Hello, thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Austin and Ally or anything you may recognize.

Austin and I walk to class in silence, occasionally bumping shoulders or hands brushing against each other's. Whenever that happens I get this weird feeling in stomach. I can't decide if I like it or not, I've never felt it before and frankly, it scares me. Maybe, it's because when we touch it reassures me that Austin is really there and I'm just anticipating for when everything ends badly. We walk into class receiving more stares from students. I sigh and sitting down in the back, Austin claiming the seat next to me.

"So, what's the teacher like for this class?" He asks.

"Um, she's nice, I guess. She just talks about history the whole time and no one really pays attention. Mrs. Valcoskie is a little old so she doesn't notice anything, she's a little out of it. Also you don't really have to pay attention anyway because all her tests give the answer in the question."

"This sounds like an awesome class," Austin says smiling.

"Yeah, I mostly just take naps and catch up on my sleep and that is exactly what I'm going to do now," I say putting my head on the desk and closing my eyes.

The bell rings, signaling the end of the school day. I exit the classroom and head to the bus. I actually feel a little happy for once. Maybe being friends with Austin will be a good thing. Right as I'm about to exit the building I hear Austin calling my name. I turn to see him running to catch up with me.

"Hey!" He says nearing me.

"Hi."

"I was thinking since we are friends now, if you maybe wanted to hang out?" He asks.

"Yeah, no. Sorry, I have homework and I have work, I don't really have the time," I say.

"Okay," He sighs dejectedly.

We climb on to the bus claiming seats in the middle of the bus. Austin and I fall into a comfortable silence. After a tall, lanky redhead and a short curly haired girl get on the bus, it pulls away. The pair that just boarded the bus take a seat in the ille across from us. the moment they sit down the start arguing. I roll my eyes and pull out my phone from my backpack, turning up my music to block out their annoying bickering. I rest my head on the window and watch the cars passing beside us. Soon enough the bus pulls over to the first stop.

Austin taps my shoulder and I turn to him pulling my earbuds out for a moment.

"This is my stop. See you tomorrow, yeah?" He says.

"Yep."

He hugs me whispering in my ear, "You're awesome, you know?" Austin pulls away, stands up and exits the bus. I watch him leave still shocked. Everyone else on the bus seems to be too, they are all staring and whispering like crazy. No doubt there will be tons of rumors tomorrow. I just can't believe he hugged me. I smile. Today has been a good day. I put my earbuds back in and continue staring out the window until the bus pulls up to my stop. I climb off and start my walk home.

When I reach my house I sling my backpack off of one shoulder to grab my key. I pull it out and unlock the door, swinging it open. I enter and close the door behind me.

"Dad?" I call out, "I'm home!" I start to head up the stairs to do homework.

"Ally in the kitchen now!" He yells.

"I have lots of home-"

"Get in here NOW!"

I hop down the couple of stairs I had climbed and drop my backpack on the floor.

"What?" I say annoyance clear in my voice.

"What do you mean what? Is that all you have to say?! You poured out all my drinks!"

"I did that for you drink way too much! You're not even capable of taking care of me! You spend everything on beer! You drink so much you're probably going to die of liver cancer or whatever! Maybe you should just drop dead! Then I would go into foster care because mom's going to Africa to get away from you! Maybe then I could have someone who actually cared about me!" I scream. His face comes closer to mine, staring me down. His breath reeks of alcohol. Of course my dad is drunk. My dad raises his hand and slaps me hard across the cheek.

"How dare you talk to me like that! I am your father and I deserve your respect!"

"I lost any respect I had for you the moment you started drinking." I say calmly. He slaps me again on the same cheek harder than before. My eyes well with tears. The fact that he slapped me hurts, but I know he wouldn't have done it if he weren't drunk and if I didn't yell at him.

"Go to your room, I don't want to see your face. You are the worst mistake I've ever made! Because you my life is like it is now! You ruined my marriage!" He screams. Ouch, I always felt like I played apart in my parents fallout, but I always told myself I was wrong and thats probably what other kids think when their parents get divorced.

I run up to my room, grabbing my backpack on the way. I slam my door shut and lock it. I know when he's sober he will try to apologize. Truth be told I don't plan on coming home for the rest of the week. I hope Mike will let me stay at the store for a few nights. I grab a duffle bag and shove some clothes and other necessities into it. I walk over to my window and throw it open. I shove the bag through it and watch it fall to the ground, my backpack following suit. In turn I then climb out the window and grab the tree branch by it and climb down the tree. I pick up my stuff and head towards the mall.

I readjust the duffle bag in my hand as I enter Sonic Boom. "Hey Mike," I say.

"Hey Ally, you're early. Did you come to play the piano?" He says, not turning around.

"No."

Mike turns around seeing the state I'm currently in, "Oh, Ally, did something happen with your dad?"

"Yeah," I start my voice thickening as I'm on the verge of tears, "We got in a fight again, and uh, he was drunk, and um, he slapped me," Tears have finally started to flow down my face. I hate crying, I haven't cried since I was little, but it was bound to happen sometime. "Can I stay in the practice room for a couple of days."

"Not this time. You can stay at my house. It just got finished and we finished moving in," He says.

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you," I say gratefully.

"I'll always get my son to cover your shift if you're not feeling in the mood to work. I'll go get him. My wife and my son finally moved up here with me from California. They had to tie up a few things back there."

"It's fine I can still work, really," I protest.

"If you're sure, but I want you to meet him, he'll be your co-worker," Mike says heading towards the back of the store. He returns in a minute.

"Ally, I'd like you to meet my son," He says moving to reveal his son. Standing behind him is the only boy who bothered to talk to me and my new co-worker, Austin.