Chapter 2

Austin rested his head on Dez's shoulder on the drive home from the hospital, feeling like he didn't have the strength to smile. He came from another check up and blood renewal. He had a heart condition that developed when he was still inside his mother's womb. Growing up, he could never exert too much energy on anything. If he did, he had to be hospitalized for days. That's why his parents were, at first, against Austin's dream to become a star. Every day, he would practice for hours and hours, weakening and wearing out his heart.

Luckily, his family was well off, so they allowed him to continue reaching his dreams while going monthly for check ups at the hospital. He managed to maintain average health conditions while debuting. Once he was a star, celebrity, and heartthrob of all the girls in America (some in Canada), many learned about his condition and many offered to give blood to him. Unfortunately, he could only accept the blood of his type, thus canceling many of the offers that his fans willingly gave him.

However, as more popular celebs like One Direction and Super Junior caught hold of the limelight, the number of blood donations decreased, leaving Austin to be in a slightly weaker condition. However, there was always enough blood to get him. No more. No less. Just enough.

"Wow, Austin. You have such loyal fans," Dez exclaimed while munching on some birthday cake (don't know where he got it. Better to leave it a mystery). "They take care of you so well. Even giving up their red juice for you." Red juice? Oh, he means blood... Why didn't he just say blood instead of red juice? And why juice? Why not syrup or liquid or...stuff?

Austin smiled anyway, remembering when he received news on how many people lined up to donate their blood for them. In return, he had dog tag necklaces that said "Austin Moon's Savior and Proud of It". He also made extra for those who remained anonymous, asking doctors to send them to whoever didn't show up to the gathering.

As Austin's health decreased, he kept a cheerful smile in front of the media and fibbed to his fans, assuring the world that he was fine and that his freedom increased since childhood. He didn't want fans to kept losing their blood when all he did was gain and gain. Especially since he didn't mean much to them. They didn't mean that much to him either. They only donated to him because he was a celebrity. That's all there was to it. He wasn't worth the hassle of losing blood.

"Let's drop by Melody Diner," Dez suggested as he directed the driver to the front of the diner. He smiled at his best friend, using his shoulder as a pillow.

"You just want to see Trish sing about the chicken pot pie huh?" Dallas sneered, folding his arms as he did so.

"T-that's not t-true!" Trish was hired again at the Melody Diner, and Dez could stop staring at the short Latino last time she was growled the song. Some might call it a crush, but Austin knows, Dez is just amazed at how Trish could keep a straight frown on her face while reciting such a peppy song.

Austin laughed at his clown. It hurt his head, but he didn't mind. He was ecstatic about his check up. The doctor said that they found a heart that matched his DNA. Finally Austin could get rid of his old weak heart and have a normally functioning one. He would finally be free. He wouldn't get tired so easily and would be able to build a better stamina, all thanks to the new heart implanted on him next week.

He was grateful to the one who donated the heart, someone who remained hidden from him. He made another necklace for the donor, carving a heart on it. It was to replace the heart they donated to him and to promise that he will take care of their heart. Even if the person donating had no choice since they was going to probably die anyway, even if they weren't his fan, he was still grateful of the deed that this person was willing to accomplish.

Austin was grateful. He asked one of the doctors to make the donor put it on before they pass away, since he wasn't allowed to do it himself. The person would remember the sincere gratitude from Austin even if they didn't have much time left.

And now, to top things off, he would be able to share the great news with his best friends. With Trish and his dad and mom. With Cassidy.

"Oh my god! That's great!" Trish burst out, leaping in to Austin's arms. He was still dizzy from his check up, but that didn't stop him from embracing his Latino friend back, grateful for her worry and care.

The rest of his friends and relatives that he told to meet congratulated him with hugs and pats on the back.

"Great news Austin!"

"Finally you'll be at your best!"

"You'll be more exciting than me from now on right?"

"I'm so happy for you!"

His mom started to tear up, finally being able to breathe from the recent struggle in the past.

He felt grateful that he got to share this moment with all of his closest friends and family. He felt the warmth and care radiating from their very presence as they squeezed them tight. There was relief in the air, and ease and happiness replacing all the worst feelings in their hearts and minds.

However, there was something missing. The most important puzzle piece wasn't there, leaving everything to be incompete for Austin. He looked over to one of the booths and saw Cassidy, who seemed to have been comforting Ally as she brushed her hair away from her face. Ally was leaning her head on Cassidy's shoulder, a blue blanket wrapped around her body. Only her hair and part of her face was visable. He heard that Ally has became sick the last few months and her energy seemed to have been completely drained away.

But Ally didn't catch his attention. The lovely blond nursing her and whispering gentle words caught his eye. He made his way over to the when the rest went to go order some food for everyone in the store.

"Cassie.."

Her face turned to him, blond hair sweeping from her shoulders. She didn't smile when she saw him, and it made Austin worry a bit.

"Someone donated a heart to me."

"I heard, Blondie." Her expression was cold and her voice was harsh. It kind of felt like... how he treated Ally.

Ally, smiled softly at the star, her eyes drooped slightly.

"Congratulations Austin!" She tried to exclaim happily, but her voice faded off.

He nodded in thanks, waving her away before looking back at Cassidy, who gave her attention back to the sick songwriter.

He walked back, greeting with a plate of fries and burgers. Cassidy's reaction surprised him. He thought that she was going to care the most out of everyone! Why was she so glum? Did she have a bad day? But Austin just told her some great news. Wouldn't she have forgotten all of her troubles and congratulate him with a smile?

Unless...she didn't care whether he got better or not. But she did care. He knew she did. She always showed that she cared...

Until today.

Ally smiled happily as she sat across from him at the table of the little coffee shop.

"Ally? What are you doing here? Where's Cassi- you told her to text you huh?"

"Y-yes..." He stood up, about to leave, but Ally reached up to grab his wrist.

"Wait! I'm sorry for lying to you about Cassidy, but I knew that if I asked you, you would never show up. I really really wanted to talk to you. I promise that I'll be quick. Promise!"

He sat back down, a little disgusted at the previous skin-ship that Ally made. "Fine. What is it?"

"Well...I...I..." All of a sudden, she forgot what she was going to say. "It's just..."

Austin impatiently tapped his foot, glancing at his watch. "I don't have time to watch you think Ally. Hurry up."

His tone was harsh. He had forgotten why he used that tone on her. Forgotten when he did as well. He just became so angry every time he laid eyes on her. For that, he couldn't help but feel guilty, but not guilty enough to stop. Austin was already too used to treating Ally this way. To treat Ally like he did before... it would be too uncomfortable for him, unfamiliar.

"After the surgery," she finally said," you must stay happy." Her eyes were looking directly in to his. They sent electricity through his veins and up his spine, shivers popping everywhere through him.

"What?" He was confused, trying to comprehend what she said. "You want me... to be happy? You wanted to meet me...just so I could be happy?"

"There's a lot of things I wanted to say, Austin," she sniffed a little," but it's hard." She looked down at the floor for a bit before facing him again. "I...love you, Austin Moon."

Her sudden confession caught him by surprise. Although he knew that Ally had a small crush on him for a while, she never voiced it. She never told him and he was grateful that she kept quiet about her feelings since he couldn't know what to say to her back. He couldn't feel the same way as her, so he couldn't be romantic and tell her that he felt the same way too.

"W-wha?"

"I love you," she repeated. "And not brother-sister way like you do with Trish. Not the way you love your parents. Not the way you love Dez and Dallas as best friends. I love you like you love Cassidy. I love you, I love you, I love you so much. I drop every single drop of pride I have left and come out clean, because I'm afraid that I might not have the chance if I don't say it now. I love you like the ocean loves the ways. I love you like the night loves the stars. Like the syrup loving pancakes. Like you loving to perform. You're a part of me Austin and, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. So I'll just keep loving you.

Austin's jaw dropped, eyes wide open. Why was this all coming in now? Why not during their time as songwriting partners when he felt something for her too? Why not before he became so fond of Cassidy? Why not before he thought that she was an annoying pest in his life? Why?

"A-Austin?"

He realized that he stayed quiet too long.

"I'm sorry," he blurted out of surprise," but I don't love you back." It was sudden and last minute. He didn't really register what he was saying until too late.

"I know," she confirmed softly, standing up and gazing on long look at him. "I knew that a long time ago." With that she ran off, leaving Austin alone, in the cafe, stunned.

What the...hell?