Hey people
Sadly the concert thing hasn't been solved yet, plus the pre sale is sold out for my venue. I'll see if there will be tickets left in the actual sale starting tomorrow, but I still don't have anyone to go with and without that, I can't go at all. Fingers crossed that life throws me a bone. I've talked to the lovely Merel aka XxMydreamsxX who managed to get tickets and offered to go with me, but parents will not be liking that idea. Internet friends are just a thing they'll never understand
Enough about me, are you guys happy about this epilogue? It kinda came out of nowhere, I was planning on taking the chance to write a sequel until a lovely reviewer gave me the idea of writing an epilogue first. Thank you girl!
''Oh, no. Please tell me you're not one of those people,'' Ally shakes her head with a big grin plastered on her face as she uses the tiny pink spoon to scoop the colourful gelato into her mouth. Austin hands the girl behind the counter the exact change before taking the horn filled with the brown goodness. ''Chocolate is, like, the most basic flavour ever.''
''Wow, there's exactly nothing wrong with basic flavours,'' he exclaims in defence as they exit their shared favourite ice cream shop. He nods sarcastically at her small cup filled with the bright colours as she looks at him sassily while eating another big scoop. ''You just enjoy your exotic mango-pineapple-peach-passion fruit shit.''
''I most definitely will, thank you,'' she shrugs happily, sticking her spoon in one of the scoops in order to change her eating strategy, now licking the fruity flavours. As she feels Austin's arm around her shoulder, she uses her free hand to wrap it around his waist, as they walk together through the park.
''You're judging me while you're the one who took a cup. A cup!'' with a dramatic sigh, he expresses his disbelief as he pulls her closer to him lovingly. A small giggle escapes her mouth before she explains her extremely reasonable decision.
''Excuse you, horns are not that great,'' she feels his arm drop from her shoulders in which she stops her pace in confusion. Looking behind her, she sees him stand a few feet behind her, studying her with open mound.
''You did not just say that,'' she almost expects him to drop his overstuffed horn to add drama, but his grip on it is tight, like he's afraid someone might steal it from him. Rolling her eyes, she looks at her melodramatic boyfriend.
''I said it and I will say it again, they are overrated,'' emphasizing the last word, she teases him even more. ''They're dry, tasteless and only slightly edible in combination with the ice cream. And when you finally run out of that, all that's left is a hollow beaker that will take you forever to chew, replacing the delicious aftertaste of ice cream with a dry taste of horrible cookies.''
''You don't even know how wrong everything what you just said was,'' he walks towards her, grabs her hand as he leans down while taking a big bite out of his horn to show her how much he likes it, making her cringe in disgust. Pulling her with, he walks to a nearby enormous tree, a perfect spot on the soft grass. Dropping their stuff, Austin finishes his horn before laying out the huge blanket Ally had brought. He lies down on his back, his head supported by his hand as Ally lowers herself next to him, balancing the cup in one hand. As she figures out how she wants to lie, Austin continues to speak. ''Next time, you should order a horn and just give it to me when you finished your ice cream.''
''You're kidding me right? You had three scoops in a horn, topped with whipped cream. How can you feel like eating another one?'' she groans, laying her flat hand on her stomach filled with ice cream after finishing her cup too. ''There is only a certain amount of ice cream I can handle per hour and I think I surpassed that limit. Besides, ice cream isn't the healthiest food out there, y'know.''
With a slight raise of her eyebrows, she nods at his abdomen in which he raises himself on his elbows. After studying his body, he grabs the hem of his shirt, raising it enough to reveal his clearly toned stomach. Looking at it for a second, he shoots Ally a confident smirk.
''I think I'll survive,'' he tells her cockily while lowering himself on the blanket again.
''You're horrible,'' Ally laughs, glad he didn't remove his shirt in the public place that was the park. But on the other hand, kinda disappointed. Leaning her head on the side of his torso, she squirms her body uncomfortably. ''Your tummy is too hard, not a good pillow.''
''Thanks, babe,'' groping his hand next to his body without looking, he eventually finds his backpack before revealing a forgotten sweater he left in it another day and hands it to her. She takes it without a word, folding it to a pillow before stuffing it under her head. Finally finding a good position, she rests her head on the sweater as they now lay on the blanket in a T shape. As Austin keeps one arm under his head, he moves the other so it lays over Ally's belly protectively, her hand quickly finding his, intertwining their fingers instantly. He looks down to see her close her eyes, enjoying the sun while smiling contently. ''Princess comfortable now?''
''Very, thanks,'' adjusting the sweater slightly with her free hand, she answers his gaze happily before letting the back of her hand rest next to her head, on his chest. ''Where is that shy guy I met at the gym? I don't even remember him.''
''You must have a bad influence on me,'' he lazily shrugs, squeezing her hand lightly. He coughs lightly as he feels the need to address the subject he had been struggling with the past few days. ''Speaking of, I need to tell you something.''
''Tell me something,'' she lightly commands, trying to sooth the anxious feeling that automatically rises inside her when hearing that oh-so-famous sentence. They had only been dating for a short while, no problems during it, so the chance the news would be about them and be bad, was small.
''Do you remember how I told you about college?'' he carefully asks her. College was a big thing for him, something he struggled with, still did. The Rodger Williams College was where he went for one semester before realizing it wasn't the school or study for him. His degree had been computer engineering, something he had enjoyed for a short while until he got bored out of his mind. He had learned a lot, that wasn't it, but the course wasn't something he saw himself graduating at. So after discussing with his family and the Students Union advice centre, they had come to a conclusion; he needed a new course on a new university.
The transfer wouldn't be easy, he knew, because the reason he wanted to switch wasn't urgent. But he did everything he had to, write a good personal statement, re-apply to other universities that he found interesting and find a course he actually might like. But it was all worth it in the end, as he got accepted in his first choice of college, letting him follow the course he wanted; Journalism. He always knew he was a curious person, always looking for answers and didn't like vague stories. After sending the application letters, he had focussed on making money, getting a stable income before he met Ally and almost forgot about it all. Until he got the acceptance letter two days ago.
''That you applied to a few colleges a while ago?'' she lazily asks, relieved it indeed wasn't about them, but still curious why he sounded so nervous about it.
''Yeah,'' he breaths anxiously before moving his body up, causing Laura to roll off her comfortable spot. She's about to make a jokingly statement about it before she sees him lean against the trunk of the big tree, his knees pulled up against him as his arms hang around it loosely as he stares at his feet. Crawling closer, she looks at him concerned as he continues. ''I actually received an acceptance letter a few days ago. For the college I wanted to get in more than any other.
''Austin, that's amazing news! Which college is it?'' she asks him excitedly, still confused why he's acting the way he is after hearing such great news. Avoiding her eyes, he shifts uncomfortably when she takes a seat next to him, her back resting against the rough wood.
''I didn't know you yet when I applied to it,'' he starts explaining without making clear what it's about. Ally looks at him baffled, letting the limited information get through when something suddenly snaps.
''You got accepted into Brown, didn't you?'' she looks at him in awe, the lack of reaction she gets as a confirmation to her guess. She's about to react enthusiastically, hugging him tightly when she notices he's not happy about it at all.
''I'm probably not going,'' he shoots her a reassuring smile, telling her not to worry about it, that it's his problem. But Ally isn't buying it. After thinking for a while, she can't think of one reason why one wouldn't go to Brown University if he had the chance and ability to go.
''What? Are you serious?'' she tries to pry the answer from him, but he won't budge. Until realization hits her, together with a great feeling of guilt. ''Is it because I got there?''
''Don't say it like that, it makes me sound like such an asshole,'' turning his head away, he tries to block her out, achieving the opposite when he feels her touching his arm lightly, not wanting to pressure him.
''If you think I would mind if you would go to the same university as I am, you're wrong. Why does it matter to you?'' when he sees there's no other way out of this than give her the explanation she deserves, he turns to her. He swallows nervously, scared of what she might think before he starts talking.
''I'll be seeing you every day,'' she looks at him puzzled, not understanding how this should enlighten her in any way. He looks at her begging, hoping he doesn't have to explain any further, but quickly notices he has to. ''Ally, we've only been going out for two weeks now. Don't you think we'll move a little too fast if I end up going there with you?''
''Austin, in case you hadn't noticed yet, I like seeing you,'' Ally laughs softly while grabbing his hand in order to convince him. His eyes drift to their hands and back to her, a soft smile appearing on his lips.
''I don't want to put that kind of pressure on you. If you're not ready for something like this, I'll decline,'' he's still not convinced as he tries his all to find out how she really thinks about the situation. ''I can choose another college.''
''Hey, listen to me,'' planning to clear this misunderstanding for good, she touches his cheek, forcing him to look her straight in the eyes, which he doesn't object. ''I can't wait to spend my college years with you.''
''So you don't mind,'' he speaks his observation out loud, looking at her in disbelief. When she shakes her head determined, he starts to understand what it means. With wide eyes, he stares at her as a grin grows on his face. ''I'm going to Brown university with my girlfriend.''
Next thing she knows, she's tackled by his large body. Falling backwards, she lands on the blanket again, Austin's arms supporting him on either sides of her as his lips attack her hurriedly. Giggling in the kiss filled with happiness and relieve, she wraps her arms around his neck before spinning them over. Stopping themselves in time, Ally releases herself from his tight grip to rest her head on his chest as he wraps his arms around her waist. They lay in the sun for a few minutes, side by side, as they both imagine how their lives would look like in only a few months, when Austin would join the college next semester.
''I'm so proud of you,'' she whispers softly to him, nuzzling her nose in his neck as she hugs him tighter. Austin feels himself glow inside, knowing that right here, right now, everything in his life is going amazing. As he's lying here in the sun with his perfect girlfriend, he has the stable future of following a course he really wants to follow on a university everyone would want to go to.
''Now there's only one question left,'' he states, looking down at Ally as he sees her body pressed against his, their legs intertwined. She looks up curiously as he presses a sweet kiss on her hair. ''Do you think I can hack into their system to make sure we'll be roommates?''
A short epilogue to sooth the fire within y'all
And yes; I will make a sequel. And with this chapter, the box of suggestions for titles is officially open! I was thinking about making it similar to this story's title, but add something with college or study in it. A big part of the plot is ready and I cannot wait to work it out.
I should tell you that this story may take a while. Summer vacation is just around the corner and next to the fact that I'll be away on summer vacation for quite a while, I'm spending my free time on driving lessons every day and a huge essay that's pretty much half of my exam grade for next year. Long story short, I won't have as much time as I do now. Writing a chapter takes me about 2-3 whole afternoons and I'm not sure if I can keep that kind of commitment up next year. I will keep you all posted. I dunno how, but I will
I'll see you all when I post my first chapter of Work Things Out: The Sequel
God I wanted to answer every single one of your reviews, honestly, but I'm so tired I cannot do it. Just remember that I read your reviews literally twice a day and another time when I'm feeling bad. Your sweet compliments are what keeping me happy, you do not go unnoticed, nobody.
Oh and another thing, I never thought I'd say this, but this story actually has a chance of passing the 100 reviews? That's hella cool I didn't think that was gonna happen, but look at that. If I manage to get 11 for this tiny little sequel, I'll be such a happy little author. Thank you all so much xxxxxxx
chapter 6
Awww! This story has come to end! I am just so sad but this ending was just so beautiful and made so happy that now I don't know what I am feeling. Had? Sappy? Hapad? You what, I'll just use a quote:
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard"-A.A. Milne
Seriously though, I am really going to miss this story! It is one of the limited number of AU stories that I like, let alone ADORE. At least I have Roles Of A Lifetime to still read. Only one more chapter though... *sniffle*
You have to PROMISE me that you will write another story soon. You are my inspiration! You replies make ME feel all warm inside. And that paragraph about believing in your own writing, my new favourite quote. This not goodbye though, I will definitely be stalking your account for much longer.
Spreek je sne,
Amn
P.S Is that correct dutch? You never know with Google Translate. I once emailed my Danish friend for a month using google translate (she didn't know much english) before realising I had be emailing her in DUTCH the whole time instead! - And now it's officially ended.. You excited about the sequel tho? Wow that quote is literally my life THANK YOU for finding my story so nice to use it for! I'm having a hard time loving AU stories too, but there are a few gems there, you just need to be lucky enough to stumble upon one! Ah, yes. That one is coming to an end rather quickly. I'm writing the last (?) chapter as we speak. It's gonna have some things I have planned since the beginning, which is SUCH a long time ago can you believe it. I think that's my fav part about writing, having something planned, something special, and FINALLY being able to express it. Hallelujah.
Mais oui, I'll write whenever I have time. Hope it's soon! I'M YOUR INSPIRATION STOP IT! There's nothing inspiring about me, except I know how to put words on a paper and people happen to like it. Aww I made a quote, that was totally unintentional. YAY STALKING, KEEP IT COMING
Wow did you actually look up words to talk to me in Dutch, can you get any cuter? You definitely got some of that, I just think you missed the last letter after sne, it's supposed to be snel, but MAN that was great. You're halfway to becoming fluent ;)
Lola 1203 chapter 5
Can I be part of your Dutch squad? I only live half an hour from the Netherlands En ik spreek Nederlands ;) Nu ja, Vlaams eigenlijk :D En als ik niet bij de Squad mag horen, verhuis ik wel naar Nederland - HOLA LOLA! Wow that failed I'm terribly sorry. YES YOU MAY JOIN OF COURSE. Let's just make it a Benelux squad, way easier that way. Oh leuk een Vlaam, die ben ik nog niet zoveel tegengekomen hier :) Supergaaf dat je m'n verhaal leest liefie xxxxx
Lookin' For Treble chapter 6 .
Uh, yeah dude of course I'm gonna be reading it!
Wait you play field hockey?
Oh wait that's off topic... DUDE I DID LOVE THIS STORY SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! I loved the little thing Austin did at the end... GOSH WHY DON'T GUYS LIKE HIM EXIST?! AGGGGGH.
And thanks too (about the user name thing... AND FOR WRITING THIS INCREDIBLE STORY- WHY AM I IN ALL CAPS?) - Heeeeey you. I DO! It's hella fun and I'm pretty awesome at it. Not really. They say my defence is keeping our game up and I'm just gonna stick with that :)
THANK YOU MY DARLING I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! Aw I know right, could you just imagine him doing that? Hella adorbs. Gosh, I dunno. Guess we will always have fiction to fall back on when reality fails to amaze us. And to give us unrealistic standards. Sorry for that.
I LOVE CAPS LET'S STAY IN CAPS
Guest chapter 6
OH my gosh that is like the sweetest thing I have ever read!
UMMMM EPILOGUE PLEASEEE - Thanks for this amazing idea my lovely anonymous buddy