Chapter 6: Bullies & Serious Words

Ally's POV:

As I was putting make-up on in my bedroom, trying to hide the bags under my eyes from lack of sleep. I started thinking. Austin was getting really suspicious when he came over my house a couple of nights ago. I told him I would eventually tell him what was going on, but I lied. I can't imagine the lecture I would get from him, Trish and Dez if they found out. It's best if they don't know about this part of my life.

When you take drugs, it makes it really hard to pay attention in class. I met with the 'high livers' 3 days ago at lunch. That time we ate 'cookies'

Apparently, you can cook pot into a lot of foods. That day, math class was the hardest.

Mrs. RG kept calling on me trying to get me to participate. I would just respond with "Umm I don't know" eventually she got the point and stopped calling on me. I tapped my foot anxiously in math class, all I could think about was how high, loopy and scared I was.

Even though it felt good to release all the stress I was feeling, I was scared because I didn't know what the drugs were doing to my body.

I know smoking is wrong, but I am just so tired of feeling like this.

Always stressed, always trying not be awkward, always worried about what other people think. It's all too much. Sports are the main cause of my stress. Especially soccer. Aside from school.

Speaking of school, I have not been there for a few days now.

I have been ignoring calls from my friends. I answered a few of Austin's. Just because he was the most persistent.

I just answered his questions very vaguely.

I don't want to deal with them right now. Not yet. I still meet with Brandon and his friends, just not at school. Life is just not worth the stress. I never told Austin or any one else, but I was being not just beating my self up emotionally.

Someone else was doing the other half. Every day, Aubrey, the captain of the soccer team, would torment me until I cried. she would whisper obscentities in my ear during class, or at random times on campus.

She would call me a slow, ugly, uncoordinated, awkward loser. I was trying to ignore the constant insults, but I just couldn't. Everything she was telling me was what I was insecure about.

Speaking of stress, I should probably go to school today. Just so I won't flunk out of high school.

I grabbed my black hoodie and headed out the door.

Austin POV:

I am really worried about Ally. She's been ditching schools for days now. Every time I would text her, she would just reply with the same, "Sorry, busy with stuff". What stuff! Soccer was at school, her friends were at school, everything was at school. So why was she skipping.

I missed her.

Ally came back to school today.

During breakfast, I saw her getting food in the breakfast line. I was sitting with Dez and Trish at our usual table. I tried motioning her to join us, but she denied and sat with that guy Brandon who always looks high.

I had no idea why. How does she even know him.

"Hey guys, what's up with Ally she has missed a lot of days of school" I asked Dez and Trish.

" I don't know, maybe she's sick" Trish suggested.

"I guess, but why has she been ignoring us. I mean this is not like Ally, we need to find out what's wrong with her"

"I think you're right" Dez said. "I saw her behind the gym at lunch with that Brandon guy once". He said looking at me

I instantly got annoyed, why is she hanging out with that guy. He's not even cool. He just sits around like he's too good for everything.

"Isn't Brandon the guy from her family dinner" Trish asked

"I don't know" I said trying to hide my anger.

"I'm pretty sure he is, they must have hit it off" Trish suggested

"You don't know that, maybe Ally's parents just want her to make him feel welcomed to the school!" I yelled defensively. "I doubt they are going out or anything, that's just stupid!" I threw the rest of my food in the garbage and left the table. Trish and Dez just looked confused.

Why would Trish say that. That's just stupid. Ally would never go out with that low life.

As I made my way out of the cafeteria, I passed by Ally and him. He had his arm around her.

I was going to ask her if she wanted to hang out after school. Like we used to. We would watch movies together at my house. I would hold her hand when she got scared during the horror films. It would be my favorite night of the week. Tuesday night.

As I got closer to Ally's table, Brandon started glaring daggers at me. Like he was watching my every move. Who did he think he was looking at.

"Hey Ally, do you wanna hang out after school. We can watch movies at my house" I said with a smile.

She looked at Brandon for approval.

What was he, her father, she doesn't need his nod of approval to hang out with her best friend.

Brandon answered lazily "Sorry, Ally already has plans after school"

"Ally, can speak for herself." I responded.

"Sorry Austin" Ally responded looking down at her breakfast.

Brandon smiled at me coldly and pulled Ally closer to him. "Yeah sorry Austin".

He is so sarcastic. I hate that guy.

I walked out of the cafeteria and walked to my first period.

During lunch, Ally sat with Brandon again.

I can't believe the first day she comes back, she doesn't even talk to us.

I was going to spy on her after school. I'm not loosing my best friend.

After 7th period, I rushed out of class and tried to find Ally. I spotted her outside of the science building. She was talking to the teacher. It looked like the teacher was yelling at her or something. After the conversation, she walked very speedily to the gym. I followed her trying not to get noticed.

Why was she heading to the gym.

As I kept walking, I noticed she wasn't going to the gym, she was going behind the gym.

When I turned the corner, I saw her. She was with Brandon and 2 other kids.

They were smoking. I couldn't believe it.

I knew Brandon was a druggie, but I never thought Ally would do something so irresponsible. And harmful.

I walked over to Ally.

As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened with fear. She was petrified.

Of course Brandon just stood there with his arm around her, with that same smug face.

"Austin? what are you doing here?" Ally asked nervously.

"I, was looking for you. What are you doing here!" I yelled.

I grabbed the cigarette out of her hand, and threw it on the ground and stepped on it.

"Hey man, chill". Brandon cut in.

I ignored him and stepped closer to Ally.

"What are you doing, this is isn't you." I said looking in her guilty eyes.

"That's just it, you don't know her anymore. This is the new and improved Confident Ally Dawson. The same Ally that doesn't give a crap about what other people think " Brandon said proudly.

"I do know Ally, she is the same girl who loves music, values other people's opinions and loves hanging our with her friends".

"Come on Ally" I said while grabbing her hand.

"Friends? Really, is that what you call making fun of her. Calling her awkward all the time". That's not friendship, that's bullying." Brandon rebutted.

"Dez made a joke about that one time. And he apologized." I narrowed my eyes.

I let go of Ally's hand and got in Brandon's face.

"You don't know the first thing about my friendship with Ally, It's a better relationship than you'll ever have in your life."

With that, I backed away and left.

I know Ally, there is no way she felt bullied by me, Dez or Trish.

Ally's POV:

Austin looked really mad earlier today. I have to admit, I feel bad about not talking to him as much as I used to. I do kind of miss him. I miss movie night at his house. The fear and comfort I felt when we would watch a scary film and he would hold my hand during the scary parts. Austin was right, we had a special relationship.

Our parents thought we were dating for 3 months. They were both shocked when they found out we were just friends.

I decided to text him. I was afraid he wouldn't answer, I was surprisingly wrong.

Ally- Hey Austin, it's Ally

Austin- I'm surprised you still remember my number

Ally- Very funny. do you wanna come over

Austin- I don't know, is your boyfriend gonna like that?

Ally- He's not my boyfriend, and I don't care what he thinks. You're my friend, I will hang out with you whenever I want.

Austin- Ok, I'll be there in ten.

When Austin arrived at my house. We went upstairs into the game room. I was prepared to talk to him. I knew I would have to at some point.

We sat on the couch and just looked at each other. Not saying anything.

"You don't feel bullied by Dez or any of us do you?" He asked.

"Of course not, I love you guys, I know Dez was only kidding". I forced a smile.

"Then why do you still look like you wanna cry? Is someone else bullying you?"

As much as I wanted to tell him, and cry in his arms. I didn't want to get kicked off the soccer team for spilling about Aubrey.

"No" I said looking down at my hands. I was a terrible liar.

"Ally, your lying. Please don't lie. Just tell me what's going on, I can help you." Austin pleaded.

"You can't help me Austin, I'm just another player on the team, there is no way any one is ever gonna believe me". I yelled. "They all love Aubrey."

"Aubrey? The girl on your soccer team? Wh-why is she bullying you?"

I mentally scolded myself.

"Uhh, I think it's because she is jealous of me. Even though she is the captain. She is worried I might replace her."

"How long has this been going on?" Austin asked with a concerned look.

"Three months" I said. "It started off with her saying a few rude stuff to me before the games, I would shrug the words off. But then it got worse. She would shove me during school, whisper insults in my ear during class, and it was all too much. I didn't tell you because she said if I told anyone she would make sure I was kicked off the team." I started tearing up.

"Oh Ally, I had no idea. I'm so sorry". Austin pulled me into a hug. "I promise next week you and I will go to the principal's office and tell him what has been going on." He said through my hair.

"Ally, is that the reason why you were smoking, because of Aubrey? Was she making you feel insecure?" Austin asked still holding me.

"She was part of the reason. I mean, Aubrey just voiced everything I was thinking in my head, everything I was insecure about. It's like she was in my mind. She would say how awkward, clumsy, ugly, and in confident I was. I already thought I was, her voice was my conformation.

Smoking was my stress reliever, my escape from self destruction." I explained.

Austin just stared at me in disbelief.

"Ally, you may see your self like that, but I don't. When I look at you, I see a wonderful, thoughtful, quirky, smart, beautiful girl". As soon as you see that, you'll love yourself almost as much as I love you". He said never breaking eye contact.

I was speechless. I never knew he thought that way of me.

Austin brushed his hand over my cheek saying.

"The right person, will appreciate your cute quirks and listen through all the stuttering".

"Thank you. Not just for always being there for me, but for always meaning what you say, and… just being real. I love you too."

Austin smiled at me "Always".

"Do you want to watch a movie?" Austin suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds great" I responded.

Austin's POV:

Today was the day Ally and I were going to talk to the principal about Aubrey.

Her constant tormenting was unacceptable, and needed to stop.

I went down stairs to grab breakfast. Since we were talking to the principal in the morning, there would be no time to eat breakfast at school.

As I walked into the kitchen, my mom was sitting at the dinner table holding my phone.

I must have left it downstairs last night.

"Good morning mom!" I said cheerfully

"Good morning sweetheart" she sighed.

Was there something wrong?

"Austin, can you sit down for a second?" she said.

"Ok." I replied

I sat down across from my mom.

"I noticed you left your phone downstairs last night. And I also noticed a text message you sent to Ally"

"Yeah, Ally and I were texting last night" I commented feeling confused.

"The text message said I love you" my mom confessed.

"Yes, and." I replied shrugging my shoulders.

"Well, love is a serious word, you don't want to throw that word around like it's nothing. You might end up hurting someone." My mom explained

I was completely appalled that mom would even think that.

"Mom, I wrote that text because I do love her. She replied 'I love you too' because she does love me. We say 'I love you' because we love each other. I maybe in high school, but that doesn't mean I don't know what love is. I do know what love is, it's what I feel for Ally". I got lost in thought thinking about her.

"Oh gosh, I thought you two were just friends? Now you guys are dating?

"Mom, we are best friends. But so much more at the same time. Our relationship is too unique to be catorgorized by some dumb label." I said. "We're just us".

"Honey" my mom sighed. "You can't-

I interrupted her with "And if that's too hard for you to understand, I suggest you stop looking at my text messages".

"Have a good day mom, I said while walking out the door".

When I arrived at school, I met with Ally outside the main office building.

"Hey Ally, how are you feeling?" I asked while hugging her.

"Umm I'm a little nervous" she replied looking up at me.

"Don't be, I'm sure the principal will listen to you and fix this problem." I smiled at her.

"And I'll be with you the whole time". I said holding her hand.

"But if he doesn't listen, I'll talk to Aubrey myself".

"Ok, I'm ready" Ally said.

"Let's go" I replied.

This chapter took the entire day. I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope who ever reads it likes it. Till next time. Please Review!