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Ally's POV

I had tried to make it away from school without any casualties, but like always, something had to go wrong.

I accidentally dropped my book in the grass, and before I could lean down and pick it up, the other books in my hands were torn out of my grasp. I looked up to the two guys who had thrown the books on the ground. Luke and Logan, I could have guessed.

Why do they keep doing this to me? Is it seriously that fun just to try to humiliate me in front of everyone?

This time was somehow worse, or at least felt like it. Honestly, I think it is because they reminded me of Austin. They were friends with him after all. I couldn't stand it, thinking of Austin.

They even started going through my purse. Mainly there was just make up and lotion in there, but I knew there was a problem. My songbook is in there. If any of them read that, I may actually die. By now, there was quite a crowd, watching the nerdy, dorky, lame girl being picked on by the popular boys.

No one stopped them.

Well, except for when they finally pulled my songbook out of my purse, and almost opened it, someone grabbed it from Logan's hands. It was Austin.

"Care to do the honor Austin?"

I looked up at him, knowing he could see the hurt and betrayal in my eyes. I really thought he would read it. I mean, he had always wanted to know what I had written in my book, now he had complete access to it. Of course he would read it.

"No. No I wouldn't." What?

I honestly didn't hear much of the rest of the situation. I saw Austin punch Luke in the nose, and Luke, Logan, and the crowd of gawkers finally left.

Austin Moon...just...just...saved me, kind of? He didn't read my book? He punched his friend in the nose...for me?

What is going on?

Austin helped me to my feet. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. Austin handed me my book, and a rush of graditude went through me. However, I just accepted it and said "Thank you."

I really didn't know what to do, so I just walked away. Dez had already helped pick up my books and makeup lying all over the ground, so I was able to just walk away.

About a minute later, I could hear footsteps running up to me. Crap. Please don't be Austin, please don't be Austin.

It was Dez.

He walked by me in silence, all the way to Sonic Boom. I walked up the stairs to my practice room, and he still followed. When I shut the door behind us, he finally spoke.

"Ally, are you really okay?"

"I'm fine Dez, I'm just an easy target."

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me I'm fine, thanks to you guys."

"No need to thank me, Austin did all the work."

He's right, well sort of. Dez did help me pick everything up that had scattered, but Austin is the one who stopped the boys. I just don't get it. "But, why?"

"Do you really not understand?"

"I really don't. Dez, why does Austin care so much?"

He grabbed my hand, it was totally in a friend way, like I could tell we both knew there was nothing romantic in this touch. "Ally, you are a beautiful, sweet, and nice girl. Why wouldn't he care?"

I smiled at his words, but I wasn't completely convinced. "I still don't understand. I mean, I'm just Ally."

"That's not a bad thing."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. Here, let me tell you something. I met Austin, just a few hours before I met you. He was sitting on the beach, just staring into the horizon. He looked so upset, which is what made me talk to him. He said he was glum because there was this girl, who just refused to talk to him. He said he wanted to get to know the girl, figure her out, because he had had so much fun working on a project with her. He said, that he thought she was afraid he was making fun of her, but he wasn't. He legitimately wants to get to know this girl, be friends with her. I'm assuming you know the girl he speaks of."

I gave him a look, that said, "Obviously."

"Ally, you should give Austin a chance. He really likes you."

He likes me? "As in as a friend?"

"Well yeah, but I think he likes you more than that. I've never seen a guy act like that unless he really liked a girl."

Hmm. "You think I should talk to him?"

"Ally, its your choice. Just know, that Austin's a good guy, and he doesn't want to hurt you."

"I know that."

"Good. So, are you really okay?"

I smiled, actually feeling a lot better now. "Yeah, I really am. Thanks Dez."

"Of course, so are you going to talk to him?"

"Um, I might. I need to think about it."

"Understandable. Now, I understand if you won't, but Austin was telling me that you have a voice like none other, care to sing for me?"

I laughed. Dez was so sweet, how could I say no? I wasn't even afraid to, which is surprising. I knew Dez wouldn't make fun of me, and even if I sucked, he would tell me everything was alright.

So, I walked to the piano, and I played the first song that came to mind. It was a song I had written some time ago, about living life to the fullest. It wasn't a fast song, and it also wasn't too slow. It was one of my favorites that I had ever written actually.

When I was finished, Dez applauded for me. "That was great Ally."

"Really?"

He laughed. "Yes, you're amazing. No wonder Austin likes you."

Hmm...and we're back to Austin.

"I can't believe I actually did that. I have horrible stage fright, but I don't know, I felt like I could."

"Well, you did amazing. Seriously, you're really talented."

Just then, Dez's phone beeped, indicating he had gotten a text message. "Sweet! Oh, I have to go Ally. My parents need me, they found some things on the beach that they think came from a sea serpent several thousand years ago. I'll see you tomorrow!"

He ran out of the room, and down the stairs. What? Oh well, that's just Dez.

Dez is right though, I should talk to Austin. I mean, he showed me today, by helping me out, and not reading my book, that he really does care. I should just, put my chin up, square my shoulders, and talk to him.

Wait, Dez thinks Austin LIKES me. Um, what? There's nothing special about me, he wouldn't LIKE me. Not like that, anyway. Maybe we could be friends, but I'd be foolish to expect anything more. The thought of Austin liking me, I don't know, I couldn't stop the smile from forming on my face. I mean, come on, Austin is undeniably cute, and he seems sweet, and he's really fun to be around, when he's not being a jerk.

Oh what am I saying. I DO NOT like Austin. I can't. He doesn't like me, I shouldn't pretend to think otherwise. I knocked the smile off my face.

We could be friends. Yeah, we could do that. I just need to talk to him

I can do that. Yeah.