So this is the final chapter to this story. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story from the beginning or even just started reading it. Thank you for everyone you favourited this story or followed me after reading it. And thank you to everyone who ever reviewed this (I wish I could list you all but it's getting late, so know I know who you are); they were very much appreciated. I hope you've enjoyed this fanfiction and that you like the ending (it's a bit melodramatic for Austin & Ally but who doesn't like a bit of drama :P).

Anyway, for the last time - at least for now, I hope you enjoy

Austin couldn't believe it. He was still in shock. Had he heard it right? Ally was going to Africa?! Like, the continent, Africa!? No one spoke for what seemed like hours.

'Somebody say something please,' said Ally.

'When did you decide this?' Trish managed to ask.

'Well, I've thought it over the last couple of days, and it just felt like the right thing to do.'

'When do you leave?' asked Dez.

Ally didn't respond. She just looked at the floor, as she struggled to tell them.

'Ally,' Austin pleaded.

Ally breathed in deeply before looking up at them all; her friends.

'I leave in 3 days.'

The room seemed to go completely silent after that. It was like they all had their breath stuck in their throats.

'For how long?' asked Austin.

Ally looked at him. He looked so confused and hurt. She didn't want to cause him any pain, but she had to deal with the pain he caused her. And she couldn't do that here.

'I don't know,' Ally said honestly. 'A while.'

Austin felt like the room was spinning and the floor was collapsing underneath him. Just a few weeks ago everything had been fine; he never had any feelings for Ally and they were tighter than ever. And even a few days ago at the concert; up until Kira interrupted them, the night was pretty close to perfect. And now, Ally was leaving to go and live in Africa, indefinitely. It was all too much.

'I gotta go,' said Austin as he quickly departed the store. He walked head down all the way home. He didn't want anyone to see him. In the safety of his own room, Austin could hardly move; the Ally's news had really begun to sink in and made him feel sick to his stomach. Ally's words ran through his mind over and over again, as did his own thoughts; this couldn't be happening, how could this be happening? It took all Austin had just to breathe, as he thought about how his world was falling apart at the seams.

After Austin had pulled himself together, he decided he needed to talk to Ally, one on one. So that night, Austin returned to Sonic Boom where he could hear Ally playing her piano in the rehearsal room. Sure enough, when he went up stairs, there she was. It hurt him to think it may be one of the last times he sees her there. The thought was so painful he had to push it away. Ally stopped playing suddenly; she must have sensed he was there.

'What do you want Austin?' she said getting up off the piano stool and going to the furthest side of the room, not wanting to look at him.

'I just wanted to talk.'

'Well, I'm kinda busy Austin,' Ally replied coldly.

'You were just playing around on the piano?' Austin questioned.

'Seriously, Austin, what do you want?!' Ally snapped turning to face him. Her response seemed to take him by surprise, but she tried not to care.

'What do I want?' Austin asked back. 'I want to know how this all happened; how in just 3 days time, you'll be going to Africa? I want to know why you suddenly decided to do this, and how you didn't even talk to me about it?'

'Not all my decisions need to be run by you Austin.'

'Well, in a way they do. We're partners! What's going to happen now that you're leaving?'

'You'll be fine without me,' said Ally turning back to face the piano again.

'We both know that's not true Ally,' he said honestly. He meant that in more ways than one. He just hoped she knew that. 'Why are you leaving Ally?'

Ally couldn't respond, as she held back tears.

'Is it because of the other night?'

'Look, Austin, I just need to get away for a while,' Ally told him.

'How long is a while?'

'I don't know.'

'Well, I need to know.'

'Why?' Ally snapped back at him. 'It's not like I'm ever considered in any of you decision making, so why should I consider you in mine?'

They both just looked at each other in silence for a moment. Ally glared at Austin who looked like he'd just been slapped across the face. Austin knew now what he had ignorantly hoped wasn't true; Ally was leaving because of him. He didn't think he'd ever hated himself as much as he did right then.

'Do you know what I want, Ally?' said Austin. 'I want, more than anything, for you not to go. I want you to stay.' He came right up close to her, and went to grab her hand, just wanting to convince her in anyway possible to not go. To have some physical connection to will her stay. But Ally pulled her hands away before he could touch them.

'I can't Austin,' she said quietly. The distance between, though was only just over a metre, seemed to stretch longer than it ever had before. 'I have to go pack.'

And with that Ally left the room.

As Austin looked around the room where so many of their memories had been made, the song's they had written, the fun and laughs they had and the moments they'd shared. It broke his heart to see how they had ended up; that they had even ended at all.

Dez walked into the mall to see Austin at a table alone, staring sadly at a milkshake he'd bought 15 minutes ago but had barely drunk.

'Hey man,' said Dez going to sit down next to Austin.

'Hey,' Austin replied glumly.

'Have you seen Ally today?'

'No, I haven't.' He hadn't seen Ally since their argument a few nights ago. Although it was the only thing he could think about.

'You know she's leaving soon, right? She's heading to the airport right now.'

'Yeah, I know.'

'Then what are you doing here?'

'I don't think Ally wants to see me, Dez.'

'But don't you wanna say goodbye?'

'No I don't want to say goodbye to Ally,' said Austin looking Dez straight in the eyes. 'Which is why I'm not going to see her. Besides, I'm waiting for Kira.'

Dez rolled his eyes.

'What?' asked Austin.

'Are you happy?' asked Dez.

'What?'

'Are you happy?' Dez asked again. 'Because if you aren't, then I have permission, as your best friend, to tell you why you aren't.'

'Why aren't I happy then Dez?' Austin asked, a little frustrated.

'Because you made the wrong choice.' Dez said simply.

'What do you mean?'

'Look, don't get me wrong; Kira is a really nice girl. But you should have chose Ally. She's perfect for you, and you're perfect for her, and you're just too stubborn and blind to see it. You made the wrong choice.'

Austin was a little surprised at Dez's words.

'That may be the case Dez, but there's a lot more too it than that. I didn't want ruin Ally and mine's friendship. It was too bigger risk to take.'

'That's not true and you no it! You were scared! Which is fine but don't you think Ally was scared as well? And look how that turned out? You've lost her as a friend anyway!'

Austin didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure if he was more shocked at Dez's tone or the truth in what he was saying. As he thought about it, he realised Dez was right. Yes, he didn't want to risk their friendship, but that was his fear talking; he was being a coward. And what if it didn't ruin their friendship? What if it didn't end? Maybe that risk was worth taking. And now their friendship was ruined, he didn't have anything to lose.

'You're right,' said Austin in a moment of revelation.

'I know I am,' replied Dez.

'I don't know what I was thinking,' said Austin standing up. 'Of course, Ally is worth the risk. Ally is worth everything. Ally is everything.'

With that Austin got out from his chair and went to leave.

'Wait, Austin, where are you going?' Dez asked.

'I'm going to stop Ally from leaving,' said Austin.

'She'll be at the airport by now.'

'Then I'll just have to stop her there,' Austin replied about to run off, until he ran into a familiar face.

'Kira!'

'Hey Austin, where are you going?' she asked confused.

'Look, Kira, I'm really sorry. I know I've stuffed you around and hurt you, but I-'

'You want to be with Ally,' Kira interrupted.

Austin paused for a second. 'Yeah, I do,' replied he, feeling guilty.

'It's okay. I knew you still had feelings for her, and that you probably liked her more than me. But I just liked you so much; I thought maybe it would change. But you guys just have something. It was stupid of me to pretend it wasn't there.'

'I'm so sorry Kira.'

'It's okay Austin, just promise me something.'

'Of course,' Austin replied.

'Don't let her get away,' said Kira with a sad smile.

Austin smiled back at her and quickly wrapped her up in a hug, before running off to try and find a way to get to the airport.

Ally was sitting waiting to board the plane. Her Mom had gone to buy some candy for the flight. Ally kept playing the emotional goodbyes over in her head. Her Dad, Trish and even Dez. But Austin was nowhere to be found. She convinced herself it was probably for the best. She didn't know if she would have held it together if he were there. And maybe this way she might be able to move on, somehow. But she knew she was lying to herself, and it hurt more than anything that they didn't say goodbye. As she looked at her watch, thinking about when her flight would be boarding and what the others would be doing right now she heard someone calling out her name. A voice she knew all to well.

'Ally?' called the voice of Austin. Suddenly he came into view, as he weaved through crowds. When he finally saw her he continued to call out. 'Ally!'

Ally stood up to meet him as Austin threaded through the crowds as quickly as he could. 'Austin, what are you doing here?'

'Don't go.'

Ally sighed. 'Austin-'

'Don't go Ally. Stay. Please, just stay. Please,' Austin pleaded.

'I can't Austin.'

'Ally,-'

'No Austin, listen. I know this sounds terrible, but I can't stay and watch you and Kira together, or even just see you; it hurts too much. And I'm not telling you that to make you feel guilty, and I'm sorry if it does, but it's why I have to leave.'

With that, Ally turned to make her way back to her seat, until she heard Austin behind her. 'I love you!'

Ally froze. Had she really just heard that? She turned around slowly. 'What?'

Austin walked right up to her, looking into her eyes. 'I love you, honestly I do. I don't know why it's taken me this long to admit it. Actually, I know exactly why; I was scared. I didn't want to lose our friendship; it seemed like too bigger risk to take. But then I realised you were worth it. You are worth the risk Ally.' Austin grabbed her hands and held them in his. 'I know I've hurt you. I've made some really big mistakes lately, but my biggest mistake would be if I let you go on that plane without you knowing how I really felt. And if you still feel that you need to go to Africa after this, I completely understand. But know that I will be waiting. Whenever you decide to come home; whether it's in 3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years! The second you arrive, you will find me waiting for you in our rehearsal room, ready to play piano with you.'

Ally felt tears running down her face. It was like she was in a dream and hearing all the things she'd dreamt of hearing from Austin. As she looked up at him, he gave her that kind yet goofy grin which she loved and she let out a laugh. Austin also let out a slight laugh, and reached down to wipe a tear from Ally's cheek.

Penny Dawson returned to where her daughter was sitting before, to see her standing in the arms of Austin Moon. She knew right then that her daughter wasn't coming with her to Africa. And as much as it saddened her that she would get to spend more time with her daughter, she knew in her heart where Ally was meant to be.

Unable to contain it anymore, Austin pulled Ally towards him and leant his head down to meet her lips. The feeling he got in that moment was worth all of the pain and confusion of the last few days and weeks. He knew he'd finally made the right choice. Yes, he and Ally were awesome on their own, and they could survive on their own. And maybe them being apart was less risky. But now, they both were sure.

They were better together.