitting here talking to you right now."

With that, I got up and left. It was the best feeling in the world, having stood up against Austin, for the first time. I'm guessing he didn't understand it, but that's me. I won't deal with his crap anymore, he can't hurt me.

Austin's POV

Okay, that was weird. Ally just...defended herself. She has never done that before. It was kind of refreshing, and dare I admit, extremely cute.

Girl Power! Hahahahahahahaha. It was so funny, watching Ally walk out of the lounge.

I wasn't too thrilled about having to do the duet with her, but I could tell this would be an interesting few months, getting to harrass Ally again.

But, that was really weird. Ally standing up for herself, almost makes me not want to humiliate her. Does that sound crazy?

Of course, Ally won't keep that up forever, so I'll be fine.

Yeah.

I do have to admit though, Ally is even more beautiful than I remember. I mean, I always thought she was pretty, but her newfound confidence really adds to her beauty.

Not that I like her. I don't. Not at all. But, just because I don't like her, doesn't mean I can't appreciate her beauty.

Of course not.

I stayed in the lounge for a little while longer, until I heard a commotion from outside in the hallway. I poked my head out and saw a lot of fans, surrounding four people. Those four people were none other than Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Ally were being ambushed, signing things at random, until they were finally herded back into the lounge.

The boys stared at me, while Ally avoided my gaze. Eventually Harry asked, "Ally, this is Austin?" What?

She nodded and Harry glared at me. Okay...

"Uhm, yes, I'm Austin."

Louis and Ed introduced themselves. Harry remained silent. Louis spoke for him. "This is Harry. He's just being a little overprotective of Ally here."

"Why?"

"Because Ally and him are good friends, and he knows that you're mean to her."

Ahh, so she's been talking about me.

"Hmm. Aren't there more of you? I was under the impression you five traveled in a pack."

Louis seemed cool, but then again, he was the only one answering. "Ahh yes. The other three are at the hotel unpacking. We're here for a few weeks, doing some concerts and visiting. Harry and I popped in to say hi to Ally, along with Ed. They've both obviously lost their tongues."

So, Ally's friends with One Direction and Ed Sheeran. I guess that's not surprising, I've got plenty of famous friends as well.

Louis nudged Harry, and he finally spoke. "Erh, right. Hello."

He wasn't nearly as friendly, still glaring at me. I guess Louis was more forgiving.

Ally sighed. "Oh, calm down Harry. Let's just go into my dressing room."

She dragged Harry and Ed with her, closing the door behind them. Louis sat on the couch next to me.

"Sorry about Harry. Ally's like a little sister to him."

"How'd you guys meet?"

"We work for the same record label, we run into each other a lot."

"Ah. So you don't care that I'm 'mean to Ally'?"

"Well, obviously I don't want anyone to hurt her. But, I know your's and Ally's story."

"Okay?"

"Well, I'm just saying, I can tell you two don't really hate each other. In fact, I'd wager you two end up together."

"Woah. Slow down there, what makes you say that?"

"Oh calm down. Clearly you two have something going on, in my opinion, its chemistry. You guys don't see it that way, but you will eventually."

"Dude-"

But he cut me off. "I've gotta run, we were supposed to meet up with the boys an hour ago to get food. So, just be nice to Ally."

He opened Ally's dressing room door, grabbed Harry and Ed and left with a scream to Ally, saying "Bye Ally, we love you!"

Ally came back in and sat down on the couch next to me. "Sorry about them. They're like over protective brothers."

"Nah, they seem cool."

She started cracking up. "Whatever Austin. I'm going home."

"I hope you get hit by a bus."

"I hope you get attacked by fangirls."

I shuddered. That was a horrible thing to say.

She walked away, with a smirk on her face.

Okay, this is getting weird. The Ally I know would have been hurt by me telling her to get hit by a bus. She wouldn't have come up with a comeback, let alone a good one.

Who is she and what has she done with the real Ally?

BTW, One Direction and Ed Sheeran won't be in the picture for long unless you guys tell me you really like them in it. But, my idea is just for them to be minor, and only for a few chapters at most.