A/N: New chapter! Sorry it took long. Thanks for the reviews and supportive comments, you guys continue to amaze me everyday :) And I do read all of the reviews and stuff, you guys just rock.

Disclaimer: don't own A&A but own other characters not associated with it.

Ally POV

"Honey?" My mom called from the other side of the door. "Is everything okay?"

I groaned and rolled over, glancing at my clock. It was past noon. No wonder she was banging on my door; I was normally up before eleven. "I'm fine, Mom, I just don't feel well."

She opened my door and poked her head in. "How was your date last night?"

"First of all, it wasn't a date. Second of all, it sucked. Third of all, please leave me alone."

She ignored me. "It sucked? Oh, miele, I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

"It was pretty bad," I told her. "Can we please talk about it later?"

She sighed. "Okay, honey. Feel better." She closed the door and I was alone again.

I hadn't totally lied to my mom; I actually didn't feel well, but I also didn't want to face everybody. I felt somewhat sick to my stomach from what Austin had admitted to me last night. But what had I done? Completely bitched him out. Ugh, what was wrong with me? I was mad at him, but I was also mad at myself. Mad at myself for crumbling like I did in front of him, for yelling at him, for leaving him like that. I was mad at him for what he did to me, physically and emotionally. He screwed with my head, and I just didn't know what to think anymore.

I got out of bed and went over to my vanity. In the mirror, I could see I looked like hell. I didn't sleep much that night so I had bag under my eyes, my hair was falling out of its braid, and my shirt and shorts were twisted. I pulled my hair out and brushed it, putting it into a ponytail before fixing my sleep clothes. I crawled back into bed, and shortly after, there was a knock at the door.

I didn't even have to look to know it was Claudia because the door opened immediately after the knock without giving me a chance to answer. "Your mom said you were sick, and I call bullshit on that."

"Go away, Claudia."

"Not until you tell me about yesterday."

I sighed and pulled the covers off of my head. I sat up to look at my stepsister. She was standing at my door, drinking a coffee. Since it was Sunday, she was wearing leggings and an old university sweater with slippers. Her hair was pulled up in a bun.

She took me in. "You look gross."

"Gee, thanks," I snapped, getting up to grab a sweater.

"So are you going to tell me, or am I going to spend the next few hours in here while you sleep? And I may or may not draw on your face while you do."

I pulled on a sweater and then turned away from the closet to face her. "Austin told me he wants to be with me."

She choked on her coffee, her eyes wide. "What the hell did you just say?"

"Yeah."

She grabbed my arm and pulled me over to my bed. "Sit down. Now. I want to know everything and don't you dare leave anything out, Ally, you hear me?"

"I'm sure you have something better to do," I started, but she cut me off.

"Not anymore I don't, this is way more important." She sat beside me and crossed her legs, setting a pillow on top of them. "Now talk."

I sighed, realizing she wasn't leaving, so I caved and told her everything that Austin and I did yesterday, as well as what he told me, and what happened after. She had plenty of flinches and cringes, and 'damn's' to give throughout my explanation. I left out the part about my parents.

When I finished, Claudia spoke. "You left him in the park?"

"What was I supposed to do, ride home with him after that? And after I completely flipped on him? Hell no."

"And you didn't have any idea he was into you before he told you? Like none?"

I shook my head. "I didn't even bother to pay attention. Besides, it' Austin. The guy who almost made me bust my nose on my first day of school."

"Exactly, it's Austin. He's like, one of the hottest guys in the entire school."

"Looks aren't the only thing that matters, Claudia," I told her hotly. "At least not to me, anyway."

"But he's been nice to you since then, has he not? You guys have hung out a few times and spoken in school and stuff." She took a sip of her coffee. "I thought things were good now."

"Things were good," I told her. "Or are. I don't know now; he's completely screwed with my head. Without even realizing it, he opened a new door that I don't think either of us are ready to enter."

"You both aren't, or you aren't?" she said. I looked at her, and she raised her eyebrows in question. "That's the real problem here, I think."

"No, it's not."

"Ally, think about it. A great guy basically poured his heart out to you, and yes," She said, holding up her hand when I was about to interject, "I know he was a dick to you when you first got here; shut up and let me finish. But anyway, from what I can see, he's been trying to make it up to you and has been trying to spend time with you since then. Actual jerks wouldn't do that. So why are you still so…hesitant around him, or disbelieving?"

I stayed quiet for a moment. As if I was getting advice from Claudia of all people, and as if she was actually willing to help. But I guess she wasn't wrong.

"I don't know why," I finally said quietly.

"Do you like him?"

"What?"

Claudia rolled her eyes. "You heard me. Do you like Austin? I feel like if you didn't, you wouldn't be so torn over this whole thing. You would have just told him to go screw himself or something. Plus, you like being around him, or you wouldn't have hung out with him all those times."

"I just don't want anyone to get hurt," I told her.

"Hurt? Ally, what are you talking about?" she asked.

I shook my head. "It's nothing. Sorry."

"You should talk to Austin. Like, today. Before things get worse." She stood up. "But get up. Lying in bed all day won't do anything."

On her way to the door, I spoke. "Claudia?" She turned around. "Thanks. It wasn't like you, but thanks."

"I know, I felt like a guidance counsellor or something," she said, cringing. "So unlike me."

"Just take the damn compliment already."

She rolled her eyes, but gave me a small smile. "You're welcome. I guess you aren't so bad." And with that, she walked out of my room.

I thought over everything we had just discussed. I really did have to talk to Austin that day. But I wasn't exactly sure what I was supposed to say.

A/N: I thought it was time for Claudia to help Ally out and be a little nicer, don't you think? Short, and somewhat boring, I know, but I wanted to go deeper into Ally and Claudia's relationship, and show how it's changing. Thanks for reading guys and thanks for sticking with me throughout my little hiatus, I love you guys so much, you have no idea.

Joelle xx

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