Hello Everyone! I haven't forgotten about this story. I've just been busy with other writing projects and work stuff. I promised you all I would finish the story and intend on doing so. This last chapter will be in TWO PARTS. Here is PART 1. Please Enjoy it!
Living the Dream: PARTNERS PART 1
Ally and I had just finished our first rehearsal as Austin and Ally. Her team built a set list of half of her new songs and half of mine. That way, I don't have too much catching up to do. We only have a few months to put the whole show together. It's been hectic, doing last minute photoshoots, magazine and radio interviews, but I know it's necessary for publicity. What I'm most excited for is the premiere of our album release! It will be our first album together, and no doubt my most successful. We already had a majority of the songs recorded, but I never thought we'd actually get to release those songs together. Ronnie is way different from Jimmy and actually likes the songs Ally and I write together.
I think our fans were anticipating our partnership before any of us. An hour after our Instagram page was launched, we accrued three million followers. And it's only been increasing since. I read some of the comments on our album cover. The comments ranged from Ahhhh the day has finally come! My dreams have come true. It's nice to see they're so supportive. Ronnie was shocked himself by all of the attention we were getting. He had no idea our partnership would blow up our fanbase.
I didn't tell Ally, but after everything that happened with my parents, I was ready to quit music forever. I knew Starr records would never take me back after all the drama and I didn't want to start all over. Who knew Ally and I would end up the same way we started. Together. All this time I was trying to do it solo, but now I realize I can't do it without her.
"That was great guys! Austin, you are picking up everything really quick. Great job. Just remember after No Place Like Home, you race towards the center stage for Can You Feel It. It has to be back-to-back. No lagging."
"Yes! Got it. Thanks, Jackie"
Surprisingly, Ally's choreographer, Jackie, was very supportive and helpful. I used to watch Jackie direct Ally in her previous shows and shake at how abrasive and short she was with her. But now, she seems much nicer. She didn't get upset when I forgot my entrances and only yelled at me twice!
After rehearsal, Ally and I had a scheduled interview with Helen from The Helen Show. We were both extremely nervous. It's the first time we've appeared on TV as a couple. We could only imagine all the questions we'd be asked. As we rode in the back seat of our SUV we rehearsed our script to avoid any controversy.
"We should hold hands that way they don't think it's a publicity thing," I suggest as I watch Ally feast on her Reuben sandwich.
"You know there will be food backstage," I comment wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin. She was the messiest eater I've ever met.
"Yeah, veggie sticks and crackers aren't really my thing."
She smacks loudly allowing some mustard to fly onto my lips. We both stop momentarily. She waits for my reaction. I give her a slight chuckle before licking the mustard off my lips.
"Well, vegetables are gonna be a huge part of our diet when we're on tour. You probably shouldn't eat any fast-food at all. You know, to stay fit."
I know I've said something wrong because Ally slowly turns towards me with narrowed eyes. With her sandwich now resting on her lap, she directs all her aggression towards me.
"What's that supposed to mean? You're afraid I'm gonna get fat over the tour?"
"What!? No. That's not what I meant."
"I'll tell you what, I'd be the prettiest chubby girl Hollywood has ever seen."
She bites aggressively into her sandwich. A loud curse escaped her lips as the sandwich crashes onto her lap. She holds her jaw in response.
"Did you bite yourself?"
I casually inquired, already knowing the answer. She nods bitterly.
I began pulling napkins from the Jersey Mike's bag. I gather two or three and bawl them together in my hand.
"Open your mouth," I instruct. She does just that and drops her jaw, lifting her soft palate. I insert the dry napkins into her mouth, pressing them lightly against her bitten cheek while using my other hand to hold her chin in place.
"Here."
I gently drag her hand up to her mouth to replace mine. She resists and shakes her head.
"Ally, I need my hand back." I laugh lightly.
"Forget holding hands, let's just do this during the show. It doesn't get more authentic than this."
I laugh uncontrollably as I think of how awkward it would be if we started the show with my hand in her mouth.
"That may be a bit too erotic for The Helen Show." We both laugh loudly. I take my hand out, bringing the napkins with me and tossing the remains into the brown bag.
"Yeah, we'll save that for our reality show."
"And how long did it take you to realize it was on your back?"
Helen asks as the crew and the entire studio are deeply amused by the story of when Ally pranked me during rehearsal.
"Only about 20 minutes. I think."
"What? No, it took you at least an hour! Everyone on set couldn't stop laughing. Including me."
"Maybe that's what eventually gave it away."
Helen suggests as she brings her mug to her lips. We shared a giant laugh altogether.
This interview was going a lot better than I'd imagined. We were laughing, telling jokes, and nothing was awkward. There were no heavy-hitting questions or daunting topics, just light-hearted conversation. My favorite.
"It's going a lot better than I thought," I whispered in Ally's ear; completely unaware that while you're hot on the mic there's no such thing as whispering. Ally chuckles as my comment ring loud throughout the monitors for everyone to hear.
"Oh, we're just getting started. Trust me, it gets worse."
Helen jokes. Ally and I share a nervous laugh knowing there's a little truth in every joke.
"So, what's it like dating your best friend?"
And here we go. The first personal question of the night. I take a deep breath; allowing my mind to search. Before I can decide on a response, Ally begins one of her own. I clear my mind and listened intently to her answer. With growing interest, I drape my arm over the couch and around her shoulders. She smiles at me and continues.
"I mean… It feels like we've been together for years because we started as friends and developed such a close friendship. It was a pretty smooth transition. We were already doing couple stuff anyway."
My face went red as Helen and the audience began to shout at Ally's remark.
"Ooooooh" was heard among the entire studio.
"Friends with benefits?"
Helen inquired as her audience scrambled restlessly at the edge of their seats.
"No, I just mean Austin and I were already emotionally connected like a couple. We always loved each other; ever since we were kids. So, it felt natural to grow into this relationship because it was built upon such a close friendship."
"That sounds really nice. Based on pictures and videos it seemed you guys were connected at the hip."
"Yeah, well, it's hard not to grow close when you live two doors from each other."
"You guys live together now!? Talk about quick! When was the housewarming party?"
She exclaims drawing laughter from the crowd.
"I'm just crashing with her and her parents."
I clarify.
"So, how does that work? Has her dad quarantined her bedroom yet? How do concerned parents monitor a teen couple living under the same roof."
"We have locks on our bedrooms and a no bedroom visits at night policy."
I explain as Ally nods and chuckles slightly.
"Have you broken that policy?"
Helen inquires as she hears Ally trying to suppress her giggles.
I see Ally squirming in her seat and decide to break her laugh entirely. It's been a miserable two minutes since I've heard her beautiful laugh. Without warning, I invade her space with mischievous fingers crawling up and down her torso. She throws her head back, allowing me access to a new canvas. I smile as her laughter grows louder and fills the space.
"A few times." Ally and I both smile sharing the same memory.
"Caught for tickling?" Helen jokes.
"Ughh a little more than that."
I joke sending the room into a full blown riot.
After the interview, Ally and I picked up some take-out on the way home. With an arm full of chinese food, I clumsily fish into my pocket for the house key. Ally held the drink and followed me inside the house.
The house was quiet and the living room was dark. It was unusual to come home to a still house. Usually, Ally's parents would be up until almost midnight. From the corner of the room, I could see a small light peering from the kitchen. I closed the door behind us. As we enter the kitchen, we are met by Mr. and Mrs. Dawson standing in the center of the room. I nearly drop the food.
"Smells good! What did you guys bring home?"
Mr. Dawson inquired walking over to the bags. I stiffly slid it over to him.
"Just some chinese food and drinks."
Ally said casually as she unloaded the contents of the bag. This was obviously a setup. I couldn't see why Ally was acting so calmly.
Ally's mom leaned silently against the counter with crossed arms. She looked as if she was waiting on something. Or someone.
"Well, we obviously need to talk about the other night. But, I'll let you guys eat first. We'll come back down soon."
They both left the kitchen.
I tightly grip the edge of the counter, afraid of losing my balance. My face grew pale and my stomach churned. The thought of eating right now made me sick. I stared incredulously at Ally as she calmly opened her container and began to eat; without a care in the world.
"You should eat before it gets cold."
She tells me.
"Ally, how can you eat right now? Your dad just told us that HE KNOWS! He knows what we did that night and is gonna make us...talk about it. Which means you're grounded and I'm DEAD. He'll probably take me behind the house so you guys won't hear my screams. Who would've thought my last meal would be a two entree plate from Panda Express."
My palms are so wet they're slipping off the countertop. Deeply troubled, I pace across the kitchen floor in desperate confusion. Ally ignores my pacing and chews happily on her honey sesame chicken. Realizing I might not see her again, I quickly halt and crash into the seat across from her. I study her face and try to print her image in my mind
"What are you doing?"
She asks cleaning the corner of her lips with one tongue swirl.
"Memorizing your features, in case I never see you again."
"Austin, we're gonna be fine. My parents don't freak out about stuff like this."
"What do you mean?"
"I just mean, we'll be fine. They're not as strict as they seem. Have you ever seen my mom boiling angry? She doesn't know how to be."
"She seemed mad that night. I mean, I was terrified. This usually sweet woman was all of a sudden threatening my life with one look."
"Well, I guess when it's your own parents you get immune to their behavior."
She commented; making me think of my parents.
"I know what you mean. When my dad would yell at me after a show, my mind would zone out. I was so used to his angry side, it became the new normal. Only when my mom got angry was I afraid." My mind softly replays memories of my dad's discipline sessions. My mom would just stand beside him and nod. I would sit and wait for her to interrupt and defend me when I was obviously innocent. She never did.
Lost in thought, I didn't notice Ally had moved to the seat next to me. She smiled warmly before wrapping herself around me in a tight embrace. I never had to explain my pain to Ally, she just knew. We stay like this for a while.
"And even if they do kill us, at least we'll die together."
Ally adds making me raise an eyebrow.
"I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you".
I slightly pull away to face her.
"Is that from a movie?"
I ask in a slight chuckle.
"Pocahontas."
Ally would never say something that cheesy and romantic. It had to be a quote.
She pursed her lips as laughter built up inside her. I pulled her back into me and whispered in her ear.
"I love you."
"I love you too"
We share a marvelous smile and a short kiss.
Mr. and Mrs. Dawson return downstairs soon after.
"Ally, could you give us some time with Austin?"
Mr. Dawson orders catching both of us off guard. I swallow deeply as Ally leaves my embrace and heads towards the staircase. She gives me a thumbs up before disappearing upstairs.
Thank you all for sticking with me. I know it's been forever since I've updated but I've been trying to perfect the ending. I was going to just upload a large Final chapter, but it was too long. So, I cut it in half. Part 2 will be uploaded VERY SOON.