Epilogue
Four Years Earlier
Dallas Harris hung his head as he stood outside the Dawson residence, staring intently at the bright pastel flowers in his grasp. A knot wound unbelievably tight sat in his throat, causing him to choke on words whenever Lester Dawson opened the door.
At first glance, Lester's smile was warm, welcoming, but he could see the hesitation and confusion behind his eyes. The ones that were identical to Ally's. With a cough to try and loosen the knot, Dallas held his hand out in a greeting.
"Mr. Dawson, it's very nice to see you again. I am stopping by to visit Ally and give her these, that is, if she is open to visitors right now?" On the outside, Dallas was formal and steady, but his hand was shaking whenever Lester's finally connected with this.
"Of course, she is just up in her room. The doctor has given her some medicine, so she could very well be asleep. Austin went up just a little bit ago," Lester said, stepping aside to let him in. Taking his coat off, Dallas hung it on the hanger before taking a deep breath.
"I'll just be up in my office if y'all need anything," Lester informed, ascending up the staircase. It was at least another three minutes before Dallas built up the courage to follow him. He took his time, taking one step with agonizing slow moments. At the top of the stairs, he spotted a door at the end of the hall that was decorated with a large 'A' coated in baby blue paint.
However, before Dallas knew it, he was standing directly in front of it with his fist held up to knock. He stood frozen, his breathing picking up. Ally's laughter could be heard at something Austin done. Their voices were at a comfortable volume, but not loud enough to where Dallas could hear what they were saying. Dallas knew that Austin was in that room, and there would no doubt be a confrontation. But Dallas would take it like a man.
With two light knocks on the door, Dallas waited. Ally's laughter quieted before she invited whoever was at the door to come in. With one final deep breath, Dallas turned the knob and pushed opened the door.
Austin sat on the edge of Ally's bed, talking and laughing with her. It had been almost two days since she had been released from the hospital, and since then, the doctor had given her medication that was to be monitored by her father. It normally made her sleepy, causing her to be in and out most of the day, but the doctor said she would be like that for a week before returning to a somewhat normal mood.
The antidepressants were something that was agreed on by Lester and the doctor. Austin remembered the conversation in the hospital whenever Lester sat down beside Ally, the doctor right behind him. It was either Ally be put on antidepressants and go to therapy weekly, or she would be taken out of school and put into a rehabilitation center.
Lester knew that his daughter would fight to not be put on medication, but whenever given the ultimatum, Ally was left with no choice. They agreed to start off the highest dose of antidepressants after a screening, which had major side effects.
But right now, this was the most active she had been in days. Today was the first day Austin actually had a decent conversation with her that involved jokes and laughter. A warmth filled Austin's chest whenever it reminded him of a glimpse of her before everything in her life went to hell. A permanent smile seemed to be glued to his face.
Yet, that feeling changed whenever seeing Dallas Harris' head poke into Ally's room. A surge of rage and fear made his blood run cold, and Austin immediately snapped onto his feet, across the room to the male brunette.
Once close enough, Austin gripped the front of his shirt, shoving him back into the wall. "What the fuck are you doing here," Austin growled, his face inches close from a shaking Dallas. At first, Dallas stammered, but he held up his hand's in surrender.
"I didn't come to cause trouble. I actually came to apologize," Dallas informed, hoping his voice came out as calm as it sounded in his mind. Austin's gripped tightened, pulling him forward before shoving his back again.
"Aus," Ally whispered, and it was as if that simple sound of his name falling from her lips brought back all rational though. He suddenly released Dallas's shirt, stepping back, but his glare never faltered.
Dallas sent a small, grateful smile in Ally's direction, but Ally didn't return it. Instead, she stared down at her hands before slowly sticking her left hand up, locking her eyes on Austin's. At that small gesture, Austin was instantly by her side, interlocking his fingers with hers.
Dallas could see Ally visibly relax once the blonde was by her side, and a pain shot through his chest. Despite everything that had happened, Dallas really did like Ally, and what he would give to have a connection like that. To be able to understand what one wanted without words, to calm another by the simple touch of his hand.
"What are you doing here," Ally whispered, now fiddling with Austin's fingers from where his hand rested in her lap. Austin sat stock still, watching Dallas's every movement. He eyed the flowers as Dallas sat them on Ally's desk that held other flowers and gifts from family and friends.
"I came by to talk to you, to both of you." Dallas began, not being able to control the guilt in his voice. He swayed nervously back and forth on his feet. Gesturing to the chair beside the window in a silent question, Ally nodded towards it. He slowly sat down, not taking his eyes off the couple.
Austin was the only one that would stare directly at him, and while that glare intimidated the hell out of him, Dallas never broke eye contact. "I came by to apologize," Dallas whispered, and while Austin scoffed, Ally still remained silent, never taking her eyes off Austin's hand in hers.
"I'm not gonna lie. It was what happened to you that made me realize what an awful person I have been to you. I was going to go and visit you in the hospital, but I was too much of a coward," Dallas spoke softly, not really knowing how to lead into what he wanted to say.
"I know it may not seem like it, Ally, but I really did like you and care for you. I know, I know that it never seemed that way, and I was completely blinded by my jealously whenever it came to Austin." Dallas rambled, not even pausing whenever Austin growled lightly.
"I'm not making excuses for myself, for the way I was raised, or for how I treated you, the both of you. What I did to you, what I have continued to do to you was wrong, and I don't deserve for you to forgive me." Dallas took a deep, long sigh.
"According to what you want to do," Dallas began, looking directly at Ally, his voice shaking. "If you want me to, I will turn myself in. For the assault, the bullying, the blackmail, everything."
At that moment, Ally's hands that were popping Austin's fingers suddenly froze. The action caused Austin to look over at her, worry etched in his face. Ally inhaled sharply, looking up at Dallas with wide, teary eyes.
"I won't try and talk you out of it. I won't fight you on it. If you would like, I can try my best to keep your name out of it, but I can't promise anything. And I know that me turning myself in won't solve what I did, and the damage it has caused in your life. But Ally, I just want you to know how truly, completely sorry I am."
Dallas bowed his head, a single tear dripping down his nose. "My father was and is a cruel man. My entire life, I have never wanted to be like him. He has pushed me and pushed me, and his abuse caused my mother to take her own life," Dallas whispered, his head in his hands.
"Whenever I heard about what happened to you, it made me realize that I was on the road of becoming the man my father is." At that admission, Dallas picked his head up and connected his eyes with Ally's.
"I don't deserve for you to forgive me, and I am not asking you for anything. But Ally, I want you to know, I will do everything in my power to make this right, and for the rest of my life, I will make sure everything I do is in my best interest of being a good man."
It became dauntingly quiet among the three of them. Austin stared at Ally who was staring at Dallas. And for the first time in a long time, Austin couldn't tell what she was thinking. The words that would fall from her mouth were completely unknown to him.
"Dallas," she croaked, glancing at Austin before finally fixing her gaze on Dallas. Clearing her throat, she straightened her spine.
"I don't want to press charges, and I don't want you to turn yourself in," Ally admitted, and while Austin tensed beside her, Dallas sagged in relief. "Ally are you sure," Dallas asked once more.
Ally nodded. "You have been using power and fear over me, and as much as I would like to do the same, I know that I need to turn over a new leaf. All I want is for the people that I love to be safe to move forward in their careers. After what happened, I want to forget everything, let it all go."
Dallas went to thank her, his posture finally slumping. "But Dallas," Ally spoke, her voice suddenly fierce. Snapping his eyes back up to hers, they held a fire of determination he hadn't seen before.
"I am letting you off. Because this, all of this could ruin your future. Your education, career, your name. I'm doing you a favor, and you have to do one for me," she said forcefully yet gracefully.
Dallas quickly sat upright, nodding his head. "Anything, Ally, I promise."
"You stay away from my family. You stay away from my friends. From Austin. From me. Dallas, if you come anywhere near any of us, I will fight you, whether you want me to or not. I will drag your name through the ground."
While some might have thought her words were harsh to someone who was essentially begging for forgiveness, Dallas knew this is what he deserved, and he would take it graciously. He nodded before standing.
"I really am sorry, Ally. I'm incredibly thankful you are choosing to not turn me in, but if you decide to, I wouldn't blame you. Your family and friends are safe, and if they ever need anything, my father and I are at their services. Your father's job is secure. And Austin," Dallas spoke, turning his head towards the one he had been in a competition with since sophomore year.
"You are one hell of a man, and one hell of a ball player. I wish you, the both of you, the best of luck on your futures. You two will do and accomplish great things."
And while it may have taken a hell of a lot more than either of them wanted to admit, Austin stood, stepping towards Dallas. Sticking his hand out, they shook firmly, not a word being spoken. And with that, Dallas gave them one soft small before walking out of their life forever.
Austin was standing, staring the door Dallas had just walked out of whenever he heard a sniffle behind him. Turning, Austin saw Ally with tears streaming down her face. Anxiety overtook him as he quickly took place next to her, taking her into his embrace.
"Baby," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "It's okay. He's gone. It's over now."
And it was. Austin knew Dallas was a lot of things, but for Dallas Harris to come in here, completely let down his guard and beg for Ally's forgiveness, it meant Dallas would keep his word.
"I'm sorry," Ally wept, and Austin pulled back to cup her face. "I am so sorry. For everything. For keeping what Dallas done from you, for running off to New York, for almost leaving you and my family for good."
Austin swallowed the lump forming in his throat, not wanting to think of a world that Ally was not in. When finding her three nights ago, on the floor, hearing her heart stop, it was like everything was put into perspective.
Ally was Austin's world. And whenever her heart had stopped, it felt as if Austin's world had stopped turning. Every ounce of rationality had left him whenever hearing that final beat of that muscle in her chest. The one that kept her breathing, that kept her with him.
He dreamt every night of hearing it stop and never starting again. Panicked every time she frowned or cried. He wanted to follow her into the bathroom and shower, not that the later one would have bothered him. He refused to let her lock the door and removed everything that could be of potential harm to herself.
He would earn a good slap and cussing whenever she realized he took her razors.
"Don't apologize. I'm just grateful you are here, with me, right now. Let's forget everything that's happened, focus on getting you better, and moving on. Sound okay," he whispered, his lips resting against her forehead.
With a nod, she pulled back, pressing her lips to his.
She had forgiven Dallas, tomorrow they would visit Leo's grave for his birthday, and she was alive. Her friends and family were happy and safe. Her mother was back in her life, and her parents were finally getting along again as well. After the holidays, her last semester of high school would be over, then she would move up to New York with her mother.
For the first time in a long time, Ally's life felt like it was back on track. She had to hit rock bottom, the lowest of lows to get to this point. She had nowhere to go from here but up.
And she had no doubt that her future was the man that currently had her wrapped in his arms.
Surprise!
I know I said this story was done. And I know a lot of you wanted a sequel, but I just don't think there is anything left for this story. I am very happy with where I left it after writing this chapter.
This is an Epilogue of sorts. It takes place three days after Ally's suicide attempt.
It answers up any loose ends of the story.
I'm so glad you all enjoyed this story. Thank you for reading!
