Hello. I have returned. I just realized that this story is 1/3 finished, as of this chapter. But enough about fractions. Let's get to the story. It's edited, but there might be a couple of mistakes.

I woke up around noon. It was just barely one o'clock. My mind was blank, as if every memory I had ever made was gone, which, I suppose, is a good thing. Reality quickly came back to me, but the previous night's events remained a mystery. A mystery that I, unsurprisingly, didn't want to figure out. I sat up and finally the got the question that should have been on my mind the second I woke up. Where am I? "Hello?"

There was no answer, but I wasn't prepared to get out of bed. The door squeaked as it opened, revealing Austin. "The princess awakes from her slumber." he says as he walks in.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I was taking it as one, but I didn't add that.

He sits on the bed. "Sure. How do you feel?"

"Confused. What happened last night?"

"I find it best if you didn't know, but if Cassidy comes after you, it might have something to do with what you said to her last night at the party."

"What party?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes!"

He smiles. "Oh, but you don't."

"Tell me, or I'll..." I began.

"Or you'll what?"

"I'll... tickle you."

He gives me a surprised look. "Wow, you're so hardcore." he says sarcastically.

"Nice try, but I am immune to your sarcasm."

It was silent, but only for a second. "Don't think I forgot about the tickling thing. I'm still gonna get you."

"Sure you are."

"I would enjoy time in a sarcasm-free zone."

He nods. "But do you really want to know what happened last night?"

"Yes."

"That's too bad. I'm not going to tell you."

I laugh. "Fine. Have it your way. But can I at least decide what to have for breakfast?"

"Sure, anything you want."

"Okay. Oatmeal?"

"Pancakes."

"Uh, I thought I got to choose."

"I think I got flour in my hair." I said. The kitchen was a mess, but we were both too busy pretending to cook to care.

"Are you afraid of a little flour?" he asks, before pouring a bag of flour on my head.

I look up at him. "You're dead." My first defense was throwing an egg at him, but he moved out of the way, and yolk splattered on the microwave.

"You may have missed... but this means war."

My defense seemed to be eggs and his defense seemed to be flour. I was off on aim and he seemed to be doing perfect. He even looks perfect. As perfect as a guy with yolk in his hair can look. I didn't need a mirror to know that my hair was practically turning white and I called for a truce.

"Oh, I see someone's giving up."

I scoff. "I am not giving up, I'm just... you know..."

"Giving up." he finishes for me.

"Don't say it like that. You make it sound all ugly."

He laughs. "I make it sound all true, but at least I don't give up on things." He wasn't wrong, but I would never admit that.

I give him a look. "Is that a challenge?"

He shrugs. "Is it?"

Slowly, I grab an egg. "Ally Dawson does not give up."

"But apparently she does speak in third person."

"That comment is enough to unleash the monster." I say as I throw the egg at his chest. He dramatically fell down on the floor.

"Oh, no. I've been shot."

I laugh. "Maybe you were the dramatic one in your relationship with Cassidy." I say, holding out a hand.

He gets up. "Never speak of that dark time in my life." I wonder if he actually hated every minute he had to spend with her or if there was some type of joy or happiness in their relationship at one point. That was before I got another realization.

"You know what I just realized?"

"What?"

"We haven't actually made any pancakes."

"Eh, pancakes are overrated."

I look around the kitchen. "I hope you know I'm not going to help you clean the kitchen."

"What if I tell you what happened last night?"

I start to laugh uncontrollably. "What's so funny?" he asks.

Once I stop laughing, I say, "Austin. I know exactly what happened last night. Quite eventful."

"Wait. So, you've known this whole time?"

"Sort of. I thought it'd be a little fun to play with your mind. It wasn't as fun as I had hoped, but I guess I'll leave it at that."

It was silent for a while until I realized we were both staring at each other. It wasn't awkward this time though. It was graceful almost. It was just another thing that happened, not something that made things strange between us. "What?" I say. It was more of him staring at me, which made me internally hope that nothing awkward happened.

"You have an egg-shell in your hair." he says, picking it out and thus breaking whatever we had going there.

I take a small step back. "Thanks. Can I take a shower? I'm covered in most of the kitchen ingredients right now."

"Sure."

Luckily, I knew where the bathroom was. It wasn't until I had actually got into the shower that I realized how thankful I should be. He wasn't my hero or anything, but I definitely should be thanking him for what he did. I could never tell him how thankful I was, but I could always try. Because apparently, I give up on things. I didn't know why, but neither of us wanted to give up on each other. And I suppose that was a good thing.

I got out and ran into the kitchen, jumping into his arms. "Are you wearing my shirt?" he asks. I'm too busy smiling and hugging him to answer. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"For what?"

"You know what. Last night. What you did was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, which I'm sure you can believe. I get you now. Under all that bad boy exterior, you're sweet. I don't know why you hide it. It might actually get you girls... like certain girls. Who may or may not be standing in front of you..."

"Whatever."

I scoff and let go of the hug, the hug of which he was not hugging back. "'Whatever'? Is that all you have to say? See. This is what I mean. You're thinking more than just 'whatever'."

"You barely know me."

"Yeah, but I know enough about you to know that you don't want me to know about you and we both know that I know that you know that." It didn't make sense, but I kept going. It didn't even make sense to me and I said it.

"You confuse me."

"That wasn't the plan, but I'm not leaving here until I figure you out, and I will figure out what... this..." I say, pointing to him. "...means."

"I think you're going to be here for a long time." he retorts.

Staying here would be worth figuring out the mystery behind this boy that, no matter what he says, has a soft spot. A soft spot that I discovered.

I don't know why, but I don't really like this chapter. It's just so... I don't know. I think there was too much dialogue and that it was short, but it's like 3 AM and I am super tired. I'll update on Saturday and then again on Monday, but I'm not promising ANYTHING. Well, like I said, I kind of hate it, but what do you think?