Chapter 14 - Never Looking Back
Austin's Point of View
Every sound I hear, every smell I breathe, even everything I touch throws my memory back years, and I cannot surpress the sinking feeling in the pit of my doctors and nurses try to reassure me that she'll pull through but I keep on thinking 'maybe this time, she won't make it.'
I open my eyes, my head still leaning on the bedrail and see my hand remains firmly on Ally's. How could I let this happen again? Maybe Ally had it right the first time after she woke up. I had to stay out of her life. I knew this already, but I thought that meant not being in direct contact, that I could still help her on the sidelines to ease my own guilt.
Foolish, foolish me.
The hospital door clicked open and I look up to see Mr. Dawson entering.
"I am so sorry," I slowly rise to my feet and let go of Ally's hand. "I didn't mean for this to happen, she wasn't supposed to be there."
Mr. Dawson looks at me with sorrow in his eyes and sadly nods his head.
"I know, Austin. It wasn't your fault; if anything, it was mine. I told her I wanted to reopen the store and we both know how she is with things like that." He moves past me and takes the seat I had just vacated.
"Yeah, I know..." I hang my head trying to hide the tears forming. I knew that every moment up until Mr. Dawson arrived would be the last ones I had with Ally and I was fine with it, wasn't I?
I take one final look at the father and daughter scene, and wish I never had looked back.
Ally, lying unconscious in that bed, looks exactly what I think an angel's smile would appear to be and her father holds her hand, the meaning of it I know well. I will never stop fighting for you.
After several blinks, I turn and exit silently out of the room and out of Ally Dawson's life.
Once the door closes, I walk slowly out of the hospital with a downtrodden gait, nurses giving me sympathetic glances. All the while, I hold in my tears.
I get to my car and once I get in do I finally allow myself to give in to the emotional turmoil waging inside me.
After several minutes of crying, I reach in my pocket and pull out my phone. My heart rips once again when I see the background I chose.
The last picture I took of Ally and I, the one when we were waiting in line for the ride that would alter our lives.
It's the same one I had for those two years but every time I had looked then, it had given me hope. Now? Guilt makes it unbearable to see.
I quickly hit the contact app, Ally's face dissolving as a list of names appear.
I call one of the starred contacts and hold the phone to my ear, exhaling shaky breaths as I wait for the call to be answered.
"Austin Moon, to what do I owe the pleasure?" A voices coos from the speaker.
"Jimmy, I'm gonna keep this brief and I don't want any gripe from you but until I go to college, I'm moving away from Miami."
"Bu-"
"Shut up, will ya? I'll still be your 'star' but it'll have to be from another city. I can't be here any more. I give details later." I hit end after that, knowing I will be getting an earful later.
I take a breath, resolute in my decision. I waited longer than I should've to go to college and now I'll be moving out. My mom might not be happy but I'm 20 years old and if I want to move out then I will.
I turn the car on and put it in gear. Now forbidden thoughts of Ally mill about my mind.
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I am so sorry guys. I hadn't a clue for the plot of the story anymore and I got busy so I kinda forgot.
Sorry for a short chapter but again, I didn't know what to do. I think I do now.
Just to let you all know, in ten days I will be gone till August. I hope to have updated more of my stories, I have some chapters for other ones in progress but not yet completed.
I am also in the mood to take some story prompts. I can do A&A, Hunger Games(Everlark), and Sherlock BBC(Sherlolly).
Don't forget to find me on Twitter! Naomis_Dragons
~ND~