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Ally's POV
"I'm not coming out!"

"Why not?"

"My life is over!" I exclaimed as I leant on my door. Tasha sighed from behind it.

"You missed supper last night and you missed breakfast, just come and get something to eat."

"I'm not coming out!" I said stubbornly. Tasha sighed, "I'm sorry I had to do this..."

"What-" I didn't get to finish, Tasha pushed the door open, causing me to fall onto the floor. No fair! Why is she so tiny and yet she can do that? She grabbed me by the ankles and dragged me out of my room.

"No!" I said, struggling, "Tasha!"

If this girl doesn't stop, what will happen when we get to the stairs? I still want all my teeth! She stopped and I stood up, ready to make a run for it. Sadly, she grabbed my wrist and dragged me down the stairs. Tasha forced me to sit down and shoved fruit and a bowl of Special K in front of me.

"Eat," she demanded. I pouted, "I can't."

"Come on..."

"B-but I ca-ant ta-ay-k the pai-n-n...! My li-fe is o-ver!" Tasha giggled at me, "You're such a drama queen!" I smiled, cheering up slightly.

"I've got a great day planned for us!" my mom said as she walked into the room, Sonya in tow. "Come on girls, it's going to be great! First, we'll go to a gift shop and get something for your Gran, then we'll have lunch and go explore the city!"

Sonya scoffed, "We live here, Auntie! That's like Ally sightseeing in Texas!"

"I'm from Miami," I corrected her. "Whatever," she said. Mom sighed and turned to me, "Ally, dear, are you okay? You didn't come down last night; Austin said you were feeling bad." Yeah, mom, if only you knew. I never want to see that lying, interfering, egotistical pig in my life ever again!

"Yeah," I replied.

"Good, so you can join us on our trip today!" I groaned, "Mo-ther!"

"Now go take a shower," mom said, ignoring my protest, "And you too, Sonya. Tasha, come with me to the car." I huffed and walked – trudged, more likely – to my room.

"Ally," Sonya said from behind me, "What were you doing in your room last night with Austin?" I shivered, when she puts it like that it sounds like... when did I get so dirty minded?

"Nothing Sonya," I replied. "Good," she said, "Because he's mine do you hear me?" Did she really think that I was going to steal him from her? Ha, that's rich. I don't want anything to do with him right now.

I snickered, "You can keep him."

"Don't you like him?" Seriously?

"No!"

"Why, what's wrong with him?" she asked, crossing her arms. I stopped walking and turned around, "You're joking, right? What's right with him?"

"Everything," she muttered.

"Nothing." With that, I walked into my room. I quickly took a shower and pulled on some jeans. I know what you're thinking. Allyson M. Dawson. Wearing jeans.

Well, excuse me but it is quite windy today, and the last thing I want is my skirt to fly up. So, pink jeans, flowery peach top and a light blue jean jacket. It's still like me, right? I don't want Sonya to think I'm copying her.

But when I meet her in the garage fifteen minutes later, I see that I'll never look like her. Ever. The girl is wearing shorts that are so short her red top covers them, so she looks like she's got nothing underneath.

"Umm, Sonya, sweetie... don't you think you want to cover up a little bit? It is quite windy today..." mom said, eyeing her. Sonya rolled her eyes, "The sun is shining, isn't it? And there aren't any clouds so it must be hot."

"That's what it looks like," I said, "But it's not that warm."

"No one asked you," she snapped. Why you little... Sometimes I wish I could shove those gladiators she loves so much down her throat.

"Okay, then. Let's go," Mom said.

"Why are they so many rooms?" Sonya groaned. We were walking down an endless corridor on the third floor of a hospital. The one Gran is in.

My heart beat in my chest rapidly. I really did not want to see her... but at the same time I do. The doctors had checked to see if she was doing better after her treatment, but according to mom, she wasn't. Apparently, she'd had it for months.

Mom opened the door, "madre, ¿estás despierto?" (Mother, are you awake?)

"Sí, vienen en," (yes, some in) Gran said. We walked to her bedside as she sat up. She smiled at me, "Allyson, what a surprise!" I heard Sonya scoff as I hugged Gran. Gran was one of the shortest adults I've ever seen. She had dark almond eyes and pointy elf ears that stuck out of her long wispy grey hair. They reminded me of a lion's ears, listening constantly. I inhaled her scent. Chocolate chip and rosemary...

Gran pulled away, "Come on, you two ninnies! Come join the hug!" Tasha did not hesitate, and practically ran up to us. Sonya, however, stayed put, "I'll pass, thanks."

Was there no end this girl's icy heart? Gran rolled her eyes at her, "So, Allyson, how have you been?"

I felt like telling her everything that had happened, including the whole Austin – drama but I just settled for, "I've been great, thanks."

Gran sighed, absentmindedly stroking Tasha's hair, "I wish I could say the same thing..." I frowned and hugged her tightly, "You'll get better, soon, Gran," I whispered. Tasha nodded, silently agreeing with me.

"Por favor, nos cuentan una historia," (please tell us a story) Tasha said. Sonya rolled her eyes, "Aren't you too old for that stuff?"

Gran chuckled, "You're never too old for stories, niño (dear)." I smiled, when we were little, Gran always told us folk stories. It was fun, and I still enjoyed them. Mom even pulled up a chair to listen. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sonya sit beside me.

"Okay, there was once..."

Pretty soon it was time to say goodbye to Gran.

"I'm so hungry!" Sonya exclaimed as we walked to the car. "Same here, where do you guys want to go?"

"Can we go to McDonalds?"

Sonya scoffed, "As if, do you know how many carbs are in one meal? And their greasy burgers are, like, death on a bun!" Mom rolled her eyes, "You can have a salad. To McDonalds it is!"

"You people are gonna be fatter than a Sumo Wrestler by the time you're in college," Sonya muttered.

"At least we'll make it to college," I muttered under my breath. Of course I forgot I was insulting a girl with ears like a hawk.

"For your information, I'm as sharp as a pan!"

"Its pin," Tasha said from her quiet corner. I laughed and Sonya muttered something in response. "Okay, enough now. We are here," Mom said, stopping the engine.

As we walked in, I noticed a bunch of kids running around wearing party hats. Must be someone's birthday.

"So, what are you having?" Tasha asked me. I snapped out of my thoughts. "Hmm... I don't know yet..."

"I recommend the Happy Meal." I sighed in irritation. What was he doing here? Tasha and I turned around, seeing Austin and his little brother, Ross standing behind us in the queue. I raised my eyebrow at him, "The Happy Meal? Aren't you a little too old for that?"

Ross chuckled, "Austin may look like a seventeen year old, but he's got the brain power of a five year old."

Tasha chuckled at his comment, whilst I laughed, "I thought I was the only one who'd noticed." Austin rolled his eyes at us three, "Whatever."

"Nice come back," Ross stated just as a ginger headed guy walked up to us, holding up a biscuit, "hey, dude, I'm working on my fourth ginger man! I'll call him Bob!" Austin looked at him, "That's cool, I'll eat him now." Austin grabbed Bob and ate him, causing the ginger to moan in agony.

Ross rolled his eyes, "That doofus is Dez, the only other person in this world that's dumber than Austin."

"Hey, not true! There is you, too!" Austin said with a mouth full of Bob. I frowned in disgust and turned away from the two as the person in front left. Tasha and I ordered and quickly left to sit with mom and Sonya.

"What took you so long?" mom asked.

"Oh, Austin was irritating us," I stated. Sonya looked up, "OMG, Austin is here?" I nodded in amusement whilst she stood up and practically ran for them.

"What's up with her?"

"She's in love..." Tasha stated. Then, she suddenly glanced over my shoulder and grabbed my hand, "Dallas is here!" she whispered urgently. I dropped my fries and hurriedly looked over my shoulder. There was Dallas, standing by the ice cream machine.

"Oh my pickles... he looks so handsome today!" Tasha took my hand and made me stand up, "Go get him, girl!" I nodded and walked up to him. Okay, Ally, try not to stumble. And don't act like a dork! Wait, what if my breath smells like onion rings? Maybe I should turn around...

I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost didn't notice the leg of a table. I stumbled slightly before regaining my posture. My face turned red, did anyone see that? I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. Dallas turned around and smiled.

"Hello, you're Ally, right?" Was he talking to me? I think so... SAY SOMETHING!

"Actually... I'm Dallas... I mean Ally! Yeah, I'm Ally... right?" I did not just say that! Dallas laughed.

"You're really funny. Uh, listen, I know it's kind of early but I was wondering if you were busy tonight."

IS THIS FOR REALL? No, I think he's pranking me...

"Uh... Ally?"

"Yes!" I said quickly, "I'd love to." You know that feeling you get when someone is staring at you? Yeah, that's what I'm feeling, too. Dallas smiled and handed me his number before walking off. I turned around, still in a daze. That's when I noticed Austin, Ross and Sonya staring at me. Sonya seemed jealous. Ha, LOSER! Ross seemed bewildered and Austin looked... annoyed. Dez was making a new Bob... and I thought I was weird.

"What are you guys staring at?" I asked as I walked to their table. Ross looked away, playing on his DS but Sonya responded, "Nothing, right Austie?"

"...Right..."

I rolled my eyes and walked away from them. Our table was empty but Tasha stood outside the door, waiting for me and Sonya.

"So what happened?"

"He asked me out!" We both squealed like little girls as we jumped up and down. Sonya came out, with her hand in Austin's whilst Dez and Ross tagged behind. Tasha raised her eyebrows, "What are they doing here?"

"Austie and Ryan-"

"My name is Ross."

"Whatever. Oh, and his friend is joining us on our day out!" Sonya said, smiling. Does she hate me?

"You didn't even ask Ally's mum for permission!"

"So? Auntie likes Austin. And she won't mind his little brother and his friend." Tasha sighed and walked over to our car. Sonya sweet talked mom and she said yes, although Ross said he wanted to go home and Dez said he needed to put his ginger bread house in a freezer before the icing melted. Just keep on taking the medicine, Dez. It's bound to work sometime.

So, Dez and Ross went home in Austin's car and he came with us. Oh, the joy.

Not. I'm not talking to him because he finds records of my WOES entertaining!

First off, we went to the museum of paintings done by Picasso. It was really great, but Austin kept complaining about how boring it was or where the paintings of women were. I swear, that boy...

Then after that we went to the zoo. Something REALLY weird went on, there. Austin bought Tasha a pink koala bear – which she tossed in the trash when he wasn't looking – he bought Sonya an elephant and got me a huge cheetah. It was so cute! But, I didn't say anything in response. Anyway, some kid came and puked on Sonya – insert evil laugh – and she and Tasha went to the ladies to clean up with mom, so that left me and he-who-shall-not-be-named. This is when the strange part happened.

We walkef past a notice board and I noticed a flyer with Maroon 5 on it. But it was in Spanish, so I did not understand it. Austin came up to me, "Maroon 5 playing at Palau Sant Jordi on Saturday 8th of June 2012. Starts at 6pm to 11pm, tickets sold for..." Austin stopped, his eyes widening at the price. It was a lot of money, and I had already spent most of the money I saved up.

Seeing Maroon 5 live has always been a dream of mine. The one time they came to Miami, I had the measles. Stupid Measles. Trish and I are, like, the biggest Maroon 5 fans on Earth! We even have a shrine...

"Aw, I really wanted to go see them," I said more to myself than to Austin. I was NOT going to talk to him. NOT!

"You're a fan of them, too?"

I almost nodded, but I decided not to. Austin saw this and rolled his eyes, "Are you still mad at me just cause I read that stupid diary of yours?" I looked around, acting like I didn't hear anything.

"Ally, come on, how many times do I have to say sorry?"

I looked at him, "You haven't said sorry yet." Then I walked off to the spot where we were supposed to meet Sonya, Tasha and mom.

"Ally!"

Nothing, say nothing at all.

"Ally!"

La, la, la, I can't hear you!

"Ally!"

I'm sorry, did you hear something? Austin sighed and rolled his eyes. I grinned to myself, he finally gave up.

But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him smile secretly after a few minutes. Oh no...

What is he up to now?

Hope none of you guys died! I'd really miss you! :D

Sammie