Chapter 8

Ally's POV

I cannot believe Austin would do that to me. What kind of guy can't trust his girlfriend enough to leave her alone for one day? And what's the big deal if I talk to a guy when he knows that he's the only one I'll ever love?

Urg, sometimes he makes me so mad I just wanna scream!

"Ally?" I heard someone say from behind me. Realizing that wasn't Austin-I would've avoided him if it was-I turned around to see Emilee standing there.

"Hey Em, what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to hide my frustrations.

"I wanted to come to the mall, so Austin agreed to take me. Although, I have no clue where he went. He told me to come in here and he'd be here soon, just had to go somewhere first. He was acting really weird" Em said. I stared at her.

Did Austin not come here checking up on me?

"Was he looking for me?" I couldn't help but ask.

Em looked confused at first, but then she smirked. "Why, you miss him already?"

"Just answer the question Em" I sighed.

"No, he had no idea you were here. He was moping about you a lot this morning, though. Don't tell him I told you any of this, but he was freaking out with Haley this morning, thinking you would break up with him because he's so clingy" Emilee said quietly.

My eyes widened. "So he didn't come here to spy on me?"

"No…" she said slowly. "I wanted a skateboard.

"A skateboard? Why would you-never mind. I need to go find Austin" I said sighing.

"I'm right here."

I turned around to see Austin leaning against a rack of clothing, looking fine on the outside, but I could tell in his eyes he was upset. That's just how well I know him.

"Ally, what are you doing in Vans* anyway?" Em asked me. I shook my head.

"What? I didn't even realize that's where I was" I said looking around. Huh, how come I never came in here?

"Well, I'm gonna be over there then" Emilee said looking back and forth at Austin and I strangely. "Fix it."

"What?" Austin and I asked at the same time.

"Whatever this is going on with you two" she said with a pointed glance. "Fix it."

"She's right" Austin mumbled looking own.

"I know, and I was wrong."

"I shouldn't have ran over to you when I knew you wanted the day to yourself, but Ally I swear I didn't know you were-"

"You didn't know I was here, yeah I gathered that much from your sister" I sighed. He looked at me curiously. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. You're an awesome boyfriend, and I love having you around so much, I just need a little time to myself sometimes, ya know? Time to think. That's what we writers do. We need time to mull over ideas and all."

"I didn't mean to be clingy…or jealous" he said looking away. I giggled.

"Well, I admit you may be a little clingy at times, but I find that and your over the top jealousy quite adorable."

"I wasn't that jealous" he mumbled, looking down. I smiled and hugged him.

"Yes you were. Now, go pay for your sister's skateboard and I'll see you tomorrow."

With that I ran out of the store, laughing as Austin whined from behind me. I still want my alone time. What can you do?


Emilee's POV

"Okay, everybody ready?" Mike Moon called out to the all of us who were gathered in his living room. A series of different voices called out different answers. But all pretty much the same answer in many variations. He did a quick headcount. Mimi, who didn't want to come along and was urged to be a supervisor eight of us, sat next to him with a smile. Haley and Elliot, cuddling on a loveseat on a corner with their backpacks at their feet. Dez and Trish, holding a silent argument by the fireplace. And Eli and I, who were doing some last minute packing because we'd forgotten some things. And Austin and Ally. Wait.

"Where are those two?" Mike Moon called out to everyone. Everyone stopped with their movements to turn to Mike. "Where are Austin and Ally?" he repeated.

Trish and Haley looked at each other with mouths agape. "No way," Haley breathed, eyes wide.

The other girl nodded. "I didn't think they had it in them."

Suddenly the front door burst open to reveal Austin and Ally. She was out of breath, like she had just ran 10 miles. Austin beside her, smiled sheepishly. "Sorry," he said. "I went to pick up Ally but then I got a flat tire, had someone bring to the shop, then I ran all the way to her place and we ran/walked back here because her parents were out." Then he turned to Ally. "Your parents need to buy you a car or something."

She laughed, clutching her stomach, and panting for breath. "Well, s-sorry."

"No matter," Mike shook his head. "We're all here. Everyone finally ready?" They all nodded. "Good. Let's head out."

Mimi carried a large picnic basket and Elliot grabbed the cooler and put those in the first car. There was 10 of us and there was no way we were going in one car. "Follow me," Mike told my older brother. Mike, Elliot, Haley, Eli and myself were going in the first car. And the four amigos - Dez, Trish, Ally, and Austin, with Mimi were to follow.

It was a pretty much boring car ride, with me and Eli playing endless rounds of tag. It was not much fun. It was about a three hour car ride, and by then it sun was fully up and it was nearing noon. We got there by nine thirty. If you're a hiker, you know the scarifies of waking up early in the morning to get to the destination.

"I'm free!" I exclaim in an extra terrestrial type of voice, jumping out of the car onto the park grounds. We were at Highlands Hammock State Park. I've never been here before but Austin tells me, it's quite scenic.

Eli follows me and we run around, chasing each other. "You can't get me! You can't catch me!" He yells ahead of me.

"Emilee! Eli!" Mike calls. We stop in our tracks and race back to the cars where everyone else was waiting.

When we get there, Mike starts by handing out pieces of paper. "Okay, here's the agenda. I'll give you thirty minutes to explore the visiting center, to use bathroom, and gear up for our hike. At about five minutes before ten, everyone rendezvous back here. We're going to be hiking for about two to three hours so make sure to get a lot of water and place some snacks in your bags. It's not that hard of a hike though. Assuming we finish by one, it's lunch time. We eat our picnic at the picnic grounds and rest."

When he finished his detailed overview of the schedule, if felt right to salute and yell "Sir, yes, sir!" We just stared at our papers, before Austin and Ally starting racing toward the visiting center.

...

"And then the rock said to me, 'I know what you mean Mr. Dez.' Who knew a rock would know my name?" Dez asked Trish as Eli and I walked closely behind him.

"Yeah, because that's what's wrong with that sentence" Eli muttered from beside me. I giggled.

"And I said, 'Mr. Rock, how do you know my name?' And he said 'Mr. Dez, why I am a spy in your country, plotting revenge on the tress for taking up our fun role-'"

"Oh my gosh, Ally make him shut up!" Trish yelled.

Ally looked back from her conversation from Haley for a mere three seconds before turning back and saying "Yeah, sounds good Trish."

You should have seen the disbelief on the Latina's face.

"Don't worry baby…" Dez said, dragging out the last word as he slung his arm around Trish's shoulders. She sent him a glare which he ignored. "I'm here to talk to you all day."

"Oh joy" she deadpanned.

"Rut-ro, trouble in paradise" Eli said quietly. I elbowed him in the side as Trish sent back an annoyed look, but I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth. Gotta love my best friend.

"Oh my goodness, yes! I love those books! We're like sisters!" Ally squealed from way up the path where she and Haley had ventured off to alone.

"Of course she'd pick her as a sister over a stupid book" Trish mumbled.

"Well someone sounds jealous" Eli commented. It was meant for me, but I know Trish heard it because she whipped around and looked like she was about to blow up on him.

"Emilee Moon, I swear if you do not shut him up, I will! Got me?"

I giggled a little as Eli gulped in fear. I know Trish scares most people, but most the time I just find her funny. It gets on her nerves when she doesn't scare me.

"I got it, but I can't make him be quiet and you can't either. Besides, he was just telling the truth" I shrugged. Risky move, but she needs to admit it.

"I'm not jealous of that little blonde book girl" she scoffed. I smirked a little.

"No? Then what do you think about that?" I asked pointing ahead to where Ally was running around with Haley on her back, and vise-versa whenever one of them fell. They were laughing their heads off, and their boyfriends seemed to find the sight rather amusing too.

"Oh my gosh, that is so cliché" Trish said shaking her head.

"Jealous" Dez said in a sing-song voice. Eli and I tried to stifle our laughter. Austin may be the singer in the group, but I love listening to Dez sing because he makes it funny.

"Shut up Dez, or you can be single" Trish snapped, making him clamp his mouth shut immediately with a quick nod of the head. I laughed and shook my head. Teenagers and relationship problems. Glad I don't have that yet, no matter how nice it sounds sometimes…


"Guys!" Mike Moon called in front of the pack. "Hurry along or we'll be late!"

"For what?" Trish mumbled, but picked up her pace. Mimi, behind everyone to make sure everyone was following, followed. Her breathing was a bit haggard, but she looked fine. Ahead of us, Ally and Haley, continued their conversations, while their boyfriends horse-played pushing and shoving each other, whenever Mike was not looking back to check on everyone.

But he was right. The scenery was beautiful. Tall, greenery surrounded us and plants of all kind boasted their beauty. The trail wasn't an "up a mountain" type of hike. It was pretty much on leveled ground, as we continued the trail.

Dez and Eli were now having some kind of weird argument about donkeys and zebras, so I picked up the pace and joined Trish who was right behind Ally and Haley. There was a show of relief when Dez had finally dropped the subject of her jealousy and his pet rock.

"Hey Trish. How are you liking the hike, so far?"

She looked at me. "I hate it. Bugs, plants in my face. I'd rather be at a spa or the mall. It's so hot, and I feel itchy. Urgh!"

"Oh Trish," Ally laughs, turning her head our way. "It feels great. Connecting with nature and getting some fresh air. I love it."

"I don't whole-heartedly agree with you," Haley starts. I see a slight smirk on Trish face. "But, I do agree that it's a nice break. Something more to our summer than just hanging around the house or the mall." Then Haley loops her arm around Ally's and they start skipping off, before they tripped and started hysterically laughing. I start laughing too, but stop when I see Trish's eyes narrow. If looks could kill...

"So Ally," I heard Haley say. "What do you think of the latest episode of The Fosters*?"

Ally gasped at the question, and smiled greatly. "OH MY GOSH!" she squealed, dancing around. "Things between Callie and Wyatt are heating up! He has beautiful hair doesn't he? But they love each other and admitted it. And the baby's a girl! Ekk!"

"I know! I cannot wait for the next episode!" Haley returned the excitement just as high. "But Timothy. He's being such a jerk, now. I liked his character."

"Oh yeah. How could he do that to Lena? And Callie and Jude's half-sister!"

"When I saw that they casted Bailee Madison, I knew she was going to play some sort of relative because she and Maia Mitchell could be twins! Literally!"

"How about Pretty Little Liars*? Do you guys watch it?" Trish steps in and interrupts their mantra of squealing and fussing over characters. "Who do you think A is? I think it's..."

Haley and Ally shook their heads. "Sorry, Trish. I've heard of the show, but I've never watched it," Ally says and Haley nods. "Sorry Trish."

Ally's best friend nods and falls back in step with me. "So what about you kid?" She turns to me. "Do you watch PLL?"

I smile sadly and shake my head. "Nope, sorry Trish. I mean, I think it looks awesome, but when I tried to get into it, it was already season four and I was so confused. I turned it off after twenty minutes because I couldn't understand anything."

Trish gaped. "Oh my gosh! Em, you have got to see all the episodes from the beginning! Don't worry kid, I'll bring them over. I have every episode on DVD from the very beginning. You love it, I'm sure."

I bit my lip, glancing over at Eli-who was still engaging Dez in some wild tale about how his pet hamster was much 'awesomer' than Dez's pet rock-and sighed. I knew for a fact Trish was only half paying attention to me and was only saying those things because Ally was making her angry and jealous with her 'new BFF'.

"Yeah Trish, sounds awesome."

The rest of the hike up the mountain had been spent in a peaceful quiet-for me. I remember sort of zoning out while Dez and Eli were crazy-ing it up, the couples up ahead of us chatted endlessly, Mimi lagged behind us, Mike spouted incoherent directions, and Trish sulked beside me. But I just remember walking with a sort of buzzing sound close to my ear.

But I was brought out of my peaceful silence with Eli standing beside me-oddly close-and a stinging pain in my right ear. "Em! Emilee, are you all right?"

I gaped at my best friend. "Did you just smack me in the ear? Like seriously?"

"You had a bee on you" he said, looking very unapologetic. I sighed, giving up on him, and glanced around. Mimi was helping Mike set up the picnic table, telling him where to sit what while he did all the work. Elliot was leaning against a tree with his knees popped up and Hailey sitting between his legs while he idly played with her fingers. Trish was lying on another picnic table, several feet away, with her head in Dez's lap, loudly complaining about the number of insects and rodents that existed outdoors. And Austin and Ally...

Were nowhere to be seen. Again.

"Where the heck is my brother and his girlfriend?" I asked, turning back towards Eli who had apparently found a rolly-polly he was examining between pinched fingers.

"Hmm?" Tossing the poor bug to the ground, I watched and made sure it scurried away before looking at him again, he shrugged. "Oh I dunno. They snuck off as soon as your dad-I mean Mike, said we were stopping for a picnic. Never said where they were going."

"That's peculiar" I said thinking f how they'd just recently been in a major argument with each other. "If Trish's assumptions from earlier stand-"

"I doubt they snuck off to do that" Eli cut me off with a grimace.

"Eww" I made a face at him. "That's all that's ever on you guys' minds, isn't it?"

"You're the one who suggested it!" He threw his hands up in exasperation.

"I meat they went off somewhere to make out without Mimi seeing" I said shaking my head. But now I feel stupid for not getting Trish's joke earlier...

"Well...don't blame me for that. Why don't you ask them yourself where they went" Eli suggested, pointing towards a clearing in the trees.

I squirmed in my seat. I didn't really want to bother them and get in the middle of that little make-out sesh. And I didn't want to be intrusive. This was their little moment, something not seen by the world. Something that'll be special to them. Whoa, where did all of that come from? I've been watching too many movies and too many romance novels.

I shake my head at Eli. "Nah, I'll let them have it. Plus they might've just wanted some time alone away from all of us."

He nods understandingly. "You think Mike and Mimi are done setting up lunch? 'Cause I'm hungry."

I laugh as he smiles a fully toothed grin. From this setting and this lighting he looks cute. His floppy, and partly curly black hair hangs loose and tangled in the wind. If Austin's was a mess that Mimi couldn't handle, you should see Eli's. But it looks good on him. He resembles a very young Harry Styles.

Em, snap out of it! I tell myself. Wrenching my eyes away from features, I look out to the surrounding scenery. There was a billion trees surrounding this clearing, and seeing as some were over a hundred feet tall, it makes me feel small compared to this world. No matter how big your dreams, your intentions, and your heart, you'll always be small and unbearing compared to nature's forces.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Somehow I had said it outloud instead of in my wind.

Eli follows my gaze. "Yes, you are."

My eyes nearly pop out of my head. I swivel my head in his direction so fast it must've been a world record. He blushes a rosy pink and opens his mouth to say something just as Mike calls everyone to lunch.

He shakes his head and tells me instead, "Let's eat."

I don't know why, but my heart was feeling let down. I really wanted to know what he was going to say and I couldn't help but let my mind wander as to what he was about to say.

Eli's POV

Whew that was close. What was I thinking? I almost let on to my best friend that I like her.

Okay, I like her. So what? I know I'll never be good enough for her. She's gorgeous. And I'm...this. A nerd. Everyone says so. What teenage girl wants to date someone with curly black hair and glasses? She'd be made fun of all her life if she dated me. It'd be bad enough for her to be fun of for being friends with a guy like me.

Good gracious, I sound like a whiney, insecure little girl. I seriously need to get a life.

"Hello, earth to Eli" Emilee grinned, waving a hand in front of my face. I blinked.

"Huh?"

She laughed. "You're just like Ally sometimes, disappearing into your head with no clue to what's going on in the outside world."

"And you don't?" I scoffed. Looking around, I realized that everyone was already eating. There was a plate full of food sitting in front of me-how it got there I have no idea. I glanced back over at Em, who just smiled, shaking her head.

"Not like you" was all she said.

I looked at her in confusion, but she'd already turned back to her food, squealing in delight when Mimi brought out a cherry pie. I just smiled. She is adorable.

*Don't own any of these things.

A/N: So...um, hi. Six months since an update right? It feels longer. So I, we (in extension to Daddysgirl11) would like to apologize.

writermeAL: On my behalf, I've gotten lazy and primarily didn't feel any spark in writing A&A Fanfiction. It will eventually get old and for me, that time is imminent, right on my horizon. I've taken interest in other things and is more focused on school and... Before I hand in the towel, my goal is to finish this story. As for the other stories that are/were currently in the works, I... I really don't know. I'll probably leave it up, but in the background I do plan to finish them. But not as Fanfiction. They were originally my own characters, but just under the alias of A&A characters. That's what had made it bearable for me. And that's how I would like to continue writing—with my own ideas and own characters. Not FanFiction. I guess, all I really wanted was writing as a hobby, something fun when I wanted out from the real world. This did help my writing by a long shot, but I don't think I can keep up with this account anymore. There's still 12 more chapters before a final goodbye, but I just really wanted to thank you.

Thanks guys!

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-writermeAL, Daddysgirl11