Guys, this is the longest chapter I've ever written, with a whopping 7,275 WORDS! Do you forgive me for taking so long to update? Hope so. But, when you guys read the end of this, you're really gonna hate me. Just sayin. Oh, and I know the chapter name is weird, but Piper plays kind of a big part in this chapter. Anywhoozles, who's excited for Teen Beach Movie? ME ME ME! The winner of my game was True Blue 5020, who is named Sydney in my disclaimer. And the prompt is also from her, and the prompt is... drumroll please... Me and Megan get in a fight over which is better: Auslly or Raura, and both couples come in and Laura and Ally start fighting about the same thing and Ross and Austin are just like *sigh* girls. Well, here we go! (Btw, I ship both couples equally as hard)
Maddie's Incredible Disclaimers: Part V
Me: *hanging with Megan in Sonic Boom* So, which is better, Auslly or Raura?
Megan: Totes Auslly, duh.
Me: Wrong answer. It's Raura. Obvi.
Megan: As if. Auslly is way better.
Me: Raura!
Megan: Auslly!
*Our friend Sydney walks in*
Sydney: What are you guys yelling about.
Me: RAURA!
Megan: AUSLLY!
Me: Sydney, tell Megan Raura is better.
Megan: Sydney, tell Maddie Auslly is better.
Sydney: I'M SO CONFLICTED!
To Be Continued
Piper
(Austin's P.O.V.)
I'm pretty sure Ally has done the impossible: she hates me more than she already did. Now, I guess I kind of deserve the hate, but can she really blame me? Piper made her talk about what about me was adorable, and she was obviously uncomfortable. Funny stuff if you ask me.
"Look, Ally, I'm sorry I laughed. It was a jerk thing to do, and I'm truly sorry. For everything," I try to apologize yet again, as I have been for the past two hours. She's sitting in her room, writing in her book. She managed to make her own fortress out of her pure hatred for me. Glad I could be of assistance. "I'm also sorry for how full of myself I am. You know how my dad never really believed in me up until now. I dunno, I just kinda used all the things he said that should've made me feel bad about myself to make me full of myself. I guess I'm overconfident because I promised myself that, no matter what, I'd prove him wrong." Ally still doesn't reply. I'm aching to see what's in that book, but I don't connect to her senses. I still respect her rules about her book.
I can't believe I only have two days left to find her and save her. I wish she would forgive Piper and ask her where they are so I can find them. I sigh. "I give up," I say. "You win. If you don't wanna talk to me, then that's fine. But, I'm not giving up on saving you. You're still my best friend, whether you like it or not." Now, it's her turn to sigh. She closes her book of secrets and song lyrics and walks downstairs.
"Ally!" Piper exclaims, getting up from the couch. "Sorry about earlier. It's just- Austin's been feeling pretty bad about you not talking to him, and I wanted to make him feel better."
"It's fi-wait how do you know about that?" Ally asks in confusion. I'm confused, too. How does she know about whatever this is? Piper laughs.
"How do you think that even happened? Someone had to give you guys the power to do that. Someone who has a fair amount of power herself. Someone who wants to help you guys."
"Oh. Well, now everything makes sense. Thanks for that, then," Ally says.
"No problem. By the way, I gave you guys the power so you could, I dunno, talk to each other. From what I've heard, all your conversations are pretty one-sided."
"Wait, can you hear me, Piper?" I ask the air.
"Yup," she replies.
"Finally, someone talks to me!" I exclaim. "If I could hug you, I would, but you know…"
"Yeah," she says.
"And thanks for trying to make me feel better. It totally worked. Funniest. Thing. Ever! But I think Ally hates me even more now," I say. I'm fully aware that Ally can hear me, but I don't care.
"No problem," she replies. "And all three of us know Ally doesn't hate you," she adds, giving a pointed glare at Ally, who's just been awkwardly standing there while Piper and I talk.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," I mutter. Piper just shrugs. I disconnect from Ally's senses as she walks to the movie room. She puts in Pitch Perfect and sits down to watch. She falls asleep within the first five minutes. Comedies never were her thing.
She suddenly appears next to me. She looks around, not quite sure where she is.
"Hi," I say, giving her a small wave. She turns, startled, and gives me a glare. Then, she walks away and sits on the couch. "Still nothing? Well, now you can see me. I have that to my advantage." I walk over and sit next to her, and she tries to get up to move. I gently grab her arms and pull her back down. "Listen, I've said I was sorry. For being a jerk and for laughing when you were in an uncomfortable situation. I've given you pickles. I've, once again, apologized countless times. There's nothing else I can do. We're best friends, Als. You've gotta forgive me. Plus, considering the circumstances, we need to work together, and that can't happen if you hate me." I give her my best puppy dog eyes. She sighs.
"I don't hate you," she mumbles. I grin and hug her.
"Good," I say, "because I wouldn't be able to live if you did." We pull away from the hug. "Friends again?" She gives me a small smile and nods slightly. I smile wider than I already am and give her another quick hug. "By the way, nice fortress you got there," I say, nodding at the thick, purple-black mist that is the solid barrier between me and her secrets. Though, I did read my file, which is all I really care about. Except the file didn't say whether she still likes me or not. That is some information I would die to know. "Is that what hate looks like?"
"I told you, Austin, I don't hate you. I actually have no idea what that is. But, I do know that it takes a lot of concentration to keep it standing and strong. How do you do this?" I shrug.
"It's not that hard for me." Suddenly, her face changes slightly; I recognize it as her 'idea face.'
"Piper is probably making it harder for me," she says. "She probably wants you to go looking and find all my secrets."
"No I don't," Piper says suddenly, appearing next to me. I scream loudly and very high-pitched.
"Gosh, Piper, don't do that!" I exclaim, a hand over my rapidly beating heart.
"Sorry," she says. "Anyway, it's only hard for you to keep up the fortress because you're trying too hard," she continues, talking to Ally now. "Once you've got it built, just relax and it'll stay. Austin doesn't even think about keeping it up. He's got plenty of other things on his mind." I blush. So Piper can read my thoughts? "Actually just one thing. But it occupies his whole brain."
"Yeah, so, uh, can we have some, like, best friend time? We just made up and all… Thanks for stopping by! Buh-bye!" I say to Piper, waving my hand and waiting for her to disappear.
"Gee, I feel so loved," she says sarcastically, but she disappears.
"So, got a lot of things on your mind lately?" Ally asks nonchalantly. I roll my eyes playfully. She's dying to know what this 'one thing' on my mind is. Like I'd tell her.
"Nice try, Dawson," I say. She smiles and shrugs. "So, what do you wanna do?" I ask. We both think for a moment. A folder of Ally's ideas appears on the desk.
"I can't think of anything," she says. I smirk and walk over to the desk.
"Or can you?" I open the folder and skim down the list. Almost everything has something to do with pickles. My eyes land on something that I swear said 'kiss,' but it disappears before I get a good look. It's probably my imagination. I think I'm driving myself crazy. I keep reading and I find something I want to do. "Let's play truth or dare!" I exclaim.
"I hate that game."
"You thought of it," I argue. She rolls her eyes.
"Fine," she agrees.
"Okay, truth or dare?" I ask, sitting down on the desk chair.
"Truth," she says. Wow, wasn't expecting her to say that. Note the sarcasm.
"What's my best quality?" I ask, a smile on my face.
"I'd rather not feed your ego, so-"
"Nope," I say, interrupting her. "No getting out of truth questions. Answer it or I get to read a page of your book." Her eyes widen.
"Harsh terms," she mumbles. "Fine, ummm… You're best quality is your… Hair," she decides.
"Wow, that's the last thing I thought you'd say."
"What? You heard me talking to Piper." I raise an eyebrow. "It's soft, okay?!" she yells, clearly getting frustrated and slightly embarrassed. I put my hands up in surrender. "Okay, your turn. Truth or dare?"
"Dare," I say smirking. She tries to think of a dare. Her eyebrows furrow and her nose crinkles slightly, but I notice and find it completely and utterly adorable. Snap out of it, the annoying voice in my head scolds me. You two broke up, remember? Ugh, he has a point.
"I dare you to… Uhhh…. Kiss… The wall!" Ally finally says. I raise an eyebrow. I do that a lot with her, I've realized.
"Did you just dare me to kiss the wall?"
"Yep, that's what I heard myself say," she says awkwardly.
"You're a strange one, Ally," I say, standing up and walking over to the wall. I peck it with my lips. "Happy?" I ask as I walk back and sit down. She nods contently. "Okay, truth or dare?"
"Truth!" I roll my eyes playfully.
"Fine, describe me with the first three words that pop into your head when you think of me."
"Are all your truth questions going to involve you?" I shrug. She sighs. "Okay, um, blonde, singer, and tall." I give her a glare.
"Those aren't the first three words."
"Too bad."
"Gimme your book."
"Fine, fine! First three words are… Cute, sweet, talented." I nod, happy with the answer.
"That's better," I remark.
"Anyway, truth or dare?" she asks.
"Truth," I say. I like mixing things up.
"Okay, uh, do you like anyone? Like, like-like," she asks.
"Yes," I say.
"Huh?" she asks, confused with my answer.
"You asked if I like anyone, not who," I tell her, smirking. "Truth or dare?"
"Tr-"
"Dare? Good choice!" I interrupt her.
"But-"
"I dare you to eat pancakes with pickles in them," I say, grinning.
"What? No, ew!"
"Book," I say, holding out my hand. She rolls her eyes.
"One, pancake," she says, holding out her hand. A pancake with little green spots on it appears in her hand. She plugs her nose and eats it. I laugh.
"That's my girl," I say as she swallows the last bite.
"Truth or dare?" she asks.
"Da-"
"Truth? Good choice!" she interrupts me, smirking. I playfully glare at her.
"So that's what that feels like."
"Who do you like-like?" she asks.
"Should've known that was coming," I mutter. "Do I have to tell you?"
"Yep. If you don't, I get to read a page of my file tomorrow," she says.
"Fine, I like… Piper!" I lie. As if I would tell her I still like her.
"What?!" she exclaims.
I don't like Piper, I like you, I think, hoping Piper understands. Surely she heard me, and hopefully she heard my correction. "What do you mean, 'what'?" I ask.
"I mean you've never even personally met her! How can you like her?" Is that jealousy in her voice? I pray to my wishing star that it is.
"Uh, it's not my turn anymore. I'm bored, and it's been a few hours. Maybe you should wake up. I mean, I like the company and all, but-" I stop talking when she disappears. Why couldn't I have just told her? I sigh. I've never been good with communicating my feelings. I should've just kissed her again. If she doesn't feel the same way, well we're both probably dead anyways. I connect to her senses as she walks to the living room.
"Hey, Piper," Ally said to the blonde.
"Hi, Ally. What's up?"
"Nothing much," she replies, sitting in the soft armchair to the right of the couch, where Piper is stretched out. "I was just wondering, where are we exactly?" Piper sits up.
"Okay, I'm technically not supposed to tell you, but all Grandma said was 'Don't tell Austin where the girl is.' I'm not telling Austin. I'm telling you. With Austin overhearing."
"So, where are we?"
"Right smack in the middle of the Shadow Realm. Horrible place, but the middle is like the eye of the storm. You can't get here unless you're a Shadow." I rush over to the safe where Ally locked up her controls. I think about how I'm going to open it, when it suddenly opens. I raise an eyebrow.
You wanted to say something? Ally says, mentally gesturing to the open safe. I grab the voice control.
"So, what you're saying is that I have to get to a place impossible for me to get to within the next two days?" I ask.
"Oh, don't worry, Austin," Piper says, "I think I have a way to help. I'm coming to visit when you wake up, 'kay?"
"Uh, okay," I say. Then, I put down the voice control and let Ally talk. She and Piper start talking about celebrities and bands.
"Team Edward or Team Jacob?" Piper asks.
"Team Edward, all the way," Ally replies immediately.
"Thank you!" Piper says, high-fiving Ally. "All of my friends like Jacob 'cause he has abs. I'm all like 'Taylor Lautner is hot and all, but Jacob is a jerk. Edward is so much better!"
"I know right? Oh my gosh, have you heard of R5?" Ally asks. (1)
"Yes! The boys in that band are, like, angels! And Rydel is, like, a princess!"
"I know, right? They're perfect."
"Hey, did you notice Ross looks exactly like Austin?" Piper asks.
"Yeah, how could I not notice? Like, literally, they could be twins," Ally replies.
"I know, right? So, who's your favorite boy in the band? Mine's Riker."
"How can I choose a favorite?" Ally wonders. "They're all so…"
"I know, I know. But if you had to choose, like if you were gonna die a painful death if you didn't, who would you choose?" Ally glares at Piper. "Right, sorry. Touchy subject. Anyway, just choose!"
"I dunno. Probably Ross. They're all perfect, but he's just… More perfect," Ally says dreamily.
"Fair enough," Piper says. "I'm just glad I'm living with one of my sisters. Imagine the horror if you or I weren't part of the R5 Family."
"I'd really rather not. Anyway, are you a Directioner?"
"Is Ross's favorite color yellow?" Ally laughs. I guess this Ross guy's favorite color is yellow. "Who's your favorite? Mine's Harry."
"Niall, by far," Ally says without hesitation.
"You've got a thing for blondes, don't you?" Piper says observantly. Ally shrugs.
"I guess, but it's not like I won't date a guy with brown hair. I mean, if Rocky or Ellington asked me out, I'd say yes before they finished speaking," Ally says nonchalantly.
"But what if Ross or Niall asked you out?" Piper asks.
"I'd faint," Ally says simply. "Then, I'd probably stop breathing, and they'd have to give me mouth-to-mouth. Not that I would mind." Piper laughs.
"Yup. Blonde is so your type. Who do you like better? Ross or Niall?" Piper says.
"Ross, why?" Ally replies.
"Niall's blue eyes or Ross's brown eyes?" Piper asks without answering Ally's question.
"Ross's brown eyes. Why are you asking me this?" Ally asks again.
"Because now I know that your type is tall blondes with brown eyes, A.K.A. Austin Moon," Piper replies. I can't help but smile at her discovery. I'm liking her more and more by the minute, despite the fact that she kidnapped Ally.
"What? No, I don't have a type. Remember, I said I wouldn't not date someone if they're short, or have dark hair, or don't have brown eyes. I just like guys like that. And either way, Austin is not my type." My grin turns into a frown. Well, that hurt. A lot. Like, imagine a bulldozer ripping out your insides, but you somehow survive that. Then, the bulldozer calls his friend, the velociraptor, and he chews off all your limbs. Then, the velociraptor calls his friend, the lion, and she rips out your eyes and tongue, and then they leave you in the desert with no food or water, so you painfully survive another few days before you die of thirst. Then, imagine that pain times a thousand, and it still doesn't even compare to what I'm feeling right now.
"Oh, please. Of course he's your type. You just don't want to admit it because he's in your head. Btw, you really should apologize. You hurt his feelings," Piper said. Ally stays silent, and so do I. If this is what Ally felt like when I said music was more important to me than her, then I'm about ready to punch myself in the face. With a hammer. "Wow, you can really feel the love," Piper says sarcastically before walking away.
Austin? Ally asks cautiously. She knows Piper's right, and she knows she's probably walking on thin ice. I don't reply. I'm not giving her the silent treatment, but she knows I'm here so she may as well just talk. I'm sorry. I understand how upset you are because, frankly, I felt the same way yesterday. But it was just a slip of the tongue, and I know you know it. You don't have to talk to me- I wouldn't talk to me either- but we still need to work together. You can hate me for the rest of our lives. We don't even have to be music partners anymore, but we need each other to survive at this point. So all I'm asking is for a truce, and once we both get out of this alive, you can go on being mad at me for what I said.
"Ally, I don't hate you, just as much as you don't hate me," I say. "I get that you didn't mean it, but even if you did, I shouldn't be upset by it. I mean, we broke up." I gulp and say the next part quickly. "It's not like there are any lingering feelings."
So you're not mad?
"Nope." She smiles in relief. I guess she either agrees with the whole 'no lingering feelings' thing, or she decided to ignore that part. I'm hoping for the latter.
You're the best, she says.
"I know," I reply. Ally chuckles and walks upstairs to Piper's room.
"Hey, Ally. Everything worked out between you and Austin?" Piper says upon Ally's entering the room.
"Mmhm. Now, we can get back down to business. Don't you just hate Rossians?" (2)
"Totally! They think it's just him! Everyone in R5 is equal people!" Piper exclaims, sitting up on her bed, where she was previously lying on her stomach.
"Right?! And what about R5ers who talk about 'Ratliff Lynch?'" Ally asks, using sarcastic air quotes.
"Nothing annoys me more. Like literally, I can't even begin to explain my frustration towards those people."
"You don't need to, girl. I'm right there with you."
"Anyway, what's your favorite song by them?" Piper asks.
"'Here Comes Forever.' What about you?" Ally replies.
"I like 'Loud,'" Piper says, "but all their songs are awesome."
"Totally," Ally agrees. "Omg, have you seen Ross's abs? Or his muscles?"
"What R5er hasn't?" Piper responds.
"Like, okay, I know he would never lie, but, like, those cannot be possible if he doesn't work out. Like, c'mon now."
"I know, right? He's like, so strong," Piper says, staring off into space dreamily.
"Mmhm. He's, like, so perfect, and, like, just…." Ally trails off.
"Hot?" Piper suggests.
"And gorgeous," Ally adds dreamily.
"You do realize that you're technically calling Austin gorgeous, hot, and perfect too, considering they're identical-looking, right?" Piper says suddenly. Okay, it's official. Piper is my favorite person in the entire world for pointing this out.
"Sorry, what? I kinda zoned out, there. Thinking about R5 does that to me," Ally says, blushing slightly. Piper playfully rolls her eyes and repeats herself. "Well, so are you!" Ally says childishly.
"I never said I wasn't, and I never denied that it was true. You're welcome, Austin," she says.
"Yeah? Well, I'm done with this conversation!" Ally says, once again being childish. She storms out of the room, but not before grabbing a magazine full of posters and articles of R5 and One Direction. I decide not to grill her about this whole 'calling Ross perfect is practically calling me perfect' thing because to be honest, I'm kind of confused by it. Ally walks to her room and plops down on her bed, opening to the first page of the magazine.
I'm gonna marry Ross someday, I hear inside her head.
"Am I invited to the wedding?" I joke.
"Did I just say that out loud?" she asks, blushing.
"No, but I heard it," I reply.
"Sorry, it's just that he's so….. Ugh, I can't even find the words! He's so sweet, talented, and, like, hotter than summer in the desert!" she exclaims. "Just look at him!" She holds a picture of him in front of her eyes, and I connect to her senses.
"Whoa, I'm in a magazine!" I exclaim when I see the picture. This must be some surprise she never told me about.
"That's not you," she says, a confused tone in her voice. "That's Ross."
"Are you sure? I swear I'm looking in a mirror. Is this, like, a prank or something?" I ask. I'm really confused right now.
"Am I laughing?" I sigh and shake my head. "Thought so. Anyway, can you blame me for being in love with him? I mean, do you see his eyes? They're like, gorgeous. They're chocolate brown with little flecks of green and gold in them. Gosh, what I would give to get lost in those eyes…" she trails off.
"Wait, hold on a sec," I say, disconnecting from her senses. I go and grab the file labeled Austin Moon and read from it. "I will now quote Ally Dawson's thought-file about Austin Moon. 'Austin Monica Moon: best friend, music partner, ex-boyfriend.'" I could almost swear she cringes slightly when I say 'ex-boyfriend.' I continue reading. "'Soft blonde hair; warm, chocolate brown eyes with little flecks of green and gold...'" I stop after reading that part and raise an eyebrow. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Als, but I think you already have gotten lost in those eyes many, many times."
"Psh, you two look nothing alike," she tries to say.
"Nice try, Ally, but you said so yourself: we could be twins. Face it, you think I'm 'perfect, gorgeous, and hotter than summer in the desert,'" I say, imitating her voice. "Oh, and you think I have great abs and muscles. Not that I'm disagreeing," I add cockily.
"So what if I do think that?" she asks, shrugging. "So does the entire female population." I smile. She thinks I'm perfect. And all those other things.
"True," is all I say. I try really hard to wipe the idiotic grin off my face, but I can't.
"Oh, quit smiling like an idiot," she says. "It's not that special." I shrug in not-quite-agreement, still smiling. "Now, are you ready to stop talking so I can read my magazine?"
"I guess," I say, finally forcing myself to stop smiling. I stay connected to her senses as she reads. She does a quiz called "Whose Type Are You?" The four R5 boys are lined up along the bottom, along with little paragraphs. She covers those with her hand. She goes through the quiz, and I can tell how honest she's being with her answers. She finally finishes the quiz and uncovers her hand to see whose type she is.
"Yes! I'm Ross's type! It's official, we're getting married!" she squeals. I chuckle at my best friend's excitement. "Apparently, Ross would think I'm sweet, talented, and undeniably adorable!"
"He's not the only one," I mutter.
"Hm?" she asks. Dang, she heard me.
"Nothing. I didn't say anything," I lie. She rolls her eyes, and I clutch my stomach. Luckily, I'm sort of getting used to the feeling, so I don't get as nauseas this time. Ally turns the page in the magazine and comes across a huge poster of Ross, and another, slightly smaller poster of R5. There's also a poster of One Direction that's the same size as the R5 poster. She quickly tears them out and tapes them on her bedroom wall.
"There, perfect," she says once she's finished. She steps back to survey her work.
"Ally, this is the creepiest thing I've ever seen," I say. She looks at the life-size poster of Ross and smiles.
"Only 'cause you're a guy," she argues.
"Not just that. There's also the fact that that guy who you're drooling over looks exactly like me!" I exclaim. "And that you have a six-foot tall poster of him hanging in your room!"
"I'm a fangirl. How is that creepy?" she wonders, genuinely confused.
"Oh, I dunno. Maybe it's just the thought that you basically have a giant poster of me taped to your wall," I say sarcastically.
"Austin, this is Ross, not you, remember? Just 'cause you two look alike, doesn't mean that whenever I look at pictures of him or anything, I'm seeing him as you. I see him as who he is, and he is Ross Lynch. Not Austin Moon." I roll my eyes.
"Whatever. It's still creepy. And he still looks exactly like me. And I'm still thoroughly convinced that you see the both of us when you see him," I say, tired of arguing.
"And I'm thoroughly convinced you would be the opposite of creeped out if I did see you when I saw him," she says, wanting to have the last say in the situation. I roll my eyes. Just because it's true, doesn't mean I have to tell her. Ally turns to the next page in the magazine. It shows a picture of that Ross guy and some girl.
"I think I just laid eyes on my future wife," I say when I see just how beautiful the girl is. She had wavy brown hair with blonde highlights. Her pale skin is flawless and her deep brown eyes are gorgeous. Just like the rest of her.
"That's Laura Marano," Ally says. She and Ross are really close friends, and a lot of people want them to date. Including me. They even have a couple name, 'Raura.' She and Ross are totally meant for each other, but they don't know it yet."
"So, what I'm getting out of this is that she's single?" I ask.
"For now. By the way, doesn't she remind you of someone?" she asks me.
"Yeah, I just can't put my finger on it," I reply. I know she looks like someone, I just can't pinpoint who.
"It's me, you doofus!" she exclaims.
"Are you sure?" I ask, focusing on Laura.
"I'm positive. Here, I'll go ask Piper." She walks to Pipers room and plops down on her bed. "Hey, Piper. You know Laura Marano?"
"You mean Ross's soul mate? Yeah, I know her. Why?"
"Doesn't she look exactly like me?"
"Does Ross look like Austin? Duh!" Piper replies.
Told you, Ally says in her head. I shrug.
"Well then you're both gorgeous," I say. I feel the heat rise to her cheeks, considering I'm still connected to her senses. She mumbles a 'thanks' and continues back to her room. Why'd I say that? I'm not her boyfriend! I'm her best friend. I can compliment her, but I can't do it like that! What was I thinking? I sigh.
Finally, Ally finishes her magazine and sighs. "I wish I had someone as perfect for me as Ross and Laura."
"I thought that magazine was about One Direction, too," I say. All I saw was R5.
"There was one page on One Direction," she says.
"Oh. Well anyway, I'm sure your perfect guy is out there somewhere," I say sincerely. Of course, by somewhere, I mean in her head. Or am I dreaming and I'm actually at home asleep? Well, wherever I am is where her perfect guy is, in my opinion.
"Is he? What if I've already met my perfect guy, but I don't even know?" Is she saying what I think she's saying?
"What do you mean?" I ask, wanting her to elaborate.
"Like, what if he's one of my friends? Like Elliot, for example. What if he's the one I'm meant to be with, but none of us know it?" she wonders.
"Elliot is not the right guy for you," I say, my teeth clenched. Gosh, that guy waltzed in and took my Ally from me. That's not okay. I'm Ally's main guy. No one else. No ifs, ands, or buts.
"How do you know?" she asks. I shrug.
"Best friend's instinct. And that instinct is also telling me that the perfect guy is closer than you think," I reply.
"Well, I hope that instinct is right."
"It is."
"So, what do you wanna do?" Ally asks.
"I dunno. We could write a new song," I suggest.
"Great idea!" she exclaims. She runs to the giant music room and sits down at the baby grand. "So, what should it be about?" I shrug. We lapse into silence as we think of things to write a song about. "Love song?" she suggests.
"Please no," I say. I'm tired of thinking about love.
"How about another 'Not a Love Song' song?" I suggest. "Like, anti-love song?"
"I like that idea!" she says. "I think everyone needs a nice break from love," she pauses, "songs," she adds.
"So, how should it start?" I ask, encouraging her to start the creative ideas flowing.
"I've had such a horrible week," she sings. I shrug.
"That doesn't sound right. How about 'I've had a really really stupid week,'" I suggest, singing the same notes she just sang.
"I think we've almost got it," she says. What a polite way to say my lyrics sucked. "What if we try 'I've had a really really messed up week?'" she sings again.
"Perfect!" I say. Then, an idea comes to me. "Seven days of torture, seven days of bitter," I sing.
"Awesome!" she exclaims, more excited than usual about writing songs. "So, what next?"
"And my girlfriend went and cheated on me?" I suggest. She nods.
"She's a California dime, but it's time for me to quit her," she adds. We pause to think of more lyrics.
"La, la, la," I sing, getting a nice tune in my head. I start thinking about what lyrics I could put to those three notes.
"Whatever," she says.
"Excuse me?" I ask, slightly appalled.
"For the song," she explains. Then, she continues singing. "La, la, la." She thinks for a moment. "It doesn't matter," she sings, nodding and smiling. "La, la, la."
"Oh well," I say, catching on. "La, la, la," I sing one last time, for good measure. Ally grins.
"One sec, let me go grab my book!" she says, getting up and running to her bedroom. I take this chance to adjust the headphones in my ears. The left one has been bothering me for hours. Ally runs back to her room, book in hand. She sits back down at the piano and scribbles the lyrics in her book. Then, she plays some music to go with the lyrics.
"That sounds great," I remark.
"Thanks," she says as she writes down the last note. "'Kay. So, now we need a chorus." We sit there, thinking. Well, she sits there.
"We're going at it tonight, tonight," I sing suddenly. She grins and writes down the lyrics, playing the piano afterwards. She writes down the notes.
"There's a party at the nightclub, havin' some fun," she sings. I shake my head.
"The notes are good, but the lyrics don't fit," I explain. "How about 'There's a party on the rooftop, top of the world.'" She nods.
"Yeah, that sounds better." She writes down the lyrics. "We should repeat the 'tonight, tonight' part." I nod, and she writes the notes and lyrics. "And we're dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign," she sings.
"Yeah, that's good," I say. "I don't know if I'll make it, but watch how good I'll fake it," I sing.
"That's good, but proper grammar would be to say 'watch how well I'll fake it,'" she says.
"But it's a song. Songs don't have good grammar," I argue. She sighs, but she still writes down the notes and lyrics.
"It's alright, alright, tonight, tonight," she sings to end the chorus. "Okay, it's really late, and I'm exhausted. Let's work on it later," she says, closing her book.
"Okay. I guess I'll see you in an hour." With that, I wake up.
By the time Ally gets in my head, I'm already sitting on the counter in Sonic Boom, talking to Trish and Dez. Trish is working Ally's shift, and I picked up Dez on my way here.
Hey, Austin, she says, appearing at the desk in my head.
"Hi," I reply, forgetting I'm in public. I get a bunch of weird stares from customers.
"Uh, we got past the greetings, like, twenty minutes ago," Dez says. Ally laughs.
"Sorry, Ally just got here," I explain.
"Oh, hey Ally!" Dez says perkily.
"You hangin' in there, girly?" Trish asks.
Yeah, she says.
"She says yes," I tell Trish. "And you have some customers." I point to the line behind her. She quickly turns around and helps them all.
Wait, Trish is actually good at her job? Pinch me, Ally jokes. I chuckle.
"So, Trish, when's your shift over?" I ask.
"Right now," she replies as soon as she helps the last customer. "Mini's for lunch?"
"It's already lunch time?" I ask.
"Dude, you got here at eleven thirty," Dez says.
"Oh," I say. Wow, I was with Ally longer than I thought. I guess that whole schedule thing isn't really working out. "Well, what are we waiting for? There's a stack of mini pancakes calling my name." We walk together to Mini's after Trish closes the store.
"So, anything new on Ally's location?" Trish asks once we're all seated with our food.
"Actually, yeah," I say. I know they weren't expecting that answer.
"So, you gonna tell us or what, Blondie?" Trish says impatiently.
"Calm down," I say. "So, Ally asked Piper where they were, and Piper said they were in the middle of the Shadow Realm. But only Shadows can get there."
"That place sounds awful," Trish says.
"No, actually it's really nice. Like the eye of the storm."
"Oh."
"Back to the subject at hand," Dez says, going into 'smart mode,' "how can you get there if only Shadows can go?"
"Piper said she had some way to help. She's supposed to be visiting today," I reply. Just as I finish saying that, a black dust cloud appears beside me. The dust clears and Piper becomes visible. She sneezes a couple times.
"Gosh, I hate doing that," she says, shaking her head. "But I needed to go fast so whatever. Anyway, hey guys!" She waves cheerily, finally acknowledging us.
"I don't believe we've met," Trish says through clenched teeth. She's mad at Piper for kidnapping her best friend. Who wouldn't be?
"Oh, right. Well, I'm Piper, and you're Trish, right? Ally mentions you a lot in her diary. But not as much as Austin," she whispers that last part, but it was still audible.
"Piper! Don't you know you're never supposed to touch Ally's book?" Trish shouts.
"Well, yeah, but I had a seven hour trip back. What do you think I could do to entertain myself?" Trish rolls her eyes at the blonde girl.
"I'm Dez!" Dez suddenly says.
"I know," she says. She sounds kinda creepy when she says that, but she's a Shadow. Everything about them is creepy.
"Wait a minute. Back up. How many times did Ally mention me in her book, exactly?" I ask Piper, thoroughly interested about this topic. Piper grins somewhat creepily.
"Oh, please. I didn't see a page without your name on it since the day you two met! Whether it was 'ugh, Austin's so annoying,' or 'Austin looked good in that shirt he wore today,' or even if it's just a doodle of your name, you're in there. It's kinda hilarious, actually," she replies. That's when Ally explodes.
I'M RIGHT HERE, YOU KNOW! she screams.
"Oops. Forgot Ally's still here," I say sheepishly.
"Oh, me, too," Piper says, using the same tone I did.
"So, she just heard that whole conversation about her book?" Trish asks, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Uh huh," I say. "And she's mad."
I don't think mad is the right word. Try infuriated, indignant, or even enraged.
"Okay, scratch that. She wants to kill all of us," I correct myself.
"But I wasn't even in on the conversation!" Dez whines.
"And I told Piper she wasn't supposed to touch her book!" Trish complains.
You know what? They're right. I just wanna murder you two, Ally says. I can feel her glare, and I'm actually scared for my life. Is it possible Ally could kill me from inside my head?
"No," Piper replies, reading my thoughts.
"Piper, stop doing that!" I shout, annoyed.
"Well, sorry. Grouchy," she says.
"Well, my best friend hates me for the second time within twenty-four hours for something that time within twenty-four hours for something that you brought up. And I don't know if she'll forgive me this time. Getting information from her book without permission is unforgivable. Even if a blonde monster told you," I snap. Piper's blue eyes fill with tears and I immediately regret what I said. My face softens. "Piper, I-"
"No. I'm glad to know that you can be honest with me," she spits as tears begin to roll down her face. "I don't even know why I'm helping you." She turns and runs away. Trish glares at me and shakes her head.
"Wow, you have a gift for making girls feel special," Dez says sarcastically. I ignore him and run after Piper.
"Piper! Piper, wait!" I shout when I spot her running through the mall. She looks back once and turns into a blur. I guess Shadows have super speed.
Ally, what do I do? I ask desperately.
I dunno. Why don't you consult my book? she says sarcastically.
Okay, I didn't actually read it! I whine.
But you asked Piper about what was in it when you knew she knew, so that's close enough.
And do you hear me saying anything about what she told me?
Well, no, but-
But you know I'm thinking it? You know that somewhere in that fortress there's a file folder filled with ways to make fun of you? Ally, you wrote that you thought I looked good in some shirt I wore. You think I'm gonna come up with a bunch of witty comments about that? I'm not that shallow! And you know it! Why do you always think that every time you say something about me being good looking, or me being a good kisser, or my eyes being dreamy, or whatever, I'm gonna make fun of you? She shrugs. Tell me something: how many times have I told you that you look beautiful?
A lot, she mumbles.
Even before we were dating? She nods. Was I ever embarrassed about it?
I guess not, but you blushed deeper the first few times, she says, unsure of where I'm going with this.
Was I ever embarrassed to tell you that your eyes are more beautiful than the sunset? She shakes her head. Was I ever embarrassed to tell you that I'd rather play with your hair than play an instrument? She shakes her head again, and I hardly notice her blush. Was I ever embarrassed to tell you that kissing you is better than performing on stage? She shakes her head for a third time. Then why are you so embarrassed when I hear a compliment from you?
I don't know, she mumbles. But she does know. She just doesn't want to tell me. I give up. Let her be embarrassed every time she says something nice about me.
Where do you think Piper is? I ask.
Try Sonic Boom, she suggests. I run to the music store and find Piper on the bench inside. I take out the key to the store Ally gave me- not quite sure why- and go inside. I cautiously sit down next to the crying girl.
"Hey," I say. She sniffles in response. "Look, Piper, I'm sorry about what I said."
"You really think I'm a monster?" she asks, sitting up to look at me. "I told you, I didn't want to kidnap Ally. But my parents are dead, and I live with my grandma. Austin, she killed my parents. Shadows may be bad creatures, but she is truly evil. She killed them because they loved each other. She didn't want my mom to marry my dad, but she did, secretly.
"Then, they had me. For seven years, we were fine. But then she found us. They died in front of me, Austin. She melted my own parents in front of me when I was seven. Then, she never let me out of her sight, and I was too scared to do anything but what she said. I still am. Sarah's the monster, Austin. Not me."
"I know that," I said. "It's just, all this Ally drama has me pretty irritable lately. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I just don't want my best friend mad at me again, when we just made up, not twenty-four hours ago."
"I understand," she says, sniffling again. She wipes her tears. "I guess I'd feel the same way, if I had a best friend."
"Wait, you don't have a best friend?" I ask, surprised. Ally is surprised, too.
"You four are the closest people I have to friends. Grandma never let me out of the house until she sent me to take Ally. You know, she may say she cares about your relationship, but she's just messing with you. She always does that to people. She gives them an impossible mission, and kills them when they fail. It's like a sick game to her," Piper says, disgusted.
"I figured as much. And as for the friends part, we are your friends, Piper. I was just a jerky friend, and I'm sorry."
"S'okay," she says. I hug her. I forgot that when you peel away her Shadow powers, she's just a teenage girl with feelings that can be hurt. She acts strong, but they all do. She's fragile on the inside, more fragile than most. Her past is horrible, her present is horrible, and her future doesn't look much different. She hugs back tightly.
When we pull away, we lock eyes. Blue meets brown. I feel Ally's eyes widen and she quickly disconnects from my senses. What's making her act like that? My question is soon answered when I feel a pair of lips on mine.
My first thought: What the heck?! Is Piper kissing me? My second thought: Yes. She is. And oddly enough, I don't entirely mind it. I mean, it's not like kissing Ally, but I'm not disgusted as I would be with other girls. I find myself kissing her back. She's the first to pull away. I'm still slightly in shock.
"What just happened?" I ask, panting slightly.
She kissed you, dimwit, Ally says. I ignore her.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I just- We were- I mean," Piper stutters. Then, she disappears in a puff of smoke.
Go on, voice you're hate. I DARE YOU! TELL ME HOW MUCH YOU WANT SARAH TO MELT ME FOR DOING THIS TO YOU! I WANNA KNOW HOW MY STORY PLAYS WITH YOUR EMOTIONS, if it plays with your emotions. Does it? Gosh, guys, I'm sorry, but I HAD to! The idea was calling my name! I'm sorry! But I still want you to review... Okay, so new game. If you LOVED THE CHAPTER (setting the little twist aside) put SUPER CEREAL in a review. If you thought the chapter was okay (setting the twist aside) put COOL CARROTS in a review. If you HATED the chapter (SETTING THE TWIST ASIDE!) put PURPLE PUMPKINS in a review. So, yeah! Thanks for reading and please review! Love you all more than Disneyland!
~Maddie :)
1) Sorry, I had to. :)
2) Don't be offended by this. I love all of you. I just needed something to get them mad about. I don't hate any of you, I promise! I don't hate anyone!
Maddie's Incredible Disclaimers: Part V Continued
Me: I'll do my disclaimer if you take my side.
Sydney: DEAL! RAURA IS BETTER!
Me: I don't own Austin and Ally or "Tonight Tonight," or anything else that isn't mine.
*Ross, Laura, Austin, and Ally walk in*
Laura: Whoa, what's all the fighting about?
Megan: Raura and Auslly.
Ally: Ohhhh. Auslly is way better.
Megan: Thank you!
Laura: Ohhhh no! Raura is the BEST!
*Me and Sydney cheer and high-five*
Me, Sydney, and Laura: RAURA!
Megan and Ally: AUSLLY!
Me, Sydney, and Laura: RAURA!
Megan and Ally: AUSLLY!
*We continue until we're just skeletons with great hair like in those TV shows*
*Ross and Austin look at each other and shake their heads*
Ross and Austin: *sigh* Girls...
The End