Ally POV

I couldn't help but cry even more when I was pulled into the group hug. The fact that everyone knows about the abuse is a bit overwhelming. The hug lasted for a few minutes and when we pulled away, everyone was looking at me. I noticed Rydel crying, as well as Trish. I hated seeing other people cry, especially my friends.

"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Riker asked, breaking the silence. His voice was full of concern and he wasn't angry at the fact that I never told them about Eric.

"I didn't want you guys to worry about me, like you're doing now." I explained quietly. "All I want to do is forget about Eric and the abuse, but I can't." I don't think anyone knows what to say because the room falls silent once again. "Look, can we just forget about all this right now? I can't deal with this at the moment." I don't let anyone answer, I just walk out of the room and hurry downstairs.

When I got downstairs, I saw Austin sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. "You okay, Austin?" I asked. He jumped, so I'm guessing I startled him. I walked over to him and sat down next to him.

"I should be asking you that." He said softly. I shrugged and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to tell them everything." I apologized. I lifted my head off his shoulder and looked at him. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Als, I'd rather tell them then have you tell them." I smiled weakly and he did the same. I stood up and walked into the kitchen. "What are you doing?" Austin asked me, walking behind me.

"I'm in the mood for pancakes." I opened up the fridge and grabbed the eggs, flour and milk. "Want to help me make them?" I asked. He beamed and nodded. "Alright, grab the sugar and chocolate chips." I told him. He did as told and gave me the ingredients.

As I was mixing the ingredients in a bowl, Austin took some flour and put it on my head. I glared at him and he just started hysterically laughing. I decided to retaliate. I grabbed some flour and threw it as his face.

"Oh, it's on, Dawson!" He shouted. He grabbed a handful of flour and flung it right at me. Let's just say my face was completely white now.

"You're so dead, Moon!" He dashed towards the living room and I quickly ran after him. We were running around the living room like children, but I didn't care. I was actually having fun.

I noticed a sock on the floor, but Austin didn't notice and one thing led to another, and he was on his butt. I clutched my stomach as I started laughing uncontrollably.

"Als, it's not that funny." Austin whined. That just made me laugh more.

"H-how's y-your b-butt?" I asked, still laughing. He got off the floor and rubbed it.

"Let's just say there's gonna be a bruise." He muttered.

I wiped away the tears that formed from my laughter as it died down. "So uh, shall we finish those pancakes?" I asked, slightly giggling. He playfully glared at me, but nodded.

We went back to the kitchen and finished the pancakes. I found it a bit weird that Austin and I were alone downstairs while everyone was upstairs. It's like they knew we wanted to be alone. Well, I wanted to be alone with him, but I don't if he wanted the same. I could only hope he wanted the same thing.

"So Als," Austin started as he took a bite out of his pancake. "Wanna go for a walk after we're done?"

I looked at him and smiled. "Sure."

We finished eating and grabbed our jackets before heading out. "We're going on a walk! Don't wait up!" Austin yelled for the whole house to hear. He grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door.

Austin POV

There's a reason I wanted to take Ally out on a walk. You see, I had this whole plan to kiss her on Christmas Day under some mistletoe, but I don't think I can wait. It's like I need to kiss her or else I'll lose my mind. So I'm hoping this walk will turn out well.

"Austin, where are we going anyways?" Ally asked me. I was still holding her hand, but not the type of holding hands that couples do. I decided to intertwine our fingers and pray that she wouldn't pull away. And guess what? She didn't!

"Honestly, I have no clue." I told her truthfully. "But I just wanted to spend some alone time with you. Is that alright?"

She looked at me and smiled. "You know I love spending time with you." I couldn't help but smile like an idiot when she said that.

I find it really weird that when we dated for like, a week, it was so awkward. But now, if we dated again, I think we could make it work and last. There's no doubt in my mind that I'm in love with Ally Dawson.

"So are you nervous about the competition being televised?" I asked.

"If I'm being honest, no. I mean I was when I first found out, but now I find it kind of exciting." She paused and her eyes widened. "I just realized I didn't tell your cousins about the competition being televised."

I started laughing. "Don't worry Als, we'll you'll tell them when we get back." We continued walking until Ally stopped all of a sudden. "Why'd you stop?" I asked.

"I know somewhere we could go that no one else knows about. Wanna go?"

"Yeah, but where is it?"

"Just follow me." Since our hands were still laced together, she was literally pulling me to the mystery destination. About five minutes later, we stopped in front of tree house.

"Is this yours?" I asked. She started climbing up which looked difficult for her since she had a broken wrist. I followed her and we both sat down on the cold, wood floor.

"Yeah, my dad built this when I was three and I've always loved coming here."

"So my cousins don't know about this?"

She shook her head no. "You're actually the first person I've showed this to." My jaw dropped slightly and I looked at her in disbelief.

"What about Trish? I mean she is your best friend."

"Trish may be my best friend, but I don't think she would appreciate this as much as you. To her, she would see this as just a tree house, something that little kids would use, but I see it as something more."

"You see the tree house as a place where you could get away from everything." I added. She nodded. "That's how I see the practice room."

"Really?" She asked, shocked.

"Yeah, I mean when we're in there writing a song, it's like we're in our own world. It's one of my favorite places."

"One of? What's the other?"

"This tree house." She looked at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Mine instinctively went around her waist. I feel like we're always hugging when we're sitting, but I like it. I love having her in my arms and I never want to let her go.

We pulled away from the hug and just stared into each other's eyes. I found myself leaning in and to my surprise, so was she. In a matter of seconds, our lips were touching and it was the most amazing feeling. Our lips were moving in sync and I swear I could've kissed Ally all day if we didn't need to breathe.

We pulled apart and just looked at each other. "That was…"

"Amazing." I breathed out.

"Yeah."

"L-look Als, I really like you." I paused. "Wait, no, I don't like you because I love you. I think I've loved you all along but I was too afraid to realize my feelings for you." I grab her hand and intertwine our fingers. "Ally Dawson, I love you with all my heart." She smiled widely and I can't help but do the same.

"Austin, I love you too."

"Really?" She nodded. I did the only thing I could think of and crashed my lips onto hers. She smiled against my lips and I mimicked her. "So now there's only one question I have for you." She nodded, letting me continue. "Will you do me the honors of being my girlfriend?" She playfully rolled her eyes.

"You really didn't have to ask, but my answer is yes." I mentally fist pumped the air but kept my cool on the outside. "But I have a quick question."

"Sure, what?"

"Do you think we could hold off on telling people we're together? I mean I think we should tell everyone after the competition." She explained. I nodded in understanding. "So are you okay with that?"

"Als, I'm fine with it. But you do realize we won't be able to act like a couple around everyone."

"Then I guess we'll just have to sneak around." She smirked.

"I like this new Ally Dawson." She playfully shoved me.

"Please, I didn't change. Besides, I think it'd be kind of fun to sneak around."

"Okay seriously, who are you and what have you done with the real Ally?"

"Shut up Monica." I gaped at her.

"You did not just middle name me?"

"Why yes I did. What are you gonna do about it?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

I grabbed her waist and pulled her onto my lap. Before she got the chance to question what I was doing, I crashed my lips onto hers. I don't want to sound like a girl, but every time we kiss, sparks fly and butterflies flutter in my stomach.

"Let's head back to the house." She said. We climbed down the tree house and I laced our fingers together.

Ally POV

"Do you think it's weird that this time, our relationship isn't awkward?" Austin asked me. We were about ten minutes away from the house so we were able to act like a couple until we got there.

"I don't think so. I think the last time we tried being a couple, we just liked each other and we weren't actually in love. But this time we are."

"Yeah we are." He whispered and kissed my temple. "You know I had this whole plan on telling you how I felt and I was going to do it on Christmas."

"Then why'd you do it now?"

"Because I couldn't wait anymore." He stopped walking and looked at me. "It killed me not being able to hold you and kiss you and tell you that I love you." I smiled and pecked his lips.

"Well just letting you know, I'm glad you didn't wait."

When we got to the house, we let go of each other's hands and quickly kissed each other before we walked in. Everyone was in the living room, including my dad, Mark, and Stormie.

"Hey guys." Dad greeted. He's happy which meant he doesn't know about the abuse.

"Hey." We greeted back. "Austin, want to go work on a song?" I asked him. Let's hope he got the hint.

"Sure." He looked at his family. "Call us when dinners ready." We hurried upstairs and walked into Rydel's room. He shut the door behind us and locked the door. "So did you really want to work on song?" He asked, smirking.

"Yes and no. I already started working on a song before you came to Colorado, but now that we have the room to ourselves, I don't really want to." He chuckled.

Austin grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him as my arms went around his neck. We slowly leaned in and when our lips touched, fireworks went off. Kissing Austin makes me feel amazing and if we could kiss all day, we would.

"Als, are you gonna tell your dad about Eric?" Austin asked. We laid on my bed, with my head on his chest.

"No." I said. "I don't want him finding out."

"But wouldn't it be better if he knew? I know you don't want to talk about it, but sometimes talking about it helps."

"I know talking about it is supposed to help, but it doesn't. Whenever I talk about it, it just brings up bad memories."

"I wish I could make you forget."

"Me too. But you being here with me helps."

"Glad I could help." He started rubbing my back which started making me sleepy. I yawned and I felt him chuckle. "Am I making you sleepy?"

"Yeah."

"Then go to sleep. I'll wake you up when dinners ready."

"Alright, thanks."

"Love you, Als."

"Love you too, Austin." My eyes started getting heavy and before I fell asleep, I felt him kiss the top of my head.

Austin and Ally are finally together. Next chapter might have some Austin and Eric drama. What do you think's gonna happen? Review! :)