Hey. I decided to update today because there is a certain chapter that I am anticipating and can't wait for. I'm hoping that I can get to that chapter by (or before) the end of the week. I totally hated that last chapter. I read it and was, like, WTF, did I write this? The answer is yes. That is one of the first chapters I will edit when this story is over. That and chapter four, my two least favorites. Oh and I am not trying to refer to R5's song "Forget About You" I actually hate that song. : )

Trish had come up with the diagnosis. I was suffering from Austin-itis. It wasn't a real diagnosis, but it sure seemed like it.

"Okay. You can't eat, sleep, and breathe this boy. We have to get your mind off him."

"I hate myself for leaving. I mean, what the hell is wrong with me?"

"Ally. Your world can't revolve around him. Not now, in the situation you're in." I really wanted to be offended by that, but I wasn't.

I groaned. "But... I just can't forget about him."

"You know what that means."

"What?" I asked, hopeful for some answers.

"You're in love."

I blinked. "I'm in what?"

"Love. I know it's something you've never really been in, but... I... hear it's... wonderful."

"Wonderful? I feel like dying."

"You have a serious case of Austin-itis."

"Is that a real thing?"

"In your case, yes. It is very real."

Trish's idea of forgetting about Austin was going to the mall. I knew the real reason we went was so she could do something that involved getting fired from a job or quitting or getting a new one. Some old habits never die. Especially the weird habits.

"See. Look at all of the stores and people. They're smiling. They're happy. You see what I'm getting at?"

"Yes," I said. "They aren't hopelessly in love like I am!"

"Oh, Ally. I'm sure you can forget about Austin."

"Now I may just be hallucinating, but I think I hear him singing."

"Yeah. I do, too."

"Seriously?" She nodded. We walked around a little, following the music until finding Austin strumming a guitar and singing... Double Take.

Of course when he was done, he got a standing ovation. Mainly because the people watching were already standing. I walk over to him, much against Trish's rules of Don't Fall In Love With That Boy. Too late.

He put his guitar down and handed me a book. "I believe this belongs to you." It was my songbook.

"You stole it?"

"No, you left it at my house."

"You could have given it to me."

"I didn't know until this morning. By then you had already skipped off."

Trish was negotiating with a clerk at some random store. "That gave you no right to steal my song."

"Oh, come on. It's not like it's on the Internet," I sighed. That made me feel a little better. He picked up his phone. "I just have to upload it."

"You wouldn't!"

"Hmm. Maybe I wouldn't."

"Okay. I see the evil look in your eye. What do you want?"

"You have to become my songwriter. You know, the steps to fame are pretty easy. First, you'd need a songwriter."

"I am not becoming your songwriter."

"Why not?"

"Well, for one, I have stage fright and for two, it's a stupid idea!"

"You won't have to be on stage and... how is it stupid?"

I groaned. "I just can't do it. You ever become such a joke in your life that you know you're going to fail at everything you try?" I didn't expect pretty boy to relate.

"Nope. Because I'm Austin Moon and when I fail, I keep trying."

"You are so annoying."

"Is that a yes?"

It wasn't a no or a yes. It all depended on what I wanted it to be. I wasn't going to let anything ruin what appeared to be a second chance. Or eighth chance. "No." I wanted to hit myself in the face for saying that. I wanted to say yes, but without looking like I wanted it. I didn't want to show how vulnerable I really was, though I'm sure he saw right through the barriers. "I mean, I want to but I think I made it pretty clear that I wanted to keep my distance from you."

"No, actually, you didn't say that at all."

"I... well, I'm saying it now."

"What is keeping your distance from me going to solve? You run away from your problems. No matter how hard you try, I'll keep coming back."

I hated and loved every single word he had just said and still, I felt like hiding under a rock for some reason. "I just..." I could tell him everything and end it all right now. Except I don't. "Okay."

I think relief and I-knew-she'd-say-yes sprawled across his face. I wondered why he had wanted me to do it so badly. "You know, you actually have some talent." I admitted willingly.

"Thanks. You do too." Songwriting talent, he obviously means. It's not like I have actual talent that could get me somewhere. There's a small possibility, one I've learned to just ignore.

Stupid short chapter, being all stupid and short. What the hell was really supposed to happen in this chapter? I was out of ideas. This is one of those chapters you should just roll with and ignore. Don't worry. I promise I'll update tomorrow. I so want to get pass all of their stupid problems and issues and it sucks because we (might be) are almost there. Anyways, tell me what you think?