CHECK THE BOTTOM OF THE STORY, WHICH STARTS WITH ALEX'S POV, IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ THIS CHAPTER ONCE. I ADDED A NEW SECTION.

Hi! *waves stupidly*

Okay, so you all must be happy with me that I finally made Auslly happen, but, don't think that it's all going to be rainbows and puppies from now on.

That's my warning, and now ON WITH THE STORY.

Ally

After the kiss, Austin and I just stood in silence, trying to wrap our minds around what just happened. Smiles soft of showed, but other than that, we stared awkwardly at the ground, finding sudden interest on the wooden floorings that barely supported our weight.

The sparks I felt during the kiss were somewhat similar to the adrenaline rush that I gained whilst standing my ground, but this kind of feeling made me feel wonderful, like my wings were about to spread and I was going to fly up to Cloud 9.

Alex left the room, claiming that a small child like himself should not be exposed to such 'preposterous behavior.' He really does bring a smile to my face, but sometimes, I just want to sit in the loud silence for a few moments and slow down my mind.

My hands clasped together awkwardly, and I suddenly remembered the fact about the intersected fingers, which my body did without a thought. That means I'm still closed off, but I'm starting to let people, whom could break my heart, in.

I…I'm letting him in. I let him kiss me―the same boy who put me in this God damned depression in the first place, the same person who made me cry myself to sleep at night, whether I was tired or not.

He did this to me, and he's going to pay, he's going to―

No…I can't do that to him…I can't punish him for doing the right thing. I was fat, I was ugly, and all he did was point it out. I still am, and I can't do anything to change that. I guess that this is the real me.

The only reason he's been crying over me is because I was the only sad point in his life―he didn't want to be blamed for what's happened to me.

I can't just let him stand there and pity me. I can't. I won't. I don't need his sympathy giving me false hope that actually makes me feel like I matter when in reality, I really don't.

I don't matter, and I never will.

All they taught me at the hospital was lies. None of the people who have hurt me deserve to be told off. I can't forgive myself for ruining everybody else's lives. I can't let go of the past, because it's all I have left of my parents.

I really haven't changed since that day…

I wish they were here. My parents would hold me, they would've filled me with false hope, but at least I'd be happy before I cried.

I wish they could hold my hand, push a strand of hair behind my ear, make dinner with me, tuck me in at night. I wish they could do those things, but they can't come here and do it, so I guess I'll have to go to them.

"Ally," Austin said, breaking me out of my thoughts, "what are you thinking?" He had this look of concern written across his face, but I knew it was fake. I knew that when he grabbed my hands with his, he was just trying to portray a character that would never exist..

Don't cry, don't cry. You can't let him know what's going on inside your head. You can't let him think that you're just going to break down your walls all because he kissed you.

"Why do you care?" I snapped at him without even thinking that I was capable of talking. My hands ripped from his and they retreated to my sides. The burning sensation that was erupting in my stomach was beyond belief, but I had learned to strive for that burn, because it meant I was pushing my limits.

Austin's eyes widened, mouth agape. Words tried to form, but it was no use; all that came out were sounds of shock.

Once he regained control, he said, "excuse me?" It was almost like he was offended that I said what I did, but I knew that he just didn't like to be told 'no'.

I realized now that what I was saying was completely wrong. Maybe he did care, and maybe I just put myself on a cliff with unsteady feet.

"Um…I―uh…I mean…," I looked down to the ground, feeling a warm liquid trickling up my throat, causing me to push myself upward on my heels.

My breathing grew ragged and I felt the heat get to my face. My sight of what was in front of me began to diminish and I felt like I couldn't go on any more.

I began to gag, falling to my knees. Austin caught me just before I hit the ground. One of my hands flew to my stomach, while the other one reached to my throat.

"Adam!" Austin yelled, wrapping his arms around me tighter.

I faintly heard footsteps that bounced off the ground, shaking it slightly.

I felt two more pairs of hands wrap around me, taking me into their embrace. I felt one hand hit me on the back sharply, which helped my breathing.

I thought I was just having a severe anxiety attack, but the weird thing was that my heart felt like it was being crushed as it was beating erratically.

Something squishy was shoved into my fragile grip, which I figured out was a pillow. As the tears poured out of my eyes, it was pushed against my chest.

"Everybody, give her some space," Joyce said, then I felt a cold breeze around me, followed by arms and hands leaving my personal space.

I heard tiny footsteps into the room, followed by a little, scared voice asking, "what happened?!" The footsteps ran towards me, but then they stopped after Joyce told Alex to get away.

I could practically hear the blood rushing through my head, but I soon found some comfort from the pillow that was pressed against my chest. It soothed the pain slightly, but I would take what I could get.

"I don't know what happened," Austin yelled frantically, "we were talking and she just collapsed!"

"It hurts," I wailed weakly, blinking away the tears, "make it stop!"

Joyce kept on patting my back, then told Adam to do the same while she left for a moment, soon returning with a cup of water that she had poured salt into, which explained why she was stirring it with a spoon.

"Here," she said, sitting in front of me and wrapping her arm around me, "drink this." She held the large cup to my lips, tilting it, and I began to take sips out of it.

The burning sensation in my throat had begun to cease, but my heart was still pounding every chance it could.

My hand reached to where my heart was, pressing on it through the skin. I adjusted my grip on the pillow with my free arm.

"My heart," I said. Joyce looked at me curiously, then took two fingers and pressed it against the left, bottom side of my jawbone, feeling my pulse. She counted the beats quickly with a nod of her head each time.

I stared at her helplessly as her hand travelled up to my forehead, then down to the back of my neck. She smiled at me with sympathy written across her lips. She then looked at Austin, but then realized that he had taken Alex back to Alex's room, trying to calm down.

"I got it from here," she told Adam, "could you get me a cool, wet washcloth?" At his nod, Joyce then lifted me up onto the couch and reclined me back.

She finally looked at me and cupped my face with her cheek.

"What's happening to me?" I whispered, a tear falling free.

She wiped it with the pad of her thumb and sighed.

Austin

I shut the door behind myself and turned around to see Alex charging towards me.

I caught him with a grunt. It was obvious that he was trying to get out of his room, and I didn't blame him one bit.

"Let me go!" He twisted and turned, attempting to wiggle free from my grip, but I just knelt down to his height and told him to calm down repeatedly.

"No!" He said, "I wanna see my sister! I only got one hug, then you took her away from me, and now I can't even go near her! I haven't seen my sister in two months, and I wanna talk to her!"

"Alex," I said, but he just kept on yelling.

"Alex," I said, but a bit louder, but with no avail.

My eyes closed and my head ducked. He wasn't going to listen at this rate.

"Alex Whatever-Your-Middle-Name-Is Dawson, I know that you miss Ally, but screaming about it isn't going to do anything about it. So, you can either quit your whining or you can act like a five-year-old." I looked him dead in the eye, seriousness stitched from within me as he began to calm down.

He took a few deep breaths, his nose turning red and tears falling down his little cheeks.

He looked down and his shoulders slumped. "I just miss my sister…," He whispered.

Feeling remorse, my eyes softened and I took him into my arms, rubbing the back of his head and sitting down, taking him down to where he was sitting in my lap.

After a few moments, all that was left of the tears were shaky breaths. Alex wiped his eyes sloppily with his fists and wrapped his arms around my neck, resting his head on my collarbone.

I smiled. I've never had a kid so close to me before, since I don't have any little cousins or any younger siblings. The feeling was like I wanted to take him to the park, teach him how to play Ball, give him girl advice, do anything I could to make him laugh and smile.

"Dude," Alex said, almost like he realized something, "why are we hugging? Get away from me!" He yelled playfully, pushing himself off of my chest and landing on the floor, hitting his head in the process.

"Ow…," he muttered, raising his upper body up a bit and rubbing the back of his head.

My mouth opened slightly as I began to shake my head. At least his still has his innocence, despite about what's happened to him.

I scooted to where my back was against his bed, raising my knees and resting my wrists on them.

I had talked to Alex off and on since Ally was admitted, and there was something weird about how he acted. It reminded me about how I acted after I started bullying Ally.

What if…? No, that can't be. He can't be bullying people, he just can't!

I don't want him to be in my shoes if he did. He's such a bright, young kid, and he's got the whole world to explore.

"Hey, Blondie," Alex said, sitting cross-legged on the wood floor, tossing a Nerf football between his hands, "what's going on in between you and my sister? I saw a lot of kissing goin' on when I walked in the room." His voice had this seriousness to it and it made me want to fall on the ground laughing.

Not this topic again, I thought, turning to Alex and crossing my legs. I held up my hands, and he poorly threw the football to me, but I still caught it.

"What do you want to know?" I asked him, tossing it back lightly to him perfectly. After all, I am the Running Back on the football team.

He tossed it back to me, and the process continued.

"Well," he said, "you seem to be getting really close to her. And when I mean close, I mean 'movie-I'm-not-allowed-to-see' close." he tossed the football to me, and I caught it in embarrassment.

Once I looked up, he pointed to me and said, "you hurt her, you die."

Chuckling, I held my hands halfway in the air, giving the 'surrender' look.

"I promise I won't," I told him, then realized what I said without thinking.

It was, like, for a moment, my heart controlled my mouth instead of my mind. I began to see the resemblance between Ally and Alex and I could now see what the boy-version of Ally was truly like behind the scenes.

Breaking me out of my thoughts, I looked at the football weirdly as it bounced off of my head and onto the floor beside. But I could really care less about that. All I wanted to know was what was going on with Alex truly. When I would talk with him those few times, he was always practicing a mean look in the mirror. I thought it was just a phase or something he was doing for fun, but maybe he's putting up a façade, just like Ally did.

I…I can't let history repeat itself. I have to stop this before it gets out of hand. This time, the boy may have come from a broken home, but he could put the girl's life at stake because he didn't want his feelings exposed.

"Who is she?" I asked him, grabbing the football and throwing it to him.

He caught it off guard, looking at me questionably and returning the throw.

"Who?" He asked cluelessly.

I nodded at him and said, "the girl your crushing on." His eyes widened and I knew that I was right. I was going to give him girl advice, just like his father would've done if he was still here.

He gave me a reluctant glance and sighed, setting the football down.

"Her name is Clarissa, but everybody calls her Clara," he started off. "She's really pretty, but if the guys knew that I liked her, then they would kick me out." My eyebrows furrowed together. What did he mean by 'the guys'? Who were they?

"Who are they?" I asked him, bracing myself for the worst. I mean, he is only eight-years-old, but anything can happen. After all, when Ally was eight, her parents died and I started bullying her.

God, I feel so stupid for doing that to her. If only, for just one second, that her life was messed up, I would've swam across the seas just to make sure she'd be safe.

If only I could go back in time and change what I did.

Maybe I can. Maybe I can prevent another catastrophe from appearing from the mist again.

"Who are the guys?" I asked Alex once again, gripping my knees with my fists for comfort.

Alex looked down, swallowed the lump in his throat, and began to tell me the story.

"These guys started bullying me because they thought they were better than me. After Casey, the leader, gave me this busted lip," he said, pointing to his nearly-healed lip, "Ally lectured the principal that he should be suspended instead of me after I hit him the morning after. Casey went up to me and asked if I wanted to be the ring leader while Casey was out, and I said yes." He looked at me, wondering if he should continue, and I have him the nod of approval.

"Ever since, I've pretty much been the bad boy of the class. Pushing people down―even though I don't want do, talking back to teachers, I even told Clara that nobody liked her." He stared down at the football, ashamed, spinning it with his hands. He shrugged sadly, showing me that he felt weak and vulnerable.

I felt the sudden urge to do it, so I went with my gut and opened my mouth

"Do you want to know the story of me and your sister? It's a lot like yours, actually." When he gave me a curious look, and I knew that he wanted to know how he could end up being with her.

"When we were in the fourth grade, just like you, I got a huge crush on her. And since I was so immature, I just teased her a lot so no one would find out, but it got really out of hand. It got to the point where it was awful bullying and I couldn't stop it. Little did I know that he parents passed away in the fourth grade, and she had to grow up and start taking care of you. As the years went by, I started calling her fat and ugly, and it went to her head―"

"But she's really pretty! And she's too thin!"

I sighed, looking down and closing my eyes.

"I know, but I felt like I had to live up to the image I created, because people would know that I liked her if I just stopped being rude to her and tripping her in the hallways." My eyes trailed to the ground, and I remembered that one day in the 6th grade.

I was at my locker, heading to class when I saw Ally walking to hers. The teachers were standing outside of their doorways, keeping an eye on us.

I called Ally's name continuously, but she never responded, knowing that I was going to insult her or something. So, instead of following her to class, I ended up sticking my foot out and tripping her.

Feeling awful, my heart stopped. I just meant to stop her, not trip her! Her books flew from out of her hands and her hands barely broke her fall.

My eyes widened and I felt sudden remorse.

"What did you just do?! Why did you trip her?!" Mrs. Storm, my math teacher, yelled, grabbing the attention of everybody in the hallway and advancing towards me.

I felt scared, and my eyes flickered towards the beauty on the ground who was crumbling with each breath.

"I―I―I don't know," I sputtered out, backing up towards the lockers in fear as she stared me down.

"Apologize to her, right now," she demanded, crossing her arms and puffing out a breath of anger.

I looked down at Ally, whom was staring at me with fear.

"I―I'm sorry," I stuttered, then rushed off to class. I've felt horrible for what I've done in the past, but being confronted by a teacher like that was just agonizing.

"Yeah," I told Alex, coming back to reality, "don't do that. It'll just end up worse and worse and she'll hate you." I looked up at him, my eyes showing genuine empathy as he realized that maybe Clara might end up like Ally.

"Is that why Ally is like this?" Alex asked me quietly, almost afraid to ask the question.

I nodded with forlorn, raising my hands slightly, then dropping them to my knees.

"Yep; that's what happened," I said, my voice strong, but with a few breaks, "I screwed up, and it's my God damn fault that your sister is anorexic and why she's bullied." I pointed to myself, not thinking at all about what I was saying. "It's my fault that she's sad all the time, it's my fault that she thinks that she isn't good enough, and it's my God damn fault that she was in that stupid hospital in the first place!" At the end, I was yelling, and by the time it ended, I felt my chest collapse. I buried my head in my hands, bending over and taking deep breaths.

Hearing the sound of a body shifting, I felt tiny arms wrap around me and a tiny hand moving my head to where it was resting in the crook of their neck.

Geez, the any member of the Dawson family will take you in their arms whenever you're down. I guess it's just genetics.

I wonder if Ally and I have kids, then they would have that same kind, tender heart. If they would have her eyes, or her brown hair, or her beautiful voice, of her cute, little nose.

I wonder if they would have her smarts, or her soft skin, or her long, eyelashes. If they would have her laugh―which I've rarely heard―or her cheekbones, or her jawline.

Just thinking about it, I can imagine us being a family of four or five. There would be two girls and one boy, whom would be the eldest. He would beat up their ex-boyfriends and learn how girls want to be asked out.

He'll have my hair and Ally's eyes, my face and her pale skin, her quirkiness, but my coordination when it comes to sports.

Geez, I'm barely seventeen years old and I'm already thinking about what my kids would be like. That can't be normal, right?

"It's okay, Big Guy," Alex said, "Everyone cries. And I was right, you are a crier." My face scrunched up in confusion.

I wiped my cheeks, which were dry, then looked up at him.

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "I've seen you cry in front of my sister. Dude, you've got emotions and you're not afraid to let them loose." I smiled lightly. There was truly nothing that could bring this kid down.

At the sound of a knock on the door, I sat up straight and told whoever to come in.

Joyce walked in. It was weird, since she was the doctor that took a look at my lip in the ER. It's crazy how the universe is working, but I'm not questioning it one bit. If anything, I'm happy that life is finally lightening up.

That's one thing I did when I first met Alex. I showed him my busted lip and told him that it was because I was being a bully to his sister. His eyes widened, then he kicked me in the nuts. I forgave him, but it hurt like crap.

"Ally's doing better; do you guys want to see her?" She asked us. Alex's eyes grew with an uplifting glow, and he rushed past Joyce and I and ran into the living room.

I wanted to go to Ally, but Alex has barely had any time with her since she got back, and he needs his big sister whom is practically his mother.

Joyce

I sat down next to Austin, uncrossing my arms as I did so.

"What happened to her?" He asked me, looking at the wall, then to me.

I sighed, but that was a bad move, since his eyes widened.

"No, no, she'll be fine," I assured him, "I don't think it has anything to do with her heart."

Austin still stayed in shock. "But what is it?" His voice showed how scared he was, and I felt bad for him. I mean, the kid has been through so much. He thought that teasing his crush would be harmless, but it nearly killed her. I know that he really, really does like her, and he doing everything he can to make her happy now. He's even dropping everything else in the process for this girl.

My eyes flickered towards my feet, which were sporting my worn-out running shoes, then I glanced back at Austin. "Adam told me that his mother and his grandmother had a weak stomach, so maybe that's what Ally has. She's showing all the symptoms for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, which means that her esophagus can't handle the average amount of acidity. I think what triggered it was the stress and the lack of food, which is stirring up the acid. Given, the same thing can happen if she's eating too much, but the pain she was feeling was incredibly similar to a cardiac arrest."

His painted was painted with incredulousness. I smirked to myself.

Teenagers are really clueless, I thought.

"She's got a bad stomach," I said, earning a nod of understanding from the blond in thought.

"So…" Austin trailed off, "it isn't anything serious?" He pursed his lips together and squinted his eyes together, trying to put the pieces together.

I shrugged. "All she has to do is look out for processed foods, antioxidants, foods with acidity, mint, and dairy. Otherwise, she can eat like a regular person," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder and standing myself up. "Well, I gotta run back to work, so I'll see you whenever."

As I headed out the door and into the hallway, I looked back to see Austin sigh, putting his head in his hands and trying to process everything.

Poor kid. Here I am, used to weird medical cases like this, but this kid has never dealt with anything like this.

I shook my head and grabbed my purse, which was propped against the door frame. I really hope that everything works for everybody. I swear, this is like the perfect storm. Nobody should have to go through this.

Alex

I jogged over excitedly towards Ally, whom was laying, propped up, on the couch. I poked her bony shoulder slightly to get her attention.

Turning over to face me, I saw how miserable she looked. Her eyes were red and baggy, showing that she was tired. Her nose was also red and her face was a sickly, white shade.

"Hey," she croaked out, "how's my favorite little man doing?" She reached with her weak hand and rubbed my cheek with her thumb.

Without thinking, I immediately latched onto her and hugged her as tight as I could, causing a gasp of air to escape from her. I was so happy when she wrapped her arms around me and patted my back, just like I did with Austin.

"I missed you," I whispered, burying my face into her soft, yet bony neck.

I had gone so many days without the person that raised me, it made me even more grateful that Ally stood up to my principal and prevented me from going into the adoption agency. If only Mom and Dad had siblings, then maybe Adam and Ally wouldn't be in this alone. Maybe everything would be all right, just for a second.

After the hug, all Ally and I talked about was what was going on with me at school. I made sure to leave out the part that I joined a group of bullies, no matter how much I wanted to tell her. Austin had already talked me out of being with them, so I saw no reason to make her think that I was going to repeat what's already happened.

Austin walked in at one point, and he joined in with our conversation.

"So what's happened since I was gone?" Ally asked us, after explaining that she practically had no connection with the outside world.

Austin looked at me, and I silently told him with my painted expressions that I didn't want Ally to know about Casey. He nodded, then looked back at Ally, whom was giving off a confused look.

"I'm confuzzled," she said, causing both of us to chuckle. Well, Austin did, I just laughed hysterically.

Austin's face scrunched in amusement, and he began tickling me maniacally, which made me fall to the ground in laughter.

I tried to push his hands away, but it was no use. "S-s-s-stop," I said in between shortened breaths, and he finally did.

I looked at Ally, and I don't think I've ever seen her more happy in my whole life. She looked so proud, so joyful, and it looked like she was about to cry. It wasn't long until I looked over at Austin and saw that he held the same glory, but he was looking at Ally.

Ew, cootie alert.

Standing up, I decided to give them a moment, even though they've had a lotlately. I brushed off my pants and ran off to my room, telling them how I was going to play Adam's old GameBoy.

Ha, suckers.

Austin

I looked over at Ally and saw that she looked like her first born just said their first word, then, she her eyes and face shifted to look at me.

God...she is just so beautiful. The way her cheeks turn to a shade of pink, the way her brown eyes glint with merriment, the way her lips look like they should be a Disney Princess'.

Okay, you can do it, you've done it before, so there's no reason why you can't do it now. Besides, Adam just left to go back to work along with Joyce, and Alex was in his room.

You will be such a coward if you back down. You will be looked at as someone who couldn't even man up to kiss the most gorgeous woman in the world.

Leaning over quickly, tilting my head, I pressed my lips against hers. My hand travelled from my side to her neck, brushing my fingers against her jawbone.

Once she kissed back, I couldn't help but grin, ecstatic that she still, somewhat, felt the same way.

DONE. I'M SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING QUICKER. SCHOOL'S BEEN HECTIC AND I FINALLY HAVE A LOVE LIFE, SO I'M TRYING TO MANAGE THAT. I KNOW, IT'S A GOOD PROBLEM, BUT IT'S STILL A PROBLEM.

Responses to Reviews:

Call Moi Crazy- Aw, thank you so much!

Lover-Bug- Thank you so so so so so so so so much!

R5Auslly- Actually, this is gonna shock you: I'm really bad at keeping up with Austin & Ally episodes, so I have no idea. I've just seen bits and pieces of a few episodes…Oh, and one more thing: do you think that your profile pic is photoshopped or not?

Toritwilight504- Dude, you're got some explaining to do…did it really happen or are you just kidding me?

Stuck-between-a-melody- Thanks! And I really enjoy reading your reviews!

Doctorwhoharrypotter55- Okay, I really want you to show your friend this story, because I'm using the opinions and thoughts of people who have recently have had troubles with themselves and how they've powered through it. Anybody who goes through is so strong and so beautiful, inside and out, because they've only let the bad get to them and they never believe the good.

Guest- OH MY GOODNESS THANK YOU

I love Kick Ausally and Gece- Yeah, I actually thought about doing a few chapters about her in the hospital, but Stuck-between-a-melody told me that I should probably do it through flashbacks, which I agreed with.

Question: If you are dressing up for Halloween, what are you going as? I'm going as a kick-ass angel. Yep, combat boots, wings and all.

That one Moment: When you're trying to say a sentence, but someone keeps interrupting you each time. I really, really disliked my brother at that moment.

Quote By Me: "First impressions are literally nothing. True, that's how you meet the person, but let time sink in and watch the loser become your best friend."

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW. PLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEE!

BYE.