AN: I cannot tell you how much I really want to do an iPod shuffle challenge for Austin and Ally! I know, I get sidetracked waayyy too easily! But it's just this really strong desire that I have! I could show all you readers my awful taste in music haha! Alas, I still need to finish this story, along with the other 20(yes 20) one-shots, and other fics for this fandom that I somewhat have planned...

Anyway I've been writing like crazy this week, in an attempt to get the most done of this story I possibly can. Unfortunately, I don't really have enough just yet to post more than just on Saturday! Which is what I'm trying to change. With any luck I'll soon be posting bi-weekly!

Now I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for the love from last chapter. That's the most views, reviews, follows, and favourites I've EVER gotten on a single one! So thank you guys for continuing to read and review! I really, really love it:) Here is Chapter 17, the story continues. Read, Review, and Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Well, you know the drill!

Parties and Mistakes

Chapter 17: Ally's POV

That Sunday was not a good day for me. I spent the whole day confined in my room, telling everyone that I was just catching up on homework or writing songs - something of that sort. In reality all I was doing was more of the same. Looking at the same searches I had when I'd woken up way too early that morning; clawing at some desperate way out of this fate. Instead of being sidetracked and putting up the first of many Christmas trees, I stayed and tortured myself.

There was nothing else I could do though. There was no other exit away from this other than taking that test and I am so not ready for that.

But it's a lot easier to hide something when you're holed away in your room. It gets harder when you have to face your friends. All of Sunday I dreaded the return of Monday - and not for the usual reasons. I knew I wouldn't be able to hide this from them. They'd see right through me.

Still, I swallowed my pride and set out to at least try to be brave. Which is a lot easier said than done, especially when you wake up feeling as though you can't move because of how bad the nausea is.

"I can't hide this..." I whispered, sitting on the edge of my bed. I wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. Fall back onto my pillow and close my eyes to a dream that must be better than my current reality.

"Ally," my mom opened my door and smiled in at me. "Oh good, you're up! I wanted to make sure that we weren't going to have a repeat of last Monday. That was a bit of a rush call there, hun."

"Yeah, I'm just getting ready now," I said, hesitantly pushing myself off the bed.

"Are you still sick?" she asked and advanced towards me. "Should we be taking you to the doctor to see what's up?"

I shook my head and assured her that everything was just peachy. I wasn't sick yesterday, so why should I be today? It was just the flu, right? It takes a lot of effort to pretend like everything is perfect. When your mind is going 100 miles an hour, it's hard to pretend like you just woke up.

But I moved my body with immense effort, into the washroom. As much as I knew I couldn't hide this - that I physically and mentally would not be able to hide this - I had to. At least for now. I wasn't sure what to do and I wasn't even sure if this was 'for sure'. It's such a paradox! I'm hiding something that I literally cannot hide. But there's no other choice. What the hell else am I supposed to do?

I stepped into the shower stall and turned on the hot water. The stream of warmth helped me to wash away my thoughts. It soothed the ache in my mind and body. But it didn't last for long, the second I got out of the shower and saw the reflection of my naked body in the mirror, the thoughts assaulted me again.

What's better, knowing or not knowing?

After drying off, I shoved on a pair of muted blue jeans with a chartreuse slouchy sweater. I dried my hair with a blow dryer then carefully laid it up into a high ponytail. I sighed and brushed my teeth meticulously. I knew I wouldn't be having breakfast this morning, it wouldn't stay down. I'd focus on the minty taste, maybe that would make the nausea relent.

My phone chimed on the side of the counter. It was currently being charged that last little bit, and as I soon realized, Trish had texted.

'I haven't heard from u all weekend! How was the date?'

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. 'Been busy. Talk to you at school! :)'

The smiley face was definitely necessary. Yet another one of my efforts to hide the unhide-able.

I sighed and loped off to my room. I plopped down on my vanity dresser chair, fishing some mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss out of my makeup bag. The basics were good enough for me. I leaned in close to the mirror so that I could see exactly what I was doing. It was not a day to put in contacts; I didn't need to exert that extra effort. Instead I'd just wear my glasses and do my eyes with extreme care. I must admit, I'm pretty good at just doing it close to the mirror by feel now - especially on days when I'm beyond tired.

Bing! I looked down at my phone, squinting slightly. Trish had texted yet again, 'I'm in ur driveway'

Great. Now I didn't have the time in getting to school to gain my composure. I had to walk out of my room, completely perfect.

I let out a huge stream of air and smoothed some gloss onto my lips. Standing, I pushed my glasses onto my face and rushed around to find my messenger bag. It was in the corner, next to my desk. My textbooks and stray notes were piled next to it and I shoved them quickly into the front pocket.

I grabbed the bag, stood up slowly, then made my way down the stairs. Gingerly, I bent down and searched through the coat closet to find a pair of shoes. I settled on some brassy coloured riding boots, stepped into them, and returned to standing slowly again. Movement really was not my friend. Fast movements were even less so.

"Ally, did you get something to eat?" my mom called from the kitchen.

"I will at school!" I mumbled, side stepping around a box that held Christmas decorations. Before my mom could protest, I was out the door - breathing in the fresh air.

The cool wintery (or as close to winter as we get) breeze brushed against my face, subsiding some of my nausea.

"Hey!" Trish yelled. "Don't just stand there like an idiot, we gotta get a move on!"

"We have almost an hour to get there. Chill!" I said, rolling my eyes.

She laughed. "Well someone's cranky today!" I shook my head, sure, cranky. That's what it is. We began to walk and it took a few paces before she began to speak again. "Whatever, where the hell where you this weekend? You weren't at the Sonic Boom, you wouldn't answer my calls or texts. I almost came to your house to see if you were alive! Of course I figured 'maybe this is some high off of the Austin date' or 'maybe this is because it's finally December and your mom is crazy'! So I called your house and your mom told me you were in your room!" She looked at me with wild eyes. "I mean, what kind of excuse is that? Did you fuck Austin again and got in trouble or something? Is that why you were in your room? Like were you grounded? Did Austin's parents find out about this? Because I saw him yesterday and he wouldn't tell me about the date! Granted I only saw him in passing, but still..."

"Slow down, Trish," I mumbled. She cocked her head to the side, wondering if I meant conversationally or her walking pace. "I was just in my room, writing. Ya know?"

"Like, Taylor Swift writing?"

"No. Just songs. No break up songs."

"Okay, good that means you guys didn't break up!" she smiled, then quickly quirked her mouth into a frown. "Are you in trouble?"

I debated on my answer to her. Should I come clean or not? I mean, physically I'm not in trouble with anyone, but if my hunch is correct there's some serious trouble down the road. "Uhhh, no."

"You don't sound too sure," Trish said, eyeing me suspiciously.

"I'm not in trouble with my parents. We didn't do anything that could get us in trouble..." I said, my gaze turning to the ground. "At least, not on Friday."

She grinned, having not heard the final part that I mumbled. "So then why haven't you been answering me? Like, did the date go that badly? Is your relationship just not to be talked about?"

"No, nothing like that," I rolled my eyes. "I just got sick and went home early." I said it casually, as if that was the only thing that was really going on.

"Aw no! That actually sucks so bad! Are you okay? Are you still sick? Is that why you're acting like you're hung over?"

"I am not acting like I'm hung over!" I said, taken aback.

"Sure, sure."

We walked along the path to school and Trish continued to pester me. It wasn't just my mom or myself that thought there was something wrong. Trish was alluding to the fact that I'd been sick for weeks! What if I had some disease? I was more than a little bit certain of which 'disease' it might be, but I was in no way about to tell her... Not yet anyway.

"So, did you guys schedule a makeup date?" Trish asked.

"Uh, no." I shook my head and glanced down at my phone. Although Austin had been sweet, driven me home, kissed me on the doorstep, and made me feel special - he hadn't texted me all weekend. Let alone had I see him. That was probably my fault though; I don't take well to being sick. "I'm sure it'll happen eventually."

Trish nodded and made her way up the concrete front steps of the school. Hopefully I could avoid her questions in Biology. We climbed the first set of stairs just before the lobby in order to get to our lockers. There was a good twenty minutes before school started and students were just beginning to arrive.

I sighed and fidgeted with my lock. It had been getting more and more stubborn as the weeks passed by. If only everything were as easy as the first day of school...

I managed to open my locker on the fourth attempt. Trish had offered to keep my stuff in hers, which happened to come right when I unlocked mine. As I was rummaging around - putting afternoon textbooks on the top shelf and morning notes in my bag - I felt the presence of someone behind the open door.

I peered around, a smiled plastered onto my face. "Well hello there," I said.

"Hello," Austin said, mirroring my grin. He put his hand lightly on my hip, my skin tingled. I had an aired worry of him touching my stomach, even though there was nothing protruding. He saw the hesitation in my eyes and his features changed from blissful to confused. I closed the distance between us and quickly pressed my lips to his before I'd have to explain anything.

I pulled back and slammed my locker shut, noting Trish's admiring glance on the way. "So," I mumbled. "What brings you to my locker instead of yours?"

"I came to see if you were okay," he said, drifting his hand to mine. "And I just wanted to see you. But mostly I wanted to know if you were alright. Are you still sick?"

"No, I'm fine."

"I dunno man," Trish spoke. "You seem off today. Like kind of wobbly or something."

"Wobbly?"

"Yeah," Trish nodded. "Like is it the shoes or are you sick? I think you're sick. You're all pale again."

"I'm always pale," I said, blinking rapidly to try and gain my balance.

Austin cocked his head to the side. "Are you okay?"

Abruptly, I grabbed his arm for support, furthering their believe that something was wrong with me. Shock crossed both of their features and I swallowed. "I'm fine."

The bell rang and I let go of Austin, hoping for an end to this conversation. I began walking to class. A pounding was building in my head and bile built up in my throat. Let it pass. Breathe.

"Ally," Austin said, catching up to me. "Do I have to tell you to go home again?"

I swallowed and took in a deep stream of air. "No, I'm fine. Really, Austin. See!" It took all my strength not to throw up as I twirled in a circle. I flashed him a smile as my world spun dizzily around me. He seemed satisfied by this action, no sane sick person would have done that.

Trish caught up to us as Austin squeezed my shoulder and gently kissed me goodbye. She pursed her lips, but said nothing. It wasn't until we settled in our seats in the Biology classroom, that she finally spoke.

"So, are you sure you're alright?"

My world was still shaking from that little spinning stunt and I was breathing deeply to fight back the overbearing nausea, but I still nodded. "I'm fine."

It came out more meek sounding than I had intended, though she didn't press any further. The announcements came and went, class was underway.

"Alright guys," Miss. Daily started. "So as you know, you have a test on Thursday. As you also know by now, or at least I hope you all know, I give you a review period two days before the test. We're moving on to the next unit tomorrow and Wednesday, so today is a day to clarify anything you don't get about Human Growth and Genetics! I'll be up at the front if you have any questions, but the time is yours. Please be respectful to the other students."

I sighed. Great. A whole period where I can stare at notes devoted to how a baby goes from a zygote to a fetus to a full blown human, and all the genes associated with that. Did I need any more reminder of my apparent future? No. But was I getting it? Of course...

A&A

By lunch, the feeling of unease was still creeping along in my system. I had a borderline migraine headache, coupled with a churning unhappy stomach, and dizziness whenever I drew my gaze up from the ground. It didn't help that my mind was still racing with questions.

I made my way downstairs from my locker to the cafeteria. The line to get food spanned from where the food actually was, to the entrance. It was a bad day to have forgotten your lunch. I shook my head and made my way over to our usual table. Plunking my bag down on the ground, I sighed as a sunk into a chair.

"God, you look horrible!" Dez supplied joyfully as he settled down. The smell of spaghetti wafted around us. That must have been the meal of the day.

I put my head in my hands and laughed. "Gee, thanks."

"It's only the truth," Dez said, slurping the noodles. The sound made me feel even worse. "Austin's been talking about you being sick, you look it."

"Just what a girl wants to hear." I mumbled.

"Yeah, but he also told me you guys made out in his car so it's not a total loss."

I felt a hand on my upper back and heard the squeak of chairs as Austin and Trish sat down. Austin smiled at me as I felt the world swirl even more. I thought maybe it was his effect on me, or the fact that I'd finally looked up - but I soon learned it was the air that bothered me. Dez, Trish, and Austin had all sat down with today's special for lunch. The smell of tomato sauce assaulted my senses. I felt everything that I was trying to suppress, explode. Tomatoes. What the hell is wrong with tomatoes?

"Al," Austin spoke, his hand absently rubbing circles on my back. "Are you feeling alright?"

I swallowed and saw Trish warily gaze at me. I nodded, rubbing my nose, trying to rid myself of the smell. "Should you maybe go home?" Trish asked.

Abruptly, I stood up, grabbing my bag along the way. They could take this leave any way they wanted. All I knew, was I needed out and I was going to hurl. I sped through the crowded brick hallway to the bathroom in the main lobby. There were a few girls mulling around, doing their makeup while gossiping. No one batted an eye when I burst past the dark blue door. No one heard as I emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet. All that remained in the bowl was regurgitated water that I had been drinking all day to ward off the nausea. I laughed. Well, that worked, didn't it?

"Ally?" Trish called. I could hear the worry in her voice. "Are you in here?"

I bit my lip so I wouldn't cry. "Yeah."

Trish walked along the stalls until I saw her Keds clad feet in front of mine. She knocked gently. I flushed the toilet and opened the door, stepping into the now empty washroom. I washed my hands in the sink, watching Trish's reflection in the mirror. She looked at me with questioning eyes. I clutched the grey marble of the bank of sinks, staring at my knuckles. When I glanced back up, Trish was right beside me.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Take me home."

A&A

Trish sprang into action at my simple request, bursting into the cafeteria and asking for Austin's car. He begrudgingly handed over the keys and we headed home in his rusty silver Mazda. There wasn't a word spoken between us. I knew Trish was waiting for me to say something, but I didn't want to say it where anyone could hear, and I frankly didn't know how to say it.

The cars were gone when we finally arrived at my house. That meant both of my parents were at work. Thank God. Trish peeled off her jean jacket and shoes when we got into the house, all the while staring at me expectantly. I didn't even bother to kick off my boots or put my bag down as we climbed the stairs. I led her into my room and we both sat down cross legged on my bed.

She stared at me.

I stared at her.

She smiled encouragingly at me.

I grimaced at her.

"Is this going to be like last time?" she huffed. "Am I going to have to pull this out of you? Like what's going on?"

"I-" My gaze turned downward. How was I supposed to come out with this.

"Have you eaten anything today?" Trish asked, changing the subject. I shook my head slightly. "Okay, well maybe you should get something to eat."

"I'm late."

"Well, then you definitely need something to eat." she said, hopping off the bed. I looked up at her, fear clouding my eyes. She bit her lip, indecision crossing her features. "So are we talking the white rabbit late or..."

"It's the or," I choked out.

"How late?"

"Almost two and a half weeks."

She sucked in a long breath and I let the tears fall. I threw my glasses onto the bed sheet so I could wipe at my eyes. I was about to become one big mascara mess. Trish stood at the foot of my bed, her eyes wide and calculating. She absently twirled a flyaway curl.

"You guys didn't use protection then."

"Obviously not," I scoffed bitterly. My chin quivered as I tried to hold back the full blown sobs.

"Okay," she whispered and hurried to the door.

I snapped my head towards the door, blurred vision focusing on her. "Where are you going?"

"To get you a test," she said exasperatedly. "You told me you're late, you need to take the test."

I silently pleaded with her to just let me stay in unknowing misery, but knew I was resigned to this fate. Sooner or later, I'd have to take the test. She loped out of my room. I heard her clamoring footsteps down the stairs and slam of the door, followed by the hesitant start of Austin's car. My house grew silent and I cried in the quiet din. I laid back on my bed, curling into the fetal position, allowing myself to let go. Tears and mascara stained my white and purple chevron pillow. The only sound in the empty house were my occasional sad moans.

God I'm pathetic. But I made no attempt to run from this. This whole situation from start to finish, is the one time in my life where I've allowed myself to be completely emotional. I can succumb to mental breakdowns and emotional turmoil. I can be this pathetic crying girl, because there's no other option. In this situation, I can't be anyone else.

So I laid there, listening to the serene sounds of birds chirping outside or cars chugging down the lane. I laid there, staring at the wall of posters - one of which was the first string of Austin merchandise. I laid there, crying into my pillow cases. I laid there, smelling remains of tomato sauce and feeling nothing but nausea. I just laid there.

Eventually, I felt something land on my bed. When I looked up, Trish was back, there was pity in her eyes, coupled with anger and worry.

She shot me a wry smile. "Water bottle, bag of chips, and... You know what." She bounded over to my bed and sat down on the edge, rubbing her hands along her black jeans. I could her hear breathing, her hesitation. She was as terrified as I was.

I moved myself into a seating position and pushed hair that had fallen out of my ponytail behind my ear. Trish handed me my glasses, which I put on.

"Thanks," I mumbled. "For everything."

She nodded and laughed. "You look awful."

"Thanks," I repeated, snickering. I plucked the test out of the bag with shaking hands. There were 3 in the box she had chosen and a list of instructions on the back. I quickly scanned my teary eyes over them, silently digesting all of it. "Okay. So, it says for best results use morning urination. Does that mean it won't work otherwise?"

Trish snatched the box from me. "Uh, no. I think it'll work. It's just whatever they're measuring would be the most in the morning."

"Is that why I feel the worse then?" I groaned. She handed me back the box and I peeled it open. I glanced inside at the 3 sticks, studying them. "I can't."

"You can't what? Can't take them?" Trish asked. I'd never seen her look as serious as she did in this moment. "Ally, this is something that you absolutely have to do. I get that you're scared and that this is totally something you weren't planning to do but, I don't know what'll happen if you don't take them. Quite frankly I don't know what'll happen when you do. All I know is that you need your result to at least have some sort of peace of mind. Whether its positive or not, you need to know."

"Does it have to be right now, though?"

She nodded. "You're torturing yourself. You need to figure out your next move. I mean, you're either pregnant or dying from some random disease."

"Is it bad I hope it's the random disease?"

"Not at all! It's probably easier..."

Silence came over the room and I played with the box again. Trish passed me the water bottle and I took little sips, wanting nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare.

It took a good half hour of staring at each other, and the walls, and the test, before I finally gained my nerve. I got up off my bed and headed for the same blue bathroom where I'd had my meltdown early Sunday morning. I locked the door and quickly did the pee stick business. My heart was beating at the speed of light as I carefully laid the 3 tests out on the smooth ivory countertop. Three minutes seal my fate. Three minutes, counting down on my phones timer.

I slid down the wall and rested against the cool porcelain tub. Oh God. When did I become this girl? I cried into my knees again, already knowing the result that was going to pop up. Somewhere my body registered the loud beeping of my phones timer, but I made no effort to turn it off or even move.

"Al?" Trish knocked on the door. "Did I hear the timer?" She jiggled the knob, attempting the open the door. I shifted along the floor and unlocked it.

I shook my head from left to right. "I can't look at them. I already know what they're going to say, but I can't have that spelled out for me."

She threw a bag of chips into my lap and sat down next to me. "Eat something, maybe you'll stop being such a mess."

I opened the bag and shoveled a few salty chips into my mouth. "I'm allowed to be a mess," I mumbled, leaning my head on her shoulder.

"I know," she whispered. She fiddled with her thumbs, trying to hide her nervousness. "I'm so sorry, Al."

"Don't be."

"I wish there was something I could do."

I looked up at the counter where my fate was lying. "You could look at the tests."

Her eyes widened as she took in my request, but she eventually nodded. I removed my head from her shoulder and she began to get up. Hesitantly she walked over to the bathroom counter. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a moment before her gaze turned downward.

I saw it on her face before she said it.

"Al," Trish said quietly. "They're all positive."

Shit.

AN: So I hope you all enjoyed that! And now it's out there, it's true! This chapter kind of got away from me and turned out longer than I expected, but oh well! The longer the better:) By the way, did anyone have teachers like that? I always found it so annoying when teachers gave the review period then moved to the next unit before the test... I digress haha! Anyway, drop me a review! You know how much I love those:)