AUSTIN'S POINT OF VIEW
I wake up in a hospital room. It's chilly and dark. It's very quiet. I only hear the faint murmur of machines. But they're not connected to me, I realize. Actually, nothing is connected to me. Maybe I'm just resting.
Am I dreaming?
I try to find the origin of the sound and I look in the direction of the window. I see a bed with someone in it. I can't tell who it is because it's so dark.
Suddenly I remember what happened. It comes in flashes. Ally... fainting... hospital... fears... caterpillar... kiss... movies... Dez... leg... hospital... sleeping... caterpillar... songs... Sonic Boom... robbery... Trent... police... escape... Ally... kidnapped... interview... Panther Beat... Ally... sick... me... Trent... fighting... fainting... Ally... I love Ally...
I remember that Ally was sick and tired and really skinny. She was so fragile. I remember beating Trent up and getting beat up. Just then I feel pain radiating from my face, almost like a reminder that I didn't walk away unharmed. It doesn't matter. Ally is safe. I realize that the person in the bed parallel to mine is Ally. She's hooked up to the machines I hear. Luckily, nothing unrecognizable, so I know she's stable.
I peer around the side tables for any means of communication to the nurses. Nothing.
Oh, yeah, I think to myself. I can just leave the room.
I find my way in the dark to the door and quietly exit. Oh no! I exclaim to myself. I freak out, thinking that I'm wearing a hospital gown outside in the hall way, but look down and see my jeans and undershirt. My button-up must be in the room. Whatever.
I make my way down the hall.
I'm stopped by a nurse. "Who are you," she demands.
"Erh, Austin Moon," I reply. "I'm a patient, but I couldn't find anyone when I woke up and I didn't want to disturb Ally."
She sighs. "This way," she says, directing me back down the hall I just came from. "Have a seat in here and I'll send someone in." She opens the door to reveal a waiting area and I see my mom and dad, as well as Mr. Dawson.
"Austin!" they exclaim unanimously.
My mom jumps up to hug me. "Oh, baby," she says. "I'm so proud of you."
"For what?" I ask, confused.
"For being so brave and caring. Ally is lucky to have you." She kisses my cheek and head probably a thousand times.
"Mom," I squirm. "I'm fine. And thanks."
"You be good to her, okay?" My dad says.
I nod. "Of course, Dad."
"I'm glad you're okay, son."
I'm then wrapped up in another hug, but this time the pressure hurts my cheek and eye. I flinch. They back up immediately.
"Erh," Mr. Dawson cuts in. "Did you see Ally?"
"Yeah, we were put in the same room." I rub my cheek.
"Is she okay?"
"All I know is that she isn't hooked up to any questionable machines." I laugh. "She's fine."
Mr. Dawson laughs and sighs simultaneously. "Thanks."
I nod and sit down in between my parents.
ALLY'S POINT OF VIEW
I'm having a dream. But for once it isn't a bad one.
It's good.
I love it.
I couldn't even describe other than perfect.
There are palm trees everywhere. Very faint breeze combing through my hair. I'm on a beach. The send sifting through my toes. I'm wearing a gorgeous dress. It's white and down to my knees. It's made of pure silk and floats in the breeze. The air smells of sea salt and coconuts. Gentle waves caress my feet at the shore. Everything is so tranquil and beautiful.
I hear the faint laughs of children and the faint crash of waves. I suddenly feel the delicate drops of an oncoming rain shower hitting my skin. The air is warm and the rain is cool.
The rain picks up and I'm suddenly getting soaked and the dress is clinging to my body. I've never felt more blissful.
A hand grabs mine from behind and I look up to see Austin, eyes gleaming. He has the most genuine smile. Our fingers intertwine and he holds up our hands so we can both see. I'm suddenly aware of our matching rings. I realize we're married. He takes my other hand and pulls me close. I'm wrapped up in his warm hug, only hearing our breaths, the rain and the sea. We stand like that for an eternity.
Suddenly my dream changes scenery and we're still on that beautiful beach, but we're running to a magnificent beach house complete with floor-to-roof windows overlooking the beach itself. It's an off-white colour with log cabin look. Actually, it's the house I've always dreamed of having since I was a little girl.
Austin opens the door for me and I go inside, immediately awestruck by the interior. The house was full of beautiful furniture and decor. The living room had a pale colour palette with sky blues and tans and whites. Most distinctively, right above the couch (which looked incredibly soft), hanging on the wall was a framed canvas of Austin's records, each a different colour, resembling a rainbow.
We sit on the couch and I snuggle up to him. I soon fall asleep, and I, in turn, wake up in the real world.
The first person I see is Austin, hovering over my bed, smiling at me.
He leans down and kisses me.
