Ahhhhh, sorry it's been awhile! I've been busy with work, and now packing for an upcoming trip! So with that, I decided an overdue and long chapter for you guys to enjoy!
I don't own Austin & Ally, or anything else you might recognize.
Chapter 8
Ally spent the rest of the weekend either locked away in her room. She just wanted to avoid everyone, and really anyone at that point.
She didn't want to explain what happened to her parents. She didn't want to hear what her friends had to say. More than anything, she didn't want to hear from Austin, or anything to do with him for that matter.
Come Monday morning Ally decided to sit up in bed and turn her phone back on. Just like she predicted, it started buzzing for a good ten minutes. At least a dozen missed calls from both Trish and Cassidy, not to mention endless texts. A few calls from Gavin. One or two from Dallas.
Ally started feeling bad when she saw the calls from both Gavin and Dallas. Dallas was a good friend to her, he really was. Gavin was nice, and did everything a girl would die for, but he wasn't doing it for her. She thought Gavin could replace the feelings he once gave her. Deep down she knew that was a long shot.
Then suddenly a number caught Ally's eye. She didn't recognize it when it popped up in her messages, but she felt her stomach drop. From that feeling alone she could tell who it was.
I'm sorry..
"Seriously, that's all he could come up with?" she whispered to herself as she tossed her phone aside.
She threw herself back on to her pillow. Replaying the things Austin said. He wasn't wrong.
She knew she was the "dorky" girl growing up. She didn't want to stay that way, so she branched out.
She did follow the boys around when they were younger, but that's because she lived so far out of town away from her friends that it was a hassle. Still is. Now they're all doing their own thing whether going off to school or being some egotistical, douche pop star.
The shy thing never went away. Yet she grew a pair and performed Friday night anyways.
So why did his words sting so much?
"Because you still care about him."
Ally shot straight up in her bed to see Cassidy in her door way. Surprised to see that it wasn't Trish.
"How'd you...? Who let...? Why are...?" she tried spitting out, but instead just bit her lip. She looked down and started crying...again.
"Oh honey..." Cassidy said walking over, quietly closing the door behind her. In a heartbeat she made it over to the bed, embracing the petite brunette before her.
"Shhh, Ally. It's okay." Cassidy calmly said while stroking Ally's hair.
"I'm such a mess..." Ally mumbled as she continued to sob.
Cassidy just held her friend until she started to ease up.
"How'd you know?" Ally quietly asked, wiping the rest of her tears away.
"It was, well is, written all over your face," Cassidy said, "even back then."
"I guess I'm an open book then." Ally chuckled lightly.
"Not really Ally. Just when it comes to a certain blonde." Cassidy replied offering a small smile.
"What do I do now?" Ally asked laying back down.
"I don't know. What I do know is that you can't stay locked up here all summer." Cassidy said looking down at her friend, "I mean, he does live across the road. He isn't exactly avoidable..."
Cassidy had a point. They just laid and sat there in silence, it was comforting though.
"On an unrelated note, Ally that song you did was breathtaking. I'm proud of you." Cassidy said smiling at Ally.
"Thanks." Ally replied with a small smile. She was hoping no one caught what she was trying to say, and if they did only one person should have gotten it. She was pretty sure he did. Or at least hoped he did.
"Should I grab some snacks from downstairs and pop in a movie?" Cassidy offered taking Ally out of her thought.
"That sounds great. We haven't had one of these days in awhile." Ally said sitting back up in her bed.
"Anytime Als." Cassidy said as she hopped off the bed and made her way to the door.
"Hey Cass!" Ally quickly spoke up before she left.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for coming over. It means a lot." the brunette smiled honestly.
"It's our job." Cassidy said as she blew a kiss back at her friend before shutting the door.
Ally felt somewhat relieved. She was blessed to have such great friends in her life, even when she least expected it.
Austin's family decided to go out and about into town. Mike and Mimi went into an old antique store to say hello to yet another family friend.
Meanwhile, Austin and Dez were outside sitting on a bench waiting. Dez had his camera on and was recording everything around him. Austin was annoyed to be out with his family. He just wasn't in the mood to do anything, not since Friday night anyways.
"AUSTIN MONICA MOON!" a voice boomed from across the street.
Austin turned to see who it was, and his eyes widened. Out of all people, it was one very pissed off Latina.
"We tried to stop her..." Gavin said apologetically as he and Dallas walked up. Austin noted.
"Uh, hi Trish." Austin cooly said.
"Don't 'hi Trish' me. Do you ever think before you speak? Or did you even notice how ridiculous you sounded Friday night?" Trish angrily, yet quickly spoke.
"I already said I was sorry." Austin snapped back.
"What, over text? That's pathetic. Her phone has been off ALL weekend." the Latina fired back.
"What else am I supposed to do?!" Austin, now irritated, shot back.
"I don't know, grow a pair and actually talk to her for Pete's sake." Trish was so fired up, she had to walk away.
Just as she did, Mike and Mimi walked out of the store with confused expressions on their face.
"Was that the De La Rosa girl?" Mimi asked breaking the tension in the air.
"Yeah." Austin replied.
"We'll see ya around Austin." Dallas said as he patted Austin's back. Gavin nodded his head.
"See ya." Austin nodded.
"What was that about? She looked upset." Mike chimed in.
"It's nothing." Austin said trying to change the subject. He didn't want to be reminded of Friday night anymore than he already had.
"Austin." Mike said in a stern voice.
He didn't know how to tell his parents about what happened. Or that it had to deal with Ally Dawson.
"I finally met Ally that everyone had been talking about." Dez finally spoke up, trying to change the subject.
"Oh did you!? I'm assuming at the fair?" Mimi said practically beaming. Austin knew his mom took a liking to Ally, ever since they were kids.
"Sure did, after all the things Austin said about her." Dez said without thinking.
Austin's eyes widened in horror. After Dez realized what he said, he looked back at Austin who was now glaring at him.
"What things?" Mike questioned both boys.
"I-i-i-i didn't mean to." Austin started mumble.
"Austin Monica Moon, what did you say about Ally?" Mimi said in a tone Austin didn't quit recognize, but he could tell it was a form of disappointment.
"It's nothing. I slipped up and made a mistake. I wasn't thinking." Austin said trying to get himself out of the hole he dug himself.
"That's the thing Austin. You never think. You just say and do." Mike spoke up, clearly angry, not to mention even more disappointed in his son.
"You go apologize to that girl. You guys used to be close. Inseparable even." Mimi said.
"I've already apologized. She won't reply to my-"
"A text, Austin? In case you've forgotten, not everyone back here relies on technology to solve all their problems. Ally's no different. You apologize in person, like a gentleman." Mike said as he started walking off to the family car.
Mimi just looked at her son and shook her head. Austin knew he let her down, he let them both down.
"I'm sorry Austin. I didn't mean to." Dez said honestly.
"It's okay bro. I know you didn't. Now let's go. It's going to be a long ride home." Austin said as they followed his parents to the car.
Later that evening the Moon's and Dawson's were out to dinner, without the teenagers of course.
"I don't know what we're going to do with Austin." a discouraged Mimi sighed.
"Bringing him back here was a mistake." Mike said shaking his head, taking a sip out of his beer.
"I feel as we're almost in the same boat with Ally. Maybe not in that sense, but still." Lester said.
"She hasn't come out of her room all weekend." Penny chimed in.
"That's probably because of Austin." Mike replied, "I wish there was something he could do rather than just sit around the house."
"Well we don't have any openings at the store right now, but we could use the extra pair of hands with the horses, the barn and the fields." Lester pitched in.
"Are you sure about that Lester?" Mimi asked concerned.
"Mimi, don't be silly. Austin needs to take responsibility of some sort." Mike said reassuring his wife.
"It'll be fine. Logan and Aaron pretty much have the fields down. Ally's always back and forth between the store and the barns. Honestly, an extra pair of hands wouldn't hurt." Lester said.
"Well then, it's settled. Austin will start this week." Mike said.
"Dez too." Mimi added in.
By sunrise come Friday, Ally was going stir crazy just being locked up in her room. Her family thought she was being dramatic. Her friends on the other hand understood, and just gave her, her space.
She couldn't sleep that night though, and just laid wide awake in her bed.
The sun started peaking through her window. She figured her parents and brother were still sound asleep, but knew they would be up any minute. She quickly threw on a pair of jean shorts and an old t-shirt. She avoided putting any shoes on so she could quietly make it down the steps and out the door.
Ally closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The smell of the barn and the nearby fields just took away her troubles. The familiar scent brought her warmth. This was her happy place, and no one, not even Austin, could take that away from her.
She opened her eyes and noticed the horses were already out in the pasture. Her family must have left them out the last few days, which was normal. It was too hot to keep them in the barn at all times during the summer.
Ally stepped off the porch and made headway to the pasture. There was something about being barefoot that just made her feel grounded. Made her feel one with the land her family owned. They were her roots, right in Hidden Springs.
She climbed up the fence and perched herself up at the top. Overlooking the pasture, she saw the horses were scattered near and far. This was one of the sights she enjoyed most, and for once in the week she spent moping, she finally felt at peace. She admired the view before her, and actually smiled.
"Austin. Dez. Wake up. We need to head over to the Dawson's to get to work. Logan's waiting by the truck." Aaron said waking up the boys.
They both groaned, but knew they had to get up so Austin could avoid further punishment. They both threw on jeans, t-shirts, and some old boots that Aaron let them borrow. Once they were dressed they followed Aaron out the door and headed towards the truck.
"Why didn't we just walk?" Dez asked as they piled up into Aaron's truck.
"Because in order to get to work, we need to head down the road and pick up some more grains for the horses. They can't just eat all the hay, or the grass in the pasture." Logan explained.
"Ohh..." Dez replied. Austin laughed at his best friend.
"Okay boys, let's go. We're burning daylight." Aaron said as he started the engine.
Ally heard the truck off in the distance, hopped off from where she was sitting to avoid being seen.
Her parents had Austin and his friend Dez helping out with the barn and horses, while Logan and Aaron were out in the fields.
She knew they obviously weren't doing this by choice, so Austin must have gotten busted for one thing or another. If she wasn't hiding away, they wouldn't have brought them in to help.
Stupid stupid stupid.
Once she heard the truck was down a ways, she climbed back up the fence to look for Cotton. Once she spotted him, she hopped off again and slowly made her way to him. Quickly, quietly, carefully trying not to disturb the others. She adored the peace they brought, and she didn't want to ruin that.
As she reached her horse, she held out her hand with a few sugar cubes to coax him to come closer to her. Once he took the bait, Ally reached for the carrot.
"Do you want it boy?" she whispered as she nuzzled him.
He gently took it out of her hands. Now that Cotton registered it was Ally he was begging for more snacks. Ally couldn't help but laugh at his nuzzling and constant licking, so she pulled out a few more sugar cubes.
Ally heard the truck coming back, and quickly led Cotton to a further spot in the pasture to avoid being seen.
Cotton stopped to graze, leaving Ally to peek around and see where the truck was. She noticed it stopped and two bodies exited before pulling up all the way to the house. Once the two bodies exited, the truck took off to the house.
Once Ally's eyes focused, she saw it was Austin and Dez, and they were climbing over the fence.
"What the..." she whispered to herself.
What could they possibly need to do in the pasture?
Nothing. So what were they up to?
Crap...
"Austin, this isn't a good idea." a concerned Dez said.
"Dez. Quit worrying. Aaron, Logan and I used to do this all the time when we were kids." Austin replied modestly, "You're starting to sound like Ally."
"Oh, the one you were complete douche to a week ago." Dez retorted.
"Shut up." Austin replied, annoyed now.
How many times was everyone going to bring it up. He's apologized once, and that was good enough for him.
"Alright, here we go." Austin said as he mounted a horse, who he knew was named Buttercup.
"Careful bro." Dez said.
"I got this," Austin replied, "Easy. Easy. Easy. See not a problem."
As soon as he said that he must have moved wrong on her, and she took off.
"Whoaaaaa." Austin shouted.
"Austin!" Dez said taking off after them, but he was no match.
Austin closed his eyes and held on. Not too far from where she took off, she got up on her back legs, and practically bucked the mass that was on her off.
Austin flew up, and landed on the ground hard. Got away quickly as possible and took cover to avoid getting hurt drastically.
Suddenly another horse blew past them, with a tiny frame on top. It was a blur, mainly because Austin was too focused on not getting seriously hurt.
Dez finally got to Austin, out of breath.
"Austin, are you okay!?" the concerned red head asked huffing, looking over Austin to make sure there were no serious cuts and scratches.
They both watched as a tiny brunette hopped off from her horse, and tried to calm down the horse that threw Austin.
Whatever she gave Buttercup did the trick, and she nuzzled her, sending her off on her way shortly after.
Suddenly the brunette turned their way.
Shit. It was Ally, and she looked furious. Worried, but definitely furious. Maybe even pissed...still.
"AUSTIN! What the hell were you thinking? You know better than to just hop up on one of the horses and think it's all fine and dandy!" the brunette shouted storming towards them.
"I thought she remembered me..." Austin mumbled getting up from the ground.
"Seriously? You haven't been around the last couple years and you thought she would remember you. Stupid." she spat out.
"Cut me some slack Ally. I don't spend everyday in the barn like you." Austin fired back.
"That's low, Austin." she quietly said.
"I think we all just need to take a deep breath and relax." Dez said stepping in before things could get ugly.
"Relax? Ally's not one to relax Dez." Austin said.
Ally rolled her eyes at his remark.
"Whatever." Ally sternly replied before walking off.
The boys just watched her go.
Austin noticed Ally was barefoot as she walked away. That's new, but also explains why she was a lot shorter than he remembered. He doesn't remember her ever being that short, but then again he did grow quite a bit the last few years.
Damn, she looks good.
"Seriously Austin? You're going to say that after everything that's happened?" Dez asked him curiously.
"Shit. I thought out loud again didn't I?" Austin asked as he face palmed himself.
"You always do buddy." Dez smirked as he patted his best friend on the back.
The two boys took off towards the barn to start on their chores. They've already wasted enough time out here.
"Can't either of you come over?" Ally whined into her phone as she paced back and forth on the porch.
"Sorry Als, I have work." Trish said.
"Since when do you ever care about work?" Ally sarcastically replied.
"Never," Trish replied, "but ever since you locked yourself up last weekend your parents asked if I could step in."
"I'm sorry Trish." Ally said honestly, "Well what about you Cass, can't you come over?"
"I wish, but I picked up a shift at the diner." Cassidy said sounding apologetically.
"Ugggghhhhhhh." Ally groaned plopping herself on the steps looking out towards the barn.
"Besides, why do you need us over there?" Trish asked curiously.
"Because I'm surrounded by idiots." Ally whined again.
"They're only helping out." Cassidy pointed out.
"Plus, you guys have enough land and space, you out of all people can easily avoid those dipshits." Trish said.
"You guys are no help," Ally said as bodies were slowly coming out of the barn, "I gotta go, I'll talk to you guys later."
As soon as Austin and Dez came into view, Ally got up from her spot and walked towards the pasture. She didn't want to endeavor anymore conversation with Austin than she already had to.
The two boys noticed Ally getting up and walking away as soon as she saw them come out from the barn.
"Dude, I have never seen a girl who doesn't want anything to do with you before." Dez said as they walked to the porch to get a drink of water.
"You're telling me." Austin said as he continued to watched her go.
"So what did you do?" Dez asked curiously.
"What are you talking about?" Austin asked, dumbfounded looking at his friend.
"What I mean is, what did you to piss her off so bad?" Dez replied.
"Nothing. Stupid kid stuff she needs to learn to let go." Austin shrugged as he took a sip of his water.
"Stupid kid stuff? Is that what you're seriously running with?" a voice said coming up behind them.
Austin and Dez turned around and saw Aaron and Logan coming out from the truck.
"Seriously? Can anyone keep their mouths shut when it comes to my business?" Austin groaned.
Aaron and Logan just chuckled to themselves.
"It's not our fault you two snuck off to watch the planes." Logan pointed out.
"Well it wasn't our idea to help out with your guys' stupid senior prank that summer." Austin said.
"Didn't matter, we weren't the ones that got caught." Aaron laughed.
"Or ran from the cops." Logan pitched in.
"You guys did what?!" Dez blurted out in disbelief.
"You guys could have at least saved us the wrath from both parents." Austin said as he shrug off Dez's question and plopped himself on on the steps.
"That wouldn't have mattered. I got lectured to that night." Aaron said.
"Dad was so pissed that night, but he and mom had no idea what to do with Ally. As for me well that's a different story." Logan said thinking about that night.
"Of course not. She's perfect." Austin whispered to himself.
"What was that?" Aaron questioned.
"Nothing." Austin replied back.
"Well we should get back to work, we'll see y'all later." Logan said as he and Aaron walked off and took the truck back to the fields.
"As lovely as that story was, it still doesn't explain why she's so pissed at you." Dez noticed.
"It's nothing Dez." Austin said.
"Whatever you say Moon. I'm gonna head back to the barn, you ready?" Dez asked.
"You go on ahead, I'll catch up with you in a second." Austin replied.
"Suit yourself." Dez said as he took off for the barn.
After a few minutes passed by, Austin decided to finally get up from the porch.
He really didn't mind helping out the Dawson's. It practically was his second home growing up, so it was nice to be back. Although he would never admit that anyone. Especially his family. Or even Ally for that matter.
A nice breeze blew by, and Austin looked back towards the pasture. He noticed Ally had perched herself up on the fence still facing the pasture. Wind blowing through her hair.
She turned her head to the right, clearly looking for her horse, and he noticed a look of content on her face.
Austin knew the barn and the horses always made her happy. Everything about this place. This was her home.
He knew that with him being back would be hard on her. Especially with how he left things the last time he was here. No one really knew the reason why she hated him so much. He was pretty sure he did though.
He never really meant for it to happen, and when it did he couldn't take it back. He couldn't even talk to her and explain, mainly because he was never good at expressing how he felt. Let alone how he really felt that day. Or even now for the matter.
There's just something about her now that makes him want to know her more than he already did. He just couldn't put his finger on it.
Austin looked back up from his thoughts and noticed Ally was balancing on top of the fence, just walking. Gracefully.
She looked so free, just like she did the day his family arrived. Of course he didn't recognize her then.
He let out a small smile.
Her back was turned so he decided to walk up and try and make small talk with her. If she would let him.
She was only a few paces ahead of him, but he stayed quiet and kept his distance so he wouldn't startle her.
Abruptly, the truck came back early from the field, and Logan laid down on the horn. Catching both Austin and Ally off guard.
"Aaah..." Ally screamed as she lost her balance.
Austin turned back quickly and caught Ally, causing them to both stumble to the ground.
"Umph." Austin let out as they hit the ground.
"What the hell Austin?" Ally said as she got up and brushed herself off, "How long were you following me?"
"A thank you would be nice." Austin replied still sitting on the ground, "Plus, I'm not the one who honked the horn."
Ally looked at the truck that had passed them already. Noticing Logan and Aaron in it, before it turned and headed off to town. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Austin who was still on the ground.
"Uhm, well...thanks...I guess." Ally said holding out her hand to help him up, and placing the other on her hip.
Austin just stared at her.
"Are you gonna take my hand or not?" she asked.
"Uh..yeah..th-thanks," Austin stuttered out reaching for her hand.
Struggling, she pulled the blonde up, who was probably twice her weight.
"Soooo...care to explain why you happened to be near the fence instead of the barn?" Ally asked softly.
"Uhm, I don't really know..." Austin trailed off. He really didn't.
Sure he was hoping for some small talk, but he didn't expect her to start it off.
"Okay then...so where's Dez?" Ally asked noticing the lack of weirdness.
"Dez...shit!" Austin said before taking off, running back towards the barn.
"Uhm...Austin?" Ally asked questioning why he just took off like that. Without hesitating she quickly followed suit.
Whatever the reason, it probably wasn't a good one.
"Dez!" Austin called out into the barn.
"What's going on?" Ally asked quietly as she caught up to Austin, trying to catch her breath.
"Over here! Last stall on the right!" Dez said raising his hand.
"Oh thank God." Austin replied as he walked over towards him. Ally right behind him.
"What was that about? He's not doing anything wrong..." Ally trailed off.
"You don't know Dez." Austin said turning towards her.
"Okay then. Well, I'm going to head back inside and get cleaned up and maybe head into town for something to eat. Would you two like to come?" Ally offered.
"Uh...uh...uhm," Austin stuttered.
"Sure!" Dez chimed in. Austin turned to his best friend with a wide eyed look.
"Alrighty. Well if you're not at the jeep in thirty, I'm leavin' without y'all." Ally said before walking away.
Dez finished up the stall he was working on and started putting away the equipment once Ally was gone.
"What the hell Dez?" Austin said smacking his best friend up the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Dez said rubbing the back of his head.
"For agreeing that we'd go with her!" Austin shouted in a hushed tone.
"Well you shouldn't have stuttered like a moron." Dez said with a smirk on his face, "Now let's go hurry and get cleaned up, we now have twenty-nine minutes before she leaves."
Austin groaned, but his stomach groaned louder.
"See. I'm not the only one who agrees." Dez laughed before running back towards Austin's house.
"Shut up." Austin said following him.
"Shit. What was I thinking for inviting them?" Ally said into the phone.
"Well why don't y'all come down to the diner? I'll have a table ready for you guys and I'll be your server, so it's less awkward." Cassidy offered.
"Could you really do that?" Ally asked sympathetically.
"I don't see why not. I mean Trish will be getting off soon and heading this way. Plus your brother and Aaron are already here." Cassidy said.
"Great. Then I'll have to explain whatever this is to everyone." Ally whined into the phone.
"Well what is it?" Cassidy asked.
"It's nothing!" Ally quickly said.
"Uh-huh, okay Ally. Well my break's almost up, I'll see you guys soon." Cassidy said.
"Okay. Later." Ally said before hanging up the phone.
She paced around her room for a little bit before looking at the time and realizing she had five minutes left.
She looked out her window and realized the boys had already returned and were leaning up against her jeep.
There was absolutely no way she could get out of this. Not anymore anyways.
The one thing she was trying to do, was to avoid Austin. Now, she's practically letting him back in.
Great, she thought.
Well here goes nothing.
And there we have it folks! It's not the greatest, but it'll do until I get back from my trip!
Enjoy, and Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year everyone! xoxo
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