Chapter 10: An Apology

"So, you can stay in the guest room. I'll get you some more pillows and… all the other bed paraphernalia." Ally told Austin as she sat him down on the new mattress. They had just recently replaced the old one because it wasn't firm enough. She had prepared for his visit. Ally had asked her dad a few days ago if they could get a better mattress for the guest room, because She knew Austin would soon be sleeping on it. She knew living with his parents would not last. Their relationship was hanging on a thin thread for as long as she could remember; fraying and fraying day by day.

"Ally, you don't have to get all that stuff, I know where everything is." He laughed lightly beginning to rise from the bed. Ally placed a hand on his shoulder sitting him back down.

"I know, but I want to get it for you" the girl replied earnestly. She wanted him to feel like an actual guest in the house. She also, didn't want to risk her parents seeing him. She had not yet asked permission for him to stay. "And besides, you're our guest!" she said with alacrity.

As her hand fell from his shoulder, she turned towards the door to retrieve the items.

Suddenly, a soft hand takes hold of her hand perpetuating her departure. Without saying a word, he draws her lovingly to his side.

"I wanted to say thank you."

"Of course. You're welcome." She smiled widely at the boy, lightening up his heart in the process. He looked into her eyes and had wondered if she had understood and accepted his gratitude to the extent in which he had offered it. He wanted her to understand how much he truly appreciated her. He wanted to say he loved her, and to express how beautiful of a person she was. So, he said thank you.

Sitting in the guest room reminded him of Ally's bedroom, because it had resembled it so much. Thinking about their last encounter in her room, had troubled him deeply. Pain and remorse quickly filled his heart. He then discovered he had never really apologized to her. She had been extremely caring and forgiving, without ever receiving an apology. He rose from his seat to properly give his overdue apology.

"I just wanted to say, I'm sorry for the other night when we were here, I went too far. I had no right or reason to be rough with you. All you were doing was trying to help me, but I was so stupid and selfish I didn't realize that." He let go of her hand, feeling his past actions had discredited him the honor of holding her hand. He knew how fearful he made her feel that night and he hated it. He became the monster that his parents had been. He became Ally's monster. He threatened the safety of the person he loved the most. The pain and guilt struck him hard. He felt an immense sense of shame. He took a seat, unable to stand the humiliation. Ally took a seat right next to him encouraging him to continue on. His eyes focused on the ground as he tried to finish his apology. He felt like crying again. The feeling of his deep regret almost brought tears to his eyes. However, he did not release any tears. She had already seen him cry once tonight. That was enough. She could never see him that low again. He took a deep breath, then continued on.

"I couldn't have made you feel any less safe, and I knew you were scared, but I didn't care. I was just so, so, angry and frustrated with my parents, my career, and myself. But, I had absolutely no right to take it out on you. I'm supposed to make you feel safe, and protect you, but I was your biggest threat of safety." He lifted his eyes from the floor and turned his head towards Ally. The tips of his blond hair brushed her forehead and his heavy breath was evident on her skin. He was three inches from her lips, but he didn't go any further. His chest rose highly as he took another deep breath. Before completing his apology with, "I'm so sorry." He whispered with earnest repentance.

She forgave him instantly like she always had. She took their hands that were side by side and intertwined them. A little unsettled by her quick response, he continued on. "Are you sure? You don't have to. You don't even have to try, I know that-" He tried, but her mind was made up. She took his other hand and slipped it into her own. She gave him her trust back. She gave him back what he had gained and lost in one night.

"I'll always try. Because I love you." She promised him.

"And I love you." He smiled continuing the love song.

"Now, I need you to forgive yourself. You're a good person. You deserve forgiveness." She told him. "You do." She repeated seeing the doubt in his eyes. "No matter what your parents said." She added. Ally had never witnessed firsthand his parents' harsh and candid formality; however, she could tell an outside source was keeping him from accepting his own apology. Perverting his mind with lies filled with vituperation. Because only two people in this world were capable of doing that.

Austin nodded slightly, acknowledging her request. She wrapped her arms around him for the last time that night, and he gladly returned the warm embrace.

"Try to get some sleep okay? It's pretty late." The girl slipped out of his grasp and continued towards the door out of the room.

She closed the door quietly, hoping not to wake her parents. She tiptoed down the hall only to find her mom and dad standing outside their bedroom door with concerned faces. Ally's father took a step towards her crossing his arms.

"Ally, what's going on?" Her father asked sternly.

"Is that Austin in there sweetheart?" Her mom asked sweetly.

Ally took a deep breath before responding. She didn't know just how she would explain to her parents that Austin would be staying with them for a while. Would they be mad? Would they understand? Well, it didn't really matter, because Austin was staying with her regardless of what they said. She loved him and could not let him spend another day in that awful, house. It was tearing him apart.

"Austin is going to be staying with us for a while." She said confidently.

"Umm excuse me? He's not staying anywhere but in his own house." Her dad replied moving past his daughter towards the guest room. Ally quickly ran in front of her dad and began to plead.

"Dad please, Austin got in a really big fight with his dad at the concert tonight, and I didn't think he should have to return home."

"Ally, lots of kids argue with their parents. His dad probably has already forgotten about the little quarrel and is ready for his son to come home. I know you care about him a lot, but he can't stay here, he needs to go home."

"It is late honey, maybe we can let Austin stay here for tonight, then in the morning we can drop him off at his house." Her mother reasoned.

Ally became more and more upset. She was slowly losing her patience, but had to contain herself. She couldn't let her teenage instincts take over and cause her to overreact. She had to calmly let them know, one night wasn't enough. That his life was in danger. All he needed was one more fight like tonight's, to permanently damage his self-esteem to the point of self-hatred.

"His parents are verbally abusive." She told them flatly. She didn't cry, or scream, she told them his situation without any euphemisms or exaggerations.

"They tell him that he is worthless and stupid, just to shatter his confidence so that he's easier to manipulate. They tear him up emotionally every day with horrible words in efforts to make him more vulnerable. The fight he had earlier tonight, was not a normal fight between father and son. His dad attacked him with foul words. His dad yelled at him in front of everyone back stage and humiliated him. He was so upset; he didn't even perform tonight. I found him locked in his dressing room sitting in a corner. He was crying so hard. We're talking about Austin. The most confident, happy, fun-loving guy, was bawling his eyes out in utter shame and mortification. Dad, his parents are monsters. This is the only place he is safe."

Her father nodded as did her mother in acceptance. They understood the circumstance he was in, and were willing comply. After all, they did once offer their home to him in the past. Now, shouldn't be any different.

"Okay, he can stay here, I guess until we… figure things out." Her dad told her as he hushed his voice. "I know how it can be living with a dad like that. It's not easy. He's welcomed here." He finished with a nod. Ally thanked her parents and promised to make it up to them.

"I'll be checking in on you and him during the nights though. To make sure each of you stay in your separate rooms. I don't want any visiting during the night. Understood?"

"Yes sir," She laughed at his comment. As her parents returned to their room, she heard her mother scolding her father for his last comment.

Hello! Everyone! I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think in the reviews.