Ally's POV
I've been feeling like someone has been watching me all morning. I don't know what it is, but I feel it in my bones. It's very creepy and I just want the feeling to go away!
When the sun rises, I do my morning routine, then go back to my car till kids get here, and I get up walking in the building along with them. I feel more on the fence today because I'm not feeling very trustful at the moment. Somethings just not right.
"Amy, hey." Dez says making me jump and hit my head against a locker hard as he helps me along with the Carrie girl I was told about. "Ow." I say to myself as he feels bad.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He apologizes feeling horrible. "No, it's okay. It wasn't your fault. I'm just a little...jumpy today." I said as he fury his eyebrows. "Any reason why?" He asked as Austin came over with Cheryl and Dallas. "I gotta go." I said without saying hi and racing out of there.
Austin's POV
When I walk over to where Amy and Dez are with Dallas and Cheryl, I see Ally race away confusing all of us. "Dez, what was that about?" I asked curious. He shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. She was really jumpy though when I said hey to her." He told me as Carrie nodded agreeing.
"Well, Dez I have to go to class. See you later." Carrie said kissing his cheek and leaving as Dallas and I smirk at him as he gives a look. "Shut up." He said opening his locker as we laugh.
"Leave him alone. He's in love." Cheryl defended. "I am not in love." He said coughing unbelievably as we chuckled. "Sure, babe." I said wrapping my arms around her. "Walk me to class?" She asked as I nodded saying bye to the guys as I went with her.
I wonder what Amy was so jumpy about that she wouldn't even speak to her friends? What could have been that bad?
"What are you thinking about?" Cheryl asked snapping me out of it.
"Amy." I said casually as she made a face when I realized what I said.
"Not in that way of course. I'm just worried about her. It's strange that she ran away without saying hi to any of us." I corrected myself as we stopped at her classroom.
"Yeah, that was pretty weird. Maybe talk to her when you see her and see if she's alright?" She offered as I nodded.
"I'll try. See you later." I said kissing her lips before heading to first period English where the rest of the gang is.
Ally's POV
I decided to skip class and school because I just don't have a good feeling. What if the people's who's been watching me is one of the new friends I made? What if I made friends with an enemy?! Okay, I need to stop panicking myself and calm down.
I head out to my car and get inside taking deep breaths before taking out my phone. I realized I haven't looked up anything on the internet since my runaway.
I google my name and there are news about all over the world. I click on a video on YouTube putting my headphones in. "Singer, Songwriter and Actress Ally Dawson has now been officially missing for a week. It has put a lot of fear in this nation and into the hearts of all her families, friends and fans who are very worried about her. Their are constant search parties out but it's hard not to lose hope with no sign of her. It's starting to come to a conclusion of Ally Dawson even still alive?" The news lady said as I turned off my phone sighing in to my lap. I did not mean to cause this much commotion but what else did I expect?
I scroll through other videos related to me missing when I see something with my mother and my close friend Raina. I click on it immediately when I see them in front of cameras and microphones talking into it. "My daughter Ally Dawson is out there somewhere probably scared and alone. I have lost all contact with her and me and her team are trying so hard to find her." My mom says with tears streaming down her face that I know are genuine. "My baby means everything to me and so I'm begging the FBI, government and everyone else to do their best to find my little star. She deserves to be home." She said lastly crying leaving the stand as my friend Raina comforts her with her own tears in her eyes while they walk away into some car.
Suddenly, I realize tears falling down my cheeks as I cry removing but they keep coming. "I miss you mom. I miss you Raina. But this is for the best." I say trying to remind myself. Then I realize that my mom made it seem like I was just missing or kidnapped when she knows that I ran away. I called her and I told her that I was leaving on my own so why wouldn't she say that. Because maybe deep down, my mom still has a heart and doesn't want me to be hated by the rest of the world. All this crying, tires my eyes and the next thing I know I'm dead asleep.
*Morning*
Austin's POV
"Austin, I get it." Cheryl repeated again. "I'm not sure you do. Amy never skips class, let alone school." I said worried about her as Cheryl as she groans annoyed with my worriness. "I understand your concern Austin, I really do! But I think you're overthinking it! It only happened one time and soon she is going to walk through those doors." She said confidently turning around and facing them.
A couple seconds later, Amy walks through the doors in a pretty light blue dress with white wedges and a white cardigan. "See?" Cheryl says with a smile and her hands on her hips happy that she was right and I worried for nothing.
Amy then turns her head our way and then speed walks the other way hiding her face. I scrunch my eyebrows and groan. "See? What's her problem?" I say wanting to fix it because I hate seeing her that way and Cheryl just looks at me.
"I told you to talk to her."
"I don't know how to."
"Why? Because you have a crush on her?" She blurted out as I stared at her speechless.
"What? Babe...why...why would you say that?" I question as she rolls her with tears in her eyes.
"I really thought you liked me." She said looking down as one tear fell making me feel bad.
"I do Cheryl, I really do."
"No, you don't. At least not anymore." She said as I didn't know what to say.
"Ever since Amy came, you have been about nothing but her. You stare at her like she's your universe, you help her like she's your responsibility and your heart beats faster whenever she's near you. I know that because that's I feel every time I'm near you..." She admitted as my face saddens and my hearts breaks for her.
"I...I don't know what to say." I said because I'm confused myself. I never noticed all the things she told me and I need time to wrap my head around it. "That's because it's true. Whether you know it or not." She said finally looking in my eyes wiping her tears away even though the pain was still in her voice.
"Austin, I took you back the first time because you were scared and made an honest mistake, but...I can't do this. I won't."
"Cheryl please."
"Austin, no. I won't be any ones second choice."
"You're not a second choice." I tell her as she laughs a little but not in a comical way. "One day Austin, you'll see what I see and know the reason why I was the smart one to let you go now." She told me as I got tears in my eyes.
"Cheryl, we just got back together. Please don't do this to us."
"I'm doing this for us."
"How?"
"Because it's better."
"In what way is this better?"
"Because we'll be happier with the people we were always meant to be with."
"That's ridiculous, Cheryl. Who else are you meant to be with besides me?"
"I don't know...but I'll find him someday. You're lucky you found yours."
"Cheryl..."
"Bye Austin." She said turning and walking away before she turned back.
"But please still talk to her...I worry too." She said sweetly as I put my head against my locker and took deep breaths.
Ally's POV
I run away from Austin when I bump into Trish. "Woah. Slow down their horsey." She says as I smile and wave running again as she calls my name and I ignore it. I finally see the empty music room and go in there. Someone is following me and more and more I assume it's one of the close friends I made. Damn it. Why was I so trustworthy? I sigh going over to the piano and sitting down. I play a soft melody when I jump at a noise behind me.
When I get up, I see Austin with his hands up. "I would laugh at how jumpy you are, but since it's been happening for a while, I can say I'm actually worried." He admitted as I sighed looking at him for a few seconds before sitting back down and running my hands through my hair.
He slowly comes over to me and sits down before he turns to me. "Are you okay? You can talk to me." He assured as I laughed dryly. "Ironically, I can't." I replied as he looked a little offended in the corner of my eye. "Look, don't take it personally. I just...I'm going through something right now and I need to handle it on my own." I admit still looking down as I could see him stare at me before nodding his head.
"Could you at least look at me?" He asked as I didn't move. "Amy..." He said so low that it sounded like pleading. I slowly pulled my head up and turn to look him in the eyes. Tears enter my eyes as I feel myself gulp slightly. "My whole life, all eyes have been on me and I'm not use to things being normal like this." I explain as he looks at me confused. "I get anxiety and I stress myself out and sometimes...I wonder if I'm doing the right thing half the time. I can't tell right from wrong anymore. I feel...lost." I say finally getting my feelings all off my chest.
"Amy, you're so mysterious which intrigues me the most about you and I have no idea what you're talking about but I need you to listen to me." He said sternly making me face him as I nod slowly with tears still on my face. "When I was younger, I use to have trouble choosing between wanting to play football or baseball. I loved both but I couldn't do both as a professional. My mom use to tell me that if I ever felt lost, to listen to my gut cause it never steers you wrong. I did and chose what I knew what was best for me." He explained his story as I smile a little because he's an amazing football player.
"So right now, I want you to listen to your gut. Right here in this moment with me, how do you feel?" He asked sincerely as I take this in. I look into his hazel brown eyes knowing that they could never betray me. "Happy." I say as he looks at me deeply. "I feel happy and safe." I add as he smiles slightly before placing a hand on my cheek. "You're so beautiful Amy. Don't ever run away from me again." He told me as I looked into his getting lost.
"How about you?" I questioned as he fury his eyebrows. "How do you feel in this moment?" I asked curious. He chuckles a bit looking down and blushing before facing me again with his hand still gently placed on my cheek. "Like I'm starting to understand what someone else told me." He said calmly and even though I didn't know what he meant, it felt good. "Thanks for being such a good friend Austin. I don't know what I would have done without you." I said hugging him which he seemed taken back from but hugging me tightly, holding my back and hair I sighed into him.
"Amy-"
"I should probably go head to class. I have no idea what I'm gonna say about skipping this time." I said with a sigh standing up as he did too. He looks at me rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is there something you wanted to tell me?" I asked nicely as he shook his head.
"No. It's not important. Go to class." He said with a small smile bringing one on my face.
"Thanks again, Moon." I said with a laugh as he chuckled and I walked out.
Austin's POV
What the hell is wrong with me? I can't ask her out! Not now, at least. She's obviously going though something and the last thing she needs is a relationship. She needs to focus on herself and getting better. Oh shit. I have class too! I run out now thinking about my new found feelings for the new girl who is suddenly stealing my heart.
Ally's POV
On my way to the gymnasium, my new phone rings and I pick it up to see a number I don't recognize. My heart beats faster as I press accept and put it to my ear. At first I don't hear anything and then I hear light breathing. "Be free." I hear so low that I don't detect the voice and then they hang up just like that.
I take it as a sign from God and realize there's nothing I have to be afraid of anymore. I head to gym and change in the lockers. I go inside the gym where my teacher yells at me for being late. Trish and the rest of the group call me over to where they are at.
"Ally, what is going on with you? Why would you run away from me?" Trish said. "Yeah, and why did you run off yesterday?" Dez asked.
"And why did you-"
"Guys, give her some slack!" Austin defended me as they had sympathetic looks on their face.
"It's okay, Austin. I understand their concern. I've just been going through something the past few days and it's been really hard. But...a good friend helped me through it." I said as they nodded listening. "Well, I'm happy you're good now." Trish said hugging me. Wow. She must have been really worried because Trish is never affectionate.
"Up and adams ladies and gentlemen. We are playing dodgeball. Ally and Cheryl, you are team captains. Ally, you choose first." Coach said as I nodded choosing Trish. Cheryl chose a guy named Jeff and I don't understand why wouldn't she choose Austin. I then chose Cassidy and she chose Cindy. There she goes again. I give her one more chance to choose him by picking Dallas. She chooses Samantha so I choose Austin and she doesn't even blink an eye and even looks like she's avoiding him.
Austin just looks down and something is definitely up between them two. I wonder if they had a fight. When we are done picking he teams, the game starts and Trish was the first one out which she was very happy about. It goes on for a while with people getting out left and right when it's left between Cheryl and I.
Our teams each cheer us on and it goes on for a good five minutes. For some reason it's seems so much more intense because of Cheryl's blank expression. Usually she's more open and smiling with me and now it looks like she's upset. I eventually get her out and she doesn't seem to care.
My team cheers me on and puts me on top of them as I laugh shaking my head. "Okay, you guys can put me down now." I said chuckling as Austin sticks his arms up as I put my hands on his shoulders and gets me putting me down. "Thanks." I say before walking over to Cheryl who turned around looking at me and I couldn't exactly read her expression.
"Um Cheryl, did I do something to upset you?" I asked as she stared at me before sighing.
"No, Russo. You didn't do anything. I'm just...taking my sadness out on you." She said lowly sitting down putting her head in her lap.
I don't know what's going on but I can't help but feel bad. Cheryl is a nice girl and I feel bad.
"Is there anything I can do." I offer sitting next to her as she chuckles lifting her head up with tears on her face before turning to me.
"Ironically, you've done enough." She said as I get taken back as she sighs again.
"There I go again with the attitude. I'm so sorry, I just can't do this. I need to be away from you for a while because you are just a constant reminder of this fresh wound and my pain." She said super hurt getting up and walking away.
"Wait! Please tell me what happened." I said as she turned back around.
"I broke up with Austin." She blurted our with a blank face as I look at her stunned.
"I think we both know why..." She said lowly walking away as I finally let her. I sit down on the steps again out of disbelief.
Why in the world would she break up with Austin? And how the hell would I know the reason? They literally just got back together a couple days ago. It's over again already? Why didn't Austin say this earlier when he came to me? I don't understand anything anymore.
Austin's POV
I finish putting on my practice uniform before football practice when Dallas comes up to me. "Yo, what was up with Cheryl in gym? Why didn't she pick you to be on her team?" He asked as I just shrugged zipping my bag up. "I know it's not like a big deal but you could basically feel the tension." He added as I stayed quiet.
"Hey man, you alright?" He asked as I finally faced him.
"We broke up. Technically, she broke up with me." I admitted as his eyes widen.
"What? Dude, what the hell. You two literally got back together." He said as I nodded agreeing with a sigh. "Yeah, I know." I said sitting down on the bench as he did too.
"Did she say a reason why?" He asked as I licked my dry lips before hitting my head against the locker.
"She thinks I have feelings for Amy." I say as he raises his eyebrows.
"Do you?" He asked as I looked at him.
"Well?" He added as I thought about it.
"It's very possible." I said as he shook his head and I groan.
"I know. I know. But in my defense, I was unaware of any type of feelings for her until she brought it up. Everything was fine until then!" I said truthfully as he closed his locker.
"Maybe not to her. Maybe she was seeing what you weren't. Was there anything you did or said to Amy that could've make her think it was more than friendship?" He asked like a therapist. "I don't know. She said I looked at her like she was my world or something like that. I don't even know what that means." I said shrugging my shoulders still frustrated at the situation.
"Well, are you going to do anything about it?"
"About what?"
"Your feelings for Amy?"
"Oh...nope."
"No?"
"No. Not right now, at least. Amy is going through personal issues and she just needs friends. Plus, Cheryl is really hurting and I'm not gonna hurt her more by jumping into an relationship with the person she was threatened by."
"That's nice."
"Well, it's the least I could do. I feel bad that I'm making her feel this way."
"Hey, the hearts what it wants."
"Stop quoting Selena Gomez." I said heading for the door.
"Hey, that saying was out way before Selena Gomez!" He yelled as I walked out the door shaking my head with a chuckle.
Ally's POV
I walk to my locker to put my books away before schools over. "Amy!" A voice scares me causing me to turn around to see Chris from the party I attended last weekend. I've seen him quite a few times this week but still haven't given him an answer yet. "Wait up." He said running over to me as I wait for him to catch up a little out of breath.
"Hello." I say casually as he chuckles. "Hey. So, are you gonna give me an answer?" He asked as I tilt my head. "What do you mean? Have I been making you wait?" I ask sarcastically. "Yeah. If it's a no, you should reject me now so I can mourn in peace." He said making me laugh looking down.
"You have a beautiful smile."
"Thank you."
"So?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Do you want me to change my mind?"
"No. Okay, wow. Alright."
"Pick me up at 8 on Saturday."
"Okay...what's your address?" He asked as I remembered I don't have one. Snap.
"I'll text you beforehand. Give me your number." I said to stall as he gave me his phone and I put my number in it.
"Okay, I'll see you Saturday. Unless you allow me to walk you to your class tomorrow morning?"
"Sure."
"Okay. Bye beautiful." He said walking away as I smiled to myself.
After he leaves, I open my locker and put my books inside. When I close it, I jump and even screech a little when Cassidy's face is revealed. "Oh my gosh, Cassidy. You scared me." I said with a smile breathing a little hard holding my hand over my heart. She just looks at me with a small smile that I can admit was a little creepy.
"Amy Russo...I see you." She said as my smile slowly falls and I hold my breath a bit. "Huh?" I ask with a chuckle even though I was a little scared that she knew my secret. I knew there was someone who was spying on me. "I said I see you...Amy Russo." She repeated as I didn't know how to respond to her.
"In the beginning I wondered how your car was always the first one in the parking lot. Then, I noticed how you acted around...let's just call us 'regular people'. It's almost as if you weren't raised in a normal household. You put yourself above others in certain circumstances and you don't know most teenage slang which to me is the strangest of them all." She said naming the things she has picked up on as I start to gulp and my heart rate speeds up.
I can't believe it's been Cassidy this whole time! "You have all this money. All this cash and refuse to use credit cards." She adds while I back up a little bit as she just steps forward. "Not to mention your amazing singing talent, I mean wow. You really had us fooled. But no. I'm too smart...Amy Russo. I know who you are. I know who you...really are." She said as I look down and tears get in my eye because my identity is about to be revealed.
"Look, I can expl-"
"There's no need too. I know that you-"
"Cass-"
"Were given a lot of money from your rich parents to be out here alone but you don't have enough for a place to live which explains why you live in your car!" She then says with a wide smile as I look at her stunned and quickly wipe my tears.
"Wait, what?" I asked confused as she chuckled. "Oh, no need to cry, Amy. I'm just really smart. I promise you don't have to be embarrassed." She said as I wrap my mind around this. "Right..." I say with a nod realizing she doesn't know my secret, just the car one anyway.
"I mean I know you told me and Trish that you had a wealthy family but I feel like you held out a bit. They have to be millionaires right? Because the way you act, seems like you've never been told no. No offense." She said as I shook my head basically saying none taken. "Yes, my parents are millionaires. My mom at least. My dad died when I was 5." I admitted shocking myself as she gasped before hugging me.
"I'm so sorry, Amy. That has to be hard." She sympathized letting go as I shrugged. "I don't remember much honestly but my mom tells me I was the center of his universe so that's nice knowing." I said with a smile thinking of him. "Yeah, it is." She replied with a smile and nod.
"Wait, so why did you mention my singing? What does that have to do with finding out I was sleeping in my car?" I asked curious. "Oh, it doesn't. It has something to do with your upbringing. All rich people are talented." She said casually. "I'm gonna go on a limb here and says that's not true." I say thinking of multiple people as shrugs her shoulders making me laugh then sigh heavily.
"You really scared me at first Cass."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I like doing the CSI detective investigation role. Do you know my idol Ally Dawson was on an episode once?" She asked as I smiled walking down the hallway with her.
"I do actually." I said with a smile remembering working on the show over a year ago. "It was awesome right?! She was the hottest criminal and it was so crazy that she killed her baby's father at the end." She said still baffled making me laugh.
"It's nice to know you're a fan of her." I say genuinely flattered though she doesn't know that. "How could I not be? She's talented, smart, kind and beautiful. I'm just so worried about her now. I wonder where she is. I think about it a lot at night sometimes." She admits as it saddens me that one of my fans are worried about me. I knew this was one of the consequences so I can't do nothing about it. "I believe she'll be fine." I tell her rubbing her arm as she smiles before she stops walking and faces me.
"You're living with me."
"What?"
"You heard me. Do you honestly think I would let one of my friends live basically on the street?"
"Okay, my backseat is a lot more comfy than a street."
"Whatever. You are living with me from now on. My room is big enough and I still have an extra bed from when my cousin from Sweden visited for 2 weeks."
"Cassidy, you didn't even ask your parents."
"I'll ask and they will say yes, I guarantee. They are barely ever home anyway with their combining business."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"It's a lot to ask."
"You didn't ask. I offered."
"That's true..."
"Come on, Als. Let me do this for you."
"Okay...fine."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Yay!" She said hugging me tightly as I smiled happily that she's offered something like that.
This really shows her true character and I'm glad I met someone like her. "I don't know how to ever repay you for this, Cass." I say as we walk out the building heading to my car to go to her house. "No need." She said putting her arm around me.
"Amy Russo. This feels like the beginning of a beautiful friendship." She says as we both laugh.
END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.) Who is your guess of the voice who called Ally telling her to be free?
2.) Did you support or understand Cheryl's reason for breaking up with Austin?
3.) Do you get why Austin won't try to rush in a relationship with Ally right away?
4.) What do you think about Cassidy's offer at the ending?