Ally's POV
I wake up with a yawn to see that Cassidy's next to me checking some messages on her phone.
My face turns to confusion of how she got there and I remember we went out clubbing last night. We were pretty drunk so I guess it's possible that we ended up in the same bed. After Friday nights dance, I spent the whole Saturday with the girls and now it's Sunday morning.
"Well, good morning to you too." I said as she faced me yawning herself. "Good morning, I just woke up not too long ago-" She cut herself off which made me look around and giggle. "What?" I ask facing her again as she squinted her eyes. "Your eyes...they're brown?" She said in shock as my eyes widen realizing I didn't put the contacts back in this morning.
I cover my eyes and fake scream in pain. "Oh my god, Amy! Are you okay?" Cassidy asked concerned holding my arm as I shook my head. "No, my eyes hurt. I'll be right back." I replied anxiously and secretly grabbing my contacts and running out the bedroom and into the hallway bathroom. I have no idea why I didn't just go in her bathroom in her room. Duh. I panicked. Shut up.
I clean my eyes and contacts and put them in nicely. Shortly, I hear footsteps walk down the hallway and to the bathroom. I sigh not knowing how I'm gonna explain myself.
Cassidy knocks and I immediately open the door to be faced with a worried friend. "Are you good?" She asked rubbing my arm as I nod. "I'm fine. That happens at random times. I have this eye disease...I guess you can call it. It temporarily changes your eye color and can sometimes bring you soreness." I lied hoping that she'd believe it and by the look of her face, she did.
"God, that sounds awful Amy. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that." She said hugging me as I return it but sigh feeling bad. This secret just constantly leads to more and more lies. "It's okay. Don't feel bad for me. I deal with it." I told her as we pulled away as she nodded.
"Do you at least take medicine?" She asked curious since I rushed to the bathroom. "Yeah, I do." I lied once again which made me feel even more horrible than I already do.
"Well, let's cheer up because my parents are finally coming home today!" She cheered as I laughed. "I know. You've been telling me about it for the past week." I said as we walked back into her room.
We each sit on our own beds as I turn on the TV. "Well, I'm sorry. I just really miss them. This was one of their longest business trips." She said as I nodded understanding. "Don't apologize Cass. They are your parents and you should be ecstatic. I miss my mom." I trailed off while she smiled sympathetically coming over to my bed holding my hand.
"You can always share mine with me in the meantime." She said making me chuckle.
"Did I mention I love you?"
"Who doesn't?" She stated seriously but with a giggle as I shook my head at her silliness.
Austin's POV
I watch the ball fly through the air from my throw and land perfectly in Dallas's hands as he smiled widely. "Dude, that was your best one yet!" He cheered as I chuckled. "I know." I say hitting my chest and hyping myself up. Right now Dallas and I are on the school's football field practicing some throws. Is it illegal during non school hours? Yes. Do we care? No.
We thought it was a good idea to get up fresh and early before any troopers come around at noon and check for trespassers.
"So, you gonna do what the girls say and spill the beans?" He asked throwing the ball back to me as I make a confused expression before catching it. "What?" I reply throwing it back.
He catches it and holds it in his hands. "I'm talking about what's going on with you and Amy. Cassidy and I saw y'all dancing at the dance on Friday, which meant you asked her too. What happened after that?" He finished with a smirk throwing it back to me.
I caught it before sighing. "We almost kissed." I admit as he smiled then noticed my mood.
"Dude, what's wrong? That's a good thing!"
"Not really. It got interrupted by Christopher Wilde showing up and now I don't know where we stand all over again." I said as he walked over to me.
"Dude!" He said before smacking me in the head. "What the hell do you mean you don't know where you two stand? If you two almost freaking kissed, I think that's freaking obvious where you stand!" He said with a raised voice annoyed.
"Idiot, don't you think I know that? But that was Friday. I haven't talked to her since. I didn't see her at all yesterday accept when she came home shitty drunk with Cassidy going into the house. I think it's safe to say I am probably the last thing on her mind." I said as he shook his head.
"This is all your fault." He said as I turn to him irritated.
"What are you-"
"You were never like this. All the girls would fawn over you because you were freaking Austin Moon. They always chased you and even when you wanted someone, you would just get them and that would be that."
"It's not that simp-"
"But it is. It has always been that simple Austin. It was clear from the first time she got here, you were into each other and now that Cheryl gave you the green light, all I hear are more excuses. It's almost as if you are stalling purposely or self sabotaging yourself. Why? What are you so afraid of?" He said truly upset and tired of me.
"Her!" I yelled as he just looks at me taken back by the outburst as I sigh then sitting on the bleachers as he looks down at me while he holds the ball.
"I have never in my life met a girl like her before. Never..." I say trailing off while I sigh shaking my head.
"She has a way of making my heart beat a million miles a minute, making me laugh in the worst case scenario and a smile that would me feel okay if the world had ended. Whenever I'm around her, I can almost feel myself become a different person. A better person. But Amy has so much control over me that I'm scared one day...she'll take all of me and I will have lost myself." I admit out loud as he looks at me before sitting down next to me.
"I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, man. Especially because I don't think you'll lose yourself but actually find it." He said which caused me to turn my face towards him. "Look, dude. Amy is a great girl and I can't see her allowing you to lose yourself because she likes you this way already. You're not losing yourself, you're just lost in her just like she is in you. I don't see anything wrong with that." He told me as I take in his words.
"What she does to me scares me...she scares me."
"So face your fear." He replies quickly as I just motion for him to give me the ball and he does. I just don't want to talk about it anymore right now.
Ally's POV
Cassidy and I have already taken showers and have changed for the day even though I'm pretty sure we haven't planned to go anywhere so...forget that.
On our way down the steps, we hear the doorknob get messed around with until the door is opened revealing two adults which are obviously Cassidy's parents.
"Mom! Daddy!" She yelled running down the steps as I smile at how much of a child she still could be. "Cass!" Her mom said as she ran into both their arms as my hand touched my heart. It was honestly the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time.
I see visions in my head about my reunion with my mother except I doubt that there will be smiles besides the fact that I'm back.
The parents look over to me and I smile going over to them. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. I'm Amy." I tell them as they nod politely. "Yes, we know. Cassidy told us all about you. It's nice to meet you." Her mother said hugging me surprisingly as I hug her back. "You too ma'am." I say as we pull away.
"So, are you enjoying your new school? Marino High isn't the best, but it's definitely great." The father said as I nodded in agreement. "It really is. I felt welcomed right away because of Cassidy and her friends. My friends now too." I said as I smiled and they did as well. "That's great. I know it must be difficult to adapt to change especially in your senior year but I'm happy you have friends like my daughter to be there with you." Mrs. Jones commented as both her parents removed their jackets.
"I was just about to make some lunch. You girls want anything?" She asked sweetly. "Yeah, thanks mom." Cassidy answered for the both of us. "Thanks for letting me stay here again." I say grateful. "It's truly no problem." Mr. Jones said sitting on the sofa and turning on the TV.
Mrs. Jones walked in the kitchen as I turned to Cassidy who had a smile on her face. "I told you they were fine with it." She said with a I told you so face on. "Okay, okay you did. Whatever. I'm gonna go wash my hair." I tell her as she nods while I head upstairs.
I go into the bathroom and make sure the door is locked. Whenever I wash my hair, this is an excuse to wash my real hair of course because I can't just go without washing my real hair for months at a time. It's not healthy at all.
I wash my hair and when I'm done I get up blow drying it in the mirror. I finally get done when I hear Cassidy coming to the door. "Hey Ams, I need my brush. I think I left it in there yesterday." She said as she tried with the doorknob. "Wait, I'm not dressed!" I said as an excuse. "Please, Amy. We're both girls. Same parts." She said with a chuckle as I raced and got my wig putting it on messy as she successfully unlocked the door and got in.
She looked at me weird. "Um, you are like fully dressed." She said as I make an awkward face. "Yeah, sorry. I'm just a really shy person." I say as she raised her eyebrows. "This coming from the crop top queen?" She smartly asked as I smile shaking my head as she got her brush from on the sink.
We both go to leave when she holds my arm stopping me with a confused expression. "What is it?" I asked chuckling a little because she was being kinda strange. "Your hair..." She said pointing to my roots as I quickly turn around to the mirror to see a tiny part of my side root showing my brown hair.
I cover it with my hair and turn around awkwardly laughing. "That's embarrassing. I got burned pretty badly when I was younger from trying to straighten my own hair and it caused a permanent scar." I told her impressing my own self with the great and quick story. "Wow, jeez. That's harsh." She said as I nodded. "You don't have to feel insecure about it. You are still so beautiful." She said sweetly as I smiled thanking her before we left the room and headed downstairs.
Austin's POV
Dallas and I are in my car as I am driving him home. "That was a good practice and workout." He stated as I nodded in agreement.
"You seem pretty quiet. What's going on lover boy?" He said as I rolled my eyes slightly.
"Why do you always assume it's about Amy?"
"Because it always is."
"Fine. I was just thinking about how my mom and dad, mostly my mom, keeps bugging me about meeting Amy." I confessed as he turned to me while I switched lanes.
"Wow, they haven't met her yet? How the hell is that possible? You are literally neighbors."
"Yeah, but I've been kinda making them dodge her without their knowing."
"Why?"
"I'm not allowing them too until I get the balls to ask Amy out."
"Well, at least you're aware that you don't have any right now." Dallas said laughing to himself as I glared at him which made him stop.
"Anyway...it's simple. Amy likes you and you like her. Ask her out. It's not rocket science." He said as I pulled up to his house.
"Yeah, whatever. Have fun being bored the rest of the day." I told him.
"I won't be. I'm getting dressed then picking up Cass for a date." He said with a smirk and eyebrows raised.
"Maybe you could have that two but I guess those balls didn't come in yet...huh bro?" He said smartly with a chuckle patting my arm before going inside.
I groan loudly to myself hitting the wheel which accidentally made me beep the horn and I rush off of the street.
Ally's POV
(Cassidy)
Press play on the day that you came into my life, yeah
Felt our eyes harmonize
It was strange, it was paradise, oh
(Amy)
Cause when I look back on it, life lacked the Sonic
A quiet kind of solitude
Tell me how'd you do it, you added the music
I've never heard a song like you
(Both)
Cause you're my boombox, baby
You can say anything
Blow my speakers out with you
Yeah, you're my boombox, baby
You can sing anything and I'm a sing along with you
And if I push the right button, will you show me somethin'?
Little melody that I can groove to
Cruisin' with my boombox, baby
You can say anything
Blow my speakers out with you
Yeah you're my boom-boom-boombox, baby
(Amy)
Press pause just because all I want is to stay right here
I want you to spin me round, right round, right round 'til we disappear, yeah
(Cassidy)
Cause when I look back on it, life lacked the Sonic
A quiet kind of solitude
Tell me how'd you do it, you added the music
I've never heard a song like you
(Both)
Cause you're my boombox, baby
You can say anything
Blow my speakers out with you
Yeah, you're my boombox, baby
You can sing anything and I'm a sing along with you
And if I push the right button, will you show me somethin'?
Little melody that I can groove to
Cruisin' with my boombox, baby
You can say anything
Blow my speakers out with you
Yeah you're my boom-boom-boombox, baby
(Cassidy)
You make me wanna move my feet
Shake, shake my hips, making brand new moves to you
(Amy)
You make me wanna move my feet
Shake, shake my hips, making brand new moves to you
(Yeahhh)
(Both)
Cause you're my boombox, baby
You can say anything
Blow my speakers out with you (Blow my speakers out with you)
Yeah, you're my boombox, baby (Whoo!)
You can sing anything and I'm a sing along with you (I'm a sing along with you)
And if I push the right button (Push the right button),
Will you show me somethin'? (You show me somethin')
Little melody that I can groove to
Cruisin' with my boombox, baby
You can say anything
Blow my speakers out with you
Yeah you're my boom-boom-boombox, baby
We finished the last line before looking at each other laughing. "That was so much fun!" Cassidy said jumping up and down happy from our karaoke session. I was nervous to sing one of my own songs but I just changed my voice as best as I could. It wasn't that different but different enough.
"I know." I said with a smile even though I never really liked the song. It was just a song they thought would take up the charts. Of course, nothing is wrong with being on the charts, but why can't I be on the charts with music I actually like?
I've been writing so much music since I've been away and it's all me. It describes who I am in my life right now, my experiences and I'm not even close to being done.
"I still can't believe how similar you sound to Ally Dawson. You could literally get away with tricking people except you look nothing like her." She said as I nervously laugh. "Yeah, nothing like her at all..." I said putting the mic down and facing her again.
"Okay, so where are you going? You are completely dressed and you did your makeup."
"Out with Dallas. I spent yesterday with all the girls so he wants me to himself today."
"That's sweet. It also makes me jealous because I'm forever alone." I said sitting down on the couch as she giggles sitting next to me. "No, you're not. You and Austin are starting something right?" She asked with a tilt of the head.
"I'm not sure. We haven't talked since the dance Friday. Which I find completely weird considering we almost kissed and held hands at the end of the night."
"What?! You almost kissed? You didn't tell me that." She said making me laugh at her excitement.
"I didn't tell anyone. It didn't happen so I don't see the big deal."
"It's a huge deal. It confirms that he does like you which you needed even though it was completely obvious to everyone else."
"Like I said, we haven't talked since then."
"Well, it's only Sunday Amy."
"But we live next door to each other!"
"Yeah, but we also spent the whole day yesterday out with our girls."
"Yeah, but he could have texted me..."
"You didn't text him..."
"Who's side are you on?"
"I'm sorry! But...a relationship takes two people and it's the 21st century Amy. You have to start showing that you're interested too so he won't feel so much pressure and doubt." She told me wisely.
"You're right. He just makes me so nervous and shy and I start to feel like I'm losing my strength and power as a woman." I admit to her.
"There's nothing wrong with falling in love Amy. It means you're letting your guard and walls down for someone who makes you feel like you can trust them."
"I do. I do feel like I can trust Austin." I say to myself with a small smile realizing as she did.
"That's good. Just talk to him please. As soon as we get to school tomorrow." She said making me promise as I nodded my head.
"Yeah, I will." I answered as she sighed satisfied before the doorbell rang.
"Well, that's Dallas. See you later." She said with a wave as I waved back and watched her go out the door to him.
I look back at the TV and sighed bored. What is there to do now that I'm alone? Suddenly my phone rings and I quickly pick it up because it's the most entertaining thing that's probably gonna happen to me today.
"Hello?" I answer immediately.
"Hey Amy. It's Kira." She replied cheerful.
"Oh, hey girl. What's up?"
"I wanted to invite you to the beach with us."
"Us?"
"Yeah. Me, Carrie, Dez, Trish and Austin. We're all heading down there now. We were gonna pick up Austin from his house but he said he was out with Dallas and he would come on his own cause he had a pair of shorts in the back of his car. Then I assumed you couldn't come because you were hanging with Cassidy but Trish just told me she has a date with Dallas so you're all alone and I can't have that. So come now." She said in all one breath.
"Yeah, sure. That sounds really fun. Just let me change and I'll walk and be there in 20." I told her as we both hung up.
Okay, so Austin's gonna be there. I was gonna talk to him tomorrow but of course this is inevitable. I head upstairs and go into the bathroom changing into a red bikini showing off my beautiful belly piercing. I also put on shorts and a pink tee with matching flip flops.
It takes me about 15 minutes to walk there when I'm met with Kira, Carrie and Trish running over to me. "Amy, hey!" Carrie said cheerfully hugging me along with the rest. "You look hot." Trish said as I giggled. "Hey guys, and thanks." I replied as we begin to walk along the beach.
"So, where's the guys?" I asked confused though I was pretty excited to see Austin but worried if he was just as excited to see me. I mean after the dance Friday night and our almost kiss, I wondered if he realized he didn't wanna start something with me anymore. "They are getting us snacks." Trish answered as I nodded when Dez and Austin made their way back over to us.
I watch as his breath hitches when he sees me and he smiles which makes me happy smiling back. "Thanks for the chips guys." Kira said as they nodded as we all went to the volleyball court. "We can't play girls vs boys because it's not a fair amount so how are we doing this?" Carrie asked looking around at us.
"Solution. The teams are Amy, Dez and Kira and then Carrie, me and Austin." Trish said as we all nodded getting with our teams and into position.
We begin to play and both of the teams were doing good. I hit the ball quite a few times shocking myself considering I've never played before. In the end, Austin, Trish and Carrie won. "Guess you guys should learn from the master." Austin said flexing his arms as I laugh.
Kira goes over to flirt with some hot guy, while Trish calls Jace and Dez and Carrie begin to make out. Austin and I look around awkwardly before I think about Cassidy's advice and decide to take it. "Do you wanna go for a swim?" I asked him as his face lit up. "Yeah, that sounds fun." He said as I smiled and we headed into the ocean.
"So, did you have fun yesterday? I heard you went out with all the girls." He asked as I nodded. "It was nice." I replied splashing him with some water making him laugh. "You are much more dangerous than you lead on Russo." He said as I smirk. "Those are very true words." I say lowly sneaking up on him as he looks at me suspicious. "Russo..." He trailed off backing up before I jump him making us both fall deep into the water.
We look at each other under water and smile and laugh as much as we could even though we couldn't hear it. We come back up from the water laughing our heads off. My blonde hair comes out of the ponytail which means I lost my rubber band which I don't really care about. I look over at Austin who face is covered a little from his hair.
I swim over to him and wrap my arms around his neck which makes him look at me a bit surprised but I just smile which he returns it. I'm doing what Cassidy said. Showing him that I am equally as interested as he is in me. I want this. I know I do.
"I'm pretty good, huh?" I asked flirty as he raised his eyebrows.
"Not as good as me." He said lifting me up suddenly, as I screech laughing as he spins me around.
"Austin, put me down!" I scream as he laughs holding onto me and pretending to drop me every few seconds which made me laugh harder.
"Oh my god!" I say as he pretended to drop me for real before catching me in his arms gracefully.
I look down at him breathless at the rush. "You scared me." I say with a small smile. "I'd never let you fall. I'll always catch you." He told me as I slid down his body slowly until I'm just in front of him. "I know." I start off. "Because I trust you." I finally tell him as he smiles looking me deep in my eyes.
He begins to move wet hair out my face as I focus. "You are the most beautiful girl I've laid eyes on." He admitted to me which made me smile but in the inside I felt a little down because these weren't my real looks. "You're quite handsome, yourself." I say with my hand on his chest as he chuckles.
"Free cocktails at the bar!" A man yelled as everyone ran over to the bikini bar. "Amy, Austin. Let's go!" Kira yelled at us as we got out the water. "We aren't even old enough to drink." I said as we approached the bar. "Yeah, but it's so many people here, they aren't gonna stop to check." Trish told me as I nodded while we all got drinks.
"Dude, you wanna play some beer pong?" Dez asked Austin. "For sure!" He agreed going with him to a crowd of people having fun playing whatever game that is.
"Amy." I hear my name called as I turn around to Carrie motioning to me with her hand to come over. I go over to them and sit on the blanket in between Kira and Carrie while Trish is in the distance laughing on the phone which I'm guessing is Jace.
"So, we saw you and Austin in the water..." Kira trailed off with a smirk putting sunscreen on.
"Yeah, you guys are so cute." Carrie said sweetly.
"See that? Why can't you guys be like Carrie. Always teasing me." I pouted looking out into the ocean.
"Because teasing easily embarrassed people is so much more fun." Kira replied with a chuckled before Carrie plucked her arm.
"Ow! Okay, okay. So, what's going on with you two? Are you together yet?" She asked genuinely curious.
"No, sadly."
"Why? What's taking so long?"
"People keep interrupting our moments. It literally happens all the time. Sometimes...it makes me think it's a sign from the universe we are just-"
"Don't say that." Carrie cut me off.
"Yeah, she's right. Don't. The moment will come." Kira said to reassure me as I nod listening.
"You're right." I say with a small sigh.
"He knows you like him right?" Carrie asked.
"He should. I've been showing I'm interested all day. Even if I wasn't, I think it's pretty obvious." I told them as they nodded understanding.
"Good. Because Austin is a handsome guy and plenty of girls are lined up just waiting for him so take advantage of the situation." Kira warned me.
"Thanks for the advice girls." I say grateful as they smile and Carrie gently rubs my arm in support.
We all play more with each other until the end of the day comes, we all pack up. "This is was nice guys. We should do it again sometime." Carrie said to all of us. "Yeah, definitely." Kira agreed. "Well, we are heading out. See you guys at school tomorrow." Dez said wrapping his arms around Carrie and leaving as we waved goodbye.
"I thought you all came together?" I asked confused from what she told me earlier. "We did. But Jace is coming to pick up Trish so she can hang at his house for a while and she offered me a ride because I live closer to her." Kira explained as Jace pulled up in the parking lot. "See you Austin and Amy. I had fun." Kira said as she hugged me. "Bye guys." Trish said as well hugging the both of us before they got in the car and pulled off.
I turn to Austin with a slight smile. "I guess we are the remaining ones. I guess this is...goodbye?" I said as he made a confused face. "Wait. Didn't you walk here?" He asked as I nodded. "There is no way in hell I'm letting you walk home in the dark. Let's go." He told me sternly which was kind of a turn on.
I walk to the passenger side of the door before stopping after I open it. He looks at me before getting in confused. "What?" He asked. "I know this is random but I always wondered why I haven't met your parents." I said as he looked away for a second. "I mean I've seen glimpses and glances of them going out to work or taking out the trash but I don't wanna just go up to them like a creep." I said as he chuckled.
"You're not a creep. Maybe you'll get to meet them once you're special enough." He joked as I fake gasped.
"Oh wow. Gee, thanks." I say as he smiled while we get in the car. He pulls out the parking lot as we head home.
We sit in a good and comfortable silence for a while with radio music playing lowly as he turns corners and I look out the window missing the view as a kid. Miami has always been my home and being back just feels so right.
"So...Cheryl. That was really nice of her to do on Friday huh?" I said trying to hint at it so we could talk about us. He looked over to me before looking back at the road. "Oh...yeah. That was cool of her." He agreed as I nodded. "I'm just happy that she's happy because she's not hurting anymore and I have the chance to move on with the right person." He says confidently but on edge at the same time as he parks in front of our houses.
Austin turns off the ignition turning to me nervously. "Ally?" He said lowly as I stared into his eyes deeply.
"Yes?"
"May I ask you something without things getting awkward?"
"Of course." I said breathing in a little from the intensity and the moment finally being here.
"Do you mind asking Cassidy if I can borrow some pancake mix? Ours is running out and my parents are not really willing to buy me anymore because they call it an obsession." He said as I look at him with my jaw dropped a little. You have got to be kidding me?! I cover my disappointment quickly and put on a fake but irritated smile. "Sure thing, Austin." I said opening the door with a sigh and getting out.
I close it and turn back around to him getting out the car as well coming over to my side. "Thank you for the ride." I said walking away pretty down as he held my arm stopping me.
"Did I do something wrong Amy? Your mood seemed to change a bit." He asked a little concerned and adorable which just made it worst. "No, I'm fine. Just tired from the day. Goodnight." I replied as he nodded still not convinced. I felt his eyes watch me as I walked into my house. I put my beach bag down and lean my head against the door with a sigh. "UGH!" I scream out in frustration.
Austin's POV
I'm an idiot.
END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.) Thoughts on all the close calls with Cassidy?
2.) What did you think of Austin & Dallas's conversations?
3.) Do you like the A&A moments?
4.) What was your reaction at the end? Lol.