A/N: I'm really sorry I haven't been active, everybody. University is killing me lol the workload is absolutely nuts, and grad was crazy so I just had no time to write. I worked all summer too, so that took away like all of my free time. Oh, the joys of being an official adult. Bills, taxes, rent, the whole nine yards. But again, I will finish this story...eventually lol. I'll try to update more frequently.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: don't own the songs mentioned in this chapter or A&A, just the characters not associated with it.

Ally POV

"Where are you going?" Claudia asked me as I came down the stairs. She was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework.

"I'm going to Austin's, remember?" I replied, fixing my jacket. "He wants to hear me sing."

"Right," she said. "How are you feeling about that?" She kind of raised her eyebrow at me, like you are so done for.

"I've thrown up four times, so there's that."

"Oh, gross, you nasty! You brushed your teeth after, right?"

I stared at her. "Of course I did! Now who's nasty?"

"Oh, whatever," she snapped. She closed her books and stood up. "Just try to breathe because Austin is the first person you're ever going to sing in front of. It's so not fair that your family hasn't even heard you sing."

"You'll get over it. Besides, I have to start somewhere." I opened the door.

"Oh god, what is Austin doing to you?" she said.

I rolled my eyes. "Ha, ha. I'll see you later."

"Try not to choke!" I heard her call as the door shut behind me.

That's exactly what I needed to hear, Claudia. Thanks.

"Hey, Ally," Kelsey said as she greeted me at the door. "How's it going?" She stepped aside to let me into the house.

"I'm alright, you?"

"Busy with university, as per usual. I actually think our professors are trying to make us suffer by killing us slowly," she sighed as she ran a hand through her short blonde hair. "I can't wait until I'm done."

"What did you say you were going through for again?" I asked. I actually remembered that she had told me Social Work many times, but I was really just stalling because I was terrified to sing in front of Austin and was so not ready to head down to his music room.

"Social Work," she replied. "Just have this last term and then one more year, and I'm done. But the last year is all practicum stuff, so it's not really schoolwork, just field work. Which is great, because I don't think my brain can take anymore studying." She put a hand on my shoulder. "Enjoy high school while you can."

I smiled. "Trust me, I will."

She smiled back and then got this look on her face like she seemed to have remembered why I had come over. "Oh, I guess you're here to see Austin right?" I nodded. "He's downstairs in his headquarters."

"Headquarters?"

"His music room. I refer to it as his headquarters because he's basically always down there. It's like his own little lab," she replied. "Except, you know…it's not."

"Yeah, I got that," I said with a light laugh. "Okay, thanks. I'll see you later."

"Bye!" She went off upstairs, presumably to study.

As I was making my way to the basement stairs, Jadis popped up out of freaking nowhere, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Holy shi- heeeeey, Jadis! Uh, what's going on?" Watch your damn mouth around the little ones, Ally.

Her little blonde ponytail was swinging as she bounced up and down enthusiastically. "Will you come play dolls with me? Austin's bad at it."

I didn't even think twice or hesitate. "You bet!" I said.

"Yay!" She said happily before she grabbed my hand and led me to her room. She handed me a brunette Barbie. "You be this one, and I'll be this one. We're camping!"

For a four year old, she talked fairly well; she was getting better at putting full sentences together now.

While we were playing, I heard Kelsey talking to someone upstairs, the voices muffled. A couple of minutes later, the door to Jadis' room opened and Austin stood in the doorway. He looked mighty fine that day with black jeans and grey t-shirt.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Kelsey said you've been here for like twenty minutes."

"She's been playing with me! Cause you aren't good." Jadis held up my Barbie so Austin could see. "You don't get this anymore, Ally does."

"I'll try not to be too heartbroken," he grinned before looking at me again. "Why didn't you come down?" he asked as he walked into the room. "You knew where I was."

"Cause I wanted to play with your sister, that's why," I said. I held up my Barbie this time to show him. "See?"

"Uh huh," he said before bending down to give me a kiss.

Jadis shrieked before running out of the room. "Gross!" she exclaimed.

Austin laughed. "Works every time. Now come on; I've got instruments to play and you've got a voice to use. Let's go." He grabbed my hands and pulled me up before practically dragging me out of the room behind him because of my resistance. He finally gave up and carried me the rest of the way over his shoulder.

Once we were in the music room and he set me down, I glared at him. "You suck."

"Had to be done."

I glanced around. "Wow. Nice setup."

"Thanks," he smiled, looking mighty proud. "I practically live down here."

"Yeah, I bet," I said. I took off my jacket and flopped down on one of the couches. "So whatcha going to play me?"

"Oh no, nu uh. We agreed that you would sing first." He walked over to his instrument set up. "Pick an instrument, any instrument."

"Austin, I'm too nervous, okay? Like my heart is beating so freaking fast right now and I feel like I'm going to throw up for the fifth time."

He made a face. "Ew, fifth? Did you brush your teeth before I kissed you?"

I threw my hands up. "Yes! It's not funny, Austin!"

He sighed and came over to sit beside me. "Look at me. Hey." I did and raised my eyebrows in anticipation. "Als. It's just me. It's literally only me down here listening to you. I'm not scary, right?"

"Well, there's that time you tripped me-"

"Holy balls, if you bring that up one more time," he said.

I smiled. "I just wanted to see your reaction."

"Why do I even bother with you?" He said, but he was smiling his dorky smile. He gave me a comforting hug and I melted into his arms. "Relax, breathe, it's going to be fine. Besides, you get to hear me sing after! And you're probably way better than I am."

I scoffed, and he sighed. "Would you prefer if I turned around while you sang?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then I'll do that." He stood up and went over to the corner of the room and turned around. "There. How's that?"

"Better," I admitted. "Except you look like you should be wearing a shame hat or something from the olden days."

"Ally, please just sing for me and stop stalling," he whined. "I really wanna hear you sing. Please."

"Ugh, okay, okay. Just give me a minute." I took a deep breath, shook my hands at my sides and tried to relax. I did all of my calming exercises in my head before I started.

"I would tell you that I love you tonight
But I know that I've got time on my side
Where you goin'? Why you leavin' so soon?
Is there somewhere else that's better for you?

What is love if you're not here with me?
What is love if it's not guaranteed?
What is love if it just ups and leaves?

What is love if you're not here no more?
What is love if you're not really sure?
What is love?
What is love?"

"And that's all I'm singing for-" I stopped mid-sentence when I saw Austin's face. "Hey, you said you weren't going to watch, you filthy, filthy liar!"

He still didn't say anything, so I looked behind me before looking back at him. "Uh, Austin?" I walked over to him. "Yo. Dude. Speak."

He spoke, alright, but he used his mouth for other things, such as kissing me like he had never kissed me before. Hands on my face, everything.

When he finally stopped, I was out of breath. "What was that for?"

"Your voice, Ally is so damn- my god, you sound unreal. Like really. Holy shit, I can't believe you don't sing more often, Als, that was freaking amazing. I was lost for words, so I kissed you." He smiled. "I can't believe what I just heard. And watched. You were so into it, you didn't even notice I had turned around like right after you started."

I wasn't used to so many compliments, so I could feel my face burning. "Thanks, Austin. Now, let me hear you before I throw up because I can't believe I just did that."

"I'm so glad you did, jeez," he said, shaking his head. While he was walking over to his guitar, I heard him mutter, "I am so damn lucky," and I smiled despite myself before sitting down on the couch.

He got his guitar over his shoulder and looked at me. "Ready?"

I nodded, and he started strumming.

"Run away-ay with me
Lost souls in revelry
Running wild and running free
Two kids, you and me

And I said hey
Hey, hey, hey
Living like we're renegades
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Living like we're renegades
Renegades, renegades

Long live the pioneers
Rebels and mutineers
Go forth and have no fear
Come close and lend an ear

And I said hey
Hey, hey, hey
Living like we're renegades
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Living like we're renegades
Renegades, renegades"

When he was done, I was speechless just like he was.

"Well?" he asked.

When I finally found my voice, the first thing I said was, "I think I love you. And your angelic voice."

He was so stunned, he dropped his guitar. Thank God the floor was carpet cause that would've been a disaster.

"You- you- what?" he stammered.

"I can't believe I just said that," I said, running a hand through my curls. I took a deep breath when I realized that I had totally meant it. I stood up and went to stand in front of him. "But I'm serious, Austin. I've never said that to a boy before, holy crap."

"Damn it! I wanted to be the first one to say it," he said.

"Why didn't you?"

"It's not easy to say it when you've never said it to a girl before," he replied. He shrugged. "There was never a right time."

My eyes widened. "What? You mean…?"

"First time for everything right?" He took a deep breath. "I mean that of course I love you, too," he grinned. "It's a lot easier now that I know you feel the same way."

I laughed and threw my arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss which he happily returned.

"So, now that we've established that we both love each other and have heard how amazing we both sound according to the other person," I started when we broke apart. "Now what?"

He looked down at me. "We get you ready for the Christmas concert next week."

A/N: Hope you liked it! I liked this chapter :)

Joelle