He asks, "Is anyone else craving... strawberries?" Trish and I shake our heads. He sniffs again. "Or is it just me?"
"It's just you," Trish says.
"Are you sure?" Austin asks, trying to find the source of the smell.
"We're sure," I tell him.
"If you guys say so," he says. He walks up to the counter and hops up onto it.
I finish cleaning up the glass. I wash the dried blood from my hands and make sure there's no shards of glass stuck in the cuts. There's not.
"So, Ally," Austin says, as Trish and I walk back over to the counter, "you wanna play that song now?"
"No, I'm gonna play it later," I tell him, "when you aren't around."
"Why?" he asks. "You'll have to get comfortable around me sometime."
"I am comfortable around you!" I exclaim. I blink, realizing exactly what I just said. I try to sink back into my I-Hate-Austin ways. "I mean, I'm not comfortable around you. All I do is tolerate you. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Let me repeat my statement then," Austin says. "You'll have to get comfortable around me sometime. And the easiest way for you to do that is through music."
"How would you know?" I ask.
"Ally, how many times do I have to tell you?" Austin asks me. "I know you like I know my own name. In fact, I may even know you better than you know you. So I think I'd know that you're most comfortable when you're playing music. Even before I knew you wrote songs, you've always seemed so relaxed and comfortable when you're playing your piano."
"Shut up," I mutter.
"Why?"
"Just shut up!" I shout. "You're not allowed to know me this well! This isn't normal! This is best friend stuff. This is—This is—"
"You know, Ally, if we hadn't gotten into that fight when we first met, we probably would be best friends right now," he tells me. "So it's completely normal for me to know you as if you were my best friend."
"It's your fault," I tell him. "You took my juice box."
"And?" he asks. "That's what normal little kids do if they like someone. They act like an ass. They take juice boxes, they punch, they kick, they act like they hate the other."
"Wait, are you saying you liked me?" I ask, everything he said sinking into my brain and etching themselves across my line of vision.
Austin just shrugs. "I dunno," he says. "Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. Why do you care?"
"I—Well, it would change everything, wouldn't it?" I ask.
"Change everything? How would it change everything?" he asks. A grin—a borderline smirk—appears on his face. "Unless you liked me back."
I stutter, random bits and pieces of words coming out of my mouth. "No!" I exclaim. "I didn't like you. You came into my room, acting like you owned the damn place and took my juice box! I hated you!"
"That's a bit childish, don't you think?" Austin asks me. "Hating me over a juice box?"
"That isn't why I hate you now!" I tell him. "You act like I still owe you for not telling on me and getting me in trouble! You hold it over my head! That's why I hate you now!"
His eyes bore into mine. "Allyson, you realize that if I told on you now, it wouldn't really matter. You wouldn't get in trouble. You only do the things I ask you to do because you want to do them." I try to cut him off, but he just keeps talking. "I don't make you do anything. You do the things of your own free will. All I'm doing is waiting for the day when you fight back." How is he so calm right now? I start to say something again, but Austin shakes his head. "Don't try to say anything. You'll lose this battle."
I roll my eyes. "You may have won the battle, but you're gonna lose the war," I mutter.
"Really now?" he asks. "And what exactly are we at war over?"
"What do you think?" I ask, finally able to be as cool and collected as he is. Trish had sat there quietly through our entire conversation, but she finally speaks up.
"You guys seem to fight a lot," she says.
"You don't know the half of it," I tell her. "We had this huge fight last night over—" I break off as I look at Austin's face.
I think Cassidy's cheating really hurt him deep. Maybe it wasn't the fact that he had liked Cassidy a lot, but the fact that there was cheating in their relationship.
"—something stupid," I finish lamely.
"Oh, Trish," Austin says, turning to loom at her. "I think there's something Ally wants to tell you about last night."
I stare at him blankly. "What is it?" Trish asks me. I know he doesn't want me telling her about the cheating thing.
"Two things, actually," Austin says.
"Well, spit it out!" Trish snaps at me.
"What are you talking about?" I ask Austin.
"Ally, here, had a dream about me," Austin tells Trish. "She had a dream I died and she got extremely scared." Trish smiles at me, and I know exactly what she's thinking: Oh, you had a dream about him and you were scared he was gonna die in real life! That's true love right there! "That's not even the best part," Austin continues, "she wanted me to spend the night."
Trish is completely fascinated now. "And did you?" she asks him.
"Oh, yeah," Austin says. "Should I tell her about the other part?" Austin turns to me. "The part before we went to sleep?"
"Tell me, tell me, tell me!" Trish exclaims, gossiping a habit for her.
"I didn't think you'd want to talk about that," I tell him.
He stares at me, confused, for a moment before he realizes I'm talking about the Wilson thing. "No, no, no," he says, "not that thing. The thing before that. The thing that started that other thing."
"Will someone just tell me the thing?!" Trish yells, frustrated.
"Ally kissed me," Austin says, without my permission. Trish's face lights up. "I mean, I'm talking full-on, tongue-on-tongue make out. And it wasn't because our parents were around or anything. She did it because she wanted to." Trish squeals excitedly.
"No!" I say. "He's lying! I kissed him because he pissed me off."
"Why would you kiss someone if you were pissed at them?" Trish asks me, not believing that that's the reason I kissed him."
"Well, he thought I was afraid of kissing him, and so we went back and forth, and then he said something about how I never start our kisses so I was annoyed about that so I just kissed him." I look at Austin. "And it was not a full-on, tongue-on-tongue make-out."
"It did involve our tongues though," he points out, "did it not?"
"Well, yeah, but—"
"Then it was," he says. He sticks his tongue out at me. "So are you gonna play the song or not?"
"Will you shut up if I play it?" I ask.
He seems to take forever to think about it. "I suppose so..." he says slowly.
"Fine," I say. I walk over to the piano and sit down on the bench, playing the melody I thought of for the song.
I had a dream you died
And I just wanna be
With you tonight
Mission bells were ringin'
Somewhere higher
I let you get away...
I let you get away...
"Hold on," Austin stops me. "You didn't like my ohs and whoas?"
"Not really," I tell him. Even though they sounded awesome with the song.
"Will you at least try it?" he asks me. "Start over." I roll my eyes and play it again from the beginning.
I had a dream you died
And I just wanna be
With you tonight
Mission bells were ringin'
Somewhere higher
I let you get away...
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...
I let you get away...
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...
"I think that sounds better," Trish says as I transition into the first verse.
I stop playing. "Can I finish the damn song with no more interruptions?" I ask, turning around on the piano bench to glare at them. "Please? If you guys want to add background singing, then fine. Whatever."
Austin and Trish look at each other and smile. They walk over to the piano and Trish jumps up to sit on the top of the piano. I play the introduction.
(Austin's and Trish's background words will be in parentheses.)
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
I had a dream you died
And I just wanna be
With you tonight
Mission bells were ringin'
Somewhere higher
I let you get away...
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
I let you get away...
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
What kind of man misunderstands a woman like you?
Austin sings the words along with me, acting as if he were apologizing to Trish. I guess for "misunderstanding" her.
Sees her in black and white?
It's 5am and the phonebook says that you're not alone
In the cold
Grey
Morning light
The only one that's left to trust...
My faithless heart that's wasted us...
Austin holds his hand over his heart and Trish lies back on the piano, the back of her hand over her forehead.
I had a dream you died
Austin caresses Trish's face as he sings my song.
And I just wanna be
With you tonight
Mission bells were ringin'
Austin points up.
Somewhere higher
I let you get away
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
I let you get away
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
What kind of fool thinks love's a prison or a handicap?
Austin limps around the piano as he stares at Trish, his hand over his "aching" heart.
Only says goodbye?
Sinking fast in the rocky waters off Alcatraz...
Austin, now on the opposite side of the piano, falls to the ground with his nose plugged.
His friends said suicide...
Austin immediately jumps back up and plunges an imaginary knife into his heart. He sticks his tongue out and falls out of sight again.
The only one that's left to trust...
My faithless heart that's wasted us...
I had a dream you died...
Austin stands up and holds his hand out to Trish.
And I just wanna be
With you tonight
He wraps his arms around Trish and they sway from side to side.
Mission bells were ringin'
Austin looks up and Trish does too.
Somewhere higher
I let you get away
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
I let you get away
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
I slow down the piano, but keep playing.
I'm the end of a Hitchcock movie
A little dark
Austin makes an evil face as he pulls away from Trish.
And a lot confusing
Now he puts on a confused face.
I'm the last of the worst pretenders
So lost, so lost in love
Austin and Trish sway together again, looking up, as if in a daze and they let me finish the song with no more theatrics.
I'm the end of a Hitchcock movie
A little dark
And a lot confusing
I'm the last of the worst pretenders
So lost, so lost in love
I had a dream you died
And I just wanna be
With you tonight
Mission bells were ringin'
Somewhere higher
I let you get away
Trish sings their ohs and whoas while Austin repeats the last part I just sang.
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
(I'm the end of a Hitchcock movie
A little dark
And a lot confusing)
I let you get away
(I'm the last of the worst pretenders
So lost, so lost in love)
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
I let you get away
(I'm the last of the worst pretenders
So lost, so lost in love)
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...)
"Well, that was fun," Trish says. She looks down at Austin's arms around her and blushes a little. Austin looks at me and quickly takes his arms away.
"Yeah, it was," Austin agrees. "We should sign up for the talent show next weekend and perform this song."
"I don't perform," I tell him flatly.
"Well, fine, Trish and I will do it," he says.
"No!" I exclaim. "I mean, um, I'd appreciate it if this song didn't leave Sonic Boom."
"Fine, Ally," Trish says. "This song won't leave Sonic Boom." She smiles a mischievous grin and I get a bit scared. "Well, I'd better get home. I'll see you guys later."
She leaves Sonic Boom and I sit at the piano for a moment before turning to Austin. He's walked up beside me so I grab his arm urgently. "Austin, you have to stop her from signing us up for the talent show!"
"How do you even know that's what she's going to do?" Austin asks me.
"Because I know Trish," I tell him. "Now please go stop her!"
"All right, all right," Austin says. "Chill, Als."
"Don't call me Als," I mutter as he leaves Sonic Boom. I start playing the piano again, just random chords though. After a while, Austin comes back.
"She's pretty fast," he tells me. "I was about ten feet behind her the whole way to the school. And you know I'm a fast runner. Has she ever thought about going out for track and field? My God, she's—"
"Austin!" I exclaim. "What happened?"
"Oh, well, we got to the school and she started to fill out the sign-up sheet, and she'd already filled out the talent part and put my name down. But I stopped her before she could put anything else. But you wanna know something funny?" he asks. I shrug. "Today was the last day to sign up. As Trish and I were arguing about how Ally—I mean you—didn't want to be in the talent show, the talent show manager girl came up and took the sign-up sheet. But here's the funny part: We never got to take my name off. So... I'm in the talent show!"
"How is that funny?" I ask.
"Well, when Trish filled out the talent part... she put 'Self-Written Song' so... I kind of need a song to use," he says. I stare at him.
"Damn it, Austin!" I exclaim, suddenly angry. "I'm not doing anything else for you! You told me not to do anything else you asked so I won't! Write your own song!"
"Ally," Austin says slowly, "Ally, it's okay. I'm not asking you to do anything because you owe me it or anything... All I'm doing is just asking for a favor."
"No."
"Please, Ally! All I need you to do is help me write a song," he says.
I turn back around to face the piano. I place my fingers on the keys as Austin sits beside me on the piano bench. Damned cinnamon. I glance at Austin and see that his thigh is touching mine. I swallow. "No inspiration," I admit.
"Then let me borrow Mission Bells," he says.
"Definitely not," I reply.
"Ally!" Austin exclaims. "The talent show is on Tuesday!"
"Tough cinnamon," I say. "I mean, tough cookies." I squeeze my eyes shut and I know what Austin's about to do. He leans a little closer and lowers his eyelids a little, making his eyelashes seem longer and his irises seem darker.
"Ally," he says. "Can I please borrow Mission Bells?"
I swallow and stand—sit—my ground. "No," I say. "Inspire me."
"Insp—what?" he asks.
"Inspire me," I repeat. "And I'll write you a song."
"How am I supposed to do that?" he asks.
"Depends. If you want a love song, show me love. If you want a sad song, make me cry. If you want a party song—"
"There's a party tonight," he tells me. "Left tackle."
"Is now really the time for football talk?" I ask. "Because I really don't understand it."
"Well, you're learning," he says. "You knew that I was talking about football... But no. What I meant was the guy whose position is left tackle is throwing it. Tommy."
"Oh," I say. "I knew that."
"And you're invited," he tells me.
"Oh, definitely not," I say.
"But you just said—"
"I know what I said! I was hoping you didn't want a party song though," I admit.
"Would you rather write a love song?" he asks me. "Because I can do this." He wraps his arms around me and turns my head to him, kissing me deeply. A moment later, there's a bit of... tongue action. I pull away from him quickly.
"Come by my house at eight," I instruct. "We'll go together."
"Sounds good," he says. "See you then."
He stands up and leaves Sonic Boom. I touch my bottom lip. I shake my head, trying to shake myself out of this daze.
"Ally!" someone exclaims behind me. "Why aren't you watching the store?"
Dad.
"Oh, um, I was playing Austin a song," I tell him.
He looks around. "Okay..." he says hesitantly.
"He was here earlier," I promise, knowing he thinks I'm crazy. "He just left before you came in."
"Oh," he says. "I understand. Did anything... happen?"
"No, Dad!" I say. "Can I go out tonight?"
"Where to?" Dad asks me.
I wonder if he'd let me go if he knew Austin was taking me... "Trish is taking me to a party," I lie.
"Who all will be there?" he asks.
"Probably most of the school," I answer.
"Do Penny and I know the parents?" my dad asks.
"Doubt it."
"How far away from the house is this party?"
"You'll have to ask Trish."
"Will Austin be there?"
"Dad! I'll be fine."
"That's why I'm asking if Austin will be there. I'll need him to protect you from the horny pigs out there."
"Dad!" I shout. "You're embarrassing me."
"We're the only ones in here," he reminds me.
"It's still embarrassing," I say quietly. "But yes, I'm pretty sure Austin will be there. One of his teammates is throwing the party."
"Ah," he replies. "Well, go home and get ready."
I nod. "All right," I say, standing and walking to the door.
"Have fun," he says to me as I walk out of the door and start for home. I notice that the sky is starting to darken. Unsure of the time, I don't know if it's late or if it's about to rain.
Second chapter tonight! Want one more?
LoVe, KeNzIe
P.S. The song in this chapter was Mission Bells by Matt Nathanson. Have a nice... rest of the day! :D
P.P.S. Angel Princess, I'm officially in love with your name. I don't know why I'm so obsessed with it, but I am. Like, I'm so done right now. :D