Hi, you awesome people! Yeah, I started out with a compliment and yeah, I'm buttering you up. Here's why: I have a test on Monday, a project due on Monday and prep for a project due Tuesday. So, what I'm saying is this chapter could quite possibly be all you get this weekend. I'm really, REALLY sorry about that. Really, these are the fastest updates I've ever made. I've been a writing maniac this week and I was really proud of myself and happy that you guys appreciated it. But I'm afraid I might not be able to keep it up this week. Mind you, I said MIGHT. If it turns out that I can make the time, trust me, you'll be the first to know.
Anyway, now that THAT depressing news is behind us, let's talk! I had a FANTASTIC day because A Billion Hits is finally on my iPod! I love that song TO DEATH (or maybe what I really like is the artist...heehee!) If I can't get online Sunday, please, please, PLEASE nobody tell me what happens in Secrets and Songbooks! I mean, if it's in the promos, that's fine. But I live in the Great White North so I won't see it until it's posted on Youtube, so try not to mention that you've seen it and it's amazing or something like that. It's just not nice.
xXxDiAmOnDxXx, thank you for your kind words about whether or not I should be an author. I'm actually really psyched about making a career choice (gr. 10 course sheets are due January) and you've have helped me decide on taking extra English classes! This chapter is dedicated to YOU!
Disclaimers make the world go round! And stop us from getting our butts dragged to court!
Liana: Dez, would you do the honours?
Dez: REALLY? You want ME to do it? I always thought that you didn't like me! I thought you liked everybody BUT me! Well, okay! Here goe -
Liana: You talk WAY too much. Ally, I'd prefer even you.
Ally: W-well...okay. *is infused with the talented spirit of Austin* Liana doesn't own a single thing related to Austin and Ally! She wishes she did, but she don't. She doesn't own any songs either, but she could! If only you could think of some lyrics to go along with that tune in your he -
Liana: Know what? You talk too much, too.
Geez. Story time with Ally and Dez is not fun. ONWARD! FOR ASLAN! (And Auslly!)
Chapter 4 - It's Official
Early Wednesday morning, Austin stood in front of his mirror, examining his appearance critically. His green and black plaid hoodie, bright yellow tee and baggy dark wash jeans were the fourth outfit he'd tried on and suddenly, he had the urge to change again.
Flicking his hair to the side, he whispered, "Hey, Ally," to his reflection. Then he shook his head and pushed his hair back with his fingers. "Sup, Ally," he tried again, shoving his hands in his pockets and forcing himself to look casual. Sighing, he was gearing up for another try when Dez barged in. "Hey Austin!"
Yelping, Austin jumped away from his mirror. "I wasn't practicing saying hi to Ally!" he squeaked nervously, blushing again. Sometimes he felt like he might be related to a tomato or something. "What are you talking about?"
Dez eyed him oddly for a few seconds before shrugging and heading over to the table in Austin's room. "Hey, don't mind me. I just came to get the whipped cream I left here."
Austin followed him warily, not quite believing he would've let the matter drop so quickly. "Now? At eight in the morning?" Dez nodded and picked up the sky blue canister. "You can't have a breakfast sundae without whipped cream!" he explained.
Quickly, he brought out a bowl heaped with ice cream, sprayed it with the contents of the canister and stared at his masterpiece dreamily. Before Austin could worry about where that ice cream had even come from, Dez dug in. Without a spoon.
"You okay in there, buddy?" Dez lifted his face out of the bowl and nodded, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. Only then did he see the many piles of clothes that decorated the floor of Austin's bedroom. "Uh, what happened? It looks like a clothing bomb exploded in here," observed Dez, to which Austin sheepishly replied, "Oh, that. It's nothing. Just trying to find some clothes to wear."
Dez gave a small smile. "Wear to what? Sonic Boom? Hanging with Ally? Your GIRLFRIEND?" Austin could now safely say that his tomato relatives were thoroughly jealous of him now. "No!" he retorted angrily, although it made him feel a little weird to hear Dez call Ally his girlfriend.
The ginger* crossed his arms and said firmly, "Look, just make sure she gets that song written, okay? Carisa's party is on Saturday, remember? The song's gotta be done by then." Austin nodded, already tired of this conversation, and headed for the door. He'd decided he was a little too anxious to do another costume change.
But not to see Ally. No. 'Course not.
An hour later...
Ally drew both her feet up off the floor and hugged her knees to her chest, watching Austin do a drum solo. Before that, he'd played three original guitar riffs and his favorite song of hers, A Billion Hits. And to be totally honest, as talented as he was, Ally was bored. So completely, totally bored. Were all relationships this boring?
To be honest, she wasn't even really sure what to do. Obviously, Austin had some romantic experience and she'd expected him to take charge of this situation. But all he'd done since he'd gotten to the practice room was play and play and hardly even look at her. It was starting to not only bore her, but totally hurt her feelings.
"Austin!" she yelled, standing up suddenly. Austin looked up, his drumsticks paused in midair. "Yeah? What's up?" he said quickly, his eyes flashing from her to the drum set and back to her. Ally's fury intensified. If they were on a date - if that was what was happening - she wanted him to be focused on her and only her.
She eyed him carefully and finally decided on a method of approach: alluring. She smoothed down her dark hair and smiled softly at him. "C'mere." Austin stood up immediately, dropping his drumsticks and carefully edged around the drum set.
Sitting down next to her on the piano stool, Austin tried furiously to slow his heart rate down. There was no reason why he should be feeling so sweaty and nervous and awkward. But he was. And it was driving him crazy. "So..." Ally took a deep breath and started, "So, let's talk."
Austin tried to shrug casually, but all the moves he'd practiced that morning in the mirror were slipping away as he noticed that Ally smelled faintly of cinnamon and how pretty she looked in her short brown dress and pink sweater... "About what?"
Ally sniffed, frustrated. "About the terms of this relationship." She hated how professional and detached she sounded because that was the opposite of what their "relationship" was supposed to be about. But it was only fake. Right? "I think that maybe we should engage in couple-ish activities. That would probably help give me inspiration for a song, y'know?" she said smoothly. That had come out perfectly: firm but soft and help Austin get a better grip on "dating" her.
Little did she know that Austin needed no help in that department. He'd stayed up the previous night planning a day at the beach with her. Unfortunately, every time he'd imagined it, it turned into Carisa's bash and the whole "fake relationship" thing came rushing back. Still, had Ally just pretty much given him permission to treat her like a normal girlfriend? Like this thing between them was real?
Austin turned to look at Ally, who did the same. Their eyes met, chocolate brown on chocolate brown, and his breathing became shallow. And then, maybe for the first time, he realized that he maybe really did like her. And not in a "fake relationship" sort of way.
"Okay, that sounds good to me," he finally replied to her question, trying to keep his voice steady and not get lost in how truly amazing her eyes were. "Uh...so, should I, em, should I call you my g-girlfriend then?" He swallowed hard and looked down.
Ally lifted an eyebrow, wondering why this simple assignment was so hard for Austin to comprehend. Wait...did he just say girlfriend? Ally reached up and tugged a lock of brown hair, studying his face. He looked sort of pained in a way...like he was straining against something...
"Yeah, you probably should," she exhaled. She hadn't even realized she'd been holding her breath. "And I'll call you my boyfriend. And maybe...tonight we can go on a, y'know, a real date." It wasn't a question; more like a statement. Ally knew that wasn't very romantic, but there was a reason she'd never had a boyfriend. "If you want."
Austin couldn't agree fast enough. "Yeah, a date! Totally. That sounds awesome." He nodded and hoped his voice hadn't cracked. Ally firmly pressed her hands together and looked back into his eyes. They really were amazing, with gold flecks that sparkled when he was happy or excited. They kinda reminded her of stars.
"But only if you're going to pay attention to me. Got it? Like, hold my hand or put your arm around me or -" Then, like he was famous for, Austin interrupted Ally by slinging an arm over her shoulder and pulling her closer to his chest. "Like this?" he whispered in her ear, his heart banging against his ribcage. Ally tried to nod, but the fabric of his hoodie was in the way.
Shoving herself away, she nodded curtly, but was sure her fervent blushing was totally giving her away. She was supposed to be in charge of this relationship, right? Austin certainly couldn't be. But if he kept up stuff like that, even when he didn't need to, even when they were in private...would anyone blame her for developing feelings for him?
"By the way..." said Ally, casually leaning towards him, smirking for the first time during their relationship and definitely not the last. "Nice hoodie." And just like that, Austin was scarlet red again.
Just then, the door burst open and the two jumped apart. Trish strode in, decked out in a football helmet, knee and elbow pads and carrying a hockey stick that was twice her size. Dez hopped in just a second after her. Literally hopped into the room. Ally shook her head, half at Dez, half trying to cool down her crimson cheeks. Some things never change.
"Hey guys, guess who's working at Scott's Sport Shack? ... Um, what's going on in here?" said Trish, her tone starting out excited and ending coy. Well, that pretty much eliminated any hope of their blushes dying down. "NOTHING!" Ally and Austin protested simultaneously. The two stood up and Austin hurried awkwardly to the door. "So, um, tonight? 6 o'clock? I'll pick you up," he said after clearing his throat. Ally nodded quickly and with a soft, "Okay," sent Austin on his way.
Trish turned to face her friend, mouth open in a wide smile. "Nothing going on, huh?"
"TRISH!"
Ahahahaha. Trish. How could anyone ever dislike Trish? Except for all her previous bosses, I suppose.
Well, adios since this could be the last I see of you until at least Monday. I shall miss you all terribly (no, seriously.) and I hope you won't be too mad about the possible delay. Oh, and GEEZ, GUYS! I still need suggestions for ballads since I've pretty much vetoed my previous choice. Unfortunately, I'll have to go with that if nobody suggests anything else, okay? Alright.
*1: In case you were wondering, I've got nothing against gingers. In fact, I love 'em. My last crush was a ginger. Adam Hicks (Wen Gifford) is a ginger. Sometimes I wish I was a ginger...and then I remember that black people have a month dedicated to our history and I wonder what I was thinking. :)
Review if you are a supporter of ginger rights! They are not soulless! They are beautiful people with seriosuly vibrant hair! Like Kim Possible! Or Ariel the mermaid! REVIEW AND STAND UP AGAINST HAIR COLOR DISCRIMINATION!
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