Chapter 6
"I don't like it," Austin voices out, his eyes running along the song I'd written before giving me a pointed look. My mouth parts slightly, my thoughts gathering a bundle of shock.
"You don't what?!"
Austin always likes my songs. Except for that one time when we were fifteen, but that's not the point! "I don't like the song," he repeats, having a nonchalant air vibrating around him as he sat on the piano bench.
"Why?" I asked him, my mouth still gapped open, "What's wrong with it?"
"It's your song, that's what's wrong with it." he informs me. I arch my eye brows.
"So, now you have a thing against my writing?" I questioned him, ghastly. He chuckled slightly and shook his head, that calmed me slightly.
"No, no, your writing is fine," he assured me, "but this song is totally off topic."
"You said life's complications, love is a complication. What's wrong with it?" There was an irritated note in my voice. My patience was running low.
"Well, it's too...I don't know, but it doesn't fit with our album. It sounds like something you'd write on your own album." he finally elaborates. I frowned. I was really fond of this song. I re-read the lyrics, I bit my cheek.
"How about this one?" I reached into my bag and handed him a finished song, music notes and everything. He looked at me, his eyes enlarging with shock.
"Well, you work fast," he mumbles under his breath but I still heard him. He shakes his head. "How about we just write songs together? That way I can direct you to how I want the song to sound."
"Direct me?!" My blood started to boil. He nodded. "You can't direct me to do anything! It's music! You told me to write and I did!"
"And we agreed I was to do the music notes!"
"You didn't have a problem with me writing music notes on The Last Time!" I argued, "You can't just tell me you don't like the song because you didn't write the music to it," I folded my arms, getting quite furious now.
"That's not why I don't like it," he replied, "I don't like the context. It's too...it's too much Ally Dawson and not enough Austin AND Ally."
I felt immaturity seep low into my belly, "Why can't it be Ally and Austin?" I heard him let out a low, irritated growl.
"Because it's Austin and Ally!" he snapped. "That's the name of the album, there, said and done. You can't change it. Now we're going to write a new song together and we're both going to like it. We're not using those songs. If you like them so much keep them as your own, but they are not going on the album."
"Why do you get to make the decisions?" I questioned, clenching my fists.
"I've been famous longer, I know what I'm doing." His conceit was really starting to make my skin itch.
"I've been writing longer," I bit back. He rolled his eyes at me and shook his head. "Why can't you just let this one on the album?" I questioned, gesturing to the second song. "I liked that one."
"Like I said, if you like it so much, put it on your own album not this one." His tone sounded final and I felt that an argument would be unnecessary - Who am I kidding? There's already an argument.
"Ugh," I grunted miserably. I thought I saw his lips twitch into a victorious smirk but when I glanced at him again, his lips were straight. I grabbed my dignity and turned around.
"Where are you going?" he questioned suddenly, "we have work to do!"
"Work can wait!" Never thought I'd say that. "I have a date!" The words spilled from my lips before I could stop myself. Date? Oh, right, the one that I didn't actually agree to. Oh well, it was a good way to blow off steam.
I glanced back at him and saw his stunned face. "A date?"
Rolling my eyes, I ground my teeth. "Yes, Austin. A date."
"With who?" he asked, seemingly unconvinced. I wanted to throttle him now.
"Dallas," I grumbled.
"Dallas?!" his lips twitched as if he was about to burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" I questioned him.
"You're still after him?" he inquired quizzically. I didn't want to mention that I didn't exactly agree to the date so I nodded.
"Is there a problem?" I rose a perfectly trimmed eye brow. He shook his head, but his quiet laughter echoed in my head. Why was it so hilarious to him?
"That's really pathetic," he suddenly blurted. I think I felt something tug on my heart but before I could agree that it was hurt, I rolled my eyes at him.
"Not as pathetic as your career," I spat, immaturely.
"You need to get better at come backs," he cackled. Finally done with him, I clenched my fists until my finger nails dug in my palms and marched off. I think he shouted a cocky insult to my "date", but anger was pulsing through my veins so loudly that I didn't hear a word.
[PAGE BREAK]
Testing, testing, I'm just suggesting,
You and I might not be the best thing,
Exit, exit, somehow I guessed it right, right,
But I still want you, want you,
Don't mean to taunt you, If you leave now,
I'll come back and haunt you,
You'll remember, return to sender now, now
"Ally? Ally, you alright?"
I forced myself to finally look up at the voice who was talking way too much. I saw him staring back at me, his full attention on my apathetic attitude. "Hm? Yeah, Yeah I'm fine. Um, Sorry," I took my napkin that now had words scrawled all over it in a messy manner and stuck it on my lap, ignoring the words that were still running through my mind. See, if this was Austin, I would have had no problem writing a song in front of him, because he knows better than to disrupt me when I have a song in mind. In fact, he never minded when I'd write a song wherever and whenever.
"Is that a song?" Dallas suddenly questioned excitedly. I swallowed hard and pursed my lips.
"Yes, Sorry. Won't happen again. How rude of me." I replied.
"No, no!" his voice rose in pitch, "It's fine. By all means, write your music. I don't mind. Really." I stared at him for a little longer than necessary. He continued, "I think it's cool that you write your own music, ya know? You writing about me?"
Are you kidding me? "Alright, don't think too much of yourself," I teased him, making sure there was a light smile on my face. He grinned back at me. Little did he know I wasn't kidding.
"Well, are you going to continue? I don't mind," he assured him, sinking back into his seat with a smile on his face. Shouldn't his cheeks be aching by now from all that smiling?
"No, I'll finish when I get home," I told him, putting a forkful of mashed potatoes in my mouth. He nodded. Before I knew it, Dallas divulged into a story about him and his ex. I pretended to listen as he told explicit details of their fight and how it all ended - he threw in a couple times that it would make a great song if I ever felt inclined to write about it, I only smiled and pretended not to hate his guts right now. I never pictured him to be the shallow type. I was wrong, obviously.
Before he got too far into his next story about how he saved his neighbors cat, I cleared my throat, "Um, Dallas, I'll be back in a moment. I'm not feeling that great."
"Oh, Alright. Can I have the rest of your steak?" he questioned as I got out from our booth. I looked back at him and slowly nodded before grabbing my things and walking to the Ladies Room.
I burst through the door and leaned over the sink, dropping my head. "Holy crap," I grumbled under my breath. My mind was pulsing from all of that babbling he'd done. I took a deep breath and looked up, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
I took a step back and smoothed out the wrinkles on my fancy, black shirt. I picked at a few loose strands of my hair and attempted to find their place somewhere in my messy bun. I was dreading going back. Suddenly, my gaze landed on the open window.
"You're not that kinda of girl, you are not that kind of girl," I chanted to myself over and over again. I started to nibble on my bottom lip when I suddenly looked around the bathroom. Empty, perfect. "Just this once," I whispered and crawled carefully onto the sink.
I squatted carefully and leaped over to the window, hooking my arms on the ledge. I gasped as I hoisted myself up and snuck out the window. I looked around at the ground and found the dumpster right next to the window. I stepped onto it and let myself on the ground. I glanced around before I took off down the street.
[PAGE BREAK]
I walked through the door and saw Dez and Trish on the floor, playing Go Fish. I stared at them for a moment. That's when Trish saw me and looked at me. "Ally!" Dez then turned around and looked at me. "You're back quick."
"I ditched," I muttered shamefully.
"Ally Dawson!" The couple scolded in unison.
"Please, you have to understand! I was suffocating!" I complained, "he just talked and talked and talked and talked-"
"-Remind you of anyone?"
I looked over and saw Austin coming out of the kitchen, smirking as he sipped his water. I looked back at Trish and Dez for an explanation. "You were out," Trish murmured softly, shrugging her shoulders and avoiding my eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I snapped at the blonde boy as I started taking out the pins and hair bands from my hair, allowing my brown mane to flow at my shoulders in soft waves.
"Last I checked, this was my friend's house, too," he replied stiffly.
"Well, leave," I demanded, pointing at the door.
"No," he argued, "You can leave."
"I'm living here," I glared at him.
"Then I guess we're both at a loss," he countered. I rolled my eyes and didn't bother to reply. I stepped inside my room and shut the door. "Don't pout!" I heard him holler and then I heard Trish scolding him. I ignored both of them.
Reaching into my purse, I pulled out the napkin. The words got a little smeared but I could make them out again. I grabbed loose leaf and scribbled down the words again. I reached to my left and grabbed my guitar.
I got comfortable in my position, cradling the guitar and placing the loose leaf and pen in front of me. I started strumming the guitar, picking out the melody I liked best and writing down the music notes. I added more lyrics until I had completed the second verse and chorus.
"Thought we agreed to write the songs together," I suddenly heard Austin's voice. I stopped playing immediately and looked over at him. I rolled my eyes at him for the one hundredth time that day when I suddenly heard him mutter, "I like that one."
"Oh, do you now?" I barked. He sighed and shut the door.
"Ally, I'm sorry, but the other songs just...didn't sound right for the album," he told me. I looked up at him and saw the look in his eyes. He was not going to be easily persuaded so I let it go. He held out his hand for the guitar but I frowned at him.
"No, this is my guitar," I pouted, gesturing to the guitar's neck which had been personalized with my name written in fancy lettering. I heard soft laughter play from his throat and I pretended not to love the sound of it. He leaned against the wall. When I glanced at him, he motioned for me to go on. "I'm not writing with you standing there eyeing me like a hawk."
"Hasn't bothered you before," he said. Did he just imply that he watches me write?
"Austin," I give him a look.
"Oh, come on, it's not like I'm gonna laugh," he said.
"No, but you criticize and your presence irks me," I told him, staring down at the loose leaf and scribbling down a few new lyrics that popped in my mind.
"I won't even say anything until you're finished," he promised. I glanced at him before shaking my head and then writing again. I felt the bed dip with his weight when he laid down on the bed. For a moment, it felt like old times when he'd come over and just listen to me write songs all night. I shook it off and continued on silently.
"Done," I said, tossing down the pencil after a little more than half an hour. I glanced over at him and saw him already staring up at me.
"Sing it to me," he demanded. I rolled my eyes and nodded. I turned slightly so I was facing him and my fingers found their place and I began to play.
"Testing, testing, I'm just suggesting
You and I might not be the best thing
Exit, exit, somehow I guessed it right, right
But I still want ya, want ya, don't mean to taunt ya
If you leave now, I'll come back and haunt ya
You'll remember, return to sender now, now
Well I just wish we could go back one more time and begin it
Back before I lost myself somewhere, somewhere in it
We've been stuck now, so long, we just got the start wrong
One more last try, Imma get the ending right
You can't stop this, and I must insist
That you haven't had enough
You haven't had enough
Stuck now, so long, we just got the start wrong
No more last place, you better get your story straight
You can't stop this, and I must insist
That you haven't had enough
You haven't had enough
I still, need ya, need ya, don't mean to tease ya
If ya want me, I'll come back and meet ya
Whisper, whisper, you must admit you want it
You, you want it
Well I just wish we could go back one more time and begin it
Back before I lost myself somewhere, somewhere in it
We've been stuck now, so long, we just got the start wrong
One more last try, Imma get the ending right
You can't stop this, and I must insist
That you haven't had enough
You haven't had enough
Stuck now, so long, we just got the start wrong
No more last place, you better get your story straight
You can't stop this, and I must insist
That you haven't had enough
You haven't had enough
Don't you need it?
Don't you want this at all?
(Testing, testing, I'm just suggesting)
Don't you need it?
Don't you want this at all?
(Testing, testing, I'm just suggesting)
Stuck now, so long, we just got the start wrong
One more last try, Imma get the ending right (You and I)
You can't stop this, and I must insist
That you haven't had enough (You haven't had enough)
That you haven't had enough (You haven't had enough)
Stuck now, so long,
We just got the start wrong
No more last place, (Another place) You better get your story straight
You can't stop this (Don't you need it?)
And I must insist
That you haven't had enough (Don't you want this all)
That you haven't had enough
Testing, Testing, I'm just suggesting
You and I might just be the best thing."
"That sounded great," he said sincerely.
"Are you sure?" I asked him impatiently, "Because by all means, re-write the music."
He sighed, rolling his eyes, "I'm sorry, is that what you want to hear?"
"That was exactly what I wanted to hear," I replied contently and put my guitar down. "Now get out of my room."
"Ally."
"Kidding," I managed a grin.
"Now, tell me, what was wrong with Dallas?" he asked, his smile teasing.
"He talked a lot. About himself. And he tried to convince me to write a song about him and his ex," I explained and for a moment I thought Austin looked mad but he looked away from me for a moment so I couldn't read into his gaze.
"What a jerk," he mumbled.
"That was to be expected, wasn't it?" I asked him. Austin glances over at me curiously. "You know, people using me because I'm famous now? They want me to write about them."
Austin sat up straight and I think we were about to have a heart-to-heart. "Do you really think that?" he asked, concern hinted in his voice. I avoided eye contact and nodded.
"Well, Yeah. I can't just come back and expect everything to be the same. It'll never be," I replied, honestly. Austin stared at me for some time. That's when I realized what I'd said: I can't just come back and expect everything to be same. I cleared my throat and pretended not to notice how much my "words of wisdom" had applied to mine and Austin's relationship.
"Austin, Ally, great song!" I heard Trish from the other side of the door and we both chuckled. "Now come out here and let's act like the happy groupie we're not!" We laughed once more and got up from the bed.
Austin was in front of me as he opened the door. He stopped suddenly and looked at me, "Never be the same?" I looked up at him, "You never know." Then he walked forward, leaving me thinking over what had just happened.
[Trish's POV]
"Don't pout!" Austin shouted towards my best friend who shut the door extra loudly to prove her resentment towards him.
"Austin," I scolded, "leave the poor girl alone." I watched him chuckle as he sipped on his water again and putting it down on the table.
"Would you like to join an intense game of Go Fish?" offered Dez thoughtfully. Austin gave him a look.
"Why would I want to play Go Fish? It's for kids," he replied. Dez gasped melodramatically.
"It is not for kids! Could any kid get a high score of 460 points? I think not!" Dez announced. It fell silent when Austin and I stared at him.
"Don't ever tell anybody that again. Like, ever," I told my red-headed boyfriend, shaking my head. Dez grumbled under his breath but I couldn't catch what he was saying because the muffled sound of a guitar's melody caught our ears.
I watched Austin's head crane towards the sound. The melody switched a couple times before resting on a specific one. I could tell Austin liked the sound because his body language got perkier. "Is she writing another song?" Dez grunted.
"Dez!" I un-crossed my legs to kick him. He sent me a dark look. "It's Ally, of course she's going to write a song after a terrible date." Austin looked back at us.
"Does she write every night?" Austin suddenly questioned sounding interested.
"Well, duh, it's Ally," Dez shook his head, "You used to be her closest friend next to Trish, you should know this." Austin sent Dez a look to which he'd missed because he was busy making a decision with his cards.
That's when the beautiful sound of Ally's voice protruded the sound of Dez's out loud thinking. I smirked when Austin's body language changed even more. He'd told me that earlier they had a disagreement on two songs, but now I could tell he liked this song a whole lot better.
Austin seemed hesitant but I watched him finally shuffle towards her door. I grinned at Dez who grinned back at me. Nobody was Team Austin & Ally more than the two of us. The sound of Ally's guitar grew louder when Austin opened the door and let himself into her room.
I waited until the door was closed to blurt out, "Do you think they'll ever realize that they are meant for each other?"
"They didn't see it then, doubt they'd see it now," Dez replied distractedly, "Got any eight's?"
"Go Fish," I replied quickly, "Maybe we should do something. I mean, she seems sad all the time - or lonely. She needs somebody. That somebody should be Austin."
"Well, You've come to the right person," Dez smirked at me, "I happen to be-
"The Love Whisperer, yeah, you've told me before," I interjected, "Do something then!"
"Well, as a professional, I prefer not to get too involved in my clients relationships." Dez responded. "If it's true love, they'll know, they'll find a way, and they'll make it work."
"Hm, for an odd red-headed boy who's had one girlfriend for just a few days, you sure have wisdom." I told him as he smiled proudly. "So, we shouldn't get involved?"
"Oh, we're going to get involved," he smirks widely at me and I return the smirk. "But we're going to make it subtle. They'll never even know we medaled at all."
"Ah, I like your thinking," I fist pounded him, "what do you suggest we do?"
"Well, our two conflicted friends have...well, a conflict...we need to somehow get them to spend endless hours together until they will have no choice but to get along." Dez elaborates.
"But they're already writing an album together, what more could we do?" I questioned my boyfriend.
"Exactly, they're writing music. But what usually happens when you're writing an album together?" he queried sinisterly.
I felt my lips split into a wide grin, "Interviews...Meet & Greets...Photo shoots...!" I listed, "Dez, this is perfect! They'll have no choice but be together! This could work! They'll have to talk about their past at one point!" Dez nodded victoriously.
"We need to start Operation Get Dallas Out of The Way," Dez added.
"Why? He's going no where with Ally. She ditched on the date," I told him, confused.
"Yes, but, Ally happens to have a change of heart a lot, right? She could change her mind and decide she's in love with this surfer boy," Dez replied. I dropped my cards and nodded.
"You're right," I said quietly, "What should we do?"
"We'll figure it out tomorrow when our lab-rats aren't in the house," Dez nodded towards the door which was muffling great music.
"Lab rats?" I looked at him oddly. He shrugged. I shook my head. "Whatever. What do you say we spend time with our two best friends? We haven't done that in forever."
"They'll start fighting again," Dez sighed wearily.
"Then let 'em fight! Sooner or later they'll have to man up and grow up." I said. Dez nodded. "Austin, Ally, great song! Now come out here and let's act like the happy groupie we're not!"
"Ready to start medaling?" Dez questioned.
I smirked, "I was born ready!"