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I hope you enjoy this story!
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The week flew by quicker than ever. And every minute of those days I spent with Austin. I almost craved our time together. As if, when I didn't see him, my brain would have a malfunction. Even when I get so much as a text message from him, it would completely flip my day over. In a good way.
Saturday came around before I knew it.
I pounced on Austin's bed, completely messing up the covers. Across his room, Austin laughed as he lazily strummed his guitar. "Okay," he said, sitting down at the edge of his bed. "So for the talent show song…"
"I've been looking for song choices," I assured him, rolling to my stomach.
He waited patiently. "And…?"
"And I can't find a song that can actually let us win this thing."
Austin snorted. "Nice job Alls," he joked.
I rolled my eyes. "Anyway," I went on. "I was thinking that we can write an original song that no one's ever heard before. That way, we will have an extra chance of winning the talent show first place."
"Someone's ambitious," Austin teased.
I laughed. "Says the person who got into Yale."
Austin faltered slightly and I suddenly regretting saying that. "Did you…" I hesitated. But Austin was looking at me expectantly. I swallowed hard, my throat drying. "D-Did you talk to your mom?"
"Nothing's changed," he mumbled, his face falling.
I felt myself soften. "You still don't have to do this," I told him quietly.
Austin cracked a smile. "But I am. So get over it."
His attempt to brighten the mood worked as I let out a small laugh. Austin grinned in triumph. Seeing my non-budging hesitation, he continued, "Don't worry Alls. This is my decision." He set his guitar down against his bed.
"No other college has given you a response yet," I murmured. It was true. Yale might actually be his only shot at a good college. He's applied to University of Florida, University of Miami, and other local colleges with no response.
Austin shrugged. "If I can't be with the person I've-"
"Okay, okay," I laughed, stopping him. "This is starting to sound so cheesy."
Austin mocked hurt. "Here I am, confessing my feelings, and you're worried that I'm sounding too cheesy?" He grasped his chest like it got shot.
I smiled, another round of affection rising up for my idiot of a boyfriend. But he was the idiot who was willing to skip Yale in order to stay in Miami with me. He was the idiot who helped me get over my stage fright. He was the idiot… who was willing to do anything for me. And he was mine.
Reaching over, I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. I felt it again. The sensation. No matter how many times we've kissed, I always felt it. Like I was on the top of the world. And I loved it.
Austin reluctantly pulled back first. "What was that for?" he asked.
I smiled. "Just for being you."
"Whoa," Linda stopped me. "Just wait a second."
I stopped mid-way of my story. "Yeah?"
Linda looked confused. "Things sound like it is going great for you two," she noted. "I mean, it may have been a while since I've dated, but I can tell that you and Austin definitely have a spark together."
I gave a small smile. "We did," I said quietly.
That didn't help Linda's puzzlement. "He dropped Yale for you," she reminded.
I looked at her suspiciously, wishing she would just get to the point. Was she trying to make me feel guilty? Because if she was, it was working. I ignored the feeling growing in my stomach. "Yeah," I said slowly. "I already told you that."
Linda seemed like she was trying to choose the right words as she fumbled slightly. "No offense," she said kindly. "But why are you on a plane to MUNY as we speak, confessing to me about your heartbreak."
That must've not come out as smoothly as she hoped because Linda winced.
I shook my head as she tried to apologize. "It's fine," I told her, taking a deep breath. "Just…something happened. And it all started at the talent show."
Once again, I found myself backstage of Marino High's auditorium. Unlike last time though, I felt confident in myself. Next to me, Austin noticed my smile as he drew his attention away from the act that was currently performing on stage.
"I'm guessing you're ready?" he said, grinning.
"Yeah," I nodded, beaming at him.
Austin opened his mouth to say something, but his voice got drowned out as the audience started clapping. We both peaked out of the thick, velvet curtains to see Dez wrapping up his tap dancing routine.
Miss Hill came up to the stage. "Thank you Dez," she said, smiling at the redhead, who saluted back. "Now for our next act, we have Cassidy, who's going to be performing…" she paused for dramatic effect. "Back for You by One Direction!" Claps followed as Cassidy skipped onto the stage.
I almost choked on the air as I heard her song choice.
That couldn't be a coincidence.
"Hi everyone!" Cassidy chirped. "Thanks for coming! I hope you like this song. It's-" she cut off. "I can really relate to it." Shivers went down my spine as she snuck a glance at me and Austin. I instinctively tensed.
Austin noticed me stiffen. "Hey," he said anxiously, nudging me gently. "Are you okay? Are you feeling the nerves coming back?"
The nerves were coming back. But they weren't from performing.
I swallowed hard and forced a smile. Austin shouldn't know what was going on with Cassidy. "Everything's fine," I told him not-so-convincingly.
Austin frowned, but he saw that I didn't want to talk about it. So thankfully, he didn't question it any further. Instead, he directed his attention back to Cassidy, who was mid-way between her song.
"Baby, you don't have to worry," she was singing. "I'll be coming back for you, back for you, back for you, you. Lately, I've been going crazy…"
I swallowed hard. Crazy indeed, I thought to myself.
(Ally- italicized, Austin- underlined, both- bolded)
Last summer we met
We started as friends
I can't tell you how it all happened
I smiled to myself as Austin hit off our 'original' song. We spent all weekend on it…and many sleepless nights. But it was finally done. And honestly, I thought that it turned out great. We had produced a method of Austin thinking of inspiration and I just turn them into words, on paper.
Then autumn it came
We were never the same
Those nights everything felt like magic
And I wonder if you miss me too
If you don't, here's the one thing
That I wish you knew
I remembered what Austin told me as I joined him for the chorus. As cliché as it sounds, I spend every minute of my life thinking about you.
I think about you
Every morning when I open my eyes
I think about you
Every evening when I turn out the lights
I think about you
Every moment every day of my life
You're on my mind
All the time
It's true
How long 'till I stop pretending?
What we have is never ending
Oh ohh
If all we are is just a moment
Don't forget me 'cause I won't and
I can't help myself
I think about you ooohh
I think about you ooohh
As Austin started to harmonize, he locked eyes with me. I think about you. I had to remind myself that we were still on stage, in front of possible the whole town. Otherwise, I would have just started tearing up right there.
I think about you
Every morning when I open my eyes
I think about you
Every evening when I turn out the lights
I think about you
Every moment every day of my life
You're on my mind,
All the time
It's true
Austin smiled at me and I had to bite my lip to keep myself from keeping myself from just kissing him right there, on the spot.
I think about you, you, you, you, you.
Austin finished the last chord. But it was barely heard as people started slowly rising to their feet, clapping. I caught my dad's eye in the front row, and he gave me thumbs up. Maybe he did approve of my music career.
"Thank you!" I said into the microphone.
Austin ushered me backstage, waving a 'bye' to the crowd. As soon as we got behind the curtains, he tackled me with a hug. "You did great!" he nearly yelled, grinning wide as he buried his face in my hair.
"You did too," I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him.
Austin laughed slightly and started to lean in. I didn't stop him. Our lips were centimeters apart. Millimeters. Until my dad had to ruin it.
"Ally!" he called.
Both Austin and I sprung apart. I couldn't help but blush. Even though my dad did know about our relationship, I still couldn't feel uncomfortable about it.
My dad didn't notice as he ran backstage. "You did great out there, Alls," he said, grinning ear-to-ear. "I'm so proud of you!" He looked like he wanted to say more, but glanced at Austin apologetically.
Austin excused himself, smiling as he got the signal from my dad. "I'll be right back," he whispered into my ear, tapping my shoulder gently as he left.
"Look, Ally," my dad said as Austin slipped out of the room. "I know that you want to go to MUNY." I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut him me off. "And I know I wasn't too supportive over that. But now-"
"Dad," I interrupted hesitantly. How was I supposed to explain that I didn't want to go to MUNY anymore? Austin gave up his chance at Yale for me. How could just move to New York when he did that for me?
"Just listen," my dad told me. "There's someone here to see you."
That wiped the words right out of my mouth. "R-Really?" I stammered.
Someone came backstage at my dad's words. She looked around her mid-thirties. She wore a t-shirt that read MUNY. "Miss Dawson!" she exclaimed as soon as her eyes landed on me.
I instinctively took a step back. "Dad?" I asked in surprise.
My dad stepped in. "This is Miss Grace from the Music University of New York," he introduced the woman. "And Miss Grace, this is my daughter, Ally-"
"Dawson," Miss Grace finished excitedly. "Yes, I know." She turned to me. "I saw your presentation just a few minutes ago. Did you really write that song?"
"Yes," I said in confusion. "But I had help from my boy-"
"Amazing!" Miss Grace said in awe. "You are a very talented woman."
I found myself at a loss of words. I turned to my dad questioningly, but he just directed me back to Miss Grace. She cleared up my confusion quickly. "I'm here from as a representative from MUNY. Miss Dawson, we would be honored to have you at our school. How would you feel about a scholarship?"
Please R&R! You guys are the best :D I'll try and update ASAP! A lot of you guys are asking why in the very first chapter, Ally was running away from Austin, going to the plane to MUNY. And I promise, you will all find out VERY soon :D