They stayed in the church, without any more interruptions.

After Austin ran out, everyone went to get him. He seemed a bit happier when they found him. It was odd. One moment, he was trying so hard not to sob as he sang this amazing song, and the next his eyes were lit up and there was a soft smile on his face. What could've possibly happened?

Everyone was witness to his panic attack at the end of the song. He was saying her name; it was like he was staring at her. He's never been one to believe in ghosts. Heck! Dez convinced him not to believe in zebras! But this time didn't stop him.

He still cried. He had cried so much in the past week that everyone thought he would get dehydrated. Once they got back to the church, he gripped Trish and Dez's hands on either side of him and apologized to everyone for his rude departure. Most of the guests were Ally's relatives, which meant they were past their prime, and were understanding. At least the caring ones were. She had a few grouchy relatives as well.

The service continued as a slide show played of Ally. It was so moving, and everyone watched it with tears in their eyes. Austin watched closely as it began.

In the early morning of February 23rd, 1995, a miracle happened. Little Allyson Marie Dawson was born to Lester and Penny Dawson.

Her baby picture was one of when she was three months old. She had chubby pink cheeks and bright brown eyes. She had very little hair, but it seemed darker than even now. She wore a floral dress for the May picture. Austin wonders if that's how she got started on her floral print wardrobe, though she was switching to bolder choices lately.

But she's not here anymore.

She grew up as an only child, but that didn't stop her from making the best of everything she had. She loved music and she loved to write music. It was her passion.

The next photograph showed a six-year-old Ally holding her brand new songbook that her mom had gotten her for Christmas that year. She held it close like a precious treasure. Next was a short video. Her mom was holding the video camera and showed Ally tinkering on the piano.

"This is our little girl. She's so talented."

The young Ally looked up at her mom. She was surprised and oblivious to the fact that she was filming her. "Mom, what are you doing?"

Penny chuckled from behind the camera. "Relax honey, just keep playing."

Ally shrugged and kept playing. She didn't care that she was being filmed. In fact, she was so caught up in the music that she forgot completely. She finished the endnote and turned to her mom with a genuine smile.

"That was great, Ally!" Her mother complimented. "What were you playing?"

"It's called 'Tomorrow Is Forever'. I wrote it myself!" She exclaimed.

"Just you wait Ally, one day that beautiful song of yours is gonna get a lot of hits!"

Ally giggled. "Mom, 'gonna' isn't a word."

Everyone in the audience laughed at this. It was truly Ally to say something like this, even if she was a first grader.

Someone special in her life was her best friend Trish, who was with her through everything.

The next photos all consisted of her and Trish. Trish broke down again as she saw the pictures of her and Ally having fun. They showed school plays, amusement parks, and all these little moments.

The slideshow went on, reliving all these memories that Austin had never known about. The ones before she had stage fright, the ones before her parents had divorced, and even some after.

Next to Trish, two people who were always there for Ally were her friends Austin and Dez. These four were inseperable.

There were millions of pictures of the four in happier times, which wasn't even that long ago. The last one stood out to Austin. It was the last picture they had taken together, just them. They kept getting distracted from working on a song and they just broke out in laughter. Anyone could see how happy they were. And maybe so, there friendship was so strong that it could withstand anything. Austin wished he would've known this sooner. He- he would've told her how much she really meant to him. Instead of distracting himself with all these other girls, he should've not have been such a coward and tell her that no matter what, she would always be his favorite girl. It was always her.

Austin felt the hot tears run down his face. It was even a conscious thought anymore. It was just natural. He should be thankful for these moments. He should be glad that even though she's gone, she came back for him. But somehow it was hard to face the fact that she was really gone. And of all the people she could've chose to see. Her parents or Trish, they were having as much of a hard time as he was. So why was it that she chose him?

At 12:56 on February 23rd, 2013, Ally died in Marino High's school shooting. She will always live on in our memories and our hearts.

Austin heard sniffling and looked over to his right. Dez was crying. He had only seen Dez cry once, when his parents were fighting and he was really scared. But he must've realized how it felt. Ally saved his life. Dez was about to be shot, but Ally took the bullet. It was truly heroic. But this was very conflicting for Austin. If he had held onto Ally a bit tighter, then Dez could've ended up dying. Either way, he would end up losing someone he loved.

Yes, loved. He loved Dez, he was his best friend. But he loved Ally like he hadn't loved anyone else. He loved her like a true love. But he would never get his chance now.

After everyone paid one last visit to the casket, it was his or her turn. Trish cried harder than ever and held onto Dez. Ally's parents held onto each other too, considering they split up they were still very friendly with each other. Austin put his hand over her cold pale one, and took in every detail of her face. She was so peaceful, and even though her mouth was glued shut, it still turned upwards in a smile. How was this real?

Everything was a blur as they left the church. Austin, Trish, and Dez decided to skip the reception to have a small one at Austin's house. They sat on the porch of his backyard and cut a small cake, wanting to celebrate Ally's death and birth at the same time.

Trish set down her fork and looked up at the sky, admiring the clear atmosphere. "It's ironic that we're having such good weather today. Ally would've wanted it that way."

Dez smiled a little. "Yeah. It hurts, knowing she's gone. But none of us is alone on this. We still have each other. This whole accident just shows how brave she was."

"It was no accident, though." Austin mumbled. "She did this, because she wanted to. She knew she'd feel forever guilty if one of us got hurt, so she tried to stop it."

Trish nodded. "I know I can act selfish and irresponsible sometimes, but if worse came to worse I hope she knows that I would've done the same for her. Or for any of you for that matter."

"And I know that I act stupid and crazy sometimes, but I would have too." Dez added.

Austin sighed. "And I may be a bit a of a narcissist and immature but I would have done it in a heart beat."

Trish gave a watery grin and looked up. "Ally, if your hearing us, I always want you to know that I'm there for you through thick and thin and I can't thank you enough for being there for me."

Dez followed Trish's gaze. "You were a great person, Ally. You were selfless and understanding and a bit bossy sometimes. But it helped us become better people. Thanks Ally, for setting an example and teaching some great lessons."

Austin looked up too. Feeling like he was cloud watching. Ally would've loved to be here. "I know you're still here Ally. I can feel it. No matter what happens, you'll never leave your place in our hearts. Our friendship is inevitable and it can't be broken. I'm sorry if I wasn't there for you enough. But you always made sure you were there for us. Thanks Alls. There's no way I could've made it without you …"

Trish smiled and raised her glass. "To Ally!"

"To Ally!" Dez chanted.

"To Ally!" Austin recited as they all clinked their glasses and drank. Even if their speeches were different, they all made one point clear.

"We love you."

I haven't updated in a month. I must be the worst author ever. So much stuff has been happening lately. My grampa died recently and then my dog. So their deaths inspired me to write this chapter, I know it sounds weird. It's a bit mushy but it explains what's been happening on the other side and how everyone is dealing with Ally's death. Austin knows he can still see her but he's having a hard time believing it and knowing he can't tell anyone. I got a question asking if they were dating before she died. They weren't. This was written around the time he was dating Kira and Ally knew that she liked him but she didn't know if Austin liked her or not. Austin is getting out of the denial stage but doesn't know if Ally liked him but he doesn't really think it matters anymore. This story is an AU, which means alternate universe. Things are going to happen in here that would never happen in the show, such as her dying. I hope I've cleared that up and if you guys have anymore questions just let me know. Thank you so much for sticking with me and WDCT should be uploaded soon:)

-Evelyn