Austin's POV

I had my first dream about my angel last night.

She was broken, I comforted her, and...I kissed her. It wasn't short either; it was long and passionate and it felt so real. Frustration came to me when I woke up at about midnight and realized it was only just a dream. Why was I so disappointed? What made me care about this girl so much? Why was I starting to care more about her needs more than my own wants? I didn't have an answer, all I knew was I felt like it was my responsibility to protect her. If only she'd let me…

The reason I woke up was because Ross was calling me. "It's midnight," I moaned, sitting up a little. "Why-"

"I-I need you to come to the hospital," he stuttered. I could tell he was crying. I sat up even more, wide awake now and I put the dream in the back of my mind and the only thing I focused on was if my brother was okay. "What happened? Are you-"

"I'm fine," he assured me, almost irritably. "It's Laura."

I froze.

I didn't know Laura very well but the thought of her in the hospital made me shudder with worry. I know it sounded selfish, but I was really worried about Ally. This was too much for her. First her father leaving, then Edna abusing her, and now Laura.

Ross was crying through the phone, and I knew I would have to say something eventually. "I'll be there," I promised, hanging up before he got a chance to respond.

I rolled out of bed, got dressed and sneaked downstairs. I knew Ross probably didn't want me to wake Mom, so I didn't. I opened the door and it was freezing outside. I tugged my blue flannel close to me, not wanting to go back inside; the sooner I got there the better.

As I crawled into the passenger seat it dawned on me that if it was this bad I would never see Laura again. I wasn't sure what happened and how bad it was but I'd now soon enough.

Sure I didn't like Laura that much but I didn't hate her. I was just angry how she overreacted like that when Ross didn't do anything. But I had to see the situation through her eyes. She must have felt hurt and betrayed when he saw that girl and Ross kissing. Then again, she should have given him a chance to explain.

When I arrived at the hospital I entered the front lobby. And before I could even make my way to the desk I felt two skinny arms wrap around my belly. At first I didn't know who the hell this person thought they were but my eyes softened when I realized it was Ally Dawson.

She was crying.

Hard.

And right there I didn't even need an explanation to know what happened.

Her head nuzzled deeper into my back as she soaked my flannel with her tears. Her teeth clenched tightly together as she cried onto me. It was one of those moments were I wasn't sure what I could do. If I moved I feel like she'd cry harder, and if I spoke to her I wouldn't know what I'd say. In other words, I was stuck.

"I-It's not f-fair," she sobbed. "It's just not fair Austin." She clinged onto me desperately as if she'd fall on her knees if she were to let go. "W-Why Austin? Why d-did she h-have to l-leave so s-soon?" she demanded, seeming more angry now as she didn't look up at me but continued squeezing my stomach. It didn't hurt, though.

"I don't know, angel," I admitted quietly, feeling tears prickle in my eyes. It was hurting me bad seeing her cry like this. I've seen her cry, but never like this, even on Halloween when Edna left her bruised.

I tried to get her brown eyes to meet mine but she winced away once my hand tried to cuff her face.

She continued to cry so hard that the people in the lobby heard her, and looked at her with sympathy.

I looked up and saw a women and a man and a boy that looked close to my age. "Ally?" the women asked weakly. "Sweetie, I know your upset but you shouldn't hug strangers."

"Oh," I said immediately, realizing this woman was Ally's mother and knowing Ally wasn't strong enough to answer, "I'm not a stranger, mam, I'm her bus driver and friend."

And that's how I met Ally's family. I shook their hands with Ally still holding onto me, not saying anything; I figured out that the man's name was Luke and he was her step dad and her step brother was Dallas. I saw so much grief in their eyes at the moment and all of their energy was drained.

But Ally, most of all, looked so broken that I could literally feel my heart breaking for my beautiful angel. Yes, she's my beautiful angel. And if someone has anything to say about it they can say it to my face. Even when she was crying she still looked like an angel.

I guess you could say this was when I finally stopped lying to myself and realized how bad I had it for her.

"Have you guys seen my brother?" I asked, trying not to think about Ally's beauty for a second in my life.

"Ross, was it?" Dallas asked.

I nodded.

"I think he went home," Luke answered.

Great.

Now I didn't have a ride home. "He was my ride," I mumbled. At the same time I didn't blame him for wanting to get out of the hospital quick before he broke down. I knew he really did love Laura and this probably just about killed him.

"You can ride with us," Penny said.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden-"

"Nonsense!" she interruped me. "There's enough room, and I'll drop you off at your house."


The whole car ride was silent. Ally leaned against me, looking half asleep and every once and a while I'd kiss her head just to prove to her that I was there when she needed me, and no matter what I always would be.

When they pulled up in my driveway I didn't want to leave her arms. I begged Penny if Ally could just sleep with me tonight and I'd drop her off in the morning. Surprisingly, she was okay with it. She saw that I was desperate and could tell Ally wanted it to (unless it was just in my head). And I knew Penny knew we wouldn't do anything, feeling the crappy way we did now.

I carried Ally bridle style into my house, not wanting her to walk even though she told me she was fine. I even carried her upstairs.

We covered up in my bed, back to back; we both knew the other was awake but we didn't do anything was about it.

I finally rolled over, watching Ally sleep. I knew she was asleep by now. She turned to her side and I got a look at her beautiful face and I noticed her face was bruising over, and I cursed Edna, mumbling every bad, nasty word I could think of towards her. If this didn't stop soon I knew I'd have to do something. If I didn't I wouldn't know what she'd do, and I'd be guilty of being a bystander.

Her eyelids fluttered and her eyes shut tighter. She let out a few whimpers, shifting in her sleep. I took action immediately, grabbing her belly and pulling her close to me. She squirmed at first but eventually she calmed down once I was in her embrace.

I saw a small smile form on her face, and I smiled a little, too.

With that, we both slept like babies.


I'm sorrryyyy but I've been planning this for a while. And the next chapter there's gonna be more about exactly what happened with Laura. I mean we know she died but we don't know the little details.

I thought this chapter was bittersweet in all honesty. At least Austin admitted his feelings, right?

Please review we are so close to 100!