A/N: Hey y'all! Update time :) I think I got at least 54 reviews on my last chapter, which is CRAY CRAY! You guys are AH-MAZING! :D xx

I actually didn't get alot of hate like I thought I would since I made Austin & Ally fight and all, so thanks for that! :) Actually, this one girl threw virtual things at me, but we're friends, so it's all cool :p

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own A&A.

Ally POV

"Maci, please don't touch that," I said as I rushed over. I grabbed my phone from her. "Trish, you're supposed to be watching her."

"I am," she replied without looking up from her magazine.

"Trish, I need help more than ever!" I shrieked.

She jumped and looked at me, shocked. "I'm sorry, Ally. Here, the magazine is going back in my bag." She pointedly showed me that she was slipping it in her bag. "There, it's gone."

I sighed and put my hands over my face. "I'm going crazy, Trish. Nothing is the same without Austin here. Even Maci isn't acting like herself! She's been cranky a lot more."

"I wish I could help," Trish said sympathetically.

"You are helping me. It's hard to watch her alone; I don't know how single mothers do it." The word single made me tear up. I threw my hands up. "I screwed up, Trish! I really screwed up this time and I hate myself for it."

"Hey," she said. "Don't hate yourself for this whole Jesse situation. You were just being nice."

"But look where that got me. Austin left!"

"He just needed some time; he's not gone forever, Ally."

I flopped down on the kitchen chair. "It's been four days. I haven't heard from him at all."

Maci walked over. "Momma?"

"I'm fine, Mace," I sniffed as I scooped her up on my lap and kissed her head. "Mommy's just a little sad right now." I embraced my little girl as the tears kept flowing.

"Oh, Ally, I hate seeing you like this," Trish told me as she stood up from her seat at the counter and walked over. "It's killing me."

"I wish I could undo that day."

"Here, give me Maci. I'll take her to your parents place," Trish said. "You need time alone."

"I don't need time alone; I need time with Austin here," I snapped. "With both of my babies here!"

"Ally, it'll be better for Maci," she told me gently.

I sniffed and looked at my best friend before sighing reluctantly. "Fine." I put Maci back on the ground and Trish took her hand. "Go with Auntie Trish, baby. I love you."

"I'll call you later," Trish said.

I nodded and they left.

I wiped my eyes and shakily stood up. I had barely eaten in the days since Austin had left, I had probably gone through three Kleenex boxes from crying all the time, and I was a mess. I just wanted him back home with me and Maci.

I could barely sleep either; the bed felt cold, and everything reminded me of him. Even looking at Pancakes made me want to cry.

I grabbed the photo album I was looking at before and flipped through the pages. I was torturing myself, I know, but I needed to see him, even if it was only in a photo. As I flipped through the pictures when Maci was just a few months old, I sighed sadly. We all looked so happy and carefree. It was when I got to one specific picture that made me lose it again.

It was a picture of me and Austin that Dez had taken the spring before I got pregnant with Maci. We were smiling and staring into each other's eyes with our arms wrapped around each other by the beach.

My phone started ringing from across the room on the table and I slammed the book shut before bolting over to it. I picked it up and quickly said, "Austin?!"

"Ally? It's Jesse."

My heart sank and I could feel fresh tears coming on. "O-oh, hi Jesse. I, um, thought you were Austin."

"Are you okay? You sound like you've been crying."

"I'm fine. It's allergies."

"That's the oldest trick in the book, Ally. I'm not an idiot."

"It really is allergies."

"I caused a fight between you and Austin, didn't I?" Jesse sounded guilty.

"No," I lied.

"Ally."

"I just told him about you, and it kind of spiralled out of control," I burst out. "He left for our friend's place four days ago and he's still not back!"

"Ally, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause any trouble between you guys, I swear," Jesse said. "This is probably a bad time, but you might want to talk things out. Want to grab coffee?"

"I guess so," I said. "Give me twenty minutes; I'll meet you at Ginger's."

"Alright, see you."

I hung up and went upstairs to wash my face. I pulled my hair into top knot and went back down. I slipped on flats and grabbed my phone and purse before heading out to my car.

I arrived at Ginger's to find Jesse already in a booth. "Hi," I said as I slid across from him.

"Hey," he smiled lightly. "You okay?"

"No," I sighed. "I'm terrible." The waitress came over and took our orders before leaving.

"Maybe I should talk to Austin?" Jesse suggested.

"I don't think that's a good idea," I told him. "He'll kill you."

"Wow. He's really that mad?"

"He left! Yes, he's mad!" I felt a lump in my throat and I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Jesse, but I shouldn't have gotten your number." The waitress brought our coffees.

"Hey, it's cool, I understand. I realize that it probably wasn't the smartest idea," he said. "I just wish Austin would see that I'm not interested in anything more than being friends with you."

"Me too." I stopped. "Do you even have a girlfriend?"

"No, I don't." He blushed. "But I kind of have my eye on somebody."

"Really? Who?"

He muttered something incoherent. "What?" I strained to hear.

"Quinn," he mumbled.

"Quinn?" He nodded and I smiled. "Awe. Did you guys hang out again or something?"

"Well, not intentionally. I ran into her at the hardware store yesterday. She was getting stuff for her renovations on her room. We just talked for a bit."

"Ah. But you like her?"

"She seems like a nice girl. She's beautiful, too," Jesse smiled. "But I'm three years older than her."

"Technically two. She turns 19 this year."

"I guess that's not that bad then. I want to hang out with her more. You know, get to know her better." He took a sip of his coffee. "So how's your daughter?"

I shrugged. "Okay. She's been cranky ever since Austin left. She's a little daddy's girl. Nothing's really felt the same. I can't even look at our dog without wanting to burst into tears."

"I feel really bad."

"Don't, it's not your fault. This is between me and Austin."

"Because of me."

"Jesse, let it go. We'll be fine, don't worry about us. We always work it out," I told him before adding jokingly, "You just worry about getting Quinn, alright?"

He grinned. "Deal."

We talked for a bit before I checked my watch. "I should go."

Jesse nodded as we stood up. "It was nice talking to you. If there's anything I can do, let me know. I really am sorry, Ally."

"Again, don't be sorry," I said as we left money and went outside.

He gave me a hug, which shocked me, but I hugged back. "Thanks."

"For what?" I was confused.

"For believing me when I said I just want to be friends. Guys probably don't get that much."

I smiled and nodded. "You're welcome. See you later."

"Bye." We waved and headed to our own cars.

I cried on the way home, damn it all, and by the time I pulled into the driveway, I could have made a saltwater pool out of my tears.

Wiping my eyes, I got out and headed up the walkway. I could hear Pancakes barking inside.

"Pancakes, stop," I groaned as I strolled through the hallway. "Why are you barking?"

I found her in Austin's studio, running in circles. "Um," I started, but I didn't really know what else to say. Instead, I walked over to her and she stopped when she saw me. I pet her head and she whimpered. "I know, girl. I miss him, too," I said softly. "Hopefully he's not gone much longer. Sorry I haven't been paying much attention to you; you remind me of Austin too much," I said thickly. Damn it, why was I such an emotional wreck?!

My phone rang. I checked the caller ID and saw that it was Trish. "Hey," I answered as I stood up and went to the living room on the other side of the house. The house was huge; it took so long to get from room to room. Guess that's the price of living in a mansion.

"Hi. Maci's safe and sound at your parents' place."

"Thanks, Trish," I said.

"Anytime, girlfriend. So what are you doing?"

"I just got back from having coffee with Jesse."

"What!" I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

"Thanks for that," I said sarcastically. "I think you just shattered my ear drum."

She ignored that. "He's the reason you and Austin are in this position! I mean, don't get me wrong, Jesse seems nice and all, but Ally, come on. You're really not helping yourself out."

"Trish, calm down. First of all, it's not Jesse's fault. I'm the one who decided to take his number, he didn't force me to. Second, he only wants to be friends. If it makes you feel better, he kind of likes Quinn."

"Kind of?"

"Well, he barely knows her. He just said he wants to hang out with her more," I told her.

"Hey! You can tell Austin that and he'll come back!" She said happily, forgetting about her previous rage. I think she may be bipolar. Just saying.

"I don't think it works that way, Trish," I sighed sadly. "Besides, he hates me; he doesn't want to talk to me."

"Ally Dawson, Austin Moon does not hate you. He could never* hate you. Don't you say that."

"Sure seems like he does."

"Because he's too stubborn and stupid to see that you didn't mean any intentional harm," she replied.

"I don't know what to do, Trish," I whined. "I miss him so much!"

"I know you do, Ally. Believe me, I can tell. Just hang in there. He'll come around, I know he will."

"How do you know?"

"Because it's Austin. He always does," she said. "No matter what. I'm telling you, girl, he's one of a kind."

"Like everybody tells me," I muttered. "He deserves better than me."

"Hey! Take that back right now, Ally!" Trish yelled.

"It's true, Trish!"

"It's not true and you know it. You two belong together. Now shut up with that smack talk, every single bit of it is a lie."

My phone beeped. "Hold on, I'm getting another call."

"I've got to go anyways. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye." She hung up and I checked the other Caller ID and saw that it was my mom calling. "Hey, mom."

"Hi, honey. How are you doing?"

"Not great. How's Maci?"

"She's fine, she's close to falling asleep. Your dad is watching her."

"Thanks for taking her, I really appreciate it."

"Our pleasure, dear. Everything will be okay, Ally-Gator. I promise."

My eyes pooled. "How do you know? Austin's really mad at me, mom. It's never been this bad."

"Ally, Austin loves you to death. He'll make the right choice."

"What if it's not the choice that will keep this family together?"

"Don't worry so much, honey. It'll give you frown lines, and you really don't want those when you're so young. You have plenty of time to get them when-"

"Mom, this is hardly the time," I snapped.

"Sorry, force of habit. Anyways, as I was saying, just relax. Do something to get your mind off of things!"

"Like what?"

"Why don't you work on a song? Or you can bake? Sleep? Maybe jack up the tunes and dance badly around the house?" She suggested.

"Really, mom? Dancing at a time like this?"

She laughed lightly. "I'm sorry, Ally, I'm just trying to help you."

I sighed. "I know, mom. I'll do something, I promise. I love you."

"I love you too, honey. Call if you need anything, I'll be down there faster than you can say pickles."

I smiled. "I will. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, Ally." We hung up and I set my phone down on the counter. I looked at it for a second before picking it up and going to Austin's speed dial.

I stared at his number on the screen and my thumb hesitated over the 'Call' button. Should I call him? He was the one who said he needed space, so maybe it would be better if I didn't. I sighed and shut my phone off again. I said all I could have to him when he was here; I had to think positive and happy thoughts for now and make the best of the situation.

"Well, I guess I could go for a nap. Maybe I'll be a bit happier when I get up," I told myself before pausing. "Doubtful."

My phone started ringing. "Hello?" I answered.

"Ally! Turn on your TV to Entertain Me Tonight!" came Trish's shriek from the other end.

"Okay, okay, hold on." I hurried to the living room and grabbed the remote, turning the TV on. "I don't see why you're- oh my pickles!"

"I know!" Trish exclaimed.

Right there, on the screen, was a picture of me and Jesse hugging from earlier that day. Cassie Davis was hosting.

"Could this young, and certainly attractive, man be Ally Dawson's secret affair? Word has it that she and her rock star boyfriend, and the father of her child, Austin Moon, are currently not on speaking terms. Miss Dawson was spotted earlier today with this guy, and it appeared they were having a coffee date, Austin most likely not in the know. Is it Splitsville for these two stars? And most importantly, what will it mean for their daughter? I'm Cassie Davis, and you're watching Entertain Me Tonight."

"Oh no, no, no! You have got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed into the phone. "Trish, I swear we didn't do anything; it was a friendly hug."

"I believe you, Ally, I do," Trish said gently.

I paled as a thought struck me. "Austin. Oh god, Trish, he can't see that!"

"Um...well..."

"Trish," I warned.

"He, um, kind of already has."

A/N: I am SO bad for these cliffies :/ It just happens!

If some of you thought Austin was coming back this chapter...you thought wrong! Unfortunately haha.

OMG, I watched Partners & Parachutes on Youtube and I feel bad but I couldn't help it! It was just there...so I had to! I'll be a nice girl and won't spoil anything, but I'll just say that it's ABSOLUTELY AMAZING :D

Review it up people! I enjoy reviews... Seriously. Like, more than I enjoy pickles. And I'm in love with pickles. Mmm.

Joelle xx Update will be as soon as I possibly can, I know you guys hate waiting! Some of you are very demanding haha.

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