ONE WEEK LATER (Graduation Day)
It's officially one week after my weekend trip with Austin. It was absolutely amazing and felt like a real vacation for the two of us.
I had thanked Raina a million times when we got back for giving me the chance to spend any precious time I had left with him, happy and by ourselves with no distractions.
Today is the day. Graduation day.
I have been freaking out for the last two hours because today is also the day that everyone finds out who I really am. My mind is all over the place and it's extremely hard to stay calm knowing that Amy Russo will be no more once I leave that high school building.
"Ally, you have to remain calm. If you don't, they're gonna notice something is up." Cassidy told me as I looked over to her as I stood in front of the mirror.
"What does it matter? They're gonna find out today anyway." I say as I close my eyes starting to take rapid short breaths which unfortunately brings my heart rate up.
"She's right. You are valedictorian. You have to get yourself together." Trish adds who Cassidy invited over because I was freaking out and she's the tough one to get someone to man or woman up.
Trish walks over to me and I'm expecting a very mean and detailed speech about getting my head out of my ass and doing what I need to do, but instead she grabs my arm making me face her.
"You have every right to be nervous, Als. You do and I'm not gonna pretend like you shouldn't be because I'd be a liar. What you're doing today is huge and could be a disaster and that may not make you feel better but it's the truth." She says with a shrug of the shoulders.
"All I know is that before any of that happens, we have to graduate first. Stop thinking about who you were and think about who you became here. All the new things you learned about yourself and the world. All that you have accomplished. You got straight A's, you made great friends, you fell in love with an amazing guy and you became valedictorian. I mean who can say they accomplished all of that in the span of five months?" She said as I chuckled and Cassidy smiled.
"Today shouldn't be known as the day Amy Russo ends, it should be known as the day you celebrate all the things you've earned. So, please Ally...celebrate with us until shit hits the fan." She finishes off as I take a deep breath before nodding exceedingly.
"You're right." I say with a smile as they look at each other shocked that her motivational speech actually worked.
"Let's go graduate!" I shout as they cheer running out the room and out the front door as I look at myself one more time in the mirror.
The short, flowy, light pink dress Austin got me on our weekend trip fit so beautifully and well and the pink heels I had, matched so great with it. My blonde wig was in a high ponytail and I wore light makeup that complimented my blue contacts.
I sighed deeply before putting on my blue and long graduation gown and hat before turning off the light in my room and heading down the steps.
When I get outside, I see Austin walking up the path holding two bottles of beer and wearing his graduation outfit too.
"Hey, you." He says placing a soft kiss on my lips as I smile softly but nervously.
"I was looking for you, and I got you this." He said handing me one of the beers as I take it.
"Well, here I am." I say cheerfully acting a bit weird but I can tell he hasn't caught on.
"Yes, you are." He said with a smile as we both took a few swigs of the drink.
"Is this because you know I'll be nervous doing my valedictorian speech?" I asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yup. It'll put you more at ease." He told me as I smiled at my sweet boyfriend.
"Let's hope it doesn't make me completely wasted at my graduation." I reply as he chuckles.
"Don't worry, it's not that strong. Just good enough to get you a little buzz." He tells me as I nod understanding.
"Can I steal you for a while?" He asked after sipping more of his drink as I became confused.
"Austin, we have to get to school."
"Babe, it doesn't start for another half an hour." He tells me.
"I know, but you know I like to be early to things."
"Yeah, I know but it won't take long. We will still graduate on time. I promise." He said looking deeply in my eyes.
"...okay." I say giving in as he smiles happily.
"Guys, I'm going to go with Austin for a bit. I'll be back in time. I promise." I tell Cassidy and Trish in the car.
"You better because you're valedictorian. The quickie sex session better be worth it." Trish says while taking a bite of her doughnut as Austin and I laugh.
"I'll see you two there." I say as they nod before Cassidy pulls off.
"Alright, you lead the way." I say turning back around to Austin who smiles taking my hand and walking.
Austin's POV
Amy and I walk hand in hand around until we get to the destination I wanted.
"A pond?" Ally questioned as we arrived to the water sight before sitting down on a bench in front of it.
"Yeah. I use to come here all the time when I was kid and feed the birds." I say as she nods her head listening.
"I wish I knew. I would've brought bread." She said as I got some out of a plastic bag in my pocket.
"Don't worry, I came prepared." I say handing her some as she laughed loudly and I smile because it was music to my ears.
"Austin Moon, you are something else." She said getting some of it out and throwing it into the water as birds flock to it quickly.
"You know, one time when I was here with my dad, he made us write a wish down, place it into a bottle and put it into the water." I told her as she looked at me intrigued.
"What did you wish for?" She asked curious.
"To do it again." I answered as she cracked up.
"What? I was eight!" I say with a chuckle.
"So, even though I kind of wasted that wish...it still came true."
"It did? When did you do it again?"
"Right now." I said as her eyes widen.
"I'm sorry, am I blind? Did I blink to long?" She asked sarcastically as I laughed.
"That day was special to me because I did it with my dad. Now, I want to do it with you. I want to share it with you." I said looking her in the eyes as she realized I'm serious.
"And I'm guessing we're gonna use the bottles we just drank from?" She asked catching on to what I did as I smirked nodding.
"Alright...I'm in." She said as I smiled kissing her lips as she placed her hand on my cheek and deepening it as I kiss her with all the passion I have in me.
"I love you." She whispers softly against my lips as we separate.
"I love you more." I tell her honestly as she smiles sweetly but with sadness behind it.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask as she shakes her head wanting to ignore it.
"Talk to me." I say lowly as she sighs slightly.
"I guess I'm just...a little overwhelmed by all of this ending." She said referencing the school year and the moment we're officially announced as done.
"It is overwhelming...but you know what makes me feel better?" I say as she looks at me emotionally.
"The thought of you and me going to the same college, being so close and together. All I need are my friends, you by my side and my dream." I told her as a small smile appeared.
"Alright, let's do this." She said getting her empty bottle and opening the top.
"Wait..." She said looking around confused.
"We don't have paper or pencils." She said as I got them out from my pocket as she smiled shaking her head.
"Do you have Asia in there too?" She joked as I chuckled.
Amy and I both take a little time thinking about what we wanted to write down as a wish and I finally decided on what.
I waited for Amy to be done and then we both put both our pieces of paper in each of our empty beer bottles.
We both proceeded to stand up and walk over to the pond getting ready to throw it in when Amy looked at me.
"Isn't this suppose to be done in the ocean?" She asked with a giggle.
"Yeah, but who cares as long as it comes true." I say as she shrugs before we eye each other then throwing both the bottles as far as we can into the water.
"That felt good." Amy says with a smile looking at the water.
"Yeah, it did."
"What did you wish for?" She asked coming over to me.
"I can't tell you or it won't come true. You should know better Russo!" I say as she laughs taking my hand as we walked back to my house, getting in my car.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Babe, I'm really sorry that your mom can't be here." I say to Amy feeling badly as we arrive at school walking inside holding hands.
"Don't be. It's not your fault. I'm okay." She reassured me with a smile even though I could tell it bothered her.
We make it into the auditorium as we watch hundreds of parents and family walking around, some talking to their kid and others talking to each other or teachers.
Amy and I make our way backstage where about a hundred students are prepping for their jobs in graduation or trying to shake their nerves or just wide smiles on their faces with the thought of getting out of this hellhole.
Though, I can't feel the same way. High school was a great experience for me, especially meeting Amy here.
"Austin, Amy!" We hear our names being yelled over the loud chatter as we turn around to face Cheryl waving us to come over to the group of all our friends.
Cassidy, Trish, Dallas, Dez, Kira, Carrie, Chris and Cheryl.
We walk over giving hugs to everyone who looked happy and sad to be leaving this place we spent the last four years growing and learning from.
"So, this is it. You guys excited?" Cassidy asked us as all of us nodded.
"I was ready on the first day of my freshmen year." Dallas said making us laugh.
"Well, Miss Valedictorian better bring it today. I want an amazing speech! I'm talking about the shiver down my spine AMAZING." Kira said to Amy.
"No pressure, right?" Amy responded sarcastically as we all chuckled.
"Don't worry, babe. You're gonna do fine. You inspire people all the time so that speech will be a walk in the park." I tell her as she smiles but I can tell she really doesn't believe it.
"Just remember your speech like your lyrics Amy. It'll help with the memory of the words." Cheryl suggested.
"Except I didn't write it down." She admits as all our eyes widen.
"What?!" We all said catching a few stares.
"Yeah...I'm gonna wing it. It's just...every time I tried to write something, my mind gets completely blocked."
"Why didn't you say anything before? We could've helped you." Carrie said.
"Because I've never failed at anything before. I wanted to get it on my own. I just hope I don't embarrass myself in front of the whole school." She says worried as I wrap my arm around her.
"You're not. You'll think of something. You always do." I tell her kissing her forehead.
Ally's POV
Austin kisses my forehead sweetly telling me that I'll be able to figure something out when it comes to my speech and then my phone rings from getting a text.
I look down at it and realize it's from Raina and I'm really hoping it's not to remind me of what I already know I have to do. Especially because we have been getting along better since my weekend trip with Austin and our friendship started to feel like before.
Meet me outside.
I become confused on why she's asking me to go outside. What reason would she have to be here? It can't wait until my graduation is over?
"Um, guys I'll be back." I tell them as Austin looks at me strange.
"You're okay, right?" He asked kindly putting a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"Yes, I'm just gonna go get some fresh air." I lie feeling bad as he nods kissing my cheek as I walk away.
When I get outside the building, I see Raina with her infamous dyed red hair holding balloons and a small little box with a smile on her face.
"Oh my god..." I say under my breath walking slowly over to her.
"Congratulations!" She cheered with happiness on her face as I looked at her in awe.
"You did all this for me?" I asked emotional as she smiled nodding her head.
"It's the least I could...being a complete ass for the last couple of weeks." She said as I shook my head.
"No, you have nothing to apologize for. I was wrong. I put myself in this situation and I blamed you for trying to make me face it." I say as she looked at me and smiled shaking her head.
"Well...whoever fault it is, let's ignore it because right now is your graduation and it's your special day." She said handing me the balloons.
"Thank you so much, Raina. This is amazing." I tell her appreciative.
"Don't thank me yet." She said handing me the little box in her hand as I take it opening it.
When I open it, I see a pretty silver necklace as Raina motions for me to open that as well. I do and a picture of a five year old Raina and me hugging each other tightly with huge smiles on our face appears.
"Wow." I say getting emotional.
"I haven't seen this photo in years. I can't believe you still have it." I say looking back up at her.
"Of course I do. You're my best friend, Als. You always will be." She said as I sighed feeling suddenly overwhelmed.
"Do you remember those days we'd go to the park and you'd sing and draw in a crowd who would cheer you on all the time?" She asked as I chuckled remembering.
"I use to look at you so proud and brag to the other kids how you were my best friend and that you were gonna be a superstar one day." She said as I smiled looking down some.
"What I said came true and suddenly you weren't just blowing the whole park away...but the world too." She said now sounding sad.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't pay attention enough to notice how much you were truly hurting, Als. I knew something was off but I didn't know how bad and that was my fault. I wasn't being a good best friend to you. I'm so sorry." She said as tears filled my eyes.
"Don't be sorry. I'm so tired of feeling angry over things I can't no longer change. I'm happy and it's all gonna come crashing down this afternoon so for right now, just be happy with me." I tell her as she understands getting herself together.
"Thank you again for this." I say as she nods with a smile.
I turn around and begin walking away as something crosses my mind making me stop and then I slowly turn around looking at Raina as she looked confused on what I was doing.
Suddenly, I run up to her in her arms hugging her tightly shocking her but she quickly returns the hug happily as I sigh in content.
"I really missed you." I said as I felt her smile against my cheek.
"You too, Als. You too." She replied as I pulled away and walked away for real this time going back inside.
"You okay? Did that fresh air help?" Austin asked walking over to me.
"It really did." I say feeling refreshed as he smiles kissing me.
The ceremony starts with the Principle instructing all the students and the audience to stand up to sing the National Anthem.
Next, the Principle and Vice Principle gave faculty commencement speeches addressing the assembly. A keynote graduation speech was given by an outsider for our graduating class.
Eventually, one by one all the graduates are called to the stage for the conferring of a degree and receipt of diplomas. We are each handed our diploma while shaking the hand of the individual handing it out and offering a quiet thanks.
"I want to welcome to the stage, our beautiful and intelligent valedictorian giving a wonderful speech for our students here at Marino High School followed by an even more amazing performance with a song written by yours truly. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Amy Russo." He said as everyone cheered as I walked over to where he was standing as I made eye contact with the microphone right in front of me before looking at all my fellow graduates in the audience looking back up at me.
"Hello, class of 2018. It's been a long journey for everyone here. Except for me, I've only been here five months." I say as everyone chuckled shocking me because I wasn't actually trying to be funny.
Okay, Ally you got this. You're going to have to wing it and wing it well. These people are counting on you to make them feel happy and sad and proud. They are counting on hearing an unforgettable speech that they can look back on in life. You got this. You got this!
"When I came here, I remember feeling so out of place...which is a bit weird considering one of my friends said that I looked like one of the villains in Mean Girls." I say referencing to Cassidy as the audience laughs.
"I was home schooled my whole life." I admit which was the truth.
"My whole life...so of course my mother thought I was insane when I suddenly decided that I wanted to finish my senior year in a real high school, and...I'm so happy I did." I say with a soft smile.
"Marino High is a place I found real friends, supportive teachers and fun hobbies I never knew I was interested in. It's so easy to feel lost and confused about where you're heading in life but being here made me feel like no matter what happened, I was going to be okay." I say honestly.
"We're all here for a reason and we all have a purpose. I know it's so easy to forget that because we spend so much time in our own misery and sorrow but we all matter. We do...and I don't say that because it sounds good or whatever but because it's the absolute truth. Every step of the way, it has been difficult and amazing with struggles and pain but also so much love." I say passionately as smiles spread on the faces of the students and families in the audience.
"I don't think I ever really let myself enjoy life until I walked into this building five months ago because up until then...nothing made sense. Complete sense anyway. People accepted me here in ways I never thought possible." I say thinking about Cassidy and Trish who smile towards me.
"I've met people I don't ever wanna lose in life." I say looking at Austin who looks up in awe of me.
"All of us are going to have a long journey in finding who we are in the world and I'm one of the lucky ones who have great people by my side whenever I'll need them. We worked so hard and every amazing and horrible moment has lead us all here. We should be excited, tired and overall just exceedingly proud of everything we have accomplished. Our bright futures are ahead of us and I can't wait to see it. We did it guys. We made it!" I finished off as the entire room of students and parents applauded and cheered loudly as I smiled looking straight to my fellow classmates as Austin winked to me and I blushed.
My eyes follow the microphone as I take it off it's stand and going to the middle of the stage making sure everyone could see me.
"This is a song I wrote just for this special occasion. It's called "I'll Always Remember You." It's very close to my heart." I say as the music guy backstage plays the instrumental I gave him over the loud speakers.
I always knew this day would come
We'd be standing one by one
With our future in our hands
So many dreams so many plans
Always knew after all these years
There'd be laughter there'd be tears
But never thought that I'd walk away
With so much joy but so much pain
And it's so hard to say goodbye
(I walk over to the right stage thinking about how strong these lyrics reflect on how I felt these past few months)
But yesterday's gone we gotta keep moving on
I'm so thankful for the moments so glad I got to know ya
The times that we had I'll keep like a photograph
And hold you in my heart forever
I'll always remember you
Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na
Another chapter in the book can't go back but you can look
And there we are on every page
Memories I'll always save
Up ahead on the open doors
Who knows what we're heading towards?
I wish you love I wish you luck
For you the world just opens up
But it's so hard to say goodbye
(I make eye contact with some of my friends but most importantly Austin who's smiling widely at me as Cassidy and Trish give me thumbs up before I face the crowd again.)
Yesterday's gone we gotta keep moving on
I'm so thankful for the moments so glad I got to know ya
The times that we had I'll keep like a photograph
And hold you in my heart forever
I'll always remember you
Everyday that we had all the good all the bad
I'll keep them here inside
All the times that we shared every place everywhere
You touched my life
Yeah one day we'll look back we'll smile and we'll laugh
But right now we just cry
'Cause it's so hard to say goodbye
Yesterday's gone we gotta keep moving on
I'm so thankful for the moments so glad I got to know ya
The times that we had I'll keep like a photograph
And hold you in my heart forever
I'll always remember you
(Everyone looks at me in shock as I hit the high note)
Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na na
I'll always remember you
(Everyone looks in awe as I do it again but longer this time and stands up applauding me loudly)
Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
I'll always remember you
The song finishes as I hear nothing but silence but watch wide mouth cheers and smiling faces and I take a long deep breath taking in my surroundings and remembering it as it is because this is the last time I'll enjoy it as Amy Russo.
I finally let the noise back in as the Principle makes his way onto the stage again.
"Alright, that was amazing Amy Russo. Obviously the people agree." The principle said as the audience still cheered standing up for me.
"I would like all the students back on stage please." He said into the mic as all the students came back onto the stage going to their assigned positions as my friends gave me a smile and thumbs up for my speech and performance.
Austin smiles proudly at me before winking making me blush as I walk over to my position as well.
"Okay, I would like all the students to hold on to their tassels onto the right side." Our principle said as we all did so.
"Now, I want you to switch it to the left side." He said as we all followed the instructions as smiled spread onto our faces.
"Congratulations, class of 2018! You are now graduated!" He shouted as cheers erupted from the auditorium from the students, parents and family members as we all throw up our caps into the air.
I remember to pick mine back up because my graduation outfit is something I need to keep in order to remind myself all that I accomplished here.
Soon, I made my way backstage along with everybody else, finding my group of friends again as we all hugged each other happily and proud.
"Jesus, Amy! That speech was fucking phenomenal. How the hell did you wing that shit?" Dallas asked amazed as I laughed shrugging.
"It just came from my heart. The best speeches are honest ones that you actually mean." I tell them as they smile proud.
"God, babe...you blew me away once again." Austin said kissing me deeply as a couple of our friends whistled as I chuckled and blushed when we pulled away.
"Not to mention that song, Amy. It was so freaking good!" Carrie complimented as I smiled.
"It really was! Your voice is fantastic. You better go to college for music or I'm killing you." Cheryl said as I laughed.
"You guys are too nice." I say at all their sweetness.
"Well, you are a once in a lifetime person. You're special, Ally Russo." Chris said as I smiled kindly at him.
"You are. Not as much as me of course." Dez added making us laugh before their parents started to meet them backstage and they begin walking and running to them as they are being congratulated.
I watch with smiles as all my friends celebrate their accomplishments with their parents and family but my heart saddens that I don't have any of mine here. My mom has no idea where I am and my father is dead.
As I stand by myself watching my friends enjoy themselves, I see Cassidy make her way over to me with a smile on her face.
"You ever miss it?" Cassidy whispered to me so no one else could hear for some reason.
"What?" I whispered back even though I was confused why.
"Your other life. Watching you perform like that was...amazing to watch and I can tell you were born to be on a stage. You ever miss it?" She repeated the question as I thought about it.
"The music, yes. The performing, yes. The fans, yes. That part of my life was fantastic and exhilarating." I whisper back with a certain awe in my voice.
"But the paparazzi, the tabloids, the media, the rumors, the non privacy, the faking of who I was and really dating and the haters...that was exhausting." I tell her as she looked at me nodding her head understanding what I was saying.
"I don't wanna sound ungrateful for the great and successful career I've had but it can be tiring at times and I just wanted a break for once, ya know?" I say as she slightly smiled.
"I completely get it, Als. It's why we'll always be friends. You're real. I was obsessed with you as a fan but I never knew what you were going through. How could I? But seeing the real you...I'm in awe of the amazing person you are. They say to never meet your heroes but I'm happy I met mine...because she's my best friend." She said as tears filled my eyes and hers as we embraced tightly.
"I love you, Cass." I tell her as my tears fell from my face as she chuckled lightly.
"I love you. You're my sister. All the girls are." She said as we pulled away and I see tears on her face too.
"Why the long faces over here?" Trish asked now focusing on us and referencing our tears as we begin to wipe them.
"Graduation makes everyone emotional." I say with a shrug as Cassidy agreed before we joined in the conversation with our friends again.
"Babe, come here." Austin says walking over to me extending his hand as I take it while he walks me over to his parents.
"Ally, honey hi!" His mother Mimi said hugging me tightly as I smile in her embrace.
"Hi! I say as we pull away.
"Congratulations, sweetheart." Mike said pulling me into a hug as well as I smile feeling happier than I did before.
"Austin was telling us how proud of you he was. He wouldn't stop bragging to us when you were first elected valedictorian." His mom gushed as he blushed and I giggled.
"He's sweet. A perfect boyfriend." I say leaning my head on his shoulder as his parents smiled at the sight.
After the ceremony, we all headed to Cassidy's house as her parents and Austin's parents went out to dinner together somewhere so we could have the house to ourselves to celebrate our graduation.
Austin, Dallas, Dez, Chris, Cassidy, Cheryl, Carrie, Trish, Kira and I are all at Cassidy's house celebrating our graduation to the fullest.
Cassidy asked Cheryl, Kira and Carrie to handle the chips while all the guys did the drinks.
2 Hours Later
Everyone is having a great time eating food, dancing around and playing music. I sit on Austin's lap as he smiles looking very proud of me, himself and all our friends.
"I'm so happy we're gonna be going to college together, babe. One of my worst fears was being separated after high school, but now I get to have you with me." He said as I kissed him softly but with a sad expression that he unfortunately notices.
"What's wrong?" He asked concerned gently rubbing my shoulder as my heart begins to beat faster than the speed of sound.
"I love you so much." I tell him as tears start to fill up my eyes and just as he was about to say something else, I stop him by getting up.
"I'm so sorry." I say as he looks at me strangely standing up too.
"Amy-"
"Everyone..." I said loudly cutting him off as they all faced me after stopping what they were doing.
"I have an announcement to make." I say as my voice slightly breaks before Trish and Cassidy come over to me.
"You're ready now?" Trish asked as I looked to her feeling my heart literally drop to my stomach from nervousness.
"Ready for what?" Kira and Cheryl asked simultaneously as everyone else just paid close attention intrigued at what we were talking about.
"There is something I have been keeping from all of you and it's time I tell you what it is." I say as I feel my hands tremble and Cassidy holds one of them trying to help calm me but it doesn't help at all.
"Babe, you're scaring me. What is it? Is everything all right?" Austin asked worried which just made me feel even worse about what I was about to do.
"No, everything is not all right." I sigh before turning around and slowly taking out my contacts as I hear whispers of some of them wondering what I was doing.
I put them down on the snack table and turn around and it took a few seconds before they noticed the difference.
"Whoa." Chris said as everyone observed me.
"Um, your real eyes are brown? It looks a little weird if I'm gonna be honest." Kira stated.
"Okay, so your eyes are not blue. It's gonna take a little time but we'll get use to it." Dallas says as I internally sigh wishing it was that easy.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Amy. You're still beautiful." Carrie sweetly says which just makes my heart ache because they were not ready for the next reveal at all.
I turn to Austin who just stares longingly observing me before walking over to me.
"Why would you keep something like that from me?" He asked lowly as I opened my mouth to respond but nothing came out.
"Your eyes are really brown? You look different...familiar for some reason." He said as Cheryl suddenly gasped while looking at me and I could tell by the look of her face that she knew exactly who I was now even without taking off the wig.
Girls naturally have better intuition than men. It's a fact.
"What? What is it?" Kira said a little scared from the sudden outburst.
"She knows..." Trish and Cassidy both say under their breath but everyone still hears it.
"Will someone tell me what exactly it is? This is getting interesting." Dez said amused with the whole mystery.
Here it goes. It's now or never.
I look at Austin in front of me who never lost eye contact with me and I slowly back up out of his grip.
"My name is not Amy Russo." I admit as everyone looks around confused except for Trish and Cassidy who stay religiously by my side.
"Okay, Amy this isn't funny anymore." Austin said as he looked at me seriously wanting to know what was going on desperately.
I look at him sadly with tears in my eyes as one falls before shrugging heartbroken.
"I wish I was joking." I reply before taking a deep breath and finally removing my blonde wig along with the cap revealing my long, wavy brown hair making everyone's mouths drop to the floor except for the two who already obviously knows.
There is nothing but silence for at least 30 seconds and it seriously feels like forever as everyone just stares at me like I grew two heads.
"Someone please say something..." I speak lowly in a pleading voice. Dez slowly looks to Carrie before smirking.
"I knew it!" He shouted causing everyone to look his way except for Austin, who's eyes couldn't leave me.
"My sister is a big fan of Ally Dawson, well...you...and I have seen her, I mean you enough times to have her face memorized. I told Carrie about my theory and she thought I was crazy for the suggestion and that you two just happened to favor each other but I was right!" He explained with a clap and a smile as I didn't know how to respond to that.
"Not to mention, I heard you sing and I don't understand how no one knew then, I mean come on people!" He said with a chuckle as no one joined in and he awkwardly backed up with his hands in the air.
Everyone stays in shock as I sigh looking down at the ground ashamed. Cassidy goes over to Dallas and Chris slapping them both out of it.
Kira and Carrie slowly walk over to me observing and touching my face and my hair as I move uncomfortably but don't say anything because this reveal is very fragile at the moment.
"How did I not know?" Kira whispered to herself.
"Impossible. Just...impossible." Carrie also spoke to herself.
"This seems so unbelievable." Cheryl finally said trying to calm herself down taking deep breaths from the realization.
"Oh my god...it's so clear on why you came here now." She added getting the reason. Kira suddenly backs up away from me with a very upset face.
"How could you pretend to be someone else and play all of us this whole time?" She asked hurt as I shook my head quickly defensive.
"I wasn't playing any of you. You were really my friends. You are. I didn't expect to get as close to anyone as close as I got to all of you." I say honestly.
"Seems like all lies to me." Cheryl added as a stinger.
"Alright, go easy." Trish states quickly as I only had one person on my mind and one person only.
I go over to Austin who still had nothing but shock all over his face as he faced the ground looking as if someone told him his puppy got ran over.
"Please, say something." I beg with my voice breaking as he looks up to me revealing tears in his eyes that literally broke my heart knowing I was the reason they were there. Austin did not have a sad expression anymore but an angry one.
"How..." He starts but his voice cracks making my heart break and lose eye contact because of my shame before looking back at him.
"How could you do this to me?" He growled in a low and hurt voice as I don't know how to respond.
"What, you have nothing to say now?" He says roughly as I am taken back from his tone.
"Austin," I reach out to touch his arm as he quickly pulls back.
"Don't touch me!" He yelled making me jump as the rest watched in shock of the whole situation unraveling.
"You lost the right the moment you revealed you're nothing but a manipulative liar." He said as I heard the hurt in his voice as tears fell down my face from the cruel words that I totally deserved.
"Okay, everyone out now." Trish stated going over to the front door and opening it.
"We're giving them space." She said protective of my feelings before going around with Cassidy and moving the rest of them out the house.
"Wait, I still want answers. I can't believe Ally Dawson has been in our school this entire time." Kira said in disbelief but with an attitude still upset from me lying.
"You'll get them another time. Out." Cassidy says walking her out the door.
"I can't believe she's her." Cheryl says looking at me in awe before slowly backing out of the house still stunned.
Chris, Dallas and Carrie are still in shock but they leave along with Cassidy and Trish last before they close the doors leaving us alone.
"If you could let me explain, it would make-"
"There's no explaining this, Amy!" He yelled as I winced until he realized the name he said.
"I'm sorry, Ally. My bad..." He said shaking his head pacing back and forth in dissatisfaction.
"I wasn't happy, Austin. Not with the lifestyle I was living."
"I don't need a sob story, okay?"
"It's not a sob story. It was my life!" I shouted as he looked at me as I realized I got his attention but he still looked like he couldn't care less about my reasons.
"Everyday, my entire life was front and center for the whole world to see. My success, my failures, my relationships, my pain, and anything else you could imagine. For as long as I remember, my life was someone else's. It was owned by other people. I started to feel like a robot as if I was being created just to profit from. I hated feeling out of control with my own life. I hated performing songs that meant nothing to me. I hated dating people I wasn't really with. I hated saying things I didn't really mean just because it would make my brand look good. I didn't know who I was, Austin. Not anymore." I say as more tears came down as I wiped them turning around not facing him because this whole thing was becoming overwhelming.
"People like you can imagine all you want but you'll never know what it's like until you've experienced it yourself. I couldn't breathe, I was suffocating all the time. You have to get that." I say turning back around to face him as he steps closer to me with no emotion on his face.
"What I get...is that my girlfriend of 4 months has lied to me ever since the day I met her. About who she is, what she looks like, everything."
"That's not true, that's not true!" I repeat twice emotionally.
"I didn't lie about who I am. Physically yes but not in my heart. Everything I did with you, everything I said, all the things I love and hate are the exact same things I did before. The only difference is that I wore a blonde wig and blue contacts. That's all."
"How could say that? That's all? As if I could write it off as nothing? You don't even look the same. You aren't the same no matter how much you try to be." He said starting to walk away as my heart starts to beat fast as I run after him going in front of him as tears run down my face as I see the same on his knowing how much I hurt him.
"Please, don't do this Austin. I love you. I love you so much. That hasn't changed. It was always real. I love you." I say placing a hand on his cheek while he just stares at me as he starts breathing heavy and emotional.
"We are meant to be. You said so yourself."
"I said that to Amy Russo...and if you haven't noticed, she isn't real."
"Austin...please," I pleaded as he looked at me breaking down as I held my hands on his chest pressing our foreheads together which he allowed for a while sighing against me.
"No!" He shouts before snatching himself away from me looking like his heart was broken in a million different ways.
"We're done." He finally said opening the door as I cry hard shaking my head as he turned once more to look at me.
"And...I don't want to hear the name or see the face of Ally Dawson ever again...because all she did was break my heart." He stated before slamming the door shut as I broke down falling to the ground as I cry out in pain and hurt.
"Ally, where are you? We sent everyone ho-" Cassidy started as she came in with Trish but Trish stops her pointing to the ground where they see me and I can see they are extremely hurt for me.
"Als...I'm so sorry. We're here, okay? We're always gonna be here." Cassidy reminds me as they both get onto the floor holding me closely and tightly while I cry in both their arms.
END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.) Are you happy or upset Ally forgave Raina?
2.) Fav character/s besides A&A and why?
3.) Thoughts on the reveal?
4.) Free Comment. I don't own the song "I'll Always Remember You" by Miley Cyrus.