Chapter 5
"So, is ignoring me a thing now?" I confronted, shuffling my feet as I avoided looking at the blonde boy who'd jumped, unaware of my presence having entered the room.
"I-uh-Ally, I didn't know you came in," he was suddenly scrambling papers and trying to hide them, but he knew his defeat and decided to cover the sheets of paper with his palms.
"You didn't answer my question," I pressed, finally feeling a spark of maturity ignite within me as I looked into his brown eyes. He shook his head.
"Ignoring you? Why would I ignore you?" he questioned.
"You tell me," I countered.
"I haven't been ignoring you," he assured me. I knew I would get no where with my accusations (although they were true, he was ignoring me) so I dropped them and instead decided to hen peck him about something else.
"What's this?" I questioned, a smirk curling on my lips as I reached for a sheet of paper.
"No!" he shouted, snatching all of the papers and sliding them off the piano. They scattered along the floor. He kicked and swiped his feet at the papers, not caring if he'd even ripped some.
"Austin Monica-"
He firmly and distractedly interrupted, "Don't call me by my full name, only my friends can do that."
If his goal was to catch me off guard with his statement, he succeeded. I froze in place as I looked at him to see if he was kidding around, but he wouldn't look in my eyes but I know he felt how tense the air grew.
I shook off his bluntness and grabbed a paper. He tried to grab it from me but I twisted my body and walked the other way. My eyes grazed along the paper before I turned around and looked at him, a smile curling on my lips. "Austin, are you trying to write lyrics?"
He sighed in defeat, "I lucked out once, I thought I could do it again."
I stared at him for a second, before my eyes roamed the page again. "I like your effort," I nodded. Austin looked at me alarmed.
"What? No insults, mockery, judgment?" he quizzed me, raising a brow.
"Thought you'd know me better than that, Austin," I scolded him, but my tone was teasing. He didn't even go for a smile, not even slightly. "I'm glad you're trying."
"No, you're not," he replied, sulking.
"How would you know?" I countered, "Unless you've grown an ability to read minds while I was away?" He rolled his eyes at me, snatching the paper.
"I wasn't finished with it. I don't know how you can just write a whole bunch of lyrics in fifteen minutes, it doesn't make sense." Austin said, picking up every fallen sheet that was on the floor.
"That's only happened a couple of wild times," I informed him, "Sometimes it takes me two days, depends on the song. Don't give up."
"Let's face it, Ally, I'm never gonna be able to write songs the way you can. I can't beat you," he said. I felt the smile that was on my lips slowly fade. I swallowed thickly, taking a step back as I folded my arms.
"I didn't know we were having a competition," I smiled tightly, wondering if he saw the anger that was blazing fiery inferno in my gaze. He stopped what he was doing and looked at me. He didn't say anything, he just went back to collecting the papers and shoving them carelessly inside my bag. Why would he do that? Now they'll just get crumpled! The perfectionist side of me screamed, but I kept my mouth shut.
It turns out, I'm not very good at keeping my mouth shut. "Is that really what this was about?"
"What are you talking about, Ally?" Austin sighed, wearily.
"I'm talking about this," I gestured to around me. I didn't even know what I was talking about myself. "I mean, you've been ignoring me since Entertainment Night at Sonic Boom and then suddenly you're writing lyrics and going on about beating me as if there is some sort of rivalry happening here." Austin didn't reply, heck, he didn't even glance at me. "Didn't know you were so jealous."
"I'm not jealous," he barked at me, looking as if I'd just slapped him across the face. Might as well have, considering his ruthless behavior.
"Then what are you doing?" I questioned him, gesturing towards his bag where the unfinished horrible songs were written. When he didn't respond, I continued, "Look, I didn't come here to fight or start some sort of rivalry between us, I'm here to write an album and then get the hell out of here, and if that's not good enough for you, I don't know what is," I snapped, my veins pulsing with boiling blood.
I turned around, the twist so fast that wind carried through my hair. I was on my way out, when Austin suddenly blurted, "I'm not jealous, we're not in competition, and I know you're only here to write a stupid album." I glanced over my shoulder at him. "Let's write a song right now, get it over with it. The faster, the better."
He talked as if I was a waste of time, like he had something better to do. To spite him, I smirked and softly said: "No." Then I walked off, my heels clicking against the floor.
[PAGE BREAK]
And I stare at the phone,
He still hasn't called
And then you feel so low you can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when he said forever and always
Oh, and it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always
My pen was snatched from my hand. "Do you mind?" my demanding best friend reprimanded, sending me a look. That's when I remembered she was in the middle of talking about her fight with Dez before I rudely tuned her out to write lyrics.
"Sorry," I grimaced. "You were saying?"
"When did I lose you?" she moaned at me.
I giggled slightly embarrassed, "Um...Right after he drank your smoothie?"
"Ally!" she howled at me, "That's the whole point of the story! You weren't listening at all?" I gave her a shrug and apologetic look. She sighed and shoved a fry inside her mouth. "Why do I bother?" she mumbled.
"I'm sorry, Trish," I let sincerity hang loosely in my voice, "It's just Austin and I need songs and I want to get them done faster."
"I'm fine with that, but stop tuning me out every time I try to talk to you," I was surprised when her tone was suddenly angry. I felt really bad.
"Sorry, sorry," I said, closing my notebook with my pen inside and sliding it towards her instead. "I'll listen."
"Will you?" she questioned. She shook her head. "It doesn't matter, I need to get back to work." she slipped into her work vest and didn't cast me a last glance as she walked away. I was about to call out, but she was too far already so I let my deep breath end in a sigh.
"Having troubles?"
That voice. I know that voice. Where have I heard it before? I turned my head and there stood an attractive looking Dallas.
"Dallas?" I gawked, "Hi. What are you doing here? Well, I guess you live here, that was a stupid question."
"Hey, look who's forming sentences," he teased, flashing an award-winning smile but as I saw it I realized it didn't win my heart over - not anymore, not the way it used to.
I forced laughter, "Yeah, I remember those stuttering days. That girl is long gone."
"That's too bad, I thought it was cute," he told me, taking a seat. He went to grab the notebook, but I snatched it away. He lifted his hands in defense. "Whoa."
"Sorry," I grimaced, "Confidential." He laughed at me.
"You've...grown," he said, his eyes grazing my body. I felt uncomfortable but I didn't say anything, I only smiled.
"Yeah...Age does that to ya," I joked with a fake giggle. I cleared my throat. It sounded far too fake. I need to work on that.
"So, how've you been?" he questioned me, looking so happy to see me. I didn't know why because we never had a thing, so it's not like there was anything to look back on besides the days when I'd walk by the cell phone accessory cart more than necessary to get his attention. It never happened though. Not until now.
"I've been good," I smiled, giving off a small laugh. I felt mildly awkward, but he looked comfortable.
"Can I say I already knew that, Miss World-Wide," he grinned at me. I smiled slightly.
"Right, ha-ha," I said. This was not enjoyable, but I'd take it over sitting lonely at this beach table. "So, what brings you over here?"
"I, uh, I saw you leave Sonic Boom. Thought I'd come chat," his grin only got wider and my awkwardness only grew bigger. I left Sonic Boom and met Trish. We sat here for about twenty minutes before she actually left. That means... Dallas followed me here, watched me with Trish, and then walked over to talk to me. Should I hire a body guard?
"Oh!" I said, too much enthusiasm in my voice than I'd have liked. He nodded.
"What do you say I take you out tomorrow night?" he asked hopefully.
"Tomorrow?" My mouth gapped open. "Dallas, I don't mean to be rude, but we hardly know each other."
"Isn't that the point of going out somewhere? To talk and get to know each other?" he questioned.
"Well...Yeah...But-"
"Then I'm picking you up at 7! Thanks, Ally!" Then he bolted. I stared at his disappearing figure longingly, But I never said yes...! My mind echoed. Welp, guess I'm gonna have to sleep on it.
I grabbed my notebook and stared at the lyrics. I sighed, rubbing my face and closed the book. I wasn't even feeling these words anymore. Way to go, Dallas.
[PAGE BREAK]
"Dallas? You mean kind-eyed Dallas?" Trish asked me, staring at me with wide eyes. It seems Trish wasn't all that mad, she got over it because soon enough it was eight P.M. and she called me to come home (A.K.A her place) and hang out.
"Ugh, yes," I grumbled.
Trish failed to see my misery, "I'm happy for you! This is what you've always wanted!"
"No!" I blurted, staring at her in disbelief, "I've always wanted my name written in the stars, not being asked out by a fraud!"
Trish glanced at me. "Since when was Dallas a fraud?"
"Since he never noticed me until I was Miss World-Wide," I shuddered slightly. Trish didn't understand my quote but I shook it off and didn't bother explaining.
"So, you feel that he is using you?"
I jumped at the sound of Dez's voice as he walked lazily into the living room. "Holy-" I grabbed my chest where my heart was, attempting to calm the fast thumping. "Dez, what the heck?!"
"Trish invited me. Did you tell her, Trish? She doesn't look like she knows," he said, jumping onto the couch and slinging an arm around her shoulder.
"No, Dez. No, I did not tell her," Trish said, slowly looking down. I studied the two of them. Direct body contact, he is touching her shoulder and she's not even squirming! They're not...
"Dez, Trish, please don't tell me-"
"Look, things change, people change, feelings change," Trish started.
"We're getting married." Dez said bluntly. My eyes enlarged but I felt my nerves calm when Trish grabbed a pillow and smacked him in the stomach with it. "Ow!"
"So, you're not-"
"Going out? Yes. Married? Definite no." Trish confirmed. I leapt up from the couch, suddenly feeling like my throat was running dry and my lungs were being squeezed.
"Wow," I breathed deeply, "Ok. Didn't see that one. Like, ever." I scrubbed my fingers through my hair. "I'm, uh, I think I need some air."
The new couple nodded and as I started walking away I heard their faint voices. "Way to go, Dez, now she's never gonna talk to us again." "These things take time." "Are you sure? Because I think you just destroyed my best friend." "Moments pass."
I couldn't help myself from giving out a light chuckle at the conversation. I never would have thought. I stepped outside onto the balcony and let the fresh air flow into my lungs. I took deep breaths and leaned over the railing. The city lights were beautiful, burning into my mind. I missed Miami. L.A is nice, but Miami is home. I turned around and looked at the view inside. They were actually laughing together, laughing, I know I'm scared, too.
"I wish we were like that," Austin looked at me longingly after we stared at Trish and Dez. I agreed but I didn't have time to be sentimental about it because Austin suddenly grabbed my head. "Brain suck!" he tried to copy them but I smacked his hand away. He gave me an apologetic look and soft smile. I shook my head.
I shook my head at the small memory that I had forgotten about until now. That's when I found myself still staring at them. If I had never left, would Austin and I have worked it out? Would we be like them right now? Speaking of Austin, I wonder what he's doing. Austin and I are in a huge conflict, but ever since I got here, I started thinking about him again. It's driving me nuts. I've almost thought about calling him, but I never do. The almost always turns into a never. Sighing, I turned back to look at the view.
And it was just looking out at the skyline that suddenly had lyrics pulsing in my brain. I dug around in my pockets and found an unused napkin (only God knows why I put an unused napkin there) and I was lucky enough to find a pen on a small table, probably left there by Trish. She usually comes out here to do her calligraphy.
Frantically, I scribble down the words. "I bet this time of night you're still up/ I bet you're tired from a long, hard week/ I bet you're sitting in your chair by the window looking out at the city/ I bet sometimes you wonder about me.
"And I just wanna tell you/ it takes everything in me not to call you/ And I wish I could run to you/ and I hope you know every time I don't / i almost do/ i almost do."
"Ally?" Trish said, poking her head outside. "We won't be weird, I promise. Come on in." she said, "it's getting cold. It's going to rain."
"Right. Okay. I think I've gotten enough air anyways," I smiled at her, shoving what I'd just written into my pocket and walking inside with her. Trish kept her promise, her and Dez weren't at all weird. In fact, I admired their relationship, they didn't change at all. They still fought like they hated each other and they teased each other a lot, smacked each other, the only thing I noticed was different was the look in their eyes. I wondered why Austin and I couldn't have been like that, why did we change? Why did we think we had to change to be a couple? Wait. I'm not really looking back on this, am I? We were seventeen for crying out loud! I shook my head and focused on our game of Monopoly.
[PAGE BREAK]
"Did you know?" I thundered, glaring at Austin. He rose his eye brows and looked at me questioningly.
"Did I know what?" he focused on throwing together some chords on his guitar.
"Don't play stupid! About Trish and Dez!" I exclaimed.
"What about them?" he questioned again. My jaw dropped. The nerve he has.
"Their relationship! What else?!" I threw my hands in the air.
"Ally, Did you sleep last night?" he asked, his words were slightly muffled due to him holding his guitar pick in his mouth as he kept his undivided attention on his guitar.
"What? Yes! Yes I did! But Trish and Dez...They...I can't believe it..." I shook my head, my voice breathless from shock. My whole body was tolling from the affects so I decided to lay flat on my back and stare at the ceiling. I felt Austin's eyes on me. I glanced over at him and saw his questioning gaze. "They didn't..." I gasped, sitting upright suddenly, ignoring my head rush. "They didn't tell you!"
He took his guitar pick from his mouth and strummed a chord. "Tell me what?" Oh my gosh, he really didn't know.
"Trish and Dez are dating!"
Laughter. All I heard was laughter. "Good one, Ally," he said, shaking his head. "Now, come on, show me that song."
"No. No, Austin, I'm serious. I can't believe they didn't tell you. They told me last night. They're dating. Dating. I know, I couldn't believe it either." I babbled on about last night and Austin stared at me.
"You're serious?" he quizzed.
"Very."
"They're dating?" he asked again.
"Gaaah," I grunted in frustration, "Yes, Austin, pay attention!"
"Wow."
"You're taking this well." I told him, looking scared. "What is wrong with you?"
"Well, I've had some time to think about this-"
"-You've had two minutes."
"Same thing."
"No, it's not-"
"I mean, I'm shocked but they did have a connection over the summer. We all went on a road trip. It was fun and they sort of argued a lot but they did seem kind of different near the end of the trip. It must've happened then." He shrugged and went back to focusing on his guitar. Trip? Oh. Right. The trip I wasn't invited to. The trip they took Austin on instead of me.
"So, you noticed their differences?" I questioned.
"Well, Yeah." he nodded.
"But at the airport...they didn't seem different," I said, frowning in concentration as I focused on my memory.
"Well, it's hit and miss, I guess," he shrugged. "You wouldn't know. You haven't been here." And just like that, he wrecked the only time we were actually talking like we were still friends. He didn't notice though, because he looked at me and asked, "How about this?" he strummed. I was mad that it was perfect, because I wanted to be rude to him again for wrecking a small moment between us.
"I like that," I finally blurted. He got used to the sound and the chords and then I sang him the song, to which he enjoyed and we did the norm - adjustments, lyrical changes, etc.
He strummed his guitar, singing the chorus as I watched him. That was when I realized it.
He got more attractive.