Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait but I have A LOT on mind. I am going back to school on Tuesday and I am really nervous because I don't know anyone there and it is my first year in high school so I have been really stressed out and I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to write. Thank you to all my followers, favouriters and reviewers, you guys are the best!
To HotXbun: Yes, that is short but since this my first story, I don't want to drag it on. I am also starting school again on Tuesday so I want to have it finished by then.
Disclaimer: I don't own Austin & Ally but I would be the happiest girl on the planet if I did. There is a birthday present idea…
I also do not own "Back to December" by Taylor Swift because if I did, I would be the best female singer there and I can't sing.
Enjoy the Story!
Ally's POV
I take a sip of my drink as Trish sits down next to me. She looks out towards the lake and smiles.
"Wow, I can't believe I haven't been here in over a year. I remember we used to come here all the time. Every weekend we would have a picnic here and just hang out. I miss those times." She says sadly. I stare at the ground; I can't help but feel how that all it is my fault. Trish looks at me and squeezes my hand. "But we will make it like the old times again." I smile at her.
"Okay, let's get this meeting started. I know I need to win Austin back and to do that I need to apologise for my terrible behaviour. But it can't just be a normal apology for the way I acted; I need to do something meaningful. But what can I do?" I look at Trish hopefully.
"You need to convince that you are really sorry but to do that, you need to tell him why you left." I tilt my head in confusion.
"What do you mean I need to tell him why I left? He knows I left because I was mad at him."
"No, he needs to know all of the reason that you left. You didn't just leave because you were mad. I recall you telling me that you couldn't stay here and pretend you didn't have feelings for him…" Trish trails off. I sigh, knowing that there is no way I can come with any more excuses to beat that.
"Okay, fine! I left because I just couldn't handle the fact that we were drifting apart. I was afraid that if we weren't partners anymore, he would never have time for me anymore. I was afraid that he wouldn't care about me anymore. I was afraid that I would ruin our friendship by being in love with him." A few tears escape my eyes but I quickly wipe them away. Trish looks at me with sympathy.
"You need to tell him that." I stare at her, shocked.
"What?! No, Trish, I can't! I need to find another way because if tell him that, it will ruin any chance of us being friends again." I exclaim, hoping that she will understand.
"But, Ally, he can only forgive you after he knows why you did what you did. He needs an explanation." She tells me softly. "Besides, he has no reason not to return the feelings." She adds, a grin forming on his face.
"Besides the fact that I ruined our partnership, left for New York without an explanation and was a complete jerk to him when he tried to patch things up with me, he has plenty of other reasons!" I practically shout at her. Trish looks a little taken a back. "I am sorry, Trish. It's just that, I know that he doesn't return my feelings but every time I think about him returning them, it sparks false hope. I can just picture myself getting hurt." Trish nods understandingly.
"I know, Ally, but I actually believe he likes you because of the way he has been acting. I mean, he looked heartbroken when you left," I open my mouth to interject but Trish carries on. "He always used to flirt with you and he hasn't dated anyone since you left." I look at her wide-eyed.
"I didn't know that." I say softly but I shake it off. "But, the point is that he used to do all those things and maybe just hasn't found the right girl yet. Who is to say that's me? He doesn't like me."
"Oh, he likes you alright." Dez says from behind me. I scream in shock.
"Dez?! What are you doing here?" I ask, still trying to get over the shock.
"I went to see Austin but he was in a really bad mood so I decided I would go and hang out with you two. When I saw the two of you were heading off somewhere, I just tagged along." He explains. Trish looks at him furiously.
"And you didn't bother to tell?! We could have been doing something really private! You are such an idiot." Dez rolls his eyes.
"Well, you weren't, were you?" Trish starts to say something but Dez cuts her off. "You were talking about my best friend so I automatically have the right to know." He turns to me. "So as I was saying, Austin totally likes you." I look at him uncertainly.
"Really? How do know you that? There is no way he likes me." I tell him but I can't ignore the little spark of hope that is lit inside me.
"He told me he did. When you left, he was heartbroken because he thought you hated him. I talked to him last night and he said he didn't want to work with anyone but you because you make him feel happy. And the reason he was so upset this afternoon was because he felt like you had moved on from him and didn't want to be his friend. If you guy aren't friends, you can never be anything more." I stare at him dumb struck; who knew Dez could be this serious.
"But that is all about him being my friend, nothing more. That has nothing to do with whether he likes me or not." Dez sighs.
"Ally, we all can see that he likes you but you refuse to believe so. Okay, what if he doesn't like you? All this stuff he told has to do with how badly he wants to be your friend so you should at least try to win him back." Trish nods her head.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but Dez is right. He wants to be your friend but he can't be until he understands why you did that to him. He needs to know that it wasn't all his fault." I sigh.
"Fine. I wrote a song to help me let my feelings out about why I did all those things. Maybe I can use that?" Trish smiles at me and nods.
I pace around the pond, trying to calm myself down. What if he doesn't feel the same? What if he doesn't forgive me? What if- I am snapped out of my thoughts as Trish grabs my shoulders.
"Ally, relax. Take deep breaths." I do as I am told. As my heartbeat starts to slow down, I look at the moon. The full moon looks stunning in the starry sky. Finally calm, I turn to face Trish.
"Do you really think this will work?" Trish nods.
"I am positive. And if this doesn't, well, then Austin doesn't deserve you. Oh, he better not push you away after this otherwise I make sure he is never able to sing again." I laugh. Trish really knows how to make me feel better. I enfold Trish in a bone crushing hug and she instantly hugs back. We stay like that for a while until Trish pulls away to check her text. "It's from Dez. He says that Austin is at home and that you should text him before he goes to bed." I nod.
I grab my guitar and sit by the pond. I take my phone out of my pocket and start typing the text with shaking fingers. I stare at the message as my finger hovers over the 'send' button. I take deep breath; here goes everything. I close my eyes and push the button.
Austin's POV
I groan in frustration as I try to sharpen my pencil, again. Every time I take it out the sharpener after sharpening it, the lead falls off. I grab the pencil with both of my hands and snap it in half. This was a stupid idea anyway, trying to write a song without Ally. She said she would send it to me. I feel a pain in my chest as I think about what happened earlier today. I can't believe she was being so rude. That wasn't like Ally at all. Something is definitely wrong with her.
I am brought back into reality as my phone beeps. I check the text, only to find out that it is from Ally herself.
Meet me at the pond.
Why on earth does she want to meet me there? I thought she hated me. Then it hits me, she must have the song ready and just wanted to give it to me in person. I grab my hoodie and leave the house. I am almost there when I see Dez hiding in the bushes.
"Dez? What are you doing?" I ask, extremely confused.
"Nothing much. What are you doing, buddy?"
"Going to the pond. Why are you hiding in the bushes?" Dez shifts around.
"What? I'm not hiding, I am, uh, looking for, uh, my contacts!" Dez shouts.
"Contacts? Dez, you don't wear glasses." I explain.
"Dang it! Did I say my contacts? I meant, uh, your contacts."
"What? Dez, I don't have glasses either!" Dez thinks for a moment.
"Or do you?" I shake my head. I don't have time for this right now. I walk away and head over to the pond, leaving a very confused Dez behind. As I arrive there, I look out at the pond and sigh at the sight; everything is beautiful. The moon reflecting in the pond's water, the stars shining in the night sky. I close my eyes as I breathe in the cool night air and as I do, I start to hear some music coming from behind me.
Ally's POV
As I look at Austin, I start to play the intro. I see him notice the music and I turn around; I just can't face him. I take deep breath and start to sing.
I'm so glad you made time to see me. How's life? Tell me how's your family? I haven't seen them in a while. The last time I saw them was on Halloween, which was 2 months before I left.
You've been good, busier than ever, we small talk, work and the weather, your guard is up and I know why. We haven't had a proper conversation for almost a year now and it is all my fault.
Because the last time you saw me is still burned in the back of your mind. You gave me roses and I left them there to die. I say referring to the roses and note he gave me the night I left. I turn around to face him.
So this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night," And I go back to December all the time. It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you. Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine. I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right. I go back to December all the time. I look straight into his eyes as I try to explain myself and I can feel mine start to tear up.
These days I haven't been sleeping, staying up, playing back myself leavin'. When your birthday passed and I didn't call. I remember staring at the phone for hours, wanting to call him I was too afraid. In the end, I settled for sending him a gift pretending to be one of his fans.
And I think about summer, all the beautiful times, I watched you laughing from the passenger side. Realized I loved you in the fall. I look at his unreadable expression to try and figure out he is taking the news. He face doesn't show any sign of joy so it must be bad news. I'm so stupid for thinking I even had a chance.
And then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind. You gave me all your love and all I gave you was "Goodbye". I let the tears fall freely as I admit the reason I left. It seems so selfish now.
So this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night." And I go back to December all the time. It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you, wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine. I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind. I go back to December all the time. I repeat the chorus and once again study his face for any emotion; still nothing.
I miss your soft skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right. And how you held me in your arms that September night, the first time you ever saw me cry. I think back to the night that Dallas stood me up and how Austin comforted me while I cried my eyes out. I turn around as mention what I want, forgiveness.
Maybe this is wishful thinking, probably mindless dreaming, but if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right. I'd go back in time and change it but I can't. So if the chain is on your door I understand. I shoot him a fake smile as the tears continue to fall. I can't believe I really expect him to forgive me.
But this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night." And I go back to December... It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you, wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine. I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right. I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind. I go back to December all the time. All the time. I finish off looking into the distance.
I look at Austin, who is standing there with a perplexed look on his face. We stand in silence for a few moments and it's then I finally realise that he is not going to forgive me. I was right, he hates me. I cover my mouth to muffle the sob that escapes my lips. Suddenly, I lose all feeling in my legs. I close eyes, expecting to hit the soft gross but instead, a pair of strong arms catch me.
I am so sorry for the cliff-hanger but I really have to go to this thing right now and I don't want to spoil the chapter so I am leaving you here. Okay, I can finally tell how I thought of this story. I was listening to this song by Taylor Swift and I have habit of listening to songs and imagining my favourite characters singing them and BAM, this story was formed. Well, it took me a while to get all my ideas together and everything but this formed the main story. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I am sorry if they are all out of character, especially Dez. I will try to update tomorrow so look out for that tomorrow.
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Amn