*tiptoes around behind everyone's back but falls and knocks over a bunch of crap* Oh, HEY, guys, hehehe! How's it goin'? Yeah, I've never taken this long to update before, but it's been busy. One night we got home late and my sister is the biggest freaking computer hog EVER. The other nights, she still hogged the computer. And last night I had every intention of staying up until she went to bed and updating, but I, uh, fell asleep. Hehe. Anyway, I'll make up for it whenever I get the chance this weekend:)

Austin galloped down the stair, excited over the news he'd just heard on the phone.

"Guys! You'll never guess who that was!"

"What, who was it?" Trish asked, looking up from the screen of her laptop. Ally peeked up from her book for a second but continued writing. She really did want to know, but she didn't want to look like it. Dez looked up from his camera, where he'd re-watching his footage from that day's performance. Everyone loved Crystal's song, and he hated that he'd have to give her credit on the website.

"That was the president of Palm Records! He wants to see me perform and asked me to at his company party!" Austin couldn't contain his excitement at this news. His friends joined him in his excitement, even Ally, who still tried to act like she wasn't listening. She smiled, but didn't move from her place behind the counter. She stopped smiling when Austin looked over to her and looked back to her book. Austin felt just a hint of disappointment at this, but turned back to his eager-for-more-information friends.

"So you're not still mad at me then?" asked the redhead when Trish had gone about her business.

"Nah. You're my best friend; I couldn't stay mad at you too long."

"Could I ask you something?"

"You just did."

"Yeah, yeah, do you like Ally?"

"Um, what? No. I don't even like her as a friend…..anymore. Unless she decides to apologize; then I'll be more than happy to forgive her." With that, Dez walked away without another word.

Dear precious book,

I'm starting to get really sick of this. I miss my old friend. I wish I could be just as excited as Austin is right now, but I'm too glum. He has to apologize, though; I'm certainly not going to. He was wrong! And I was right about Crystal; he's just too blind to see. He probably doesn't even care that she may possibly be a scammer (which she is). She works poor Jamie to the bone. I feel so bad for her… but Dez and I are going to help her. Somehow. If we expose Crystal for who she really is, she'll never get Jamie into college. But we can't let her keep living like this! I have pledged to myself to help Jamie in any way I can!

Ally closed her book and hid it under its usual place underneath the counter.

"So, who are you going with to the party?"

Ally spun around to see none other than Austin Moon, smirking at her. He thought she couldn't get a date! She happened to know of a few guys who liked her. It was obvious that Nelson had a crush on her, and her paper boy was pretty friendly, and now she was being ridiculous.

"Um, I don't know yet. I kind of JUST heard about it."

"I don't know yet either. I still have to decide…" he said with just a hint of gloat in his voice.

"Decide from what? The dozens of skanks who throw themselves at you because you're famous?"

"Please, I know people!"

"Yeah, well….. I'll go with your best friend!" She grabbed Dez by the arm and dragged him out.

"Wait, where are we going?" He asked, confused as ever and nearly falling due to the fact that Ally is much shorter.

"Well, then…..I'll take YOUR best friend!" Trish, who'd been listening to this conversation intently, widened her eyes, and tried to act like she wasn't eavesdropping.

"Trish, I know you've been listening this whole time. But hey, now you don't have to worry about finding a date!" Austin exclaimed and marched up to the practice room.

"Ally! Where are you planning on going?" asked a still confused Dez, stopping the brunette from going any further.

"I…..don't know… I was kind of just hoping for a dramatic ending to our argument. If I just stood there and continued my work, I mean, that'd be awkward... hehe."

"So now you're going with me?"

"I guess so."

"To this rich guy's party thing?"

"Yes."

"With me?"

"If you want, I suppose…"

"…Okay." Dez turned and walked off to an unknown location, leaving Ally to stand in the middle of the store.

"I still had three hours left on my shift..." Ally sighed and trudged back to Sonic Boom, hoping Austin wasn't still in there to ruin her grand exit.

Austin opened the door to the practice room and stepped inside. He stopped in his tracks when he realized her didn't know what he was doing.

"Why did I come up here?" he asked himself.

"Why did you tell her I was going with you to that party? Now I can't ask that cute guy that works at the same place I work! Speaking of which, I should have started three hours ago… oh well!"

"Wait…so you'll do it?"

"Well, I shouldn't! After what you did to Ally, you selfish jerk! But I could use this to my advantage. Muahaha. Muahahahahaha. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!" Trish evil laughed all the way down the stairs, leaving a disturbed Austin still wondering what he was doing up there.

OK, one chapter down. It's only ten in the morning so I will most likely update again. Also, look at me go! I already have two story ideas after this one! Woot! Anyway, see ya later:D