Chapter Four:
Austin doesn't come to Physics, though I couldn't say I was surprised. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't want to face myself either. I really didn't think I could pull this off before, but now that I had started, I have to admit, it's kind of fun.
Of course part of me still feels guilty knowing that I'm going to hurt someone by the end of this, I know he deserves it. If there was another way to get to him and show him what he was doing was wrong, I would be all ears.
But I know just talking to him won't work. I had seen Dez scolding and lecturing him time and time again. He would just pat the redhead on the shoulder, laugh it off, and walk away.
Why would I fair any better? He didn't even know me. If he didn't listen to his best friend, he definitely would not listen to some random girl.
I just have to keep reminding myself that I'm doing the right thing, whenever I start to feel some doubt. I'm saving countless girls from getting their hearts broken in the future. And, I am getting a very unique and interesting topic to write about for a college application essay. I just need to remember the bigger picture here.
I am snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of the bell ringing. I close my notebook and shove it in my backpack, before standing up.
"Ally?" A voice stops me in my tracks as I am about to open the classroom door. I turn around to face my Physics teacher, Mr. Nichols.
"Yeah?" I ask, walking up to his desk.
"Would you be able to drop the attendance off at the main office? I'll write you a late pass for your next class."
"No problem." I smile.
"Thank you." The elderly man says, while filling out my late pass - a light blue piece of paper. He hands me the attendance folder and the late pass.
"See you tomorrow." I say, before walking out of the classroom.
As I walk into the main office, I am not expecting to see a pair of golden eyes.
Austin.
He is sitting in one of the chairs lining one wall of the office. His chair is right next to the entrance of Principal Daniels office. Though, I can't say I'm too surprised to see that he was having a meeting with the principal at this time of the day. He was as much of a troublemaker as he was a heartbreaker. I suppose those nouns went hand in hand.
I'm sure he would've been kicked off the football team by now, if it wasn't for how good he was. I haven't ever been to a game, but I heard more than enough girls swooning over how he looked in his football uniform or how amazing he had been, the morning after a game. He was probably an asset to the team and the coach probably often fought and petitioned for him to be allowed to stay on the team.
He looked up from the ground as soon as I walked in. The second our eyes met, I duck my head and walk straight towards the secretary's desk.
"Hi Mrs. Pearson." I address the elderly woman with a smile. All the while, I feel golden eyes boring into the back of my head. I quickly give her the attendance sheet and start walking out of the office. But, before I could even take a step out of the door, a voice catches me midstep.
"Ally."
I didn't have to turn around to see who it was, though I do anyway. "Yes?" I ask as soon as I face him, my arms folding over my chest. He had gotten up from his seat and was standing a foot away from me.
"I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier."
I open my mouth, about to utter a word of protest, when I am interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing from behind the blonde. "Mr. Moon." Austin turns around at the mention of his name, to see Principal Daniels standing in the foot of his doorway, staring at the both of us. The middle-aged man's hands are folded over his chest, his expression one of displeasure as he looks from me to the blonde.
Austin glances at me, then at Principal Daniels, before he looks back at me. His shoulder droop as he sighs dejectedly. Principal Daniels points towards the interior of his office, stepping out of the doorway, as the blonde walks inside. He follows Austin inside, closing the wooden door behind him.
I continue to watch the door. Part of me feels upset that my interaction with the blonde had gotten cut off. I hate myself for it.
The late bell rings, snapping me out of my thoughts and I quickly turn around and head out of the office.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as soon as I reach the hallway. It's Trish.
Just saw your message! That's great! Things are going well. Can't wait to see how it goes! Text me any updates.
I shove my phone back in my pocket, smiling brightly, and continue on my merry way.
I head to my locker after my Spanish class to put away my textbook and grab the one I needed for my next class. As I turn the hallway leading to my locker, I stop mid-step when I am met with a pair of golden eyes.
"We need to talk." Austin states, quickly, right to the point, as he leans against my locker.
"I kind of have a class to get to, so thanks, but no thanks." I walk over to him and motion for him to move out of my way.
"Look," the blonde steps closer towards me, one of his hands slowly making its way to grab my wrist. "About this morning, I know we kind of got off on the wrong foot-."
"You can say that again." I cut him off, removing my hand from his grasp and opening my locker.
"But," he continues. "I don't want you to think that I'm some sort of-."
"Grade-A jerk? Douche bag? Inconsiderate scumbag? Please do feel free to stop me once you find once a name you like." I interrupt him again as I take out the book I was looking for.
"I get it." He cuts me off this time, his voice doing little to help hide his clear annoyance and offense. "But that wasn't exactly the direction I was going in."
"What's your point?" I turn to face him, holding my book close to my chest and crossing my arms over it.
"I want to make it up to you. Let me take you out tonight."
"Well, thanks for the offer, but it's going to be a hard pass for me." I close my locker and turn on my heels, starting to head down the hall.
Step Two: Playing hard to get – check.
Second point – Ally.
After a second, I hear footsteps running after me. "What?" Austin blocks my way. "Why?"
"Sorry, but I'm just not interested in dating someone like you." I shrug, flashing him a saccharine smile. I pat him on his head, before once again heading down the hall.
"What does that mean?" The blonde walks after me.
I take a deep breath. "Save it, Austin. I really don't have time for this right now." I say, continuing to walk, hoping he's following me. Hearing the echoing of footsteps behind me, I know he is. I smile internally. "I have to get to class and so should you."
"No." He simply objects, grabbing my wrist and forcefully pulling me back to him. He does it with such a great and unexpected strength, that I end up flying backwards and our chests wind up pressed close together. "Not until you really tell me why you won't go out with me."
I scoff. "Why I really won't go out with you?" I shake my head in disbelief, turning away. "I know the type of guy you are, Austin." I say, turning back to face him. "I know how you treat girls and I'm sorry that I don't want to be treated that way myself. Unlike some of those other girls, I have some self-respect and dignity."
"It's not like that, Ally." He grabs my hand. "You don't understand."
"No, Austin." I pull my hand out of his grip. "You don't understand. Why does it matter that I won't go out with you? I said no, so that's it. I just don't want to. I'm not interested. Besides, don't you have plenty of other girls lining up? You can choose one of them. I'm sure they'll say yes."
"Then why would I be wasting my time asking you out when I can get any one of them?" He retorts, his eyes blazing. A second later, his facial expression morphs to one of guilt and horror. "That came out wrong-."
"Save it." I put my finger on his lips. "You just proved my point and gave me all the reason I need not to go out with you." I readjust my bag on my shoulder and turn on my heels, proceeding down the hallway to my next class, not bothering to look behind me.
I don't need to turn around to know Austin's wearing an expression of complete regret.
Third point – Ally.
"Ohhh, girrrrrl." Trish squeals after I recount to her all of the events of the morning. "We are going to crush him." She turns to face me and grabs my shoulders. "You, my dear, are going to be a legend."
I roll my eyes, but smile nonetheless. I look down at my lunch and take a bite of my sandwich.
"Okay, so next part of the plan. Now that you've caught his attention, he is going to continue to pursue you and try to get you to go on a date with him."
"And I keep rejecting him and playing hard to get."
"Exactly." Trish grins.
"I have to agree to go out with him eventually, though." I say. "If I keep rejecting him, at some point he's going to give up and move on."
"We'll keep playing with his head for the rest of the day. At the end of the day, finally, but reluctantly, give in to go on one date with him. Tonight, if possible. The faster we get things moving, the faster we can break him."
"Sounds good." I nod, smiling.
"Uh oh." Trish says, suddenly.
"What?" I ask.
"Approaching Bozo the Clown."
Before I can ask what she means, a flop of red head positions himself on the other side of our table.
"Afternoon ladies." He nods at Trish and I.
"Dez?" I question. "What are you doing here?" He's Austin's best and most closest friend. He's not a member of Juliet's Balcony, though he does film their shows. He also isn't on the football team, though he is the equipment manager. Courtesy of being best friend's with the star, I suppose.
Trish just scowls. I kick her under the table and give her a look, mouthing "Be nice."
"It has come to my attention that Austin has found interest in you, but you have rejected him. Is that correct?" He asks, looking directly at me.
"Um ... yes?" I reply, turning to look at Trish quizzically. "What is this all about?"
Dez didn't really talk to anyone, save Austin. He was kind of a loner. It was because he was a little odd, with the way he dressed and the way he acted. Though, I must say he was talented with a camera. I was in an art class with him last year and he directed, wrote, and produced his own animated short film for his final project.
"That blonde bozo probably sent him here to scout out any information about you or convince you to go out with him. Isn't, that right?" The Latina stares him down.
"I can neither accept nor deny that statement."
This was a little unexpected. Trish and I never planned on the blonde sending the redhead to talk to me. Dez never got involved in Austin's relationships.
Maybe this is good. If Austin asked Dez to step in, then this was serious. I smile internally.
"Listen you dim-witted, good-for-nothing, dumb-."
"Trish." I cut her off. "I think it would be best if you would leave the two of us alone to talk. I can handle this." In all honesty, I didn't trust her in front of the redhead and I didn't trust myself in my ability to stop her quickly enough, if things got out of hand.
She's about to protest but I glare at her and she's out of her seat in seconds.
"Fine." She mumbles, walking out of the cafeteria dejectedly.
"Thank you." Dez sighs in relief once she's out of earshot.
"Trish was right, wasn't she? Austin sent you here?" I don't hesitate to ask.
"Okay, fine. You got me. I'm not going to beat around the bush so yes, he did. But I'm just playing my role of the supportive best friend and wingman here."
I roll my eyes, playing along. "Look, I don't need to hear any excuses from you about why I should go out with Austin. He's just not my type and I'm not into him. You can tell him yourself the same thing I told him this morning, I'm not interested. End of story."
"Please, Ally. Just give him a chance. You'll see he's not all that bad. He's a really passionate guy if he wants to be."
"Yeah, I can see that. He's quite passionate about breaking girls' hearts." I pause, giving the redhead a look. I shrug. "Sorry if I don't want to be added to that list."
"But he's really a compassionate guy. I promise."
I laugh. "I'd love to see that." I shake my head. "But come on, Dez. I don't care about whatever he wants you to tell me. My answer is still no. And there isn't anything you can say or do, that will make me change my mind. The same goes for Austin or anyone else he tries to send over."
"You haven't even heard me out yet." He protests. "At least give me a chance to explain myself."
"Dez-."
"Ally, just listen, okay?" The urgency in his voice surprises me and I close my mouth. "Now yes, Austin does have a reputation. But do you think if he really didn't care about you, that I would be here right now? He's never sent me to talk to a girl before."
So, I was right. Austin hadn't ever sent the redhead to talk to a girl for him. This was really good. Now, I just had to use this to my advantage.
"For all I know, Austin probably just can't stand the fact that someone finally rejected him." I say, getting up. "I appreciate you trying to help and be a good friend to him, but my mind is already made up." I start to walk away.
"Just tell me what it would take for you to agree to go out with him." Dez races after me.
"I already told you, nothing. I'm sure Austin can regain his fractured ego by the end of the day."
With that, I walk out of the cafeteria, just as the bell rings.
I let out a deep sigh as I start walking down the hallway, out of the school, and into the student parking lot. I had just put away my last book, for my Law and Government class, in my locker. Now, I was on my way to my car.
I am not surprised to see who is standing, or should I say leaning, against the hood of my black Prius.
Remembering what Trish and I had discussed during lunch, I voluntarily scowl as I stop in front of my car.
"You really can't take no for an answer, can you?" I ask, crossing my arms over the chest. I look at the blonde warily.
This meant that the plan was working. Quite well, if I may add.
"Nope." He beams proudly, standing up straight and approaching me. His hands are behind his back. "You've got to appreciate my perseverance though."
"Look at you using such big words. What, did you just look that up like five minutes ago?"
"Maybe." He looks down sheepishly, before clearing his throat.
"... but that's not the point."
"Don't you have football or band practice to get to?" I ask, quirking my eyebrows at him. I place my hands on my hips.
"Not for a couple of more hours."
"Can you please get out of my way, Austin?"
"Not until you agree to go out with me."
"I already told both you and Dez, that I'm not interested. What don't you understand?"
"Just one date. That's all I'm asking for. And then, if you're still not interested, I'll give it up."
"Give me one good reason I should agree to go out with you." I reply, folding my arms over my chest
"Look, I know I'm not the greatest guy around here and I've had my moments, but I'm really trying here. I don't know what you want me to say or do to prove it to you, okay?"
I just look at him.
He pulls out a bouquet of flowers from behind him. I cannot help my gasp as I see that the entire bouquet is made out of marigolds.
"Marigolds are my favorite." I say, unable to hide the surprise from my voice. "How did you know?"
"It's a secret." He winked. Despite myself, I feel my cheeks burn. I look down at the flowers, hoping he doesn't notice my red cheeks. How did he know?
The fact that he went to a florist to get the bouquet was honestly so sweet. This was what I was waiting for. I didn't want him to make some half-assed attempt to ask me out, like he did with other girls. I wanted him to make a genuine effort to ask me out, not just a demand or an offer, like it was some prize to go on a date with him.
This meant that the plan was really, truly working. I knew Trish would be happy to hear the news.
"Okay." I smile, nodding my head.
"Okay?"
I look up at him. "You have one date, but don't mess it up. And you better not go trying anything. Pick me up at seven thirty, and don't be late."
His face remains in its dazed state as I settle into my car and start the engine, pulling out of my spot and driving past him.
Part Three: Get A Date was complete.
Fourth point – Ally.
Let the real fun begin now.
I am sorry for not updating this sooner. (I feel like I'm starting all of my author's notes like this.) I actually had most of this chapter typed up and ready to go, but I reread it and some parts I ended up not liking. So, of course, I had to rewrite them. But, I had writer's block and didn't know exactly what I wanted to change.
That being said, I do hope you like this chapter.
Until next time,
~ honesthannah
