7 days.
168 hours.
It felt like a lifetime.
Only 7 days ago, he had met the best friends he had ever had, now they were going to go their seperate ways. Before anyone could get off, the police showed up and arrested Robert and Sophia and the rest of the men who helped, who were being held under cervelance for the rest of the journey.
All of the passengers got off the cruise here in New York. Austin, still in a suit and tie, stood next to Ally, Trish, and Dez on the boardwalk. Each of them had suitcases next to them. "I'm really gonna miss you guys." Austin said, looking at his three friends. "It's kind of weird to hear you talk normal, instead of with an accent." Trish noticed.
"Yeah, a little." Ally agreed. She gave a soft smile, "I'll miss you too, Austin. It was fun to get to know you, while also knowing you as Alister Kennington." She said, giving a small laugh. Austin laughed too. Dez threw his arms out and wrapped them around the girls and Austin. Dez squeezed a little too tightly, and Austin winced, "Ah, easy buddy." Austin said.
Dez released him with a gasp, "I'm sorry! Are you hurt? How does it feel?" He said, frantic, hands hovering in the air. "I'm alright, Dez. Still a little sore, don't worry." Austin said, a smile on his face with his hand resting over his stomach, "Trust me." He said, when it looked like Ally was gonna say something.
"Austin! Austin!"
The four of them turned toward the voices calling Austin's name. And Austin gasped when he saw who it was. "Mom? Dad?" He said in a breathless whisper. Behind him, where he couldn't see, Dez gave a soft smile as Ally and Trish looked at Dez in confusion. "Ohmygod, Mom! Dad!" Austin yelled, running down the boardwalk to where his parents stood.
Mike and Mimi Moon had gotten out of the taxi when they had immediately spotted their blonde haired son. It had been 7 days since they had last seen or heard from him. 7 days, a whole week, of believing that their son had been kidnapped or worse. Mimi was a wreck.
Till they got the call. Mike and Mimi were sitting at home. Watching the news, listening to the radio, and waiting by the phone for any information on their son. Dez had called them 2 days ago. He had told them what had happened, that Austin was fine and he was being taken care of. Dez told them it was his fault Austin was gone, but they would be in New York in 2 days time.
Mike and Mimi caught the earliest flight they could.
Now here they were, holding their son in their arms as tight as they could. They all talked at the same time, Mike and Mimi worrying over Austin when they saw his bruised cheek. "It's nothing." Austin said, shaking it off. Mimi still kissed it.
Dez, Ally and Trish walked up next to them. "Are you Dez?" Mike asked, looking at the kids. "Yes, sir. That's me" Dez said, shaking his hand. "Thank you for returning our son." Mike said, a small smile on his face as Mimi gave a little laugh. "Well, it was the least I could do after I took him from you." Dez returned the smile.
"Oh, that reminds me." Mike said, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a black phone. Austin gasped, "Hey, my phone!" He exclaimed, then kissed the screen. Ally laughed.
"Thank you again, Dez. And you too, ladies. Dez mentioned that you were also helping?" Mike questioned. "Well, we were brought along for the ride." Trish said, giving a big grin. "Yes, sir," Ally said, nodding, "We became good friends with Austin. Hopefully we'll keep in touch." She said.
"Of course we will!" Austin exclaimed. Before he could get another word out, the cab that Mike and Mimi got out of honked the horn. The man leaned out the window and yelled, "Ey, let's go! I ain't got all day!"
Mimi gave a laugh, "I guess that's our cue. We better be off. Thank you once again." She said. She and Mike hooked arms and started walking off. Austin, however, stayed put. Mimi turned around, "Austin?" She asked. "Uh, you go ahead. I'll catch up." He said. Mike nodded, "Okay, don't be too long." At Austin's nod, the two continued walking.
Austin turned back to Ally, Trish, and Dez. "What's up?" Trish asked. "This has probably been the most exciting week of my life. And I loved every minute of it, well, maybe not the kidnapping part.." He said, pausing when they laughed. "You guys are the best friends I've ever made, and I only know like this much about you." Austin explained, pinching his thumb and forefinger together.
"Hey, we enjoyed the week too. You're a good guy, Austin." Trish said, giving a small punch to his arm. "I feel like we've know each other forever," Ally said, giving a smile. "We have to stay together. We are going to be the best of friends!" Dez exclaimed. Austin laughed, "Well, now that I have my phone, let's exchange numbers?" Austin suggested.
After that, the four did another group hug, a little gentler on Austin's behalf. "I'm really gonna miss you guys." He said. Ally smiled, "We know. You said that already." Austin smiled at her, then with one last goodbye, he took his suitcase from Dez and started up the boardwalk. He put his suitcase in the trunk and opened the door.
Austin waved to them, smiling when they waved back, then got in and shut the door. "Austin! Wait!" Austin rolled down the window to see Ally running toward the cab. She reached the window and took a deep breath, "What is it, Ally?" Austin asked. She reached into her purse and pulled out a necklace with a key on the chain. She handed it to Austin, "I remember you said you liked mine. So I got you this one, and I got it engraved too." She explained. Austin flipped it over, and along the shaft were the letters 'A,A,D,T' with a heart next to them.
Austin smiled, "Wow. Thanks Ally. I love it." He said, putting it around his neck. She smiled at him, "Don't forget to text us. We'll be waiting." She said, then stepped back from the cab. Mike told the driver where to go, and they started to leave. Austin waved one last time through the window.
After the boardwalk was gone from sight, Austin leaned back on the cab seat. He still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that it had only been 7 days. 7 days and he had met the best people in the world. He hoped he could see them again.
Maybe someday.
THE END :)