How to Change a Bad Boy

By: Janzelle

Chapter: 14

How to Take Care of a Dog

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Now that Ally has realized her feelings, the adventure has just begun…

PS: Before each chapter starts, I will now add little drabbles of Austin's POV! Though, they won't be at the beginning of EVERY chapter!

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Recap:

His hand ruffled through my hair and I instantly felt at peace. I have grown to love it when he ruffles my hair. Now that I think about it, I have grown to love so many things about Austin. Things I never even considered with Dallas or any other boy to be exact.

A thought ran through my head, taking a round trip to make sure I understood it the first time. I stiffly stood up, biting down on my lower lip and walked tautly towards the door.

"Um, I-I'll be ri-right back," I told Austin, giving him an unsure smile before disappearing into the long hallway.

I whipped out my phone to the only person I could talk to right at this moment and dialed her phone number. There is no way she would want to miss hearing me say those words, even at three in the morning.

"Um, good morning Trish... Yes, I know what time it is… I need to tell you something; something important… It is possible that you were right… I have fallen for Austin."

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(Austin's POV)

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If you were to look up well behaved in the dictionary, a picture of Ally Dawson would be printed there. She never acted out, never drank alcohol before, never drove a motorcycle, always did her school work… must I continue? She was the complete opposite of fun and coloring books.

Yet, whenever she smiled, I felt as if nothing was more special than that. I couldn't help but feel drawn to her somehow. Whenever she was in trouble or needed my help, I was always right there by her side. I couldn't get enough of her nor could I ever stay mad at her for too long, even if she meddled in my business. She was like the pony I never had.

I woke up Monday morning with an annoying headache to greet me. I glanced to my side, quickly pulling the guitar-pick necklace Ally gave me for Christmas over my head along with my usual whistle necklace and nametag on a silver chain.

A smile formed against my lips every time I saw that guitar pick. It was obviously handmade since it was a little rough around the edges and slightly bent, but it was the first sentimental gift I've ever gotten since my parents died. I mean, yes, Dez would give me gifts but it was different with Ally. It was special-er (it's a word, I think).

My happy moment was cut short when a flash of pain shot through my aching head and I scrunched my eyes up in pain. I took a quick shower, hoping the running water on my neck would help out my situation a little (although it did not). I wobbled into the kitchen searching for the painkillers, soon recalling that I never bought any.

'School's gonna be like hell today,' I thought, sitting down at the table and resting my head on the cool, wooden surface.

The house was completely silent. The only thing I could hear was the pitter-patter of the rain outside.

'Pitter-patter? Who says that anymore? God, I have been hanging around Ally way too much.'

I looked around the kitchen; the silence was killing me. It just all felt too… empty. Suddenly, a thought dashed through my mind and a toothy grin spreading from my lips.

'I should get a dog. Just picture it! A cute, little Siberian Husky puppy running around the house like a maniac. It would be both adorable and menacing at the same time!'

I let an exaggerated 'aw' escaped my mouth before I stood up determined to buy a dog.

"Heck yeah I'm getting one. I'll just skip my morning classes and go to Puppy Palace in the Miami Mall," I told myself before grabbing my car keys and black, leather jacket. If only I should've brought a hooded jacket.

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(Ally's POV)

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Dear Diary, Monday

It trickles and taps on the windows in a calming and soothing rhythm, that always makes me feel at ease. I love the need to crawl up in my bed with a hot cup of cocoa, watching the rain pour on the outside. The clouds hover over me, covering the beautiful blue sky and turn it into something mysterious. Oh! Sorry, I just really love the rain. Well, actually, it is an off-on feeling. All though I love the way the raindrops feel against my heated skin, I dislike how I become all wet and sticky afterwards…

Though, today I cannot enjoy the rain since I am bothered by an emotion filled with worry. Austin hasn't shown up to any of our morning classes! I know, any other time I would not worry so much, but he is still wounded from the whole Dallas and the bottle fiasco. I just hope his head is not bothering him.

Speaking of Dallas, I haven't seen him at school ever since Friday. I am happy that I do not have to face him, but the anxious feeling in my stomach will not go away until I confront him. I still do not know why I must confront him. Maybe to tell him to not hurt Austin anymore? Or is it to tell him that I used to like him, but I have moved on? Ah, there is that tingly feeling in my stomach again; and I only thought of his name! Austin Moon.

Yes, the school's 'bad boy' has stolen my heart as well. Is it such a platitude feeling to fall for a bad boy? No, because Austin is most definitely not a bad boy. No matter how much he tries to put up such a front, I know, deep down, Austin is still the goofy, stuffed-animal loving, sweet-tooth boy—and that is whom I have fallen for.

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I closed my journal, smiling at the inspiring cover, and placed it gently back in my backpack. Today in AP Music class, Mr. Sporcle gave us an open period; we needed to take a few pages of notes first. I felt a little uncomfortable with the teaching arrangement, though. While everyone else had a buddy or two to converse with, I sat in the front all alone. Usually, I would just talk to Austin, but he was currently nowhere to be found.

After taking a quick glance at the clock (it read 10:00AM; 30 minutes before lunch), I drifted off into my thoughts, remembering the conversation Trish and I had Saturday morning. You know, when I admitted she was in fact right after all.

(Flashback)

"Um, good morning Tris—"

"Why are you calling me?! Do you know what time it is?" she cut me off, obviously steaming about being awake at three in the morning.

"Yes, I know what time it is—"

"Then why?" she groaned, letting out a long yawn afterward.

"Um, I needed to tell you something important. Well, for one thing, it is possible that you were right. Uh, I might have fallen for Austin," I finished and a long pause of silence ensued.

"… About dang time. Now can I go back to sleep?" she answered, seeming completely unfazed.

"But-I, I thought you-you would, I don't know, maybe try and rub it in my face or something," I stammered, a little confused.

"Do you want me to rub it in your face?" Trish asked lazily.

"… N-no."

"Then bye," and the petite girl hung up the phone to greet her pillow once again.

(Flashback End)

I guess it wasn't really a very memorable conversation—probably because Trish was being so grumpy.

Unexpectedly, the classroom door slammed open into the wall, jiggling on its hinges. A, dripping wet, Austin strolled into class with all eyes on him. Raindrops sliding down the sides of his face and my mouth hung open in complete awe.

'Drenched in water, a big sticky mess, eyes filled with a blissful emotion… and capturing my breath in the process. Okay, just take a deep breath. It's just Austin.'

Just staring at him, my heart pounded inside my chest; I was so sure everyone could hear it. Austin settled in the seat next to mine and ignored Mr. Sporcle's class instructions and complaints. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and stared intensely at my desk.

'Do you think Austin noticed? He wouldn't notice that I like him, right? Gosh, that would be so miserable if he found out right now!' I contemplated to myself. If Austin found out I liked him, I bet he wouldn't want to be acquainted with me anymore.

Austin ran a hand through his drenched hair, pushing the loose strands out of his face, before placing his head in his arms on the now-dampened desk.

"Hey," his voice startled me a bit since I kind of did not expect him to say anything in such a condition. He turned his head my way, unaware of the giggling girls behind him. "Stop by my house today. I wanna show you something."

"Why? Wha-what is it?" my voice cracked, but I quickly regained composure and noticed the lack of giggling behind me. 'It's just Austin, same old Austin. Don't slip up!' ran through my head.

"It's a surprise," Austin replied in an alluring voice and finishing with a signature smirk. Somehow, every girl in that classroom was now glaring daggers at me.

A heated blush flew to my cheeks; a vibrant tomato red went a-blazing. I quickly snapped my head the other way and shooed the inappropriate thoughts out of my head.

'Oh my pickles, it is just Austin! Knowing him, he probably wants to show me a new stuffed animal he won at the arcade or something…'

"God, this stupid headache is getting on my nerves," Austin complained, snapping me back to reality.

"What headache? Are you alright?" I questioned hastily and gave him my full attention without realizing my blush never faded.

"Jeez mom, I'm fine. By the looks of it, you're the one with the fever," Austin said, pointing out my reddening face. He touched his forehead to mine, the warmth of his skin and burning chocolate eyes made the hairs on my back stand up. "Oh, wait, I can't tell. My head's hot too," he finished in a chuckle.

'Oh, yes it is… Wait, what?' I thought, my eyes growing wide as my body went stiff. 'What did I just think?'

"Ally?"

'Did I… did I just imply that he looked attractive today?'

"Hello?"

'I just don't get it! Does Austin not notice how the rain made his shirt cling to his body like that? It's breath-taking!'

"Is someone in there?"

'Did he not notice how the raindrops in his hair made him look so undeniably mysterious and oh-so tempting?'

"… The bell rang."

'What is wrong with my brain? Why do I keep thinking such strange thoughts? The only other crush I ever had was Dallas and, with him, I only pointed out how charming he looked!'

"Ally!" Austin shouted, obviously turning impatient since his eye was twitching slightly. I looked at him with a sort of confused-with-a-side-of-embarrassed expression and mumbled an apology.

Why did everything seem a little different? It rained before and Austin came to school, drenched before as well. What made this time so different than before?

'You liiiiiike him,' my mind reminded me.

I knew I liked Austin. My mind and body had both come to that conclusion, but why did such a simple solution create such weird thoughts in my head? How did something as little as three words make such a difference in the way I viewed Austin?

"Uh, I'm sorry Austin. I don't think I feel so well today. I am going to go to the nurse," I told Austin before I promptly left him alone and sped out of the classroom.

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Nurse Blumberg was always so nice. With her bouncy, blonde curls and welcoming smile, no kid could stay (or fake) sick in her office; she was too acquitted to deceive. When I told her I felt a little off today, she let me lay down on one of her comfy sick beds, giving me a sugar-free lollipop on the way.

As the minutes passed by, I found myself growing sleepier. It was kind of unusual since I got the appropriate amount of sleep every night. Though, I could not fight the unknown force pulling my eyelids shut.

My eyes fluttered open and the burning sun maliciously welcomed them. I quickly blocked the bright beams, sitting up from my …bed? There was not a sun in the nurse's office when I first got there.

I scanned the area, gasping at the beauty of the nature around me. A meadow. I sat in luscious, green grass that came up to my shoulders and waved peacefully in the light zephyr.

'Ah, what a breeze.' I thought closing my eyes once more and inhaling the warm, but light, air around me. The wind started to whistle, grasping a few flower petals in the process.

'Such a calming lavender smell.'

After a few minutes of unwinding under the intoxicating smell of flowers, I decided it was time to venture on from my spot in the grass. I walked slowly through the high grass and flowers, holding my arms out and letting the plants softly brush against my hands. Two elegant-looking doves graced me with their presence, doing twists and twirls in the air above me. Perched against a tree, they sang a lovely song in unison as I passed by them.

'What a handsome place this is.'

As I continued my graceful walk, I spotted someone lying down in the a few feet away from me.

'If I hadn't spotted such shiny, blonde hair, there is no doubt I would have stepped on him!'

I ran up to, what seemed to be, the only other person in this serene meadow with my curiosity getting the better of me. There laid Austin Moon, enjoying the same meadow I enjoyed. He did not look like he was annoyed with everyone around him. He did not have that permanent scowl touching his lips. However, he was smiling curiously at the dashing, red butterfly settling on his finger.

I tried to greet him, to say his name, but my voice would not come out. I tried yelling and screaming, but the same outcome occurred.

'The birds could sing, the wind could whistle, but we could not talk?' I thought a little frustrated. Austin smiled at me, taking me into his arms and abandoning the butterfly, but not saying one word. 'Maybe there is no need to?'

Two words? No, three words. Austin kept mouthing things I did not understand. He knew we could not talk, so why did he try? He gave me one last, fast smile before walking away, slowly vanishing behind the trees. Now, the meadow felt bare. Before it was full of life, but now it is nothing without someone to share it with…

"Ally, Ally-dear!" a female voice called. My shoulders gently shook up and down from the pressure of two hands. "Please wake up; school is over now! I have called your father to come pick you up. Ms. Dawson!"

I lazily opened my eyes, frowning at the dim, nurse's office I appeared to be laying in. Anyone would rather be in a luscious meadow than school; even me. I soon snapped out of my meadow funk, regaining my well-needed manners.

"I'm so sorry Mrs. Blumberg! I did not mean to doze off for so long. I did not mean to miss more than a period of class!" I apologized and quickly removed myself from the bed.

Mrs. Blumberg let out a small chuckle before leading me back to the main part of her office, "It's alright Ally. I was more worried about you not waking up, then the classes you've missed! But, before you leave, you might want to wash off that drool stain on your face."

I touched my hand to the crusty-feeling trail running all the way down to my neck and hastily sped to the bathroom.

'How embarrassing!'

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My dad dropped me off at home around three o' clock, telling me that he had to work late at Sonic Boom today.

'That's okay, it will give me time to clean up the house a bit, make dinner, and then swing by Austin's. Wait, what was that last part?' my eye grew to the size of dinner plates, remembering that I still had to visit Austin for a surprise.

Have I ever mentioned how much I disliked surprises? You could never tell if it was going to be good or bad. Then your mind went frantic trying to figure out what it was. Well, at least my mind did that.

I sat down on the sofa in the living room, needing to breathe for a moment. I checked my phone to see if I got any calls or texts, I usually did not get many, and was surprised to see that I had three unread text messages:

Sender- Trish

Received- 1:53PM

(1/2) Hey. Austin told me you were acting all weird and stuff in music class, and then ditched him before lunch. First of all, calm down. I don't know all the details, but I do know you're going over Austin's house today. Stop being a sissy. Stuttering around Austin? That's not like you at all. If you're having trouble just talking to Austin, stop it right now. Don't treat him like just any old crush—

(2/2) –treat him like he's Austin. Because how I see things now, I think you're trying to go at this as if Austin was Dallas. Dude's not Dallas, so don't change yourself around him. Just be you. Now that that has been said, you better tell me EVERYTHING that goes down at Austin's! Don't leave out any detail! :3

I smiled warmly at Trish's text. She always knew what to say, even though sometimes it may not be the best thing to say. She was right. When I thought of crush, I thought of how I'd act towards Dallas and I couldn't do that anymore. Austin didn't make my heart flutter or make me laugh hysterically. Whenever we touch, I don't feel sparks fly or anything cliché like that. Austin makes me feel upbeat and rapturous, as if my entire body feeds off of his smiles, his jokes, him just being him. I couldn't really explain it, but I knew I got a weird, exhilarating sensation when I was around Austin; I was always left wanting, needing, more.

How could I tell Austin of my feelings if I couldn't be myself around him?

I sprung up from the couch, gasping elatedly at the one thought coming to mind, 'I should bring him a cheesecake! It could be a I'm-Sorry-I-Was-Being-Awkward-Earlier present! I already have a strawberry cheesecake chilling in the fridge. It's a good thing I had a sudden urge to bake the other day...'

I was about to go to the kitchen, until I remembered that I still had one unread text message left. A light blush popped onto my face when I saw whom it was from.

Sender- Austin

Received- 2:47 PM

I don't know what happened, but you better show up. I mean, as long as you're okay… You are okay right? Well, if you're coming, don't come until after 4 cuz the surprise messed up the house while I was at school. -.-

A moving object! This surprise was definitely a moving object of some sort. Oh, how I just wanted to know what it was already!

Baking seemed to go by so quickly when thinking of Austin and his special surprise. I could not wait to go over to his house and finally see what in the name of pickles it was; and rid me of this curiosity!

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Turning the corner of the street, I skipped up Austin's little porch steps. I did not know why I was so jittery, energetic, and in a hurry. I did not even cover the cheesecake I was going to present to Austin. It was such a good thing it had stopped raining earlier during the day.

I rang the doorbell twice, hoping that wasn't too pushy or assertive. I noticed a little square door carved at the bottom of the real door.

'Why would Austin put a doggie door on his- … oh, that boy did notget a dog!' I thought, everything finally clicking in my head.

Suddenly, a dark grey and white puppy darted through the little door and charged at me. She had pretty, sky blue eyes and a cute black nose.

Unfortunately, her little paws were forceful enough to knock me back onto my butt. I instinctively put my hands down to weaken my fall, forgetting that I was holding the cheesecake in the first place. A split second later and a gooey substance greeted my recently brushed hair; strawberry cheesecake filling and a granola-like crust both sliding down my face.

"Diesel!" someone called, though the dog continued to jump roughly on my lap. The same person mumbled another name and the puppy instantly sprinted back inside the house, excitedly circling around a pair of walking sweat pants.

Austin stopped abruptly at the now-open door with his amused eyebrows raised at my appearance.

"Surprise?" he greeted before letting out the laugh he tried so hard to keep in.

I lowered my head in embarrassment, gnawing on a loose piece of hair that tasted a lot like cheesecake.

"Why would you get a dog?" I asked in barely a whisper, afraid that if I spoke any louder, Austin would notice the hurt in my voice. "Now the cheesecake is all ruined."

"Hmm…" he kneeled down next to me, staring at my pastry-covered face as if he were contemplating on what to do.

Unexpectedly, he ran an index finger down my left cheek, licking off the cheesecake that accumulated onto it. Austin's face perked up and he licked his lips happily.

"Oh, damn it! It's so good too!" Austin groaned and tried to pick off another piece of ruined cheesecake, but I swatted at his hungry hand.

'That is so unsanitary! However, it did make me feel a tiny bit happier,' I thought, a small smile appearing on my lips.

"Don't eat that!" I giggled and he pouted, furrowing his eyebrows.

Austin let me use his bathroom to wash off the food-mess on me. It seemed to be the only bathroom in the house, considering how some of his stuff was thrown sloppily around the space. Pants hanging off of the towel rack, dirty socks by the sink, … and that special cologne; A Summer's Breeze by Denzel. It was hard fighting the urge to clean up the bathroom, but I pulled through and ran out before I actually started putting his dirty clothes in the laundry bin.

I found Austin lying down on the couch in the family room area with the little puppy in his hands. His eyes shone bright with innocent bliss as he laughed when the puppy decided to maniacally lick his face.

"Diesel! Stop it girl!" he shouted, trying to shield his face from the puppy's tongue attacks. Though, the dog ignored his orders and continued as she pleased.

"Diesel? Why Diesel?" I said aloud, cutting into their little play session.

"Because it sounds a lot more manlier than the first name…" Austin mumbled to himself, though I heard him loud and clear.

"What was the first name?" I asked curiously and stepped closer to the couch Austin laid down on.

The blonde froze, but swiftly sprung up from the couch, putting Diesel on the ground, and stepping away from me with a sheepish look on his face. If only he knew that only made me want to know more.

"Pssh! What first name?" he said uneasily as I stepped closer to him, looking straight into his eyes.

"The one you were just talking about?" I answered, raising my eyebrow.

'Does he really think that was going to stop me from wanting to know?'

Austin tried to step back once more, but harshly slipped on one of Diesel's chew toys. His hand whipped forward, clasping together with mine and pulling on me for support; though it did not work out so well. We crashed against the floor with my body pressed up against Austin's as if he was hugging me tightly. I knew I should have gotten up, but somehow, I did not want to move one bit.

Like I said, my body feeds off of Austin's… everything. I was completely invigorated by his smell, heaps of strange, but wonderful, sensations filled up inside my body.

"Rainbow Dash," he muttered. Austin didn't make any effort to move nor let go of my hand.

"What?" I said breathlessly, an embarrassed blush rose to my cheeks as a wave of self-consciousness washed over my body.

"That was Diesel's first name. And she only seems to respond to Rainbow Dash, so I'll probably have to start calling her that again," Austin explained, biting down on his lower lip and averting his eyes from mine.

'Rainbow Dash? … I could see why he did not want to share that with me.'

I burst out laughing, throwing my head back to add to the effect. I seemed to forget about our awkward position for only a second though. When I pulled my smiling face back down to face Austin again, the space between us closed completely.

His lips sealing it tightly with a scandalous kiss.

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Wow, what is with all these cliffhangers? I swear, I'm not doing it on purpose. Blame my magical, writing hands! They move on their own, you know?

Hint of the Next Chapter: Ally Dawson is in it (Aren't my hints helpful? :D).

Review!

(^w^)