Hey everyone, welcome back to the story! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
We're already ten chapters into this story! It feels like I only started writing it yesterday!
As ever, I do not own Austin and Ally or anything you recognise from the show in any way, shape or form, nor do I own any recognisable brands, songs or lyrics within them.
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Chapter Ten: Popularity (Part 2 of 2)
Austin's POV
She walks over and sits on the piano stool, patting the spot next to her indicating that I should sit there, which of course I don't hesitate to do. I like sitting this close to her; I can feel our shoulders brushing slightly.
"Okay, so, what should the song be about?" She asks.
"Hmmm… well, it needs to be something relatable." I say. "Something that teenagers today really care about…"
"Yeah, definitely… something that people seem to define their life by and care a lot about, teenagers especially."
"How about popularity?" I suggest.
"Yeah, that could work." Ally says, and starts to play a simple melody, which I then quickly add some chords to. It works.
"Nice!" I say. "So what particularly about popularity?"
"Hmmm…" we both think for a few seconds. "How about how some people look like they could never be 'popular' but they think it's really important and strive to become 'popular'?"
"Yeah, that could work, determination seems to be quite a good subject to write songs about, clearly." I joke and we both chuckle a little before playing more chords and melodies.
This is how the process continues for the next few hours, as we bounce ideas off each other and make suggestions and changes until we're happy with the finished product.
(Link to this song: watch?v=-04pUETT7oI)
Stop, don't say that it's impossible
'Cause I know it's possible
Though I know you never look my way
I can say; you will one day
I can say you will one day
.
I will be popular, I will be popular
I'm gonna get there, popular
My body wants you girl
My body wants you girl
I'll get you when I'm popular
.
I'll put my hands up in the light
You'll see me dancing for my life
I will be popular, I will be popular
I'm gonna get there, popular
.
Spread the news I'm gonna take the fight
For the spotlight, day and night
I can take this to the number one
Be someone, before you're gone
Be someone before you're gone
.
I will be popular, I will be popular
I'm gonna get there, popular
My body wants you girl
My body wants you girl
I'll get you when I'm popular
I'll put my hands up in the light
You'll see me dancing for my life
I will be popular, I will be popular
I'm gonna get there, popular
.
Oh, pop, oh pop, oh popular
Oh, pop, oh pop, oh popular
Oh, pop, oh pop, oh popular
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
.
I will be popular, I will be popular
I'm gonna get there
My body wants you girl
My body wants you girl
I'll get you when I'm popular
I'll put my hands up in the light
You'll see me dancing for my life
I will be popular, I will be popular
Popular
(Song: Popular by Eric Saade: Eurovision 2011 – Sweden)
After we'd written the song, we played it through a few times with me singing, and agreed that we're both really happy with it. It sounds like it could be a hit on the radio! Man, song-writing with Ally is so much easier than trying to write songs on my own! We really are a great team.
. . . . .
Ally's POV
Austin's voice, and to be honest his overall look, suited the song we wrote absolutely perfectly! It's definitely the sort of song that you would expect Austin to sing, let's put it that way. Well, maybe not as his real self, but definitely based on his school reputation.
After we've finished playing through the song for a third time (and Austin absolutely nailed it) I glanced at my phone to check the time, and nearly had a heart attack when I saw that it was already 10:30! I guess time flies when you're having fun… and that was definitely the most fun evening I've had in quite some time.
"Oh man, I need to get home, it's 10:30 already!" I say as I jump up off the piano stool and run over to the windows to lock them.
Austin stayed sat at the bench for a few seconds before also getting up and putting his phone into his pocket. "Yeah, me too."
We walk out of Sonic Boom and I triple-check that the door is locked, as usual. We walk through the mall together towards the exit. The mall's practically empty now, most of the stores are already closed and there are just a couple left open and a few last-minute shoppers scurrying around like mice.
Austin goes to walk towards the car park. "I'll see you tomorrow." I say as I start to walk out towards the street.
"Woah, woah, wait, you're walking home?" He calls out after me and I stop and turn around to face him.
"Uh, yeah, I always walk home." I reply.
"Come on, I'll give you a lift." He says nodding towards the car park.
"No, it's okay, I can walk." I say with a smile. "Thanks, though."
"No, Ally, seriously, come on I'm giving you a lift. I don't want you walking through the streets alone this late." He says in a more serious tone.
"Austin, relax, I'll be fine. I do it every day." I say and turn back around. I'm about to call out a goodnight over my shoulder, when he speaks up again.
"Well, then, you leave me no choice." I turn around to see what he's talking about only to find myself being picked up into his arms and carried towards the car park.
"Austin, put me down!" I say whilst laughing, as he gently tickles my sides whilst he carries me.
"Never!" He says back in a mock-fierce way, before tickling me harder, making me laugh louder.
"Okay, okay, I'll let you give me a lift, just put me down." I say, squirming around trying to avoid his tickling hands.
"Fine." He says, pretending to be annoyed, which doesn't really work due to the huge smile on his face. He puts me down gently and I let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks for caring so much Austin." I say, leaning into his side.
"No problem." He replies.
A couple of minutes later we're at his car and we get in and he drives out. We're both singing the song we just wrote as he drives us through the quiet Miami streets. All too soon, we arrive at my house and it's finally time to say goodnight.
"Goodnight Austin. Thanks for making my night more enjoyable. And for giving me a lift home." I say as I grab my bag off the floor by my feet.
"No problem." He replies with a cool smile. "See you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Yeah." I reply with a smile.
I don't know what came over me, but I find myself leaning across and planting a kiss on his cheek, before quickly getting out of the car and practically running up the driveway to my house. What was that about!?
. . . . .
Austin's POV
What a night this has been. I mean I went into Sonic Boom expecting to be straight in and out, but instead I got to spend the whole evening with the most amazing girl in the world (if only she knew it), and we wrote a kick-ass song too!
Plus, I got to carry her and hold her close to me, which just felt… right, like she belonged there. And of course, the highlight of my entire… well, life, really, she kissed me on the cheek before she got out of the car! I could have sworn I heard angels singing in those few seconds her lips were on my cheek, and I was just glad it was kinda dark so she couldn't really see my face turn as red as a tomato. As soon as she closed the car door, though, I felt an enormous smile flood across my face and I felt like shouting and dancing around, but I was in a car so that wasn't really possible.
I drove home, in the best mood I think I have ever been in, and already I could not wait to see Ally in school tomorrow. As I got home I checked my phone, and saw about 370 unread messages from the group chat with Dez, Elliot and Alex. Could I be bothered to read through and respond to them all now? No. No, I really couldn't.
It's only the fourth day back at school but already it feels like the fiftieth. Every day I'm finding it harder, and harder, and harder to drag myself out of bed in the mornings and force myself into the shower. Honestly, the only reason I'm really bothering is my dream of going to MUNY.
That and the fact that Ally's there.
I go through my usual morning routine and get dressed into a very pale blue denim shirt, worn open over a white v-neck, with light grey slim jeans and matching grey high tops, along with my whistle necklace and dog tags.
The morning goes as normal and before I know it it's morning break and I'm surrounded by the popular girls the instant I walk out of World History with Ally, who is immediately pushed to the side by them and almost instantly lost in the crowd.
"Hey Austy!" Squeaks Kimmy, in her usual giggly (and very annoying) way. "Guess who's head cheerleader!" She beamed brightly, before adding "Again!"
The other three gave Kimmy dirty looks before turning back to me and turning on the smiles.
"And I know how much you love cheerleaders, right?" Kimmy continues.
"Ummm… not really." I say quietly. Yeah, sure, cheerleaders are usually all hot, but honestly I much prefer normal girls… like Ally, for example.
"So, Austy, why weren't you at football try-outs last night?" Violet asks, pouting. "You know how it works, the football team – that should be you – always dates the cheerleaders – that's us, by the way."
'Yeah, exactly!' I think to myself, but instead just say "I dunno, just didn't wanna play football this year." and shrug.
"Well, Austin, you know we really shouldn't even talk to you if you're not on the football team, so you shouldn't be able to date us." Tilly says. I start to get my hopes up that they'll finally leave me alone. "But it doesn't matter! I still love you!" She then squeals, latching onto my arm. Damn.
"And me!" Violet.
"And me!" Carrie.
"And me!" Kimmy.
"But Kimmy you already have a boyfriend!" Carrie exclaims. "You're the head cheerleader, so you're dating that quarterback guy… what's his name… Aidan?"
"Alex." Kimmy says. "And who cares? I'd drop him for you, Austy, any day!" Before giggling again.
Wait, what? Alex!? Alex is the quarterback? I mean I knew he was going to the try-outs, but I didn't know if he was any good.
So now Alex is dating Kimmy, and to be honest I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing… maybe he can start to pull Kimmy away from hounding me (even though she did just say she'd drop Alex for me), but at the same time I just hope he isn't dragged away into the 'popular' group with all the other jocks, because if he did I'm fairly certain he'd just become a huge jerk. And even if he does do that, I hope he doesn't drag Elliot down that way with him.
Speaking of Alex, we've just got to the cafeteria, and guess who should come over but him. When he sees Kimmy practically attached to my arm he gives me the dirtiest look I've ever seen him give anyone before pretty much pulling her off me and spinning her round into his arms. "Hey baby." He says to her before leaning down and almost sucking her face off. I feel like throwing up watching it. I can't believe this is Alex.
"Hey Lexy-wexy." Kimmy says when they pull apart, resting her head on his shoulder. Lexy-wexy? Really?
He continues to glare at me before saying. "Come on babe, let's go sit down." Before dragging her off in the direction of the jock and cheerleader table, where I can also see Elliot sat, although he doesn't look like he's enjoying himself quite as much.
"Yeah, we better go." Carrie says. "Come on girls. Bye Austy, love you." She smiles at me before skipping over to their table, closely followed by Violet and Tilly.
"Did you enjoy that?" I hear a beautiful voice say behind me.
"What do you think?" I say as I turn to face Ally with a small smirk on my face.
"Well, most guys in your position would probably be having the time of their life, but knowing you I know that you hate it." She says as we walk over to our table where Dez and Trish are already sat, arguing as expected.
"Correct." I say, looking down at her with a smile.
She looks gorgeous today (well, she looks gorgeous everyday but you know what I mean). She's wearing a white long sleeve t-shirt decorated with black stars, with blue skinny jeans and sparkly black flats. Her hair is up in a high ponytail like yesterday, but this time all her hair is completely straight rather than the loose curls at the end she had.
I had to tear my gaze away before she could realise that I was staring, and did so just as we arrived at the table with the bickering pair. "Hey guys," Ally says as we sit down. "what's going on this time?"
"I didn't even say anything bad today!" Trish said defensively, putting her hands up in front of her. "Freckles here is just really moody and before I know it he's off having a go at me!"
"It's not my fault that some people are jerks that put me in a bad mood." Dez said sternly, glaring and looking down. Trish opened her mouth to retaliate but Dez put up a finger and spoke before she could. "And no, in this case I am not calling you the jerk. Although it's very tempting."
"It's about Alex, isn't it?" I said understandingly.
"Yes! Have you seen him today?" Dez says, looking up at me with fire in his eyes. "He completely blanked me this morning, then when I said hi to him he called me a dork and walked off to the jocks!"
I try not to get too mad but it's really difficult. I knew this would happen. "Yeah. Well, he's the quarterback now, and with that title comes the other one 'World's Biggest Jerk', along with the entitlement of dating the head cheerleader and practically making babies in the middle of the hallway." I say sharply, shuddering at the memory.
Then I feel Ally's small hand placed comfortingly over mine, and I instantly feel all the tenseness leave my body. I turn my head and look at her, and she's just smiling sadly. "I'm sorry, guys." She says calmly. Her voice is soothing to me and I feel more relaxed every second I spend with her. "But I guess that's just high school life and teenagers for you. And this just proves Alex's true character. He's not deserving of you guys as friends, so let him go be with the jocks. He's not worth getting mad over."
When she finishes she squeezes my hand a little and I offer her a sad smile. She's right. Completely right.
"Yeah, Ally's right. If he wants to go with them just let him. You've got us now, though." Trish adds, and I think all three of us are in shock for about a minute – I never would have expected Trish to say something like that!
"Uh… yeah, th-that's right." Ally says, trying to regain her composure. "You do have us." Ally and I share a smile at that. It's crazy how close I feel to her after just four days knowing her.
"Yeah." I simply say. "Yeah we do."
My free period with Ally and our Chemistry lesson pass by quickly, and it's lunchtime. I tell Ally I'm going to my locker and that I'll meet her and the others in the cafeteria, before heading off down the hallway.
As I'm putting my stuff away in my locker, in the corner of my eye I see two people standing next to it, looking at me. It's Alex and Elliot. Alex has a somewhat evil smirk on his face, and Elliot looks a little sheepish and shy. Poor Elliot.
"What do you want?" I say as I close my locker and turn to face them.
Alex lets out a very low chuckle, before turning dead serious. "Stay away from my girl." He says threateningly.
I can't believe it. At this moment I realise that my fears had become reality – Alex had completely fallen into the trap of 'popularity' and had become a complete jerk, like the rest of them. What was even worse was that he was dragging Elliot through it with him. "Are you being serious?" I say with a chuckle, in disbelief.
"Why the hell wouldn't I be? Kimmy is my girlfriend now, and if you so much as lay a finger on her then you're dead." He growls at me. In reality we both know that I'd win in a fight between me and Alex, but it didn't seem to stop him from trying to be intimidating.
"Alex, what has gotten into you? You know just as well as I do that I want nothing to do with any of those girls. What's happened?" I'm getting more and more frustrated.
"What happened? You inspired me Austin, with your determination to show people the 'real you'. So I did too. I joined the football team. I became popular. Look Austin – this is who I really am! And it's much better."
"No, Alex, it's not better at all. It's just you being a jerk. And what's worse is that you're dragging Elliot through it with you. Look at him!" I point to Elliot who looks embarrassed and a little scared. "Do you really think he wants this?"
"I am helping Elliot grow into a proper man. I am making his life better. We all know that Elliot has never had a girlfriend – do you know how many of those cheerleaders want him now? Well, you should understand, you are the male slut of the school after all." That's a low blow and we all know it.
"Now you just listen here." I say, grabbing Alex and holding him against the locker. "You are not helping anybody right now. All you're doing is turning people against you. If you want to be some dumb, ignorant jock who is hated by everyone, then go ahead, but don't force a nice guy to do it with you and don't you dare try and make yourself look like you're a better person than you are, because we all know the reality is that you're just a colossal jerk who wants attention."
"You're wrong there, Austin." He says as I loosen my grip on him and we turn so we're back facing each other as we were before. "I'm far from hated by everyone. I'm finally one of the most popular guys in school, a position you've just taken for granted for all these years. Now I'm popular, and I'm never going back, and thanks to me Elliot's popular too."
"Don't you get it? That's not true popularity! Being popular isn't about how much of a jerk you are, or your position on the football team, or which cheerleader you're dating. It's about your friends – your true friends – and being liked for who you are. And I can assure you that absolutely nobody likes you for who you really are."
"And once again you're wrong. I have a girlfriend who likes me for who I am. Who, once again, you need to keep away from." He's really trying hard to be intimidating, but I just find it pathetic.
"Does she? Does she really? I think you'll be surprised. But anyway, I don't care. I do not care anymore. I for one don't like you for who you are. So you can keep your slutty girlfriend, who by the way said she'd drop you for me any day, and you can just stay the hell away from me and go be a jerk by yourself."
At this he finally loses it. He tries to throw a punch at me, but I just catch his fist in my hand and twist his wrist until he's wincing in pain. I let go and he falls backwards a few steps. "Don't even bother." I say menacingly before turning around and walking away in the direction of the cafeteria. And my friends. My true friends.
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Ten chapters done!
Alex has uncovered his true self to the world, and Austin does not like it at all. Will Alex take Austin's advice and stay away, or is the drama between these two only beginning? On a happier note, Austin and Ally are getting along great! Will Austin work up the guts to tell Ally his feelings towards her?
Also, time for you guys to get a say in the story – do you guys want Trez? Let me know in a review, and if I get enough responses then I'll write it in!
The link is to a YouTube video of the song... copy and paste the link into Google and it will be the top result! I really recommend listening to the music - you may end up finding a song you really love that you'd never even heard of before reading this fanfiction ;)
Please remember to follow, favourite, review, and leave suggestions and questions! It means a lot to me!
Catch you later! :)