"Hang on to you, hang on to me. Hang on to this friendship, the good memories. Never forget who you are, who I am. Just promise me that you will stay the same."

"Stay The Same" By Evelyn

Present Day

Austin …

"Ally, Ally hang on …" I held her close in my arms, figuring this would be the end for both of us. Her dad was hunting us down. I was too weak to carry her to a hospital, and we didn't have cell phones.

Was this really the end?

I knew her dad didn't care much for her, but I was surprised that her dad was in fact a murderer. How could he murder my parents, and what made him stop when I was in his way? He could've killed me as easy as he had killed everyone else. There was only one explanation. Fate wanted to bring Ally and I together.

My vision began to fade and I felt incredibly feeble. I looked down to Ally to see that she wasn't moving. I panicked and check her wrist for a pulse. It was faint but still there. She was with me for now, but I didn't know how much longer it would stay that way.

"Ally, Ally, please talk to me." I whispered but begged in her ear.

"Austin …" Her voice was barely a whisper. Why was she dieing? Did she have a heart attack? An anxiety attack? What was it?

I began to see dark spots, wondering why Ally's dad hadn't come to kill us yet. I expected him any moment with a gun or a knife in hand. I began to hear footsteps and huddled Ally closer to me, to protect her from the impact. I shut my eyes tight, waiting for Ally and I to both go, to move on to our next life together. The footsteps stopped right in front of us now, and I held Ally for dear life and gently whispered my love for her in her ear, even if she couldn't hear me.

"Austin … open your eyes."

The voice was feminine and was definitely not Ally's dad. It held a recognizable tone. I opened my eyes to see a man and a woman in front of me. They looked tangible, but there was some sort of glow around them. Some sort of angelic shield.

I felt tears slip down my cheeks. "M-Mom? D-Dad?"

They smiled back at me, and I thought that maybe I was already dead. How else was I seeing them? But then why wasn't Ally awake? Why was she still warm in my arms? I didn't want to leave her suffering. I wanted her to be with me, in peace.

"Am I dead?" I asked with uncertainty. My mom leaned down to wipe the tears off my cheeks. I couldn't physically feel it, but it was somewhat of a cold wind just touching that spot.

"No sweetie, your not dead. But Ally is dieing …"

"How?"

My dad spoke up. "She's losing blood at an alarming rate, you have to stop the blood flow. You can save her son."

"But I couldn't even save you …" My voice wavered and their eyes softened.

"All things happen for a reason, you and Ally are meant for each other. You are never alone. We love you Austin." My mom said and my dad nodded and smiled.

I smiled back, knowing that there might be hope. "I love you guys too." I looked back down at Ally, who was beginning to look paler. "What do I have to do?" I looked back to ask them, but they just disappeared. I drew in a shaky breath, trying to think. I then took off my hoodie, almost as if possessed to do so, and laid it under Ally's head. I applied pressure to try and stop the blood flow. I then heard sirens, hoping to god that they were coming for Ally and I.

x.x

I kept hearing voices. I didn't know where they were coming from. But I knew I was inside, somewhere. It was too warm for me to possibly be outside. And where was Ally? I couldn't move my arms, but I could tell that she wasn't beside me. The voices were louder now and I hesitantly opened my eyes.

"Austin! Honey, you're awake!"

I barely heard those words before I was pulled into a hug. It took my eyes a moment to adjust, but I recognized my second family in front of me. My aunt Stormie, my mom's sister, uncle Mark, and my five cousins, Riker, Rocky, Ross, Rydel, and Ryland were all standing around my bed side, with different expressions. Aunt Stormie and Uncle Mark seemed worried; Riker looked relieved, Rocky looked deadpanned, Ross and Ryland looked like they were in disbelief, and Rydel looked amazed.

"How did you guys know I was here?" I started coughing and Rydel immediately handed me a water bottle.

"We got a phone call from an unrecognized phone number. The caller said that you were in critical condition, and even though we never found out who it was, we knew it wasn't a prank." Uncle Mark spoke up.

Riker cracked a small smile. "Didn't I tell you not to get into trouble?"

I returned the smile. "Well, sometimes things don't work out the way you plan them to."

I was feeling so happy that I had my second family here with me. I wanted to stay with them when my parents died, but something was beckoning me to stay here. "I love you guys,"

"Group hug!"

I was right in the center, with my whole family around me. I never felt so loved, so happy. It was a feeling that I wanted to get used to. I felt a bit guilty that I at least had a family, when Ally hadn't. Wait …Ally. Ally!

"Wait, what about Ally! Is she okay? Where is she?!" I made a move to get up from the bed, but Rocky stopped me.

"She's in intensive care." Rydel answered. "She had a huge concussion and blood loss, and they said if you hadn't stopped the blood flow that she would be dead. You're a hero."

I had saved her? Seeing my parents wasn't a dream after all. She was here with me.

"Can I see her?"

Riker sighed. "You have to get better first, Austin. But you will see her, I promise."

I smiled and laid my head back. Maybe things were going to be okay.

x.x

It had been a week and I was allowed release from the hospital. They had taken care of my injuries that were a bit more severe than I thought they were. Even though I was allowed release, I didn't want to leave the hospital. I wanted to stay with Ally, who had a few more days till she was released. My second family was still here and said they would stay for a little while. So I sat in the waiting room, waiting till Ally was done with her checkup. Ross sat next to me and people were doing a double take. Some even asked if we were identical twins. I found that awkward considering he's a year older than me and he's my cousin. We're different. He's seventeen, I'm sixteen. I've got a scar, my hair is wavier, and my eyes are more hazel. So yes in some ways, we're different.

"Austin Moon, you can see Ally Dawson now." The receptionist called and a bid a goodbye to Ross and hurried on down to Ally's room.

I walked through her door, seeing her stare intensely at her scarred arms. She looked up when she saw me and smiled. "Hey,"

I pulled up a chair and she refused, patting the beside next to her. I smiled and sat beside her, pulling her close. "How are you doing?"

"Fine," She mumbled still staring at her scars. I took her arm and kissed her scars better. She giggled and kissed my cheek. "I love you."

I smiled and kissed her. "I love you too!"

Uncle Mark and Aunt Stormie walked in and pulled up chairs. "Hey Ally, how are you dear?" Aunt Stormie gave her a hug and Uncle Mark patted her shoulder. They had met a few days ago but Ally already had an amazing relationship with them.

"I'm good." Ally smiled but I could tell it was forced.

"Have they found your dad yet?" Uncle Mark asked. Ally's dad went missing and when I heard footsteps I was half conscious, it was really a bystander who called 911.

Ally nodded and blinked back tears. I held her tighter and kissed her head. "They found him dead on the sidewalk, a block from where we were. He collapsed from alcohol poisoning."

Aunt Stormie gasped. "Oh my goodness, I am sorry dear."

Ally sighed. "It's okay."

There was a knock on the door and we all looked over to see a police officer with a notepad. "Miss Allyson Dawson?"

Ally nodded. "Come in."

The elder police officer came in and shook Ally's hand. "Hello Allyson,"

"Ally." Ally corrected.

The police officer smiled. "Hello Ally, I'm Officer Paulsen. I'm here to talk to you about your whereabouts after your released."

My eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Officer Paulsen sighed. "Well, your dad has passed and you have no relations to speak of. So we will have to put you in a foster home."

Ally was shocked and so was I. "Where?"

"We don't know. Wherever someone will take her in."

"No, you can't do this! You can't separate us!" I exclaimed.

"We have to," Officer Paulsen continued. "She has nowhere else to go."

Ally looked at me, a lone tear escaped her eye. "I guess this is it." She kissed me.

Officer Paulsen looked at us with sad eyes and got up to leave.

"Wait!"

Aunt Stormie got up and looked at the stressed police officer. "I already have full custody of Austin, who is my nephew. Mark and I will be happy for Ally to be our foster kid."

Aw so cute! Remember guys this is AU so the Lynches still lived in Colorado but Riker lived with Austin. If Austin's birthday is January of 1995 then he would be seventeen but for the sake of the story he is sixteen. Speaking of, Happy late Birthday to Ross Lynch! He turned seventeen yesterday! All questions will be answered in the next chapter, I promise:) There are about two chapters left or so. Thank you!

-Evelyn