Living the Dream Chapter 22: Back to the house

"What are you doing here!?"

An angry familiar voice pulls Ally and I out of our excruciating moment. Then a moment too soon I am roughly pulled by my wrist off the bench. As I come into the light, I am greeted with the lovely faces of my parents.

"You get back on your label for one day, and this is what you're doing? Still screwing around huh?"

"Dad, Mom, why are you guys even here?"

Annoyance and anger fill my voice.

"We came, to watch our latest artist."

With proud and menacing smiles both my parents point towards the stage. Cameron Taylor is currently at the piano performing his second to last song.

"Really. You're managing someone else now?"

I asked incredulously.

"Of course Austin. You didn't think we were just sitting around during your absence did you? We've been networking, building our brand, advertising."

"Advertising what?"

"Our management company. We're expanding. We're not just parent managers anymore. We're the real deal. But don't worry we'll still have room to manage you."

"Oh, thanks."

"You're welcome son. But, don't think you can just do whatever you want. You need to be practicing day and night in preparation for this summer tour."

"I know that."

"Doesn't look like it!"

My dad shouted as he left me. My mom following close behind.

As I turned back to the bench, Ally quickly rose without a glance in my direction.

Okay, so I'm back under the management of my parents. Maybe things could be different. I think with the help of Ally's mom, I could learn to stand up to my parents.

It has been a week working with my parents again. I could not have been more wrong. Things haven't changed and have somehow gotten worse. My dad has even less patience and my mom doesn't even talk to me. Every time I see her she ignores me. On the bright side of things, they did unfreeze my account. So I have my money back. Minus the nine hundred dollars withdrawn. But they still have possession over my car. I'm still too afraid to ask for it back. To get them to lay off a bit, I asked Penny for advice. She said to be honest with them as soon as I felt overwhelmed. So I thought I'd give it a shot.

"Austin, come on! We only have tonight to do the interview because tomorrow morning is the photo shoot. You can't cancel last minute."

"I told you I didn't want to do it last week! It wouldn't have been last minute if you would've told NBC a week ago. I knew this weekend would be full because of all the appearances I'd have. I'm too tired for an interview. I'm overwhelmed."

"That's not our problem. You could've done the interview last month, if you hadn't gone A-wall for four weeks."

"I didn't disappear. I told you where I was. If you gave a crap about your son, you might have known I was at Ally's house. I must have forgotten to press send on the million voicemail I left you."

"Suck it up. You're doing the interview. Canceling this late, will give your mom and I a bad reputation."

It didn't go well. My dad and I are about as compatible as fire and ice. His inability to be anything but cold flares the flame in my heart. I'm just waiting to explode.

I was pretty much asleep during the interview and I woke up with dark circles under my eyes the next day. My make-up for the shoot was so heavy I thought I'd never wash all of it off.

Today was probably the busiest of them all. I was supposed to visit Ally at her rehearsal for her summer tour, but my schedule was quickly inundated with studio sessions, rehearsals, and meetings. It is now 10:36 and I am finally home. Just in time to start school work for the day. Living with Ally's parents is probably the light at the end of each days tunnel. It's what I have to look forward too every night. A quiet, loving, warm home.

Penny and Mr. Dawson are sitting on the couch watching the Sound of Music as I enter.

"Hey guys." I smile letting a sigh of relief out.

"Hey Austin. Busy day today?"

"Extremely. My dad is doing whatever it takes to make sure everything is right for the tour and that I am extremely exhausted. He's working me so hard."

"So, you're back under the management of your parents? I thought you were just re-signing with Starr Records."

Mr. Dawson asked.

"Starr Records has a policy that all minors must be managed by their parents. Without them, I won't have a record deal at all. It's supposed to make sure they're treated well."

"Well, I don't think it's working."

He chuckled lightly.

Yeah, I don't think it is either. I'd be better off managing myself.

"You know, Ally has a really good manager. Her name is Trish. Ally rarely has problems with her. They are actually pretty good friends. She schedules her shows and rehearsals around school to make sure she's not too tired. And she makes sure Ally always has a week off every 3 months. Maybe you should try to get a deal with Ally's label. You might like it better."

Oh, I know I would. But, I already signed a six month contract with Jimmy. There's no way for me to get out of it. I'll just have to tough it out until my 18th birthday.

"I might."

I take off my jacket resting it on the armrest to take a spot on the couch.

"Austin, did you have time to start any of your school work while you were out?"

"No, I should probably start on it now."

I frowned disappointed that she reminded me.

"Good boy."

She smiled.

"Where's Ally by the way?"

I stopped halfway up the stairs.

"She's out with Ethan."

Of course

Ally is the only girl I know who can kiss someone and then act like it never happened the next day. I want to be with her so much, but not like this. Not while she's leading two people on. It's not right. And as much as I hate Ethan, I would never move in on someone else's girl.

At about 11, I hear a soft knock on my door.

"Come in."

A soft invitation.

Ally walks in wearing a white dress, holding her purse tightly by her side.

"Hey."

She smiles.

"Hey."

I smile. Briefly looking up from my science work.

"How was your first week back?"

"Crazy busy. I've been tired since the beginning."

"Yeah, It's a lot of work prepping for a summer tour. Especially World."

"You would know. This will be your third World Tour right?"

"Actually it's just a European tour. I think"

She takes a seat at the end of the bed.

"Are you excited?"

I asked.

"Are you?"

She threw the question back into my face.

No, I'm terrified.

I can't even answer her question. Without words she knows my response. She opens up instead.

"I'm just worried I'll be lonely. My band mates all have families so usually when we have downtime, they call or Skype their wives and children. No one's dying to hang out with the seventeen year-old girl."

"I know what you mean. Even with my parents breathing down my neck and the hundreds of crew members working backstage, it can still feel lonely. Sometimes It would be nice to have someone."

"Someone like me?"

Ally turns to face me. With hopeful eyes.

"What?"

"I'm just saying, It would be really nice if I had you with me during those lonely hours. And it sounds like you could use the companionship as well."

"Our tours begin and end at the same time."

I stated flatly.

She nodded weakly turning back. What's the point in fantasizing if it could never happen. Even if I wasn't going on tour, my parents wouldn't let me waste 6 months out of the working year to join Ally on her tour. Never in a million years.

"I broke up with Ethan."

She softly stated.

I dropped my pencil, slowly finding her eyes.

After clearing my throat I asked her

"Umm, why?"

"Well, I guess to be accurate, he broke up with me. It turns out your parents weren't the only people at the music festival last week. He saw us at the bench and… yeah."

Her monotone gave me the feeling she didn't really care.

"Ally, you kissed me. And I didn't even-"

I started getting frustrated.

"I know. I've made a really big mess of things trying to be someone I'm not."

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Because I wanted to. I like being close to you. Probably more than friends should like each other. But I can't help it."

"I know what you mean, but why were you holding onto Ethan if you liked me?"

She threw her head back onto the bed. Running her fingers across her face.

"Ethan and I have so much history. He was my best friend when you went on tour. He and I did everything together. He's always been the person I float back to when I get lonely. He's the person that's always there. And I guess because he was always there we just started dating. It was just something to do. We were never really in love. We just pretended to be. And I think he finally figured that out. He wasn't angry when he said it. He just looked restless and disappointed. I don't blame him. Pretending to love someone can be pretty exhausting."

"Well, actually loving someone isn't a walk in the park either."

I interjected slightly bitter. She caught my tone and apologized.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

I apologized.

A minute of silence passed over us.

"So, I've been talking to Ronnie Ramone about-"

The door flew open in an instinct. Ally's dad busted through the door with Penny's cell phone wrapped under his fingers. My heart jumped as the door hit the wall knocking down a picture that was hanging.

"Sorry, Austin, I'll fix that. You're label guy Jimmy is on the phone."

I quickly grabbed the phone from him.

Hello? This is Austin

Hey, Austin, so I'm calling about your parents

Okay.

So, they said you refused to do the NBC interview because you were too tired?

Umm well yeah, I had told my dad to cancel the interview, but he didn't. I mean I went anyway, but It was really bad.

I know, I watched it. You're still crashing at your friends house right?

Yes, I'm staying with Ally's family.

Well, you're parents think it would be best for you to move back in with them. That way they can help you get your sleeping pattern back. Because resting is really important. You can't stay up all night like other teenagers. You have a job to do. I agree with them. Your parents and I want you back at your house by Monday.

I'll think about it

Austin that wasn't really a request. We need you at your best for this tour. Which means you need proper supervision.

I have supervision here.

No one knows what you need best than you're own parents. Just trust them. Alright? I got to go. But I better get notice you moved back with your parents by the end of this weekend. Or I'll cancel your six month contract.

With that he hung up.

"What did he say?"

Ally urged me.

"I have to move back in with my parents."