Ally's POV

Ally was surprised when Austin didn't show up to school. They had planned a lunch meet in the music room, maybe to talk or to play. She was actually looking forward to it, and in a way she was finding comfort in him before they gave Ms. Dolan the tape.

"If I don't know any better Ally, I would say you have a crush on Austin." Trish said, eating her sandwich. Ally blushed. Ever since the festival carnival run Austin and her had, Trish hadn't let go on her and Austin being a thing.

"Trish, were just friends." Ally said with as much calmness in her voice as she could, "it just presentation has me worried."

"And your looking for comfort in him?" Trish smirked, "Yeah every girl does that with guys they're not that close with." Ally rolled her eyes. She had a feeling that this would last a long time.

"Eat your sandwich, Trish." Ally said, "it's full of your accusations."

"Look at you," Trish said, play swatting her friends arm. "You learning to talk smart. You learned from the best." Ally laughed, some of her anxiety going away. She let her thoughts stray from Austin and enjoyed the rest of her lunch.

When the bell rang, it was like all the anxiety she was holding in back came all at once. She got light headed, and leaned against the lockers. The worst thing in the world wasn't passing out then, but Austin's absence. She really needed him to present their song, but what would she do now?

"Hey, Ally." Dez pulled up behind her. The redhead gave her a smile that touched his eyes. It always amazed her how he could smile so bright. "How you doing."

"Okay." She lied, confused on why he was making basic conversation with her. They weren't in the same friend group, or remotely similar to each other in anyway.

"Oh, Austin wanted me to give you this." He hands her a CD with the title 'Something's Gotta Give' written on the front. "He felt really bad about not coming to school, so he made me burn the song onto the CD before I left my house."

"Oh, he's a life saver." Ally breathes out, her heart slowing down tremendously. Then she remembered him not singing into the mic and got worried he didn't sing his part.

"He sang his part before you came over to my place yesterday." Dez informed her, "He was trying really hard to impress you and make you approve of it."

"Oh," Ally said, surprised at the news. Dez made it sound like he depended on her approval. Ally knew Austin was shy, but she didn't know he was that shy.

"Yeah," Dez gave her a serious look, "be careful with him, Ally. He's very fragile, and I don't think he could be hurt anymore. As his friend, can you promise me that you won't hurt him, even if it's by accident?" Dez asked her. Ally's eyes grew wide, confused at the tone switch.

"Okay." She said, even if she was confused on why Dez was telling this. She sighed out, feeling the pressure of Dez's stare relax.

"Good," the bell rung, "gotta go, and hope the presentation goes good." Ally nodded her head. She hoped it would go good too.

Ally ended up waiting last to present. She sat in the back, her heart in her mouth as she listened to the person before her. They sounded amazing, and once again Ally felt like she failed. She had to constantly remind herself that she and Austin did their best.

"Oh shoot, class is over in two minutes." Ms. Dolan said, "Ally can you wait till tomorrow to present you song?"

"Actually, can I do it after class?" She asked, tapping her foot on the ground impatiently. Ms. Dolan looked at her schedule, and nodded her head.

"I have time." She said. Just as it was decided the bell rang and everyone left to go to their next class. Ally walked up nervously to Ms. Dolan. She gave her the CD.

"Austin turned out instrumental into a actual song with beats while he was out yesterday." She said. Ms. Dolan put the tape in a CD player and waited. The beginning started playing, and Ally's voice filled the room.

Woke up in a stranger's bed

With pens and needles in my head

And the clock hanging off the wall

Oh yeah oh yeah

Ally smiled at her high quality it sounded. If anyone were to pass by, they would think was a legit song. Then Austin's voice came in.

Maybe I'm a fucking waste

Filling up the empty space

I don't have clue at all

Oh yeah oh yeah

He sounded so passionate, so real like he meant every word. And then both of the come in together, and their voice harmonize with each other.

Someone please come pull me out

From the shadow of my doubt

Wake me up I'm falling

And then they both sang the chorus one last time. Ally's heart fluttered. They did it, and they sounded amazing while doing it. Ally didn't seem to be the only one impressed, because Ms. Dolan hand was over her mouth.

"Ally that was amazing. You two out way more effort than you needed into this assignment." Ms. Dolan praised. Ally smiled, loving the gratitude this woman was giving her.

"Thank you," Ally said shyly. Sure it didn't count as performing, but the teacher still heard her sing so that meant something.

"I think you two should do the talent show." Ms. Dolan said, retrieving the CD from the CD player.

"What?" Ally asked.

"The talent show." Ms. Dolan said again, "it's two weeks from now, which gives you and Austin plenty of time to think about it and get prepared." She said it as if they already decided they were gonna do it.

Ally shook her head. The thought of playing in front of her school foreign. Even if they didn't manage to get something done, a new song maybe would take weeks to prepare, and then to find people to play the instrumentals? It's just too much.

"I don't know." Ally said. Ms. Dolan put a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"I think it would be a fabulous opportunity for you two. You have talent, and you shouldn't suppress it." Ms, Dolan gave her a smile. Ally returned it, feeling slightly lifted about the situation.

"Maybe." She said, "I'll talk to Austin about it."

Austin is going to be happy about this, right?