Chapter 4
Austin's POV

"Goodnight Austin," Ally said climbing out of the car, grabbing her backpack from behind her.

"Goodnight, Ally," I said when the door had shut. I watched her walk up to her house, unlock the door, waved to me, and closed the door.

I sighed contently as I drove home. It had been such a good day. I don't think I had a day that good since before Brooke. The thought of her made my smile disappear and my skin to grow warm. It was her fault the people hated me. It was because of her I lost my friends. She was the reason people gave me dirty looks in the hall or the grocery store. Brooke was the reason my life was hell.

But Ally's face came back to mind as I pulled into my driveway and my smile returned. The look on her face when I said her name. That picture perfect moment, lived in my head, rent free. Her big brown eyes were wide and full of surprise. I saw her mouth hang open slightly. She was adorable. I hadn't wanted the day to end. I wanted it to go on for hours more. Days more. But I knew that was asking too much. It had already been a huge risk going out today with her. If we had been seen by someone who knew who I was, it could have been a disaster.

As it was, I was sure, that Elliot kid was going to recognize me. But to my surprise and gratitude, Ally had covered for me, making a believable lie about how he knew me. I was still surprised that she had been willing to go to the beach and to dinner. Even though I only said one word to her the entire day. Hell, the past several years. I hadn't spoken to her since we started high school. Much before the Brooke incident.

Ally was an angel and deserved someone much more than me.

"You look happy, son," my dad said as I walked into the kitchen.

I hadn't realized I was smiling when I walked through the door. But it only grew wider as I saw my parents. We were really close and had only gotten closer the past couple of years. They had never doubted me and let me explain everything to them after what Brooke had claimed came out. They believed me and would argue with anyone that tried to tell them otherwise. They knew I didn't speak to anyone and they didn't push me to. As long as I still talked to them, they were okay with me ignoring others that weren't worth my breath.

"I had the best day," I told them, unashamed to tell them all about it.

"Oh, how was the appointment?" my mom asked. Yes, they knew about it. They had given me the money to do it.

"It was interesting. Not what I had expected," I said sitting down at the table with them. "And I hope you don't mind, but I took Ally out to the diner after." I felt the blush in my cheeks as I muttered the last few words.

"Oh?" my parents glanced at each other. I couldn't make out what their faces meant.

"Is it okay that I did? Should I have asked before I used your card to buy dinner? I'm sorry," I apologized.

"No, honey, it's not that. We just don't want you to get into trouble. We know what people will say. And I know that you weren't around here, but…" my mom wouldn't meet my eyes when she spoke. I knew she was just worried about me, but it still hurt that she felt that I had to hide.

"Well, it was actually her idea to go to dinner," I admitted. They stared at me, their shock prominent on their faces. Their mouths fell open into tiny o's.

"She wasn't afraid of you?" my mom asked in a whisper, almost afraid I'd be upset by her question.

"No, she wasn't," I said, with a genuine smile on my face.

"That's great, honey," my mom said.

"Just be careful, son," my dad said, but he smiled too.

I was really happy that I had them and that I could tell them anything. They were the best. We sat and talked for a little while more before I got up to go to bed. After I showered, I got dressed and went to lay in bed. I pulled out my phone to charge it when I noticed a text from an unknown number. I opened it and an even bigger smile than the one I had earlier spread across my face.

Hey, I hope you still have the same number, Austin. Otherwise, this text is going to be sent to a complete stranger. And if it is, then I hope you have a good night. :) But if this is Austin, thank you for today. I needed it. And I know I thanked you plenty back at the diner, but just know that I truly did mean it. And I really would like to do it again. Maybe next time we could actually take a walk on the beach. I know that there are going to be obstacles, but I would like to be your friend. I hope you don't mind my forwardness. And if you need time before you say more than my name, you can have it. I do enjoy sitting in silence with you. Sleep well, Ally.

I read and reread the text several times. I wanted to respond to let her know that it was in fact me, but I wanted to do it in a way that she knew it was in fact me and not a stranger. The text had been sent twelve minutes ago, if I hurried, she would get it before she fell asleep. But what could I say that would let her know it was me?

Yes, I have the same number, Als. Thank you for going with me. I know that you were probably scared to go with me anywhere, but the fact that you did and didn't push me to talk (that much), it really means a lot. I haven't had a friend in years, so I wouldn't mind taking you up on that offer. But to be honest, it's probably not the best idea. I don't want you to receive any of the backlash that I have received over the years. And saying your name today, was a treat. I would say it again in a heartbeat, but I promised myself I wouldn't talk to anyone until I'm out of Miami. I broke that promise today to say your name. I liked it, but I shouldn't get used to it. I enjoyed sitting in silence with you too. Goodnight, beautiful. – Austin

I hit send and threw my phone on the bed. Adrenaline coursing through my body. I wanted to jump for joy. But I also knew that I had somewhat turned her down. And I didn't want her to back away, but I knew she should. I didn't expect her to reply tonight, so I turned off the light and laid my head down. I was drifting of to sleep with a smile on my face.

But then a soft emding/em and my room lit up with an alert from my phone.

I grabbed for my phone faster than I ever had before. The same number texted me. I had to add her to my contacts. Her message read:

Austin Monica Moon, everyone deserves a friend. And if we have to work around others knowing that our friendship exists, so be it. But I really would like to get to know you and hang out more. If you honestly believe that we shouldn't be friends because you don't want to, I will accept that. However, if you say it because you are trying to protect me, I will fight you on it. You deserve a friend. Hell, you don't deserve what everyone says about you. You deserve more. And if you promised not to talk to anyone, are there no exceptions? Could I not be an exception? I don't want to push you into talking, but maybe we can come up with a system. You seem to have no problem texting. ;)

I laughed. I actually laughed. She wasn't going to stand down. Despite how much she should have been terrified. But it seemed that she didn't believe what everyone was saying, and I was so relieved. But curious to know why she believed me when I hadn't spoken to her in years. What was she thinking? I contemplated texting her back, but the urge to reply was too tempting.

Als, how do you know my middle name? It's not cool. I don't know yours haha. And there is no work around when it comes to others knowing. Rumors spread like wildfires around here and I don't want to drag you into any of this. You deserve so much more than what I have to offer. You have plenty of friends, what would they think? Why do you not believe the rumors? And I don't have a problem texting someone who seems too good to be true. Even if this is but a fleeting moment with you, it has been a light that will guide my steps out of Miami. You are my light, Ally Dawson. But don't push your luck. I'm not going to back down and start talking to you in person just because we are texting. ;)

I hoped that I wasn't scaring her off with my weird middle of the night romantic brain. I don't know where it came from, but I was pleased with how smooth that came out. That is until I started to over analyze. She wasn't responding. And after an hour of waiting and checking my phone, I decided that I had scared her off. She was my only source of comfort and I had spooked her. I groaned and threw my phone to the floor. I fell asleep, much less happy than I had earlier.

I woke up the next day in the late morning, since it was Saturday and I had nowhere to go, I didn't bother getting out of bed right away. I rolled out of bed, ignoring my phone, and reaching for my guitar. I strummed it for a while before deciding that I was hungry. I went downstairs to an empty house. My parents were no doubt at the mattress store. I dug through the fridge, finding something to eat. Once I had sufficiently fed myself, I sauntered back upstairs to finally check my phone.
I had three texts from Ally. My heart raced as I read them.

Austin, you are never going to learn my middle name. Nobody knows it. But nice try with the guilt trip. And I don't give a damn about what my friends think if they are wrong. I have my opinion and I'm not changing it until I have a need to. You were never the guy that they all claim you to be. I never believed it, not for a second. I'll tell you why I don't believe them, but not through texting, it's too much to type out. Haha. As for the light thing… I appreciate your words, but I don't think you should give me that much power. I'm not doing anything extraordinary. I'm just trying to be your friend.

Oh and before you claim that you're not going to talk to me, just let time speak for itself. I can be very persuasive when I want to be. ;)

Hey, if you are free later, maybe we can go somewhere? I happen to know somewhere quiet that people won't know us. And we can discuss our new friendship. Because yes, Austin Moon, you and I, Ally Dawson, are now friends. So suck it up, buttercup.

I grinned at her texts. She was so assertive and adorable. I really was in trouble if she was like this in person. I would be singing by the end of the day with her. Which actually made me excited to think about. I realized that I did want to be her friend more than anything. And not because I was lonely, but because I was starting to fall for her. In more ways than one.