ALLYS P.O.V
Today is the day I may ruin my life. But, it could also be the best day ever. I pace back and forth backstage, feeling the nerves hit me harder than ever. In less than 10 minutes, I'll be onstage.
I feel my throat go dry and I begin to shake a little bit. I put my hands to my mouth and try to control my breathing... It doesn't help.
I felt a hand grab my shoulder and turn me around. Austin looked down at me, grinning from ear to ear.
"Are you ready, Alls?!" He asked excitedly. I shook my head.
"I think I'm going to throw up. What if I throw up on stage? What if I trip and everyone laughs at me? What if-" I'm cut off when Austin grabs both of my shoulders to stop my pacing and leans down so we're eye to eye.
"Hey, you're going to be okay, alright? I'm going to be there every step of the way. Today is your day. And if someone laughs at you, I'll punch them in the throat," he says with a smile.
I chuckle a little bit at his threat. I gave a deep sigh and shook my hands, preparing myself. Austin looked at his watch.
"We have about 2 minutes. You'll be fine, okay? It's just like rehearsal"
I nodded and he left to get in place for scene 1. Just then, I heard the announcer go out onstage and start talking about the play. My heart began to beat so fast that I thought it might explode.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoy!" The announcer said and walked off the stage. The audience clapped, except for a group of people I recognized as the football team. Great. They're going to pick out anything wrong with my performance and use it to make fun of me.
I pushed the negative thoughts aside, and focused on remembering my lines as the music started and walked out on stage.
Everything felt like a blur. I went out onstage, acted out my lines, and for once in my life, I felt like I accomplished something.
Once I said my first few lines, the nerves died away. I felt so free and confident, and I could tell Austin saw it too because he snuck a smile at me whenever he could without anyone noticing.
The audience clapped as we walked backstage. We just had one more scene to go.
"You have no idea how proud I am of you right now," Austin said with a huge grin on his face. He wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up, spinning me around.
I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzling my nose into his neck.
"Thank you Austin. That means a lot. I can't believe I'm actually doing this!" I shouted happily, throwing my arms in the air.
He laughed and tapped my nose with his index finger.
"I can believe it. You're amazing, and you can do anything," he said, with a smile plastered on his face.
I smiled back and felt myself getting lost at the look in his eyes. They held so much emotion and intensity.
"Moon, Dawson! Last scene, let's go!" The director called.
We slightly jumped at his yelling and scrambled to get in place for the next and final scene.
Once we were ready, the music started again. Austin and I walked out onstage, and I sat down on a chair while my "stepsisters" stood behind me with their arms crossed.
Austin came up to me with the slipper in hand, and kneeled down in front of me. He gently put the slipper on and stood up with wide eyes. He held out his hand, which I took, and pulled me close to him.
The "stepsisters" let out whiny noises and threw a small fit, which I always found so amusing.
Austin smiled at me and brushed a piece of loose hair behind my ear.
"It's you," he whispered. He started leaning down, when I noticed something off.
He didn't have his thumb on the corner of my mouth. He's supposed to kiss his thumb, not me directly! Rather, he had wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his lips on mine.
The audience cheered and clapped louder than before. I smiled into the kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck.
The red curtains were pulled in front of us, ending the play. When he pulled away, he grabbed my face with both of his hands.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," he breathed. I was about to reply, when a loud noise was heard at the entrance to the backstage.
I turned around the football team came in, yelling and shouting excitedly. Austin and I both froze. I backed away slightly and I felt Austin grip my hand tightly.
"Austin my man! Honestly, I didn't think you could do it. But you did! So here's your prize," Trent said, handing Austin a wad of cash.
Austin just looked at it. He didn't look happy about whatever this was. He actually looked nervous, and a little bit scared.
"Take it dude," Elliot said, "you earned it. After all, we agreed that Dorkson was not going to be easy."
I felt my heart stop. Austin tensed up and gripped my hand tighter. Was this really happening?
"Yeah Dorkson, did you really think Austin likes you?" Trent said, and the team started laughing their heads off.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as tears started to fill in my eyes. I shook my head and ripped my hand away from him.
I took a step back and Austin turned around to look at me. He looked so upset sad, I almost believed his act again.
"Ally, please I-"
I shook my head again, " Just leave me alone."
I tried to sound angry, but all that came out was a cracked, heart-broken voice. Why do I always manage to embarrass myself?
I turned around and ran, having to lift the costume dress up so I don't trip and embarrass myself even more. The tears in my eyes finally started falling down my face.
I ran straight into my dressing room, making sure to lock the door. I sat down on one of the chairs, put my head in my hands, and cried.
He never cared. He never changed. He's still the same stuck-up jerk he was before.
I heard yelling and a loud crash before I heard someone running. Then, someone started twisting my doorknob frantically. I have a guess on who it is.
"Ally! Please open the door! I'm sorry! Please listen to me!" He desperately started banging on the door, but I made no move to open it.
"Ally," his voice cracked, and I heard him sniffle.
My heart gave a painful tug when I heard that. He actually sounds genuine, but I refuse to fall for anything he says anymore.
AUSTINS P.O.V
Why am I such an asshole? I let the greatest thing to ever walk in my life slip right through my fingers.
Once she ran, I handed the money back, shocking the entire team. I probably would've caught her before she locked herself in her room if Dallas hadn't pulled me back.
He asked what the hell was wrong with me.
I told him I fell in love. The team started laughing, thinking I was playing around with them.
Then Dallas proceeded to tell me how funny it was because Ally is a "ugly mute freak." So my instinct was to punch him in the face, and push him into the wall, eliciting a loud crash as his body came in contact harshly with the wall.
I gave them all my best glare, then ran to find Ally. I keep begging her to open the door but she doesn't make a sound other than sniffling.
I felt like my heart dropped down to my stomach. It makes me feel like an idiot because it's my own damn fault. I leaned my forehead against the door and let the tears fall.
I regret ever becoming friends with them. I regret joining the football team. I regret accepting that stupid bet.
I hate myself so much. I sniffled as more and more tears ran down my face. Just then, the girl I recognize as Trish, and Ally's best friend, walked in the hallway. I wiped away any trace of my tears.
She looked around, until her eyes landed on Ally's door number. She walked over but stopped abruptly when she saw me.
"Is this Ally's room?" She asked. I nodded, refusing to speak.
She quirked an eyebrow, "what's up with you?" She asked. I let out a shaky breath and pointed to Ally's room. She narrowed her eyes at me.
"What did you do?" She asked. Then, Ally's sniffle was heard. In a flash, her scary best friend grabbed my collar and threw me against the wall.
"What the fuck did you do to Ally?!" She yelled in my face.
"I-I " I stuttered, trying my best not to cry.
"What did she ever do to you, huh?! What makes you think you can make her cry?! Answer me!" She shouted.
I started to cry again. Not because of her yelling, no. It's because of the questions she was asking. It was as if they were slapping me in the face. God knows how terrible I feel already.
Her eyes widened in shock and she put me down.
"Are-Are you crying?" She asked more gently. I sighed and wiped away the tears. I sniffled and ran my hand through my hair.
"Tell Ally I'm sorry. I'm not giving up on her."
Then, I walked to my car and drove home, not even bothering to say bye to the director or change. I just didn't have the energy.
I lost Ally before I even had her.
