Chapter 28- She Doesn't Fall

Austin and Ally's date—Part 2! Well, part of the story is their date. The other part…

Anyways, hi guys! You know what this is? This is the 28th chapter, meaning only one or two more to go… I'm so sad to see this story winding down; even though it's only my second, I put so much hard work and dedication into it. I hope you guys have enjoyed this ride; it's soon coming to a stop.

Enjoy!

Austin's POV

After we hung around at the park, just goofing off, and embracing our inner children, I took Ally to one of my favourite restaurants: IHOP, because, if you didn't already know, I love pancakes! Luckily, there were no more female interrupters, and I just got to talk and eat with Ally. She told me about her new songs she was working on, and I still can't wrap my mind around how talented she is. Seriously, Ally deserves a record deal! After a while, the sun was finally setting, painting the sky with pink and orange streaks. I smile, perfect.

I pay for the bill, and grab Ally's hand, pulling her out of the restaurant and start walking down the path, a special place in mind.

"Now where are we going, Austin," Ally laughs lightly, moving a strand of hair away from her eye. I swear, she is gorgeous, even without trying. As if she can read my thoughts, Ally blushes and looks ahead, studying the swaying leaves in the wind.

"Don't worry, we're almost there." Ally and I walk in comfortable silence for a few minutes until a familiar sound is heard. Ally cocks her eyebrow.

"Wait… is that the ocean?" Ally asks, looking at me in surprise. I smile and we walk a little until I see the cliff of rocks up ahead. It was such a cool place, with large, granite stones, and long strands of grass flying in the wind. Down below, the water was clear and reflecting the setting sun, making the scene perfect. I hear Ally faintly gasp as we reach the rocks.

"Wow, this place is beautiful, Austin," Ally sighs, enjoying the view. We stand there, just spending peaceful time together, until the sun finally sets, all traces of light leaving the sky. Sometime while we're watching the few stars glittering with the moon, I feel warmth as Ally grabs my hand. The moon is bright enough that I can make out Ally's face as she smiles and starts leaning forward. I do too, and then we kiss, a gentle and passionate kiss. Well, until Ally grinds herself into me. I groan, my tongue swiping across Ally's plump lips, asking for entrance. She allows it and the kiss quickly heats up. I grab tightly onto Ally's waist, pulling her closer, and she combs her fingers through my hair, making me shiver. Unfortunately, the lack of oxygen makes us pull away too soon for my liking. We both calm our breathing, listening to each other's heart beats, until Ally untangles her fingers from my hair.

"It's late. We should go now," she whispers, smiling her dazzling smile. I comply and we both walk, hand in hand, back to my car.

Later…

I park my car in the private parking spot a block away from my house, because the last thing I needed was the paparazzi snooping around my car. I swiftly get out and go open Ally's door before she can do it herself, expecting a thank you or "you're such a gentlemen," but instead, Ally rolls her eyes and says, "I can open the door myself, Austin." Yep, this girl sure was something. We head back to my house, talking along the way.

"Thanks for the date, Austin. It was amazing," Ally says, grinning at me, making the whole keeping it a secret thing worth it.

"I'm glad you liked it. I thought it was great too, but that's probably just because I had great company," I say, nudging Ally playfully. She laughs and gives me a look, "Are you referring to yourself?" Now it was my turn to chuckle, combing my hair with my hand. "Well, I am great company," I say cockily, feeling the words slide uneasily off my tongue. How long had it been since I got rid of my old self? It felt like that person only existed in my mind, since I feel so comfortable with how I am now.

"I am too," Ally says, "I didn't even try to take your fork." At that point, I stop walking and laugh until my stomach hurts. Ally joins in too, both of us waking up the neighbourhood with our inside joke.

Suddenly, a faint sound comes from around the street corner, and my laughing mood completely vanishes. I pale, feeling like my brain just did a 360. Ally hears it too, and acting quick and calmly, she pulls me behind a large bush, concealing us from everything except each other. I sit down on the grass and watch as Ally silently peers over the bush, ducking her head and then looking around the corner. She does it automatically, as if she had practise, which is weird. She finishes her assessment and sits down next to me.

"So, the paparazzi are over there… about five of them. I guess… they heard us," Ally's voice betrays her confident movements. She sounded worried about something.

"Alls, what's wrong?" I study her, seeing how she seems deep in thought, biting her lip. I decide not to push her and focus on the clicking sounds on the other side of the bush. Seriously, what are they even taking pictures of? Fire extinguishers? I feel so powerless, just sitting here, not brave enough to confront the paparazzi. It's like a chain keeping me grounded. No matter how hard I try to fight it, my memories from my childhood are stronger, keeping me from breaking the bond. A sudden tap on my shoulder startles me back to reality, and my eyes settle on Ally. Sheepish is the only word to describe how Ally is looking. Maybe also a bit guilty, as if she had done something wrong.

"Austin, there's something I have to tell you…"

Ally's POV

Stupid. Selfish. Untrustworthy. I had to wait! I could've told him earlier, but instead, I had waited! Now, look where we were: hiding behind a bush, with Austin feeling scared, but still putting me first. He was an amazing person, and I was, well… not. I take a deep breath, hoping that Austin takes this well.

"Austin, there's something I have to tell you…" I say, and begin telling him about how I had created my plan a while ago and put it into action yesterday, going on to describe about the publisher and how I was going to blackmail the reporters. When I am finished, I suck in a breath and hold it, waiting for Austin's reaction.

And it was exactly what I feared.

"Ally!" he gasps, leaning backwards. Hurt was evident on his face, with cold shades pulled over his eyes. "I can't believe you would go behind my back, especially when you know how the paparazzi are!" I open my mouth to protest, wanting to tell him how I did it for him, for us, but no words come out.

"You completely lied to me too. What relationship do we have if there's no trust? And, you knew how I didn't want you anywhere near them! I was trying to protect you, Ally! But, you just go and do whatever you want!" Austin combs his fingers through his hair, avoiding eye contact with me. I know Austin, and I know that he is just letting his anger with the paparazzi out on me, but I can't help but feel involuntary tears prickle my eyes. I hurriedly wipe them away and look at Austin again. By now, he has calmed down, but anyone could read his expression. Hurt, anger, and betrayal.

"Look, I'm going to go… think some things through," Austin mutters, rising from his hideout, and revealing himself to the paparazzi. In only a second, they spot him, and I hear them yelling his name. Austin just gives me one last look before running away, and back to his house. When all is silent, then do I start my waterfall of tears, not caring about how I look or if someone notices me. I cry, and cry, occasionally whispering Austin's name. He won't stay mad forever, he can't. Eventually, he'll realize my motive for doing this: to give him his freedom, and so we can both be happy.

My head snaps up. My plan; it had to be completed. Even if Austin will never forgive me, I have to let him know that he didn't make a mistake with me, that I'm not a bad person, and that I care about him deeply. I slowly stand up, and start running down the street to Austin's house. My heart was pounding, and adrenaline rushed through my veins, but, in a pleasant way. It said, "I can do this." I skid to a stop and cautiously move closer to the shadows when I see the looming house. On the front yard, more than a dozen Cheetah Beat reports were crowding around, hyper with the surprise of seeing Austin Moon caught elsewhere besides his house. Even the head publisher was here, and I would know. I recognize his fancy tan coloured shoes that he's wearing. They were the exact same pair placed besides the bathtub. I shudder and focus on the group again. They probably thought it was some new stunt and they would finally get something juicy out of him. Oh, they'll get something, alright I think, approaching the large group. I pull out my phone, ready with the video, and as swift as the wind, I maneuver through the people and find myself on the porch.

"HEY!" I shout, gaining everyone's attention. Immediately, the flashes set off and I'm blinded. How do celebrities deal with this all the time? I wave my arms wide, and shout again, "STOP!" Surprisingly, most of them listen; except for a select few at which I shoot death glares at.

"Who are you?" a short, blond lady asks, and all the microphones are suddenly up in my face. I take a deep breath, gathering all my courage.

"I am Austin Moon's… friend," I start. Better safe than sorry. If Austin really had broken up with me, better use "friend" in front of all these guys. "And I am here today because I care about him a lot, and want you all to leave him alone." All around me, laughter erupts from all the reporters, even the publisher, who is drawing closer, to take a better look.

"Ya, right sweetie," an obnoxious sounding guy says. "Austin Moon is one of the biggest teen stars today. We're not gonna stop what we're doing just because his friend says so." Again with the snickers.

"Well, then, I guess I'll just have to make you reconsider." I point to the publisher. "You, come here," I command, as if I'm a ruler, not just some girl bossing this adult around. He steps forward and hesitantly walks up to me. "Austin Moon is one of the sweetest, most amazing, and talented guys I have ever met, and does not deserve to be treated this way by all of you. I don't know what your sick game is, but I'm telling you, if you mess with Austin, you will regret it," I threaten powerfully, and amazingly, my words are finally getting to this lot. They start shifting uncomfortably at my words.

"W-well, what can you possible do to us?" a man asks, raising his chin, even with his stuttering voice, in an attempt at bravery. I just laugh, and hold my phone. "I'll have you know, a little birdie has sent me a unique video," I say. I was on a roll, and the last thing I wanted was to prove that I had snuck into their headquarters. "And this video, well, what do you think of it?" I ask, showing it to the publisher. I play it only loud enough for him to hear, and I watch as his face pales as he realizes that I had caught him saying that he was basically using all of the company's money just for his own purposes to bribe Austin, and that he was the hugest, and most obsessive Austin Moon fan. The video finishes and he gasps. "H-how did you g-get that?" he splutters in rage. I merely shrug, and turn back to face the group, who were all staring in shock at the high authority of their business, blushing as red as a tomato. They didn't know what was in the video, but they got the gist of it: something bad.

"As you can see, it doesn't seem like your head publisher would want this video leaking out," I shake my phone for emphasis, "but it may or may not get sent to every magazine and gossip company in Miami…"

"No!" the publisher shrieks, getting up into my face. "You will not send that video! And, what's stopping me from calling the police on you right now?" a chorus of "Yeah's!" ring through the air as the reporters are backing up the idea, and even getting out their phones. Luckily, I planned for this.

"Go ahead," I say, stunning them for a moment. "I would actually love to hear what they think of Cheetah Beat Inc. illegally trespassing on Austin Moon's private property every single day." Finally, since I arrived, there was no sound coming from anyone. All the reporters and the publisher were shocked silent. Speaking of the publisher, I could practically see his gears turning. He was debating on what to do, but in the end, his pride won out. He throws his arms up in the air, defeated.

"Fine! As long as that video is deleted permanently, we will do whatever you say." I smile slightly, professionally, but in my mind, I was happy dancing like crazy!

"What I want is for Cheetah Beat to forever stop stalking Austin wherever he goes. You will not step foot here ever again, or purposely chase after him. And, you will stop posting negative stuff and rumors about him. Anything you say in your magazines will be good things… but, nothing fake, like him saving the President. Good and true things, or nothing at all, got it?" It's almost comical how fast they all nod their heads and swear to my proposition. I smile wide. Finally.

They bring me their Austin Moon contract, and I hand my phone over to the publisher. He deletes the video while I rip the contract in half and put it in my purse. In the end, everyone is more or less happy. I am completely content, smiling and glad that this is all over; the publisher is probably relieved, and the reporters are hopefully going to hold true to their word. This reminds me…

"One more thing," I call to them as they are piling back to their vans. "I hope you stick to your promise, because if you mess with Austin, you will regret it," I quote my earlier words, and they all know that I certainly mean business. With quick nods and scared faces, they all get into their cars and drive away. When every single car is out of sight, I finally let loose a cheer, and pat myself on the back. I can't believe I actually pulled that off! Austin is now free of the paparazzi, and more importantly, he really couldn't be mad at me anymore, right? I turn around, planning to ring his doorbell to tell him the good news, when suddenly, a pair of lips crash onto mine, and I find myself looking into warm, and familiar brown eyes.

"Austin!" I gasp, my fingers automatically moving to grab his hair. He squeezes my hips and smiles into our kiss. This kiss, it was filled with undeniable lust and want, intoxicating us both. It translated unspoken words, and fueled the fires deep in both of us.

"Alls," he groans when we separate for air. "I am so sorry for everything. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and lashed out at you like that," he apologizes, looking my deep in the eyes. "Thank you, too," he says, making me raise an eyebrow. "I heard everything with you and the paparazzi. I was listening from the window," Austin confesses, breaking into a wide grin. "You are the most incredible girlfriend anyone could ever ask for," he continues, making my heart beat rapidly and out of control. Austin tries to speak again, but I just kiss him and we make our way inside his house, where we kiss, talk, and eventually fall asleep in each other's arms.

Wow, almost 3 thousand words! This is probably the most tiresome chapter I've had to write. I hope it reached all of your standards since a bunch of you were waiting for this chapter to see how Austin would act and everything…Anyway, please, please, please review and tell me what you think! I would really like this story to get to 200 reviews before the end, if that's not too much to ask.

Okay, that's it! See ya next time!