Chapter 18

The flight to New York was long. It didn't seem as long when she was on her way to LA. But maybe it's because her heart is broken. Trish was sitting next to her and she was unusually quiet for her. Ally tried to take a nap on the plane, anything that could get her to stop thinking about Austin, but every time she tried all she could see was his face. And every time she did she could feel the bile rise up in her throat. Ally had never seen a human being look so broken and lost as she did when Austin spilled how he was really feeling. Just the thought of how he really felt about himself was just it almost brought Ally to her knees. She knew that he felt guilty for his actions but she never knew how far deep it ran.

The Austin that was in front of her in that hotel room in LA, crying and saying how worthless he felt that wasn't the boy that she remembered him to be. She was just amazed how far they fallen in such a small amount of time.

Had it only been 72 hours since they made love? Since they thought everything was going to work out for them?

She knows she shouldn't be angry, Austin was honest with her. Which is what she wanted and she was glad that he was. But why did it always seem to be so hard for them to be together?

Why couldn't they be the ones to find happily ever after for once? She knew Austin loved her; He made that abundantly clear before she left. And she loves him but why did it always seem that they were always apart? They were technically together for no more than 24 hours when everything went to hell.

She knows she shouldn't feel this way, I mean compared to what Austin is going through, this was nothing. He told her that they weren't over that this was just a small delay to their future. He just needed time in for him to find peace for his actions. Austin needed to learn how to truly forgive himself and to know that he is worthy of being loved.

Ally still couldn't believe that he felt that way about himself. She couldn't help but feel that she was too selfish to know that Austin was in this much pain. She was caught up in the euphoria of her reunion with Austin that she didn't really sense that anything was wrong.

How could she be like that?

It is ironic how she was so worried that it would be Austin to hurt her when she flew out to LA. But it ended up being her that caused him pain. She has no clue why she had to say what she said to him. Ally knows that Austin wouldn't just use her for Sex. But she made that off the cuff comment to him anyway. She really did mean it as a joke. But it ended up causing nothing but damage.

The look in his eyes and the way he carried himself broke her heart into a million pieces. When Austin looked at her and told her all that he was feeling about himself, he looked like a little boy who lost his favorite toy on Christmas. The tears and the self-loathing that he felt were so over whelming it was truly astonishing that he carried it around all this time.

Why couldn't see look deeper and see what was wrong?

She should have known better. How could she have been so foolish to think that everything was cleared up in a matter of hours? There were years of hurt between them and did she really think that everything would be alright with just a matter of a few loving words and touches. She gave in to her wants and made love to Austin and even though she didn't regret it at the time, all she could think about now was it a mistake? Maybe it was too soon for them to be anything but friends.

But she couldn't help but deny it with all she had. She wouldn't trade it for the world to have been so close to him. It was everything that she had ever wanted for him her and Austin. She just hoped it didn't cause any permanent damage to Austin. He has enough to work out for himself. She really didn't want to add anymore to his troubles.

Ally could feel the plane starting to arrive on arrival on the runway. She was back in New York. But she couldn't feel anything when she wasn't with Austin. She is glad that Trish is going to be staying with her. So it will be nice to have a friend with her in New York.

But she couldn't help but wish that she and Trish were back in Miami with Austin and Dez. Being together again was an amazing experience back in LA. And she knew Austin would have a hard time in Miami with his parents not speaking to him. Plus despite what he said about not caring that he was no longer a huge music sensation. Going back to the hometown where he got started as a rise to fame would be rough. Going back with No record Deal, his career all but in ashes. That will probably hurt as well.

The Plane touched down and was reaching the gate. She knows she should be excited that she is finally back here to finish her schooling, but she's not. Not really not when she could be in Miami.

Trish looks at her best friend. As much as she gave Austin a hard time, she has to give him credit where credit is due. He realized that he hasn't completely healed for a relationship and he let Ally go. It takes real courage to do that. It was that moment that made Trish realizes that maybe they are getting the old Austin Moon back.

Ally gives Trish a smile and Trish smiles back. Trish knows how much this is killing her best friend. Despite all the warnings Trish gave Ally, She fell in love with Austin, and she fell for him hard. Ally is the kind of person that is kind generous and just a very fun and loving person. After all she has forgiven Trish for so many things. And Trish loves her for it.

So she knows that more than anything that Ally would prefer to be with Austin in Miami, that she would sacrifice her dream to go help him. And Austin knew that, which is why he let her go.

This also happens to be why Trish is on her way to New York. Austin had asked if she was willing to go to New York to Keep Ally Company. Like she would have ever said no. But it made Trish finally realize that Austin was truly sorry for ever hurting Ally and Trish couldn't lie. It was a sight to see that her old friend was coming back and being the Austin that they all knew. And Trish saw the way Austin looked. He did truly look so broken and in despair. It made Trish feel guilty for how she was treating him. That was part of the reason why she decided to go; it was to help Austin feel better to know that Ally wouldn't be alone in the big Apple anymore.

She couldn't help it she felt bad that her two friends always seem to have had a rough time of getting into a relationship. Even when they were just friends, Trish knew that someday they would become something more. You could feel the love those two had for each other.

So she was going to be here with her best friend to make sure she goes through with her dream. Not just for her, but to make Austin not have gone through with this for nothing.

It has been eight hours since he last saw her. The ache in his chest was getting deeper with each minute that went buy. He knows he made the right choice in letting Ally go back to MUNY without him. But it still hurt to think that they are going to have to be apart for a while. But Austin was glad that Trish went with her. Austin knew that Ally would probably come racing back for him. And Austin had already caused Ally enough. He was not going to be responsible for her not finishing her schooling.

It was time Austin Moon stopped being selfish. It was time to put the girl he fell for such a long time ago first. Plus also he had to figure how to fix what was broken inside of him on his own. At least for right now.

So while Trish and Ally were in New York, Dez and I are in Miami. We have been back for a few hours already and it feels weird.

The last time I was in this town, I was a rising internet sensation leaving for a record deal and becoming a huge star. Now I am back in this town broke, broken and no career. A huge failure.

I couldn't even hold on to the dream that I have had since I was a small child. I threw it all away because I felt that it would always be there for me. I took it for granted like I did everything else in my life.

I mean I was the Austin Moon I could do whatever I wanted and still be loved. Well obviously that didn't work out. So in three years I managed to kill two dreams of mine. I sure was impressive huh.

So what do you think he would do? Austin is walking around the Miami Mall where he knows like the back of his hand. This was his second home when he was a teen. The memories continue to come back as he walks by Mini's and he can remember the last meal Team Austin had there. Dez had stolen Ally's pizza and so she was looking at my plate and before she could I grabbed it and shoved it in my mouth. Ally gave a look of disgust. And then she laughed.

It was a good day. There is the ice cream parlor were they gotten arrested at for supposedly stealing ice cream. And to his right was where they waited in line for the newest my tab.

Everywhere he looks he could find a memory of his time with his friends. A melancholy feeling washed over him. There was nothing more than he wanted right now then to turn back time. Austin continues to walk around the mall, hoping for anything that these memories can help him feel better. To remember a time that he wasn't always a loser. That he respected his body and respected girls. The Austin back then would be so ashamed of the man that he became.

Austin sighs. Having enough he turned to walk and go back to Dez's car, that is when he sees it.

Sonic Boom.

Now that place was his home when he was a teenager. A smile creeps on his face for the first time since arriving back in Miami. The memories of him and Ally sitting up in the practice room creating magic together. Or the times Trish would come in and say whatever job she gotten that day. Or when He and Dez would play instrument dominos.

This was his home. He would do anything to be able to go back to it. Austin walked closer to the front of the store, like a moth to a flame. Desperate to feel anything like he used to. Sonic Boom represented what was great about his life. Hid Friends that he had. They always had each other's back no matter what. If he closes his eyes he can still hear the many afternoons of laughter that they all shared here.

The lights are off; he really can't see anything inside. But it doesn't matter. He can remember everything perfectly. The paint of the outside was faded and chipped and the doors are a bit dusty. But this was a place that will always represent the time that he was the happiest. Austin stands there lost in memories for a few more minutes. He touches the door one more time and as he is about to turn and leave, he sees something that tugs at his heart.

A For Sale Sign. Sonic Boom was closed and put up for sale.

And just as that the good memories ended up with such a non-pleasant one.

When did Mr. Dawson close shop? And why didn't any of the others mention it? Austin starts to wonder why. But it wasn't like he asked. Austin just assumed that it would always be here.

Another thing he took for granted.

Austin looked around, now since he isn't caught up in the past, he can tell that it has been a while since these doors were open. Did Mr. Dawson still live here? Austin could always remember how much pride Mr. Dawson and Ally had in this store. It was their lively hood. He couldn't imagine Miami without Sonic Boom. Hell he couldn't imagine Team Austin without it.

He couldn't imagine someone else having the store. It just didn't feel right. But what can he do? There was really no one stopping the sale from happening. Austin sighs and looks one last time and he turns around. Like everything else he touched, Sonic Boom is nothing but a memory.

Austin heads back to the car and before he gets in. Takes one last look at the mall. So many memories here, Good and Bad. But they were his and they may be the only thing he has left. Getting in the car, Austin starts it and heads back to the Apartment he and Dez are sharing.

Austin couldn't help but think that he is glad that this day is over with.