"How do you see me exactly?" I shrugged looking off into the distance."I see you as someone more than a football star. Your caring, nice and smart. You don't give yourself enough credit on how much of an amazing person you are." Letting out a final breath I looked over to Austin who's eyes were already looking into mine. I thanked God that it was starting to get dark so Austin wouldn't see me blush.
"You make me sound so much better than I actually am." Does he really not see what everyone else does? He's got everyone at school hooked, he's like a drug that people just can get enough of, including me.
"If you want to go to New York or L.A. then I think you should go, who cares what your coach wants, it's your life live it the way you want.'' Man! Who knew I could be so motivational. The thought of leaving high school, leaving Miami has always been my dream. I like high school but I don't love it.
''Are you always this smart?''
''You can say that.'' Laughing, I looked down the street noticing that we had already come full circle. We walked up my drive way in silence. Stopping in front of my door I turned looking at Austin. ''Thanks.''
''For?''
''Just thanks.'' With that I gave him another smile and headed back into my house. That night I laid awake at night wondering what had really thanked him for. I knew that it wasn't all for the album it was for much more, more than he could ever imagine.
''Ally?!''
''Sorry what?'' Looking up from my book I noticed that Trish was eyeing me impatiently. Trish and I were seated against her locker eating our lunch's. The reason why we were eating in the hallways was because Dez and Trish had another argument, a reason that I still did not know of.
''What did you and Austin do yesterday.'' She asked taking the book away from me. Trish hated when I read sappy romance books, she always thought it was unrealistic. But boys in books are always better.
''We just walked.'' I replied taking out a bag of carrots from my bag.
''You guys have been walking a lot lately '' Trish responded staring at me, insisting upon something.
''So?''
''I just don't want you to get hurt.''
''What do you think we do when we walk?
''Knowing you. You probably told him you whole life story by now''
''No I haven't.'' I wasn't necessarily lying, I didn't tell Austin my WHOLE life story just parts of it.
''Really? So you haven't told him about your parents or about-''
''Don't! Okay! I haven't told him about that and I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about it either.'' Having enough of Trish for today I angrily started to pack up my things.
''Ally, I'm sorry I didn't know it was still a sore subject.'' She said sympathetically grabbing my hand. Pulling my hand away from her I ignored her, walking down the hall. How could she be so stupid! Of course it was still a sore subject, if it weren't for my incredible bad luck Trish wouldn't have found out either!
After the lunch incident I had tried my best avoiding Trish, I usually got a ride from her but seeing as the I'm still not in the mood to talk to her I resulted in walking. My dad was coming home today which is a surprise because he's only been away for four days. He's a construction project manager. He's often relocated to different locations causing him to be away for weeks at a time. My dad never really talks about what happens a work, granted he rarely talks at all.
My house wasn't that far from the school it was a good fifteen minute walk, so when I came into view of my house I was shocked to see my dad home so early. Pulling out a key from my bag I carefully opened the door scanning the house for my dad, shutting the door behind me I peeked into the kitchen seeing my dad fixing himself a cup of tea. ''Hey dad.''
''Ally.'' He answered turning around stirring his tea, offering me one.
Respectfully denying it I positioned my bag on the counter. ''How was work?'' It took a while for him to answer, his mind was occupied by a certain spot behind me. Turing around unsure what he could be looking at. There on the coffee table laid the Pink Floyd album Austin had got me. ''My friend got it for me.'' Turing around to grab it.
Handing it to him he eyed the album with the cup still in his hand. ''Trish?''
''No. Someone else.'' Yeah like Trish would buy me something, she doesn't even have a stable job.
''You know, your mom and I-''
''I know.'' I said smiling. That was the first time he ever mentioned me mom since the divorce, I knew that even though he never mentioned her that he was constantly thinking about, you can't just forgot someone you love that easily.
''I want you to give it back.'' His voice went serious and his eyes filled with sadness.
''W-why?'' I stuttered a reply. Speaking again I took the album from him wrapping my arms around it. ''It's mine.''
His eyes looked into mine and I new his temper was rising. ''No it's not, it's the person who bought it for you. We don't take charity.''
''It's not charity!'' Raising my voice a little annoyed at my dad's pride.
All of a sudden my dad's cup made contact with the counter letting out a loud slam. Surprisingly the cup didn't break. ''I want you to give it back! End of discussion!'' His voice had escalated rather quickly which cause me to take a step back. I've never heard my dad yell before, not even when he found out about my mom.
Matching his voice I yelled back. ''I hate you!'' With that I grabbed me bag and slammed the door shut. I hate him! I hate him. I hate him? I've never told my dad that I've hated him before, he never ever gave me a reason to. Until now. I didn't know where I was going I shoved the album in my bag and let my feet lead me to wherever it wanted to go.
I wound up infront of the school parking lot. It was pretty much empty with the exception of a few teachers who often stayed late. There was a hill at our school where a lot of people ate whenever there was good weather, which was often because, well we lived in Miami. The hill over looked the football field which extended to the main street. There were a couple people on the field doing who knows what but I stayed hidden behind a tree, out of sight out of mind.
''Ally?'' My body stiffened fearing a familiar voice call out my name. I didn't dare turn around hoping they would just leave. ''What are you doing here?'' Austin finally came into view, wearing a maroon basketball shorts and a grey muscle tee that said 'Marino High Football.'
Sitting up straight placing my bag on my lap. ''I could ask you the same question.''
''Football practice. Well before it got cancelled.'' He said taking a seat next to me. Placing his gym bag between us. ''Back to my question.''
''My dad came home today.'' Looking down at the my bag, seeing the hidden album, I really didn't' want to give it back, I shouldn't have left it laying out in the open like that. It was obvious that my dad still hand sensitive memories, when I saw the album I was emotional so why had it not crossed my mind that my dad would have an even bigger reaction to it, after all it was his memory.
''So why are you here? Shouldn't you be spending time with him?''
''We had an arguement.''
Austin's body softened looking concerned. ''Do you want to talk about it?''
Slowly picking up my bag I opened it taking out the album and handing it to Austin. ''Here.'' Austin looked at me puzzled, not understanding.
Rejecting it he placed it on my lap. ''No. It's yours I bought it for you.''
Looking down at it I started to feel the repercussions of the argument. My eyes became blurry as I forced my tears back. ''My dad didn't like the idea of someone buying it for me. He doesn't take charity.''
''It wasn't charity'' Austin said helplessly.
''I know. But I don't want my dad more upset then he already is.''
Forcing a smile I picked up the album, before I could do anything Austin gently grabbed my hands with the vinyl still in them and stared straight into my eyes. ''I want you to keep it.'' Lowering my hands taking it away from me he placed it in my bag. ''Do you want to go somewhere?'' He asked extending out a hand, offering to help me up.
Woah! What do you think Ally's hiding?
I hope you liked the chapter! It took me so long to write this I rewrote it, literally four times. I had different ideas each time but I chose this one I hope you like and please review. Thank you for reading and reviewing. I will update when this chapter gets 6 reviews.
PS. Sorry it took me so long to update.