Okay, chapter five already! Wow. Anyway, I know that I've been making you guys wait so long between chapters, but I have a lot on my plate so I'm just going to say sorry and not promise anything. Other than that, I hope you enjoy chapter five! Review please! (I love constructive criticism.)
As soon as I got back into my car, I took Ally's songbook and held it on my lap as I dialed my parents' phone number, silently praying they would let me stay with them for a week or so. I know that parents are supposed to help you no matter what, and it's not like I suckled off their life's savings for my adult life- it's the fact that they don't approve of my divorce and have stated quite clearly that they won't aid me more than some encouraging words and a place to stay if absolutely necessary. This was absolutely necessary.
"Mom?"
"Sweetheart! How are you? How's Cassidy?" I laughed silently, you could always count on my mom to be subtle.
"Hey, Mom, would you and Dad mind if I came and stayed with you guys in Miami for a while? I just, uh, need to get away for a little while and I have some vacation time."
"Sure, Sweetie, but does this really have nothing to do with Cassidy?"
"No, Mom, I just want a vacation and, come on, I haven't seen you guys in over a year. It's time for a visit."
"Alright, you make the arrangements and tell your dad when to pick you up at the airport, okay?"
"Thanks, Mom."
"I love you, Austin."
"Love you, too." I hung up the phone and let out a sigh of relief, maybe they're starting to get over the whole divorce.
I took Ally's songbook and flipped through the pages, holding her closer to me than ever.
As soon as I pulled in, I ran into my apartment and pulled out my laptop. It wasn't cheap, but I was able to book a flight to Miami the next day. I started packing immediately after calling Jimmy Starr to tell him I wasn't going to be in L.A. for a while. At eleven o'clock the next morning I hopped in my car and drove to the airport, all the time playing my first record and holding Ally's songbook on my lap. I was going to see her, to find her, finally.
I landed at around nine o'clock eastern time and was greeted by a very happy father at baggage claim. I grabbed my suitcase from the conveyor belt and stacked my backpack on top of it. I gave my dad a quick hug and we left the airport. I could feel the heat sticking to my skin and I knew I was home the minute I stepped out of the terminal. I was tired when I got back to the house so I ate dinner with my parents, who had been waiting to eat all day, then brought my bags into my old room and changed into my pajamas. That's when I noticed the picture, it was of Ally and me. Actually, it wasn't really a picture but the cover of a magazine. Cheetah Beat, actually. I touched the glass and traced the heart that encircled Ally and me- and that was the first moment that I realized I might actually be able to have that again. I might be able to have my Ally back in my arms.
"Hey, Sweetheart, everything okay?" My mom poked her head in the room, of course, without knocking first.
"Yeah, Mom." I said, giving her a tired grin before she slowly closed the door. "After all these years you still don't knock."
"Sorry, force of habit." My mom smiled and walked over, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and joining me admiring the framed magazine cover. "I hope she's not why you're here, Sweetheart."
"What? Why?" I said, shocked, turning to face my mother.
"Well, and I'm sorry if you didn't know, but she's engaged. We saw Lester the other day, he asked if we'd gotten our invitations."
"I know, Mom. I guess, I'm not here for that," I lied, trying to play it cool and not sound like I was going to attempt to break up an engagement. "I'm here on vacation, y'know, to see my family and my home and, maybe, y'know uh, I'll see if I can't find Ally and give her my congratulations."
"Well," my mom stood up, fixed her clothes and walked toward the door. "Get some sleep." She left the room and I heard her footsteps walking down the hall. I returned to my place beside my dresser for a few moments before crawling into bed with Ally's songbook. Tomorrow I'd go see her, I'd go to Sonic Boom and see if I can't find her. Hopefully.
That night my dreams were filled with Ally and me... and her faceless fiancé.
Okay, short and sweet... maybe not. Well, I love constructive critiscism and I'm REALLY sorry for making you guys wait so long. And, just for continuity's sake, OOO drama! (Even though there's barely any...)
