A/N: Here you go my friends, the next part of the story. I really hope you like it.

Blindsided Chapter 11: Break Down the Walls

. . .

It was two days after Ally's 18th birthday and two days until Austin's tour began in Miami. Austin was at his first venue, seeing the staging for the first time and walking through some of the dances on the inclined surface with the dancers. He'd been there all morning discussing final preparations with Jimmy, getting instructions from the choreographer, testing the sound system. He was eating lunch when he got a text from Ally.

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I can't see you today. Mom took me to her work at the zoo. She says we are staying late -Ally

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Again? Are you okay? - Austin

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Parents are still mad about staying out late on my birthday. -Ally

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This is the second day. Are you grounded or something? Tell them it's my fault. -Austin

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It's not your fault - I didn't want that night to end. I'm working on something to ease my parent's minds. Just practice hard and get yourself ready for tour. I can't wait to come to your concert. -Ally

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You'll tell me if something is wrong? I don't want you to pull what Dez did and try not to burden me because I'm about to leave. I'm flying back for his film festival between shows - I worked it out. If you need me I will do anything I can. I love you -Austin

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I love you too and I know you'll do anything for me. So get ready to kill it on tour. Nothing is going to keep me from your concert in two days. Trish will get me there. She's on our side. -Ally

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Scott, the show's choreographer, called out to Austin and he put his phone back into his leather jacket off stage. He was a little worried that Ally's parents were making it hard for them to see each other, but he had tour to worry about and Ally was so supportive. He didn't want to let her or anyone else down. He hurried back on stage and rehearsals started again.

. . .

Between Ally's parents changing her routine and Austin's obligations and packing to leave, they didn't get to see each other at all until the night of the concert. Austin was pacing back stage while Dez watched from a couch, happily munching on cheese puffs. They could hear the noise of the crowd entering the venue and Austin knew time was running out.

Just before he was sure he was going to lose it, Trish walked through the door leading Ally in.

"You're here!" he said as he ran to them and swept Ally into a tight hug. He kissed her and then pulled back to his arms length to look at her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine now. I missed you." Ally answered. Trish joined Dez on the couch.

"Me too. I can't believe your parents wouldn't give us these last few days before I leave." Austin complained.

"They are just worried. My mom and I talked a lot. I'll tell you more about it later."

"Ally." Austin's voice held a warning. "Please tell me."

"I will. But we don't have time now. Right now I just want you to kiss me and then go and show this crowd how talented my boyfriend is." Ally said.

Austin couldn't help but smile. "I have the best girlfriend ever." he said and pressed his lips to hers. He forgot where he was and started to deepen the kiss when someone cleared their throat behind him. Austin rested his forehead against Ally's for an instant before taking a step back.

Jimmy looked a little uncomfortable but then smiled when he had Austin's attention. "Its almost time: are you ready Austin?"

"Yeah. I am." he said.

"Good. Kira will go on a minute and as soon as she's done it's all you. Break a leg." Jimmy said.

Austin nodded and the producer left. He put an arm around Ally's shoulders and she put her arms around his waist.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

"No. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

They heard Kira being announced and she began singing. Austin led Ally to the couch where Trish stood up so she could sit. Dez offered her some cheese puffs while Austin pulled Trish aside and spoke to her in a whisper.

"Have you been able to see Ally the last few days? Can you tell me anything?" Austin asked.

"I got to hang out with her yesterday. She's fine. Her parents are wrong about the two of you. They don't get it yet but I think they will in time." Trish answered.

"They think I'm going to forget about her don't they? They think I'm going to break her heart." Austin said, anger rising inside.

Trish put a hand on Austin's shoulder and met his eyes. "Ally knows you and she's not worried. She's the only person you need to be concerned with regarding your relationship."

"Okay." Austin said. "I've already proven myself to them. I can't help it if they don't want to see that."

"There you go. Now forget about all that crap and get ready: you are starting your tour in a minute!" Trish said in full voice.

Austin felt his adrenaline starting to pump again. He could hear the crowd responding to Kira, but he was going to make them scream louder once he got on stage. Austin's parents came in then and congratulated their son one more time before he took the stage. Kira took a bow and it was Austin's turn.

. . .

The Miami concert kicking off Austin's tour went great. The crowd was receptive, Austin's voice and dancing were right on point, everything went as planned. As soon as he finished he was whisked offstage and was able to give hugs to his friends and family. He left a quick kiss on Ally's lips and promised to call her soon before he was taken off to a special area to meet his fans, take pictures and do autographs.

He called Ally the next day as he rode on the bus but she couldn't talk long. She loved his show the night before and was proud of him. He assured her he would keep in touch and nothing would change between them. She agreed. The call was over too fast. Austin reminded himself he would be back in Miami for the film festival in two weeks. He texted Trish to enlist her help in seeing Ally during the one day he would be home.

Those first two weeks of Austin's tour flew by. He was grateful for his busy schedule because it didn't give him much time to miss Ally or his other friends back home. His mom was supportive and stood by his side the whole time. They called his dad almost every day and if Austin wasn't able to call, he often traded a few texts with Ally. They rarely had time to do more than make sure the other was doing alright. But they had that to go on at least.

Austin and his mom Mimi caught a flight out of Denver Colorado back to Miami. He would have less than 24 hours at home but he was ready to make the most of it. His mom was going to stay back in Miami for a few days because Mike had a head cold and needed help at the store. Austin promised his mom he would be fine getting back on tour and Jimmy would have someone pick him up before his show in Las Vegas.

Austin dropped his mom off at home before having the taxi take him to the theater where Dez's film was showing. He arrived two hours early as planned. In the lobby he found Trish and Ally waiting for him. He hugged each of them and then took Ally's hand. The theater was still empty and Dez was busy with some interviews so he would be joining them after the Q&A that would take place after showing his film. They found some seats near the middle of the theater and Trish excused herself to go buy drinks. Austin handed her some money, asking her to get something for him as well. Then he turned to Ally and was able to really look at her. He reached up and caressed her cheek.

"I missed you so much." he said.

"Me too." Ally said. Her hand slid up his arm and she leaned closer to him. He closed the gap and kissed her. This time it was urgent and full of longing, different than their usual kisses.

"I have something to tell you." Ally said when they pulled apart.

"What is it?" Austin asked.

"I'm going away. Not far, but out of my parent's house for a little while."

"What? Where?" Austin asked. This was the last thing he was expecting.

"There is a training center for the blind in Ruston, Louisiana. I'm going to stay there for 3 months starting tomorrow. I made sure I would be here to tell you in person before I left. I didn't want to tell you over the phone or in a text. Please don't be mad, my parents are already furious."

"I'm not mad, I'm just surprised. What do you need training for?" Austin asked.

"They'll help me learn to live independently. Austin, I'm 18 years old and there are so many things I can't do for myself yet, but I can learn. My parents want to do everything for me, and I know they'd be happy doing everything for the rest of my life, but do you know how depressing a thought that is? There are people I've met in blind chatrooms who live on their own, get around by themselves, know how to cook and live normal lives." Ally explained.

"I didn't know you weren't happy." Austin said.

"Since I met you I've been the happiest ever in my life. This is partly your doing actually. You came along and treated me like I can do things and go places and be more than my parents ever let me believe. I want this. I need this and I need you to understand and support me if you can."

Austin ran his fingers through the long brown hair trailing over her shoulder. "I will support you. It just means we're going to be separated longer than I thought. I don't like that part."

"Me neither. But in the end its going to be better." Ally said. She touched his face lightly and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "The day after I turned eighteen do you know what my mother said to me?"

"No." Austin shook his head, and since Ally's fingers were still on his cheek she felt it.

"She reminded me of something we talked about when I was 14 years old. She told me that since I'm blind I can't ever get married and have a family. I can't take care of a house or cook or clean or raise a child. She told me it wasn't fair for me to be in a relationship with you and lead you on since it can't go anywhere."

"Ally." Austin began to protest but she pressed a finger to his lips.

"It hurt, a lot, the things she said. They were things I knew already because mom tried to squash those dreams years ago. And I did forget about them for a while and part of me accepted that I would never have the things most little girls dream of and imagine for their lives. Until I met you." she traced his lips with her finger and smiled. "You walked into my dad's store and my life and you changed everything. You never put limits on me and you let me do new things and have new experiences. I didn't know life could be like that and now it's all I want. I love how excited you get about sharing things with me. It means the world that you want to share things with me. I never thought anyone outside my parents would ever want to be burdened with me."

"You aren't a burden Ally."

Ally smiled. "I know. I know I don't have to be so I'm going to go and learn all I can. There are great people at the center, people like me who can show me how to be on my own and take care of everything myself. I'll be able to move out and get my own place. And then my parents won't be able to dictate when I come or go or who I spend time with." Her hand ran along Austin's forearm, back and forth, in a soothing motion. She wanted to be with him without her parents putting limits on their time. They were always so in sync, so in tune with each other. No wonder he fell so hard for her.

"The people at that center aren't going to know what hit them when you show up." Austin said with a smile. "You are already one of the strongest and most determined people I know. Only, you won't need me at all after this, will you?"

"I may not need you to do things for me, but I will still need you in my life." Ally said. "I'll always want you."

Austin couldn't help himself then. He pulled Ally to him in a crushing hug and kissed her passionately. "I love you so much." he told her between kisses and she smiled into their kiss.

Eventually Austin became aware of voices and someone saying his name. Then there was clicking and a flash. He pulled out of the embrace and looked at a small crowd of people standing several rows lower in the theater holding up phones and cameras, capturing their private moment. Then several voices spoke at once and more pictures were taken.

"Austin Moon, who is the girl?"

"Why aren't you on tour?"

"Aren't you supposed to be in Colorado?'

"Austin, how is the tour going?"

Austin let go of Ally and sighed. She sank back in her seat, realizing that they had attracted attention and Austin had been recognized.

"Whoa! Slow down please." Austin said.

"Austin! Is there a problem with your tour?" someone persisted.

Austin stood up so Ally was partially behind him. "Hi, yeah, I'm still on tour. I just made a quick trip back here between shows to support my best friend Dez. His film is showing today. He directed and filmed all of my online videos and I'm really happy for him being in this film festival today." Austin said loudly so everyone could hear him.

"And the girl?"

"Who is she?"

"Are you dating?"

"What's her name?"

Austin put his hands up again. "This is my girlfriend. She's not able to come on tour with me and since I missed her so much we met here early. Please respect her privacy. We're just here to support our friend. Just wait until you see his film: Dez is a great filmmaker. Enjoy the show." He sat down again and turned sideways in his seat to face Ally, making it clear he wouldn't be talking to the press anymore.

"Sorry about that." Austin said quietly to Ally. "Our picture will be everywhere by tomorrow. I wasn't even thinking."

Ally reached out for his hand. "It's okay. You're a star: it would be bad if you weren't recognized."

"True. I just don't want to drag you into it all." He said.

"I can handle it." Ally promised.

"You are the best." he said.

Trish came back with their drinks and some popcorn to share. She sat on the other side of Ally and the three of them talked quietly until the film started. As the credits were rolling at the end Trish flashed her phone at Austin, showing him that a photo of him kissing Ally was already online and circulating. Austin just shrugged and then got a text from her:

..

I can't leave you two alone for a second can I? -Trish

..

Austin just chuckled and Ally asked him what was so funny. Her patience was waning since she just sat through a film with very little dialogue and she knew she was missing things. Dez had told her the plot already, but now she was thinking that he gave her the barest description possible since very little she heard made sense without the visuals.

"Trish is giving me a hard time because a photo of us kissing is already online." Austin whispered in her ear.

"They work fast." She replied.

"It's what the press does." Trish leaned in and contributed. "Don't get upset Ally, but a lot of teenage girls either hate or envy you right now because you get to kiss Austin Moon."

"Well, they have a reason to be jealous: he's a good kisser." Ally responded. Austin laughed out loud in surprise at her blunt comment. Someone grumbled behind them so he quickly pressed his face into Ally's shoulder and left a kiss there. Trish was giggling too as the shock of Ally's statement passed.

The credits finished and the lights came up. Dez and a few other people sat on chairs on stage and talked a bit about the film and it's online reception so far and then it was opened up for a Q&A. Over an hour later the theater was almost empty and Dez came out to meet his friends. They hugged and congratulated him. He was practically buzzing from excitement over the whole thing and Austin was sure that no one deserved it more than his best friend.

They all decided to go out for some dinner and Austin offered to treat everyone. They talked and caught up and had fun for a while. Ally's phone buzzed with a text from her parents asking when she would be coming home from Trish's. They were both working and didn't want her left alone, but they were under the impression she was only spending the day with Trish. She responded that she would be home in an hour like they had planned.

"They really aren't happy that I'm leaving tomorrow but I didn't give them much of a choice. I'm 18 and I'm using the money I've earned from songwriting so they can't stop me from going to the center."

Austin squeezed her hand. "I'm proud of you for going after what you want."

"Thanks. They did agree to drive me there tomorrow though and mom has been helping me pack. I think the time apart will be good for us. They can just be people for once, not the parents of a blind girl." Ally said.

They finished up and Trish and Dez left the others alone for a minute at the table in the back of the restaurant. Austin held Ally tight.

"Three months huh?" he said. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"You can come visit me when you get home from tour." Ally said.

"I can? Then I'll be there. Plan on me the day after tour ends."

"I will. I'm not going to count days because that will drive me crazy, but I will look forward to it." Ally said.

"We'll still talk all the time. Call me when you get there." Austin said.

"I'll miss you." Ally told him. He kissed her for a moment and then he led her out of the restaurant to Trish's waiting car. He watched them drive away and got into Dez's car. They drove to Austin's house and Dez hung out with the Moon's for the rest of the night. Austin's flight to Las Vegas left early the next morning.

. . .

like it? hate it? want another chapter? let me know!

P.S. Had to make a quick adjustment to the location of the training center so this chapter was simply updated.