Hey loves, darlings and dearests! I'm happy to be at my best again! (: I wanna thank everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed, you guys are rock stars! Seriously, thanks though for sharing the love with me!

Song in the chapter is Falling Slowly, I would recommend the cover version by Daniela Andrade and Paulo Serapio on YouTube. I love this cover cause the voices are beautiful and they reminded me of Austin and Ally. If you have favorite songs tell me in a review or a message.

In this chapter, Ally has a flashback and Austin provides her with an awesome birthday!

ANYWAY! On with the story! ENJOY! SHARE THE LOVE!

Chapter 11: Birthday on the Beach

*7 years ago*

Ally sighed to herself as she sat on the lumpy mattress. She listened as the heads of the foster home talked about her. Yet another family decided Ally was not for them. "Too much baggage" they'd say. She slide off her bed, and looked out the window. The moon was big and bright in the sky. It was the only constant thing in her life. The moon was always there for her. Ally sighed again, going to her bed and picked up a cookie she had taken from the kitchen earlier. She had smeared it with some frosting that was in the fridge. Using her finger, she drew a 12 into the frosting.

"Make a wish." She said to herself. She closed her eyes tight and wished she could find her way. She took a big bite out of the cookie, licking the frosting off her lips.

"She's got too many issues." Jeff, one of the foster home care takers shouted from down stairs. "Parents don't want a kid who distances themselves from everybody!"

"She's just a child!" Mary, the other foster home care taker shouted back. "Her parents left her alone, what do you expect?!"

They had been shouting back and forth at each other for a while. They were angry because now that Ally was 12 it would be near impossible for a family to want to take her in. It was a lot harder for teens to get adopted, than it was for young cute kids.

Ally went back to the window and looked at the moon. It amazed her how close she was to the moon. "What do I do?" She asked it. It seemed so close to her. Then as if she felt a pull she got an idea. She looked over her shoulder and saw her small backpack sitting on the edge of her bed. It was a crazy idea . . . but then . . . She picked up the backpack and started packing things into it. She grabbed her journal, some clothes, a second pair of shoes, a hair brush and anything else she felt she needed.

Once she felt she had everything, she slipped the backpack on her back. She went back to the window and slowly and carefully climbed out the window and down the side of the building. Once her feet were on the ground she slowly stepped back. Then there was a feeling the adrenaline rushing in her veins. She quickly turned on her heels and started running.

The whole time she felt the moon calling to her . . .

"Ally!"

"Ally!"

"Ally!"

*Present*

"Ally!" Austin pushed against Ally's shoulder to try to get her to snap back to reality. Ally shook her head, realizing she had zoned out.

"What?" She said, turning toward him, still feeling in a daze.

"Did you say it's your birthday?" He asked, seeming like everything that happened earlier today never happened.

"Uh, yeah." She said, laughing awkwardly. "It's, uh, my 19th." She shook her head and ran her hand through her hair. She really wished she hadn't opened her mouth. Now, he would most definitely tell everyone and they would make it a much bigger deal than she wanted.

Austin rubbed his hands together as he stared off in the distance. He seemed deep in thought. After a while of silence, he turned toward her and said, "You don't want anyone to make a big deal out of it?" He asked, like he could read her thoughts.

"Not tonight." She said, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her head on her knees. She smiled weakly at him, glad he was able to understand her.

Again, Austin nodded and rubbed his hands together. He quickly stood up and held his hand out for her. "Come on," he said, waiting for her. She looked at him cautiously. He didn't budge; he wanted her to trust him. She placed her hand in his as he helped her stand up. Not letting go of her hand, he led her back into the house.

"Where are we going?" She asked, quietly. She didn't want anyone to seem them and ask questions.

"We are celebrating your birthday tonight." He said, going into his room and grabbing his guitar. "Everyone else can celebrate tomorrow, but we're going out tonight." He said, smiling at her. He led her quietly and slowly through the hall, down the stairs, and through the living room.

Ally saw her book and pulled at Austin. "I need my book." She whispered to him, not wanting to disturb anyone. Austin nodded and let go of her hand. She quickly went and grabbed her book and stuck it into a nearby bag and slung the bag over her shoulder. She went back to Austin and nodded. He re-grabbed her hand and led her out the door. "Will you tell me where we're going?" She asked at a normal volume now that they were outside.

Austin hooked his guitar up to hooks on his motorcycle. "A great place to get away from it all." He said smiling at her. He got on the motorcycle and held a hand out for her. She climbed on behind him. They put on their helmets and took off.

. . .

Ally was amazed by all the twinkling lights hanging above them. The pair strolled down a brick walk-way near the beach. Austin and Ally rode Austin's motorcycle for almost an hour and finally arrived at this amazing area. There were people moving all around them, a good amount of shops nearby and a beautiful view all around them. "It's amazing." She said. Her heart melted.

"I thought you'd like it." Austin said smiling at her. Austin pulled her over to a nearby bench and they sat down. "I like to come here when I need to get away from it all."

"How many people have you brought here?" She asked him.

He laughed to himself and smiled at her. "You're the first."

She smiled back at him. Austin pulled his guitar into his lap and started plucking at the strings. "That's pretty." She said as he played.

"It's something you inspired." He said giving her his charming smile. Sparks went up Ally's spine as she blushed and looked away.

Ally pulled out her journal and opened to a song she had been working on. "Try that music with these lyrics." She said, scooting closer to Austin, so he could see her writing. He read over the lyrics and nodded, smiling at them.

(Austin, Austin and Ally)

I don't know you, but I want you

All the more for that

Words fall through me and always fool me

And I can't react

And games that never amount

To more than they're meant

Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice

You've make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me

And I can't go back

The moods that take me and erase me

And I'm painted black

Well, you have suffered enough

And warred with yourself

It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice

You've make it now

Falling slowly sing your melody

I'll sing it loud

Austin played the last chords of the song and strummed his hand down the strings of the guitar on the last note. Austin and Ally smiled at each other. There was an electric pull that pulled them toward one another. They were only a few inches apart when the sudden applause broke their connection. The turned and saw they had gathered a crowd, all were grinning at them. Ally blushed and laughed nervously, while Austin went back to smiling at her. He was breaking her shell.

. . .

Austin and Ally walked down the beach. The moonlight shining on them. "This has been one of the greatest birthdays I've had in a long time." Ally said, smiling.

"Really?" Austin asked. "What do you usually do for your birthday?"

"Most of the time, I forget my birthday and I don't realize it until a few days or even weeks later." Ally said, focused on her thoughts. "I don't know, when you're on your own, days just blend together." She shrugged thinking about everything she had gone through for seven years. "I hate being the center of attention, so I never make a big deal about the day."

"Well, I think you should celebrate your birthday." Austin said, smiling. "It's an awesome day."

"Yeah, it's the special day I was born into a crappy life." She said was a sarcastic tone. "Sorry," she said. "It's a great day and I don't want to ruin it with my bad attitude." Ally said, laughing slightly and smiling at Austin.

Austin smiled back at her. "It's ok." He put a hand on her shoulder, to show support. "Seriously, if you ever want to talk about it." He said.

She nodded. "They always fought." She said, thinking about her parents. "About the time I was four my father left and then my mother followed. My parents decided I was the reason they fought so much, so they decided they'd be happier without me around." She pressed her lips together and thought for a moment. "I was never anywhere for too long, no one wanted the girl with baggage." She looked over the tossing and turning waves.

"So, what did you do?" Austin asked, even though he felt he knew the answer.

"I decided I was better off on my own." She smiled weakly.

"Until now?" Austin asked, hoping things had changed for her.

"I think I'm starting to get used to being around people." She said smiling at him.

"I'm really glad." He said, smiling at her. "I hope you stick around for a long time." He said, his heart beating a little quicker.

"I do too." Ally responded, smiling weakly back at him. She really did want to change her ways and grow, but it was still hard to break down her walls. "I like it here." She said, turning toward the waves. She sat down on the sand and watched the waves splash back in forth.

"I like it here with you." He said, sitting next to her.

Again, she smiled anxiously at him. She felt a dozen alarms going off in her head, but she ignored them all. "Can I ask you something, and feel free to say you don't want to talk about it or anything." Austin looked at her with a cocked eyebrow. "What happened earlier today?"

What a sweet chapter! What do you guys think will happen next?

**I want to ask you guys: How do you want next chapter served up? Do you want a flashback like this chapter or everything from the past two chapters in Austin's point of view?! VERY IMPORTANT! I want your feedback! THANK YOU!

A special thanks to:

Queenc1 – Glad you love it! Thanks!

LoveShipper – I'm glad you love the cuteness! Thanks for the review! (:

SkinnyJeansNLattes – I love the idea! Thanks!

sweetlovegirl101 – Cool idea! We'll see! Lol thanks for the review!

SomeoneYouKnowXOXO – Thanks for the love!

Again, thanks to the favorites and follows as well!

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Please review, favorite, follow, send me a message, or walk on a beach (: Or all of the above

~Spencer