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I own nothing!

Ally's POV
Today's the day. The day I've been dreading for the past two weeks. The day I'm labelled as an unnecessary waste of space yet again. The day most people my age hate but I dread the most. On this day, oh, I truly understand what it was like for Napoleon Bonaparte to fight on the battlefield at Waterloo. My battle begins today.

The first day of school.

I sighed as I walk to my locker, my books in my hand. All around me, people were staring and whispering, which is new to me, since usually I'm ignored. But, I know they're staring because I've changed. Yesterday, Trish and I went shopping and she got me a cute pair of dark blue short shorts and a purple inner, with a white cropped top on top. It's like they've never seen anyone wear that before! Jeez...

I wanted a change, like Austin said; I'm not going to let anyone step on my toes anymore. Sonya did quite enough of that to last me a lifetime! At this thought, my mind drifted off to Spain.

It seems like those six and a half weeks in Spain were nothing but a dream. And, I would have believed it to be a dream if it weren't for the calls and PMs from Ross, Dez, Austin or Tasha. Those four – apart from Trish – are the only ones keeping me sane, although, it is hard, considering the time difference and all. I smile as I remember Austin and I's phone call from last night.

"Hey Austin," I had said, "It's Ally."

He yawned, "I know that, Als. Caller Id."

"Sorry, were you asleep?"

"No, I was skydiving at three AM in the morning." I laughed. "I really don't get why you're laughing, Als. This is serious, serious stuff right here."

"It's just... that's what AM stands for, Austin. You basically said 'at three in the morning, in the morning'."

"Alright, smartass, anymore lessons?!"

"Yes, 'smartass' isn't a nice word to call your girlfriend. Or anyone, for that matter. You speak to your mother with that mouth?! Tsk, tsk..." He groaned, "Sorry! I'm just really cranky when I'm at school at three AM!"

"Actually, Monica, it would be 3:01."

"Ally, please, don't do this to me..."

I had winced, blushing, "Sorry! I'll call you later."

"NO! I mean... no it's cool, I'm wide awake now, anyway." I laughed at his attempt to play it à la mode, but then he yawned again, and I started singing a lullaby, despite his attempts to stay awake, he fell asleep. Ha-ha.

I'll admit, not the most romantic phone call ever, but it was great, hearing from him again.

At home, I won't talk to Dad, and neither will Mom, actually. Last night they had a fight, and she made him sleep outside on the porch. I'm not sure what it was about, but I did hear my name come up a lot.

When I finally reached my locker, my locker neighbour was there already, slapping on what looked like her seventeenth layer of lip gloss. Cassidy J. Maxwell. The Queen Bee of the school. Ugh. She was talking to her followers, I mean, friends as she stared at her lips in a little mirror she kept in her locker. So vain.

I opened my locker and put my stuff, before pulling out a little box I kept. It was filled with pictures from summer – you know, when I was happy. I grinned despite myself and started sticking on my favourite pictures. There was one of Austin and me on the rollercoaster the day before I left. Our hair was flying back, and I looked terrified but he was laughing. In the background, I could see a green Ross bending over, covering his mouth with his hand. Poor guy.

Then there was one of Austin and me kissing. Dez had taken it the day we got together on the beach. I loved that one. The best one had to be the one we took with Adam Levine that night at the concert, with me between Austin and Adam. A couple of other ones were of Ross, Tasha, Dez, Austin and I just enjoying ourselves. I really miss them.

"Hey Ally," Trish said from behind me. I turned around, "Hey Trish."

"Wow, you met Adam Levine?!" she said, stepping around me, "And you didn't say anything?"

"I told you Austin took me to the concert," I said, shaking my head at her.

"But you never said you met him! Girl, we so having a discussion about communication later!" I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the pictures.

"It is photo shopped, obviously," Cassidy said.

"Excuse me, when did you become part of this conversation?" I asked. Cassidy raised her eyebrows at me, "Wow, haven't you changed?" Then she scanned my outfit, "hmm, maybe you haven't changed much. Still trying to fit in, I see."

"And you're still trying to stand out, right?" Trish started, "That must be why you got a fake tan."

Cassidy gasped, "It is not fake!" It was. Girl was almost orange. Tangerine, even.

"I saw you outside Philippe's Hair Salon last week getting a spray tan!"

"I didn't ask you, Tish."

"Trish."

"Whatever. I have better things to do than stand around you dorks all day," Cassidy snarled. Then, her boyfriend strolled over. He was my very first crush. His name was Noah, and he was the captain of the football team.

He smiled at me, obviously checking me out. Two months ago, I probably would have fainted or something.

"Hey..."

"Ally," I said, even though we had known each other for four years. Why did I like him?

"Yeah, I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime," he said. Cassidy gasped, "Noah, we're dating! Like, right now!"

"That reminds me, I'm not feeling it anymore," he said somewhat apologetically. I raised my eyebrows. Wow, dude does not know how to treat girls.

"Noah, you're making a big mistake!" Cassidy screamed, so that the whole hall was staring. Oh great, the limelight is on us now.

"How can you dump me for Dreary Dawson?!" she threw her arms up in the air.

"More like, Awesome Dawson," Noah said with a smirk. Gosh, does he ever stop talking?! He's making things worse!

"So... how about that date?"

"Uh, sorry, I have a boyfriend," I said, "Sorry." Not sorry, is what I meant to say. Noah frowned.

Cassidy turned to me, "You have a boyfriend?! You wish!" Trish and I had started walking away, so I turned around with a small smirk on my face, "That show how much you know, Cass."

Damn, that felt good!

I sighed as I walked into Sonic Boom later that afternoon. Dad was finishing up at the counter with a customer, "Hey Ally."

"..."

He sighed, "It's been two weeks, can you not you get over it? You were going to come home anyway!"

"..."

"Fine, your shift starts now, I'll be in the back sorting out the bills, okay?"

"..."

"Teenagers." Fathers.

I went behind the counter, and pulled out my songbook. Since there were no customers at the moment, I started writing my entry.

Dear Songbook
Today was the first day of school. Normally, I would start on how I hate my school (which I still do!) or what Noah and Cassidy are up to or how everyone takes pleasure in bulling me, but I'm not.

I decided that it was time to stand up for myself, and Austin helped me find my confidence. So, I changed my wardrobe a bit and all of a sudden, no one's making fun of me, no one's shoving me into trash cans. Now, I've got a new nickname.

Awesome Dawson.

That was given to me by the jocks, only because they saw me in shorts. This is proof that boys will be boys. All in all, I had a weird day. You could say that I'm happy, ecstatic, even, but I'm not.

I feel like something's going to happen. Something big. Not sure what exactly, but I can feel it in my bones. My first and foremost guess is that Cassidy's going to get me back. The second one is a little crazy, I almost didn't write it down.

Maybe Austin's coming?!

At that moment, the bell on the door rang, telling me that someone had just walked in. I heard the familiar chomp-squeak of sneakers against the polished floor before a masculine person cleared his throat. Could it be? I looked up, with a little hope.

"Hello," a chubby teenage boy said, "Do you have any trombones here?"

And just like that, all my hope flattened.

I forced a smiled, "Sure, there are some over there."

"Thanks." As he walked away, I sighed and finished off my entry.

Starting to doubt it, seriously. I remember when we were saying goodbye; he kept saying that he'll see me soon. Soon.

What could that mean? Does soon mean next summer?! I hardly think of that as 'soon.' Maybe he meant next month, or in a few weeks. Weeks? Nah, doubt it. Why am I stressing over this?! I mean, he probably meant next summer, anyway.

I should probably get back to work, and stop obsessing over this. Maybe even clean a little. Yes, I'll do that now and forget about him for the time being. No more distractions!

... I wonder what Austin's up to right now. Dang, I've done it again.

I hate how much I think of Austin every day. It's killing me. Knowing I'm not going to see him for a while. A long while. It's ridiculous how everything reminds me of him!

I have a declaration to make... I think I love Austin. I wish I could lie and say that I know exactly what I'm feeling but, oh dear songbook, I can't lie to you. I asked mom about it (we're back on speaking terms.) and she said I should listen to my heart. Typical.

The thing is; my heart's not telling me what to do! I'm so perplexed right now it's not even funny!

"So how much is this for?" the boy asked again. I sighed and looked up from my book, "Four hundred and fifty." He paid and left, just as Dad walked out of his office. I groaned; will I ever get some time to myself?!

"Ally, since you're not talking, I'll just have to guess what you're saying. Anyway, your mother called and we're having a guest for dinner, so grab your jacket and let's go. I'll lock up the store, kiddo. And you're happy about that? Good."

I grabbed my jacket and walked out of the store, my songbook in my hands and sat in Dad's truck as I thought. Who was coming to dinner?! And, what if it's one of dad's stupid friends from work? My dad has two jobs, he runs Sonic Boom and he's the CEO of Beat Industry. Some sort of company that includes musical instruments and is always on conventions.

My heart skipped a beat as another thought came to me.

Call me an obsessed girlfriend, call me crazy, call me desperate, whatever, I don't care.

But... what if it was Austin? Maybe he ran away from his family and came to live in Miami to be with me! That would be so romantic! And... so not real.

Hey, a girl can dream, alright? So leave this girl and her sad dreams alone.

...It's gotta be a really, really horrific sign when your imagination is better than your actual life. Just sayin'.

We pulled up in front of our house and walked inside. Mom was in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"Oh good, you're here! It's almost seven, so the guest should be here."

"Who's coming?" Dad asked, taking off his jacket.

"I invited him," she said with a smile, "Ally, how was school?"

"Fine."

"Oh so you talk to her?!" Dad said, shaking his head. I said nothing and grabbed a bottle of Energade. (1)

"Unbelievable," he muttered, going into the lounge. Believe it, Dad, believe it. The doorbell rang a few minutes later.

"Ally, dear, please can you get the door?" Mom asked, "I'm still a little busy." I nodded and got up from my seat at the counter. My heart was beating rapidly as I placed my sweaty hand onto the golden doorknob. I opened the door and froze.

"Surprise, Als!" I spat out my energy drink in shock before breaking into a grin.

I love my mom.

I think we all know who it is. Sorry it's so short; I had trouble with this chapter so I don't really like it that much.

(1): I don't own that drink. I just drink it =P

Anyway, guys, I've noticed the number of reviews dropping slightly per chapter since chapter 16. Is it because I updated the same chapter twice?! Thought we were cool with that... Le sigh.

So pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top and loads of sprinkles, please review! I swear I'll have a new update by tomorrow night, tops! I promise! Cross my heart and hope to cry, stick a cookie in my eye!

Sammie