Hello my lovelies! Welcome to 'Maybe, Probably' I just want to say hello to you all that are reading, and to remind you to like, favourite, follow & review! I can't express how much your reviews mean to me.

I want to put a disclaimer out there: I DO NOT OWN AUSTIN AND ALLY OR ANY TRADING NAMES YOU MAY SEE AND RECOGNISE OR SONGS. However, the plot is my own, extra characters are my own and the writing is my own. All quotes at the beginning will state who they're from and if they're my OWN I will tag it from myself.

TRIGGER WARNING: There will be events in this story that are triggering for some people. Assault, sexual harassment, bullying, mental health, mental abuse, physical abuse. I will NOT be putting these at the top of chapters to warn when the chapter contains any of these as I am mentioning it now and it will ruin the style in which I write. :)

NOW… without further ado, I present: Maybe, Probably

Chapter One - Just About Surviving

"I don't think we're meant to understand the world sometimes, we just need to have faith we will survive." - Nicholas Sparks

"No, please! Someone help me, someone call 999!" She shrieked running out her room, the masked man following.

"Somebody help me please!" The wind was knocked from her as she was pushed down the stairs, and it felt like slow motion, she felt every step as she bounced off it.

Harshly hitting the bottom stair, her back cracking and her head pounded.

Ally fumbled with her phone, unlocking it and pressing the last number she had called. At this point she wasn't bothered who she had called she just knew one thing— she just needed help.

She put the phone to her ear and listened to the rings. She tried crawling forward as much as she could with one arm, not managing to really get anywhere.

She continued to screeched in pain as the phone continued to ring out.

"Oh you just don't understand or get it do you," the cold voice spoke, spitting every word as he walked down the stair case. "I told you this would happen Ally."

The hairs on her body stood as the shiver vibrated through her body.

Come on pick up.

Voicemail. Please leave a message after the tone… beep!

"Please, please help me! I need help, please!" She screamed into the phone.

"Someone help me please!" Her screams were burning her throat but she carried on, hoping that someone, anyone, finds her.

Ally put the phone to her ear once again, ready to scream but suddenly her body was flipped over, the phone getting thrown across the room.

"No, please, no!" She cried in fear as the black balaclava was face to face with her, hovering over her very limp and broken body. "Please, no, no, don't hurt me, please. Somebody hmmm-" she muffled as her mouth was covered and she sobbed.

She continued to scream and cry, the air around her slowly becoming next to nothing as her lungs burned for oxygen. They were getting slower and quieter with every one, and she knew that it wouldn't be long now.

She let it take over her body, shaking as she felt her heart slowing down, and all she could think was: This is it.

Closing her eyes, her body caved to the lack of oxygen and became flimsy, allowing the masked man to move her with ease at her vulnerability.

Her vision was blurry as he tied her hands and feet, confirming she wouldn't be able to move if she tried. Her wounds leaked quickly, making her feel faint at the blood loss. She was hoisted up over the man's shoulder, the wound to her impaired stomach causing all sorts of discomfort that she could feel, but not respond too.

And yet, here she was, being kidnapped about to potentially be killed if she wasn't already dead when they made the abductors final destination, and the final words that left her mouth were;

"A-Austin…"

Despite all he had done to her.

6 MONTHS EARLIER

I began walking into the doors of Marino High School with my head down, hoping to not get seen. It was 8.05 and I was usually in school by 7.45 in hopes to miss everyone bombard the halls, but this morning wasn't exactly the easiest to escape from.

Then again, my life wasn't. I was just about surviving at this point with very little faith of humanity being restored.

Having to lock your bedroom door and wait until you hear the heavy steps of a drunken man walk down the hall and slam the bedroom door that belong to him was an everyday routine. The only thing that messed up this morning was the fact that my clothes were in the dryer and I had forgotten to take them out whilst he was out, meaning I either have to wait until he was gone to get ready, or leave my bedroom to be able to get ready.

Let's just say there were a few tears, and a few screams before I was able to leave.

Oh, and a bruise.

But I only had one year left. A year of letting him torture me. Another year of high school and trying to hide everyday. I was going to walk out with the schools highest GPA of 5.22, all goes well, and I couldn't be prouder of myself.

Someone had to be.

As much as I absolutely hated myself physically, and mentally sometimes, I was a brain box, and it helped a lot. I was going to get out of this hell-hole city in twelve months, and I couldn't wait.

I made a beeline for my locker. Just a few more steps, no one has noticed—

"Ahh!" I fell to the ground, my books and bags following suit.

Well great.

"Well looky here, bit late for you grey isn't it?"

I cringed upon hearing her voice. Melody Peters. The schools "IT' girl. My worst nightmare.

Without a word I began picking up my books, stacking them once again before attempting to stand.

"Want some help, ugly?" Lauren joined in, reaching out her hand.

I knew better than to grab it. So instead, I grabbed my bag and stood.

"Well that's just rude," she pushed me and this time I fell into my ass, and damn did it hurt.

"Awh, is grey gonna cry again, run and lock herself in the toilet again?" Melody mocked and I just looked down, not daring to look at anyone.

Laughter filled the halls as they tormented me. Now you know why I make sure I'm here early. The laughter continued as Melody and her friends continued making remarks against me, and I just sat, fading out their comments until the bell rang - just as I have before.

"Where are your friends fatty?" Melody tainted again. I continued looking down, still sat on the floor. "Oh right, you don't have any!"

She was right. I was a lonely senior, but I guess thinking being intelligent was appreciated fuelled that. So it was my own damn fault I was bullied for fun. It was my own fault for always being the outcast too. Being the grey girl. What does grey mean? It means I'm neither black or white. I don't simply fit into the categories of either white: popular, perfect, attractive… you get it. Or black; dangerous, a druggy, never in school… you understand now, right?

So I was grey. In the middle. A mixture of both, and because of that, no one ever knew how to take me as I stood out, I stood out like a sore thumb and I was hated for it.

The bell sounded throughout the halls and Melody and her click turned and followed towards their first class. I huffed and began grabbing my bag and notes once again before standing. I patted down my black, fitted, turtled neck long sleeve dress that came mid thigh, and tucked the curly pieces of the front of my hair behind my ears.

It was all wrong. The entire world was messed up. Want to know why else I was grey? Because everyone knew I had inheritance meaning I had money, and I wasn't fat I was a size ten, and as the schools librarian has said before they're jealous of how you look, Ally, you're gorgeous.

So to them, I should've been white category. I should've made it easier for myself but I didn't.

Why?

Because little did they know I had demons I couldn't escape from, and being categorised meant facing them.

My phone rang as I walked to my locker, already knowing I was going to miss my first period. Not that it mattered, I got along well with Mr Jacobson, so I knew he'd mark me in and he'd trade notes at lunch. I never missed a day of school, I just hid sometimes, trying to block out the harsh reality of what is my life.

I took my phone out my distressed denim Jack and looked at the caller ID, and my smile grew wide. Harry.

"Hey!" I answered excitedly. "You okay?"

"I should be asking if you're okay. Ally why didn't you tell me?"

I furrowed my brows, "What do you mean?"

"Als, I know what Ben did this morning. I saw on the CCTV at the front of the house. Why didn't you tell me?"

He was angry, and I understood. Everything Ben did I always hid from him. How could I explain to him that whilst he's away, my own stepdad was using me to make money, abusing me when he needs an anger release? I couldn't.

"You have college to sorry about, H. I'm not ruining that for you. I'm fine,"

"Ally—"

"I'm fine," I went on again, hushing him. I looked down at the bruise on my wrist and blinked back the tears of the memory. "I don't want to talk about it. I made him angry. It's fine,"

You are fine, I convinced myself more this time.

"I'm coming home, anyway," he stated pulling me out my thoughts. "So if he tries to pull that shit again, I'll have him."

Harry had no idea what Ben had been doing to me these past few months and I wanted to keep it that way. Harry assumed we only had CCTV outside the front, seeing as we had gates surrounding our house, little did he know we had full CCTV but I deactivated it when Ben started becoming abusive, not wanting to ruin Harry's college years. So, with that, I made the adult decision to put him first, thinking Ben was going to get over this stage of alcoholism and harmfulness… but as you can tell, I was wrong.

"W-what?"

I was happy. I was too happy. Finally not being alone again in that hellhole house, but was it the best option for him because of Ben… probably not.

When it came to my brother, he was protective of me. Too protective at that. I always assured him he had no reason to be, but he never listened and whenever we did go out together, he'd end up in a fight. So if he found out exactly what Ben had been up to… I was afraid he'd get put away for life for murder, because yes he really would go that far.

Harry was my older brother. Twenty and in his final year at college. He moved out at the beginning, so a little over two years ago now, but as promised every summer vacation he comes home. It's only been since turning eighteen that Ben started to get… physical. Stating that it was my own fault for looking so much like my mum. But because it's only been a few months Ben has been doing this, Harry has no idea.

Hence why he's angry I didn't tell him about Ben gripping my wrist and not letting go this morning before school, because it was the first time he's known about the abuse and I tell him everything. Harry had access to the CCTV incase anyone broke into the front of the house, not that its ever happened. Ben was too known and high up for that.

Well, used to… a lot changes when your brothers not around.

Did I mention he don't know I get bullied in school, either? Harry didn't go to Marino High, he went to Peyton High. Peyton High was full of kids, and I wasn't so good with crowds, hence why I chose Marino.

"I'm coming home squirt!" I rolled my eyes at his nickname for me, "For a whole 24 weeks too, so basically half the year!" He rambled on.

I stayed quiet, not really knowing what to say. How would I tell him about Ben? I couldn't have him getting into trouble and Ben was one of the highest business men in Miami, he got away with everything, so he would worm his way out of this one.

"Are you not happy?" He questioned.

"N-no I am, I really am trust me. I'm so done of being alone," quite literally, "I'm just shocked, what about college?"

"It's all online now, apparently, until our exams. So that means I get to spend even more time with you, make up for our lost time over the two years." His tone of voice was over the top. Too happy. Too excited.

Harry was never this excited. Sure, he loved me, but he was always one to stay in on his PS5, not leave his room or the house unless it's to go to a club or a party… something was off. He was trying to sweet talk me.

"What's up with you?" I questioned.

He stuttered, "N-nothing?"

"Harry," I warned, "What have you done?"

He sighed, "I am coming home, Als, but I have to tell you something,"

"Go on," I pushed him.

"Austin's coming back with me… to stay."

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