Chapter Seven
Author Note- Some little auslly moments scattered all through the chapter.
Ally P.O.V
I was walking through the lovely meadows of Apscondita trying to figure out anything that will help me on my quest to find out my gift. I mean I know I'm meant to automatically know where to start but so far I have felt nothing. I rack my brains in a hope that a light bulb will come on, but…nothing. But I guess time will tell, you know what they say, good things come to those who wait.
I look behind me and see Austin running after me, his blond messy hair shading his eyes. "I thought you would never come" I shouted to him as he caught up beside me. "I have to, you don't know anything about this world and I want to…protect you". I smiled and suddenly realized that's like the first nice comment I have ever heard him say to me.
"Umm thanks" I said awkwardly.
"Yeah well I had to get even with you, you said something nice to me back there and I had to return the compliment" I smiled at him, my eyebrows raised.
"Oh really what did I say"
"You called me a pretty boy" I laughed.
"I wasn't being serious"
"Don't lie Ally I know you mean it"
"Look let's just forget I said that and focus on my quest because that's what I have to do"
"Okay well do you have any idea where to start"? I tried to think of something to say but to be honest I have no idea where to start.
"Umm I don't actually, I have tried thinking what to do but I can't seem to have any ideas"
"Well maybe you could try not over thinking it and just let it come to you, remember what my grandmother said, let your soul be your guide"
I realized that he was right, he was exactly right. But why was he helping me so willingly because he is supposed to hate me.
"You're right Austin, you are absolutely right"
He smirked "See I'm not just pretty"
I rolled me eyes and playfully punched him in the arm.
"So Ally whats your plan, I know you have to try and let it come to you but do you have anything in particular in mind"
"You know this world better than I do, maybe if you tell me of the different lands then maybe I might get a signal from my soul telling me where to go" I said pointing at my stomach.
"Okay but signal from your soul sounds kind of creepy, well there's the Land Of The Flower People, the queen of that land is called the Queen of the thorns like rose thorns, and she is so named because she is sneaky and sharp and she will try to deceive you…", then suddenly I felt a sharp tingle through my body, like a bullet. It came from the pit of my stomach and then travelled through my whole body.
"Austin stop talking for a sec"
"What is it Ally"
I turned to look at him
"I think I just felt the signal from my soul". His eyes widened
"Really well what did it feel like"
"It felt like a shooting star was travelling through my whole body" He chuckled
"What" I said slightly confused by why he was laughing.
"That was a weird description"
"No its not that's what it felt like, and if you're not going to be helpful and just be rude then I suggest you leave right now"
I don't think he expected me to say that, he looked in shock.
"You're right Ally…I'm sorry"
"I'm sorry what, I couldn't hear you" I said teasing him so I could make him say it again.
"I'm really sorry Ally, I mean it I'm sorry" he looked like he actually really meant it; he looked hurt that he had hurt me.
"Okay okay I get it you didn't have to say it twice"
He gave me a rare smile, a smile that he only seems to do with me around.
"Much better now I suggest you tell me how to get there because the minute you mentioned the land of the flower people I felt the signal from my soul" It was then I realized my life is now not normal and I now don't lead a normal life.
Austin was looking at me, his eyes on me; suddenly I felt something else in my stomach.
"Yeah that sounds good and it's a good thing that you chose The Land of the Flower People because guess how far away that is" he was being his usual sarcastic self again.
"Umm a few kilometers"
He scoffed "Not even close, try a day and a night of walking".
"Oh really that sucks, well no pain no gain, this is my destiny and I am going to walk all the way there even if it kills me"
He laughed "Well I hope not" and we laughed together.
"Austin the direction to the flower kingdom is in the North direction right?"
He looked surprised "Umm yeah how did you know"
"I just know" and he smiled a warm smile and I returned it.
He broke eye contact from me and I awkwardly said
'Well I'm ready come on" he chuckled
"Well okay but only if I get to lead" I rolled my eyes at him.
"Fine if you want"
"Thanks" he said as he walked in front of me.
"You're welcome" I said quietly as I felt other tingles in my stomach.
We had been walking for about half an hour and Austin and I didn't talk to each other. He was walking in front of me but every now and then he would turn and wink at me, and ask if I was okay, which I always replied with 'yes thanks for asking'. Austin and I have sort of become friends I think, I mean I don't really know what we are to be honest. Are we friends, are we frenemies or are we enemies. Sometimes he is sweet and the next minute he is rude to me with his sarcastic comments. He is so bipolar with his emotions. Sometimes he makes me feel happy and warm and then he turns as sharp as a razor and makes me feel angry and irritated. But somehow I feel deep down this isn't who he really is, something happened in his past that made him act like this, because sometimes when I look into his eyes I see the real him.
Austin P.O.V
I have agreed to accompany Ally on this quest to find her gift. At first I was a bit hesitant but I'm actually kind of happy that I agreed. Ally is different than anyone I have ever met, sure she drives me crazy like all the time but there are so many other things that I like about her. Her bravery, her stubbornness which rivals mine sometimes, her smile, her humour, her laugh, the way she rolls her eyes at me when I tease her.
Ally P.O.V
I suddenly decided to ask Austin something that had been bothering me. I wanted to ask him what his gift was. I ran up to walk beside him, he noticed I was walking next to him and he smiled at me. One side of his mouth going up before the other, it was kind of cute, wait what.
"You got tired of walking by yourself" he asked
"Yeah I would rather walk with you". Omg did I just say that out loud.
"Really" he said, his eyebrows raised.
"Anyway" I said trying to change the subject. "I have been meaning to ask you, whats your gift"
"Sword Fighting"
"Really your gift is Sword fighting" I think I sounded surprised.
"Yeah…my Dad used to make to make me all these kinds of swords and he used to teach me how to fight, it is one of my most…fondest memories". It sounded like this was hard for him to talk about, it sounded like he was choking on every word.
"That's really cool; I wish I could sword fight"
"I could teach you if you want, if you're interested"
"But we don't have any swords on us though" but before he could answer me I heard the snap of fingers and he turned around with two gleaming swords in his hands. The cold steel blade shone in the sunlight.
"Wow how did you do that?"
"I really don't know I have been able to do it for years"
"Well I will have the biggest sword please" he rolled his eyes as I gave him the puppy dog look.
"Okay then, but only because you did the puppy dog look" I laughed as he handed me the sword. It felt heavier than I imagined. I felt so powerful holding it, like a king holding his crown.
"I will take special care of this, it might come in handy"
"I know you will, and yes it would, especially in these lands"
I didn't particularly want to know what he meant by that so I just left it, feeling comfort with my sword and Austin.
We decided to camp for the night before continuing the rest of our journey the next day.
Austin and I found a large tree to camp under. The stars above were twinkling in a sea of blue and black. They looked so tiny, like little pin pricks of light. It was a little dark so Austin decided to light a fire, which he did by clicking his fingers and he somehow created flames on a bed of wood that I had collected from the forest nearby.
I leaned my back against the tree; it felt so good to finally rest after a day of walking. I was so at peace that I didn't notice Austin standing right in front of me. His silhouette breaking up the surface of the darkness. His blond hair standing out like a beacon. Even in the dark I could see his smile, it stood out from everything else.
"Can I join you" was all he said
"Of course" I said as I felt a buildup of nerves in my stomach. He went and sat down next to me, his arm brushing lightly against mine, triggering off butterflies, why the hell was I feeling…butterflies.
We were sitting so close together, but he didn't seem to move away and I didn't want him to move away either. We were so close our shoulders were touching.
"The stars are beautiful" I said trying to make conversation.
"Yeah they are" he said as he turned to look at me, our eyes meeting, hazel meeting brown.
"Ally I'm sorry I have been a real jerk to you"
"Austin its okay I forgive you, I know you're not really like that"
His eyes seemed to soften just a little bit
"Really"
"Yes"
He turned his head away from me and said
"Ally I need to tell you something". My heart was racing
"What is it Austin". He took a deep breath and said
"When I was 10, there was a great war…in this world and my whole family got murdered…except my grandmother"
"Austin, I'm sorry I had no idea". I placed my hand on his hand, surprising myself and him as well because he jumped a little. His hand felt a little cold but I could feel warmth underneath.
"Its fine Ally…it's just I don't usually open up to people like that…you are kind of the only person I have sort of opened up too"
I smiled a small smile, for some reason I felt a tingle in my stomach, how come that's happening.
"Really…why". He looked at me, his gaze burning into mine.
"Because you're the only one that has stayed around with me long enough to know…the real me"
There was a dead silence, the only thing I could hear was the beating of my heart, his eyes a deep hazel with the flecks of gold sparkling, seemed to see right through me and I could see right through him.
Then I noticed him leaning in and to my surprise I found myself leaning in too.
We were inches apart when he stopped in his tracks and said
"I think we better call it a night"
"Yeah…we better" I said, trying my best to hide the disappointment in my voice. Wait did I want to kiss him, and why did he lean in?
He crawled over and laid down and so did I
"Night Ally"
"Night Austin" I whispered.
