ALLY
April 28th, 2015
11:15
I could be focusing on a song right now. I could be focusing on Sonic Boom, homework, or even talking to Trish right now. I could be sitting at my piano, practicing for a couple concerts I know I had coming up this summer.
But no; I was currently face to face with a certain tall, red headed boy that had his hands elbow deep in a pot of chili.
I honestly have no idea how I got in this position. Dez walked in about having a great idea for a new video, and now there is a giant tub of chili between us. I don't think this is even part of his plan for the new video.
I looked into the red heads eyes and give him a look of confusion. "So what are we supposed to do with the chili?"
Dez let out an exasperated sigh. "Ally, it's simple! I take a handful of chili, and you do as well. Then we see who has the most beans, and whoever loses has to eat the chili. Then the winner adds in more spice!"
I shook my head, and looked down into the pot of chili. "Dez, I am sorry but I'm not sticking my hands in hot chili, let alone eating chili out of your hands."
Dez's eyes got huge, and looked like he was about to cry. I sighed. It has been like this the past couple of days. With Austin out with Piper 24/7, Dez has felt like he as lost his best friend. He did not feel safe hanging out with Trish ever since the harp incident (I will not go into detail), so he's starting to replace Austin with me. I feel bad for the guy, but I'm just too busy to play this chili roulette game with him.
Dez reached his hand out and grabbed my shoulder, and I felt instantly revolted at the soup dripping down my arm. "We can put the chili in the bowl! You don't have to eat it out of my hand. Sure Austin does, but-"
"Dez!" I cut him off. "I'm sorry that Austin doesn't want to play chili roulette with you."
"Best friend chili roulette extravaganza." Dez muttered under his breath. I sighed again.
"I'm sorry that Austin doesn't want to play best friend chili roulette extravaganza with you, but I seriously have some work I have to get done. That Gavin young guy is coming to the store today so we can hang out and get publicity for us!" I patted his arm with my free hand, above the elbow of course, so I didn't get anymore chili on me.
Dez sighed as I walked over to the restroom to wash off my hands. "I'm sorry Ally. I just don't know what to do without my best friend." I turned to see Dez right behind me. I sighed feeling sad for the lost puppy. I pointed at the sink so that he would wash his hands and arms. He started to and I stood behind him, looking in the mirror.
"Dez, I know how hard this must be for you. We are all losing a part of Austin with this, but unfortunately that is how life works. If Piper is really the one for Austin, he has to put her first." I said, feeling a bit of pain in my heart saying that. I knew it would be hard for me as well. I love Austin with all of my heart; he is truly my best friend. I didn't want to share him, but seeing how he looked at Piper affirmed that he is head over heels for this girl.
That is why whenever Austin cancelled on our song writing session last week, I was truthfully hurt. However I knew that this was what would happen during the honeymoon stage of the relationship. But it hurt to be the second choice. I wish he would have stuck to the original plan, but I could tell he really wanted to go out with Piper. I shook my head and turned back to Dez. He truthfully did not look like himself.
"Ally? What if Austin never wants to hang out with me again?" Dez asked walking out of the bathroom. I walked over to him and put a hand on his now clean arm.
"Dez- you know that Austin would never forget about you! You're his best friend." I assured Dez.
"But Ally- you are also his best friend and partner, and he hasn't scheduled a time to write songs with you in the past week." This was true, and was the real reason behind my slight dislike for Austin and Piper. In all honesty I had only seen the blonde boy twice since he bailed on song writing. The first time was in passing while he was on a date with Piper. And he didn't even notice me. Piper even waved, but Austin didn't. The second time was when Austin rushed into the store, because he needed to borrow twenty bucks to buy Piper a shirt she wanted.
"Thanks for reminding me Dez." I said sarcastically walking over to the piano. I opened back to the song 'You Can Count On Me' and started jotting down ideas. I had already finished two songs for Austin this week; I figured it would be okay to write a song for myself. As I set my fingers onto the piano to play the chorus, I feel a presence next to me, his leg bouncing. I turn to look at the red head who is smiling with a goofy grin.
"How can I help Ally?"
I shake my head in amusement and look at him. "How about you sit there and watch. I do typically write better with someone beside me."
Dez's eyes get big with a big smile on his face. "I can do this anytime for you!" I laughed and put my hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry Dez. I was kinda talking about Austin. You know, my partner. Supposed to be best friend." I say with slight irritation in my voice.
"Ally, I know how hard this must be for you. We are all losing a part of Austin with this, but unfortunately that is how life works. If Piper is really the one for Austin, he has to put her first." I turn to Dez with a glare.
"How dare you use my words against me?" I softly punch Dez in the shoulder.
Dez chuckles. "Sorry. Go ahead though! Play music!"
I turn back to the keys and start to play though the chorus once again. My fingers softly glide to an E, A sharp, and B, making an E chord. Sliding up to an A chord. Next an E chord, B chord, and A chord. I was about to hit the next chord when I heard Dez yawn. I glared over at him and lifted my hands to look at the red head. "I'm sorry Dez, is my music boring you?"
"Kinda. I like it when songs have words in them." He nodded.
I shook my head. "Fine, I can work on the lyrics if that makes you feel better." Dez nodded vigorously with a smile on his face. I shook my head and when back to the chorus, looking at some of the lyrics I have for inspiration. "I just wanna cry, it's getting colder. No more time for laughs, or even smiles. I see you flying by, and I am wondering why, were you lying when you said to me, that you can count on me." I sighed, a tear leaving my eye, but I wiped it away.
I look up to see Dez, and now Trish standing there. Trish is looking at me with sad eyes after hearing what I just sang to everyone in the room. It was difficult to take it seriously though, considering she was wearing a huge sombrero with tortilla chips hanging from it. Maybe she just got a job at the new Mexican restaurant, Casa Lupita. Dez, however lets out another yawn. I narrow my eyes at him once again.
"Sorry Ally, that song was just kind of a bummer."
I didn't have to say anything, because Trish beat me to the point. Within seconds, Dez was lying on the ground, his face covered with the sombrero Trish was just wearing. Once Trish stood up and admired her masterpiece, she sat down next to me. "Ally, is all this because of Austin and Piper? Because I don't like that bitch, I'll fight her for you."
I shook my head and closed my song book, turning to my best girl friend. "Please don't say or do anything to Piper. I'm sure Austin will come around soon enough. I just miss him. I'm used to seeing him for hours every day, where now within the past week I saw him for a collective 5 minutes."
Trish nods her head, the black curls bouncing. She sends a glare to Dez as he gets up from the ground. I notice that sympathy in his eyes. Dez could be an idiot most of the time, but he was always very compassionate whenever someone was down. She leans back to me and gives me a side hug, and I lean back into it. She then turns to me.
"I do have to ask Ally, this doesn't have anything to do with any newfound feelings for Austin, does it?"
I shake my head with a small smile. "No Trish, I don't have those feelings for Austin. I know you and Dez want us together, but we're just friends." I sigh thinking about the blond haired rock star. "I hope we can still be friends."
This time Dez speaks up. "Why wouldn't you guys stay friends?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. Writing music is what brought us together. But we haven't written together since he and Piper started dating, and I feel so far from him." That was the undeniable truth. I really don't want to lose Austin as a friend, but he has almost completely dropped off the face of the earth. "I don't know if I should text him asking if he has free time to work on a song. I just don't want him to back out again."
Trish leaned her head on my shoulder. "I'm sorry Ally, if I knew this was bothering you I would've yelled at Austin. He's really acting like a dick." She stood up and started to whip her phone out. I really did not want Trish to cause a scene out of this. Piper seemed great for Austin, and I didn't want to get in the way of that.
"Trish, please don't say anything to Austin." I pleaded, walking over to the counter where she was typing furiously away.
"Ally, I have to yell at Austin anyway. He skipped a meeting with Jimmy yesterday. Piper is not only affecting us, but is affecting his career." She kept typing. I nodded
"Okay, you can yell at Austin for that, but please do not include me in this. I don't want to be a bother." Trish sent a disapproving glare, as if she was telling me to stop putting myself down. I couldn't help it, when I felt like I was losing the most important person in my life. Trish nodded and started rewriting her message to Austin. I sighed. Hopefully nothing would be said to Austin about this exchange between the three of us.
As I turn back towards the piano, I see my dad walking out of his office with a bunch of crates full of harmonicas. I look over at Trish and Dez who were starting to bicker about one of Dez's pets again, so I stand up and reach out to take the top crate for my dad. He smiled back at me and we set the harmonicas down on the counter and I started to stock the shelves for him.
"How's your day going honey?" He asked in his typical cheery fashion.
I send him a small smile as I start setting out a display with some of the harmonicas. "Great. Nothing could be better." I sigh and continue stocking the harmonicas.
"Honey, what's up? I can always tell when you're having a rough day." My dad held out his hand and placed it on my arm, to stop me from the task at hand. I put my hand down and sigh.
"Everything's fine dad. Dez, Trish and I are just having trouble adjusting to Austin with a girlfriend." My dad nods, understanding what must be going on.
"Ally, I can watch the store for a while. Why don't you go for a walk?"
I shake my head. "Dad trust me I'm fine. Dez and Trish are here…"
My dad gives me a look. "I'll just have them fight in the practice room. You look like you need some air."
I sigh, looking down at the beige countertop, running my fingers across it. Not one week ago Austin and I were here having our last real conversation. I nod my head and give my dad a hug. "Thank you Daddy."
My dad nods and sets his chin on my shoulder. "Anytime Sweetie".
I grab my book and start to head out of the store. I walk briskly, taking a right at the first fork in the road. I knew this path like the back of my hand. I would head through the food court, take a left past Ms. Suzy's restaurant, take the stairs down past the magic store, and turn right to get to the mall's reflection pool. It was truly the only place I could think clearly. It was where the mall relocated Pickles the goose, after months of me bugging the mall council.
The only thing on my mind is Austin while I was walking. I know truthfully that Austin is not meaning to blow everything off, but he really has to understand that this is not affecting just me; it's not just affecting Dez. This could very well ruin his career, if Trish is right that Austin skipped out on a meeting with Jimmy.
I know that it's just the slight friend jealousy I'm feeling as well, but it seems like Austin has completely forgot about us. The only person he is paying attention to now is Piper. I get it, Piper is gorgeous, a surfer, has a great personality, and she would fit in well with our friend group. But putting all of his eggs in one basket is a sure fire way to lose everything else.
I would never leave Austin for something like that though. I know he can sometimes lose his way, so I know that I would be there for him whenever he wanted to come back. But it's starting to put this strain on our relationship.
I finally reach the food court, and I see the last thing I want to see. Piper and Austin are sitting on the stage ledge, lips locked. The sight was very uncomfortable to watch, and I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The green pit was started to grow a bit, but I decided to push that jealousy down further. She's his girlfriend, they're going to kiss, it is normal. I keep walking when I hear Austin's text alert. That has got to be Trish's text! I immediately sit down at a table, with this brown haired man who was busy eating a cheeseburger. I look at him and apologize.
"I'm sorry sir, I'm kind of spying on a friend right now, you mind if I hide behind you." I look into his blue eyes. His mesmerizing blue eyes, may I add.
"Of course, I'm…" I see Austin tilt his head in confusion while looking at his phone, and put my hand over the beautiful man's face, stopping the country accent leaving his mouth.
"Talk later." I instruct, and lean forward.
Piper asks him what's wrong, and Austin looks up. "Trish just texted me, apparently I missed a meeting with Jimmy yesterday." Piper's eyes instantly got huge and shoved his arm.
"Austin! Why did you ask me to go to the zoo with you if you had a meeting with Jimmy?"
Austin shrugged, and went to rub his neck. "I don't know, I guess I forgot about it."
Piper leaned forward. "Austin, I don't want to get in the way of your career."
Austin started to shake his head violently. "No no no! Don't think that! I like you Piper, if anything it's my fault. Apparently I've been messing up this whole week." He said the last part a little quieter.
PLEASE tell me that Trish didn't say anything.
Piper grabbed his hand in hers and started to play with his fingers. "What do you mean messing up?"
Austin sighed, and I was very lucky that I ducked back behind blue eyed Prince Charming. I leaned a bit forward, looking over Charming's shoulders, placing a hand on his arm to stabilize myse- holy crap Prince Charming is ripped. I shake the thoughts away and listen again.
Austin looked at his phone, and I could tell he was bothered by the message. "Trish also said that Ally was really hurt when I cancelled on songwriting last week. And I haven't said more than 5 words to her since." I could see tears in Austin's eyes, and I felt bad. This is why I didn't want Trish to say anything. He put his head in his hands, and I could barely hear what he said. However, what Piper said afterwards was what set my tear ducts off.
"Austin, you are not a bad friend, don't say that."
I stopped listening and looked at Prince Charming, and apologized, and started to walk off, but kind of got spooked when I noticed that Prince Charming was running up to me.
"Can I help you?" I asked getting lost in the sea that was his eyes. From this view I could see truly how defined his chest was due to the undershirt he was wearing hugging it tightly.
"Ally Dawson, right?" He spoke.
I looked around; taking note of the ways I could escape. I had just walked past Suzy's Soup's, so we were now away from the food court. "Who's asking?" I said, pointing my finger at him, trying to act threatening.
"Uh-me? Gavin Young? The guy you were going to meet today? Country Star?" He gestured to himself, and I couldn't help but stare at the bicep that rippled as he moved his arm. This guy really was extremely attractive.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry, I completely forgot. I was just heading to the reflection pool; you could come with if you wanted?" I said. In all honesty, I had never seen this guys face before. I heard his name a lot because it's all Trish and Dez have been talking about for the past two months, but due to me working on all of my songs and all of Austin's songs, now all by myself, I had no time to look up new music or check social media, so I had never seen this guys face before.
Gavin chuckled. "I'm down to do anything, as long as I get to spend the day with you, darling."
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, but I kept walking towards the reflection pool. I feel my phone buzz in my pocket, and I grab it and check it
It was a text from Austin
11:45 Austin
Sorry I have been distant lately Als, I guess I've been busy hanging out with Piper. I know I've been a horrible friend.
I sigh and look over at Gavin. "Do you mind if I text my friend while we head over. We're kind of in the middle of something right now."
Gavin nods, and I see a twinkle in his –have I said gorgeous- eyes. "Of course, darling. I'll keep quiet."
I nod and go back to typing.
11:47 Ally
Aus, you are not a horrible friend. Trish wasn't supposed to say anything, I said that it was nothing. You are my best friend. I just miss you.
I send and look up at Gavin as we continue to walk. I look ahead and point to the entrance to the reflection pool. Gavin nods, and puts a hand on my shoulder leading me while I continue to text. His hand feels like a muscular weight being hung on my shoulder. My phone buzzes and I look back down.
11:48 Austin
I miss you too. I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused this past week. Unfortunately I also missed a couple meetings with Jimmy so I'm pretty busy for the next week. But how about we write some songs next Tuesday? I promise I won't bail this time.
I sigh and start to text back as we walk through the entrance into the reflection pool.
11:49 Ally
Next Tuesday. It sounds like a date. And please don't beat yourself up over this last week. New relationships bring new struggles that we have to adjust too. And it's worth it because I can tell Piper is amazing!
I smile. I truly meant it. After seeing how Piper dealt with the situation, I could tell she was a great woman, and great for Austin, no matter how much of the green monster builds inside my stomach. We walk into the reflection pool. Hi mom.
Yeah, my mom passed away a couple years ago. There was a fire at one of the sanctuaries in Africa that she worked for, and she was a hero and made sure everyone made it out alive. After coming to this reflection pool, my dad and I decided that this would be her "grave". A body wasn't found, so we never got to bury her properly, but we used this place as our connection to her. She would have loved it.
Gavin looked at me and smiled as we sat down on a bench. "So you are a songwriter for yourself and Austin Moon, huh?"
I nodded and sighed. "Yeah, I'm working on a song right now actually. Not sure if it's for either of us or if it's for my personal self. I'm calling it 'You Can Count on Me'".
Gavin smiled at me as I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I ignored it as I was talking to Gavin though. He spoke, "Can I hear some of it? Hear a little bit of that Dawson Magic". He elbowed my side softly, and I blushed and leaned into his side a bit more.
"Sure, let me open my book." I set it down and turned to the page. I sang the verse I had written acapella. "I just wanna cry, it's getting colder. No more time for laughs, or even smiles. I see you flying by, and I am wondering why, were you lying when you said to me, that you can count on me." I looked up to Gavin, and I could tell that he wasn't fully sold.
"This doesn't seem like a you song, Ally. You seem so positive and optimistic, while this song is very pessimistic. How about this." He reaches out and pulls the book so it's half on my leg and half on his leg. I almost smack him for touching my book, but I see how excited he is to help me out that I let it slide this once. Gavin points to the words cry, colder, laugh, smile, and fly. "I think you should keep these words cause they kind of work well together. But let's change the words so it instills more hope into the song?" He looks at me and I smile, nodding. I clear my throat.
"Maybe between laugh and smile, we can change that to, 'If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile.'" I smile; I like that so much better. Gavin motions for me to continue. "Maybe we can change colder to shoulder, that kind of fits the mood. So we have, 'If you wanna cry I'll be your shoulder, if you wanna laugh I'll be your smile.'"
Gavin turns to me and continues on with the lyrics. "If you wanna fly, I will be your sky."
I feel a second buzz in my pocket and go to check it. It was a second text from Austin. I look to Gavin and apologize. "I should really respond to this, sorry."
11:50 Austin
Next Tuesday it is! And I promise you I will make it up to you. You are still my best friend and my partner. How about I bring you pickles on Tuesday? What's your favorite kind again?
12:05 Austin
Must've gotten busy. Again I am so sorry for this week. I will make it up to you this week. Anything you need, that's what I'll be. LOL
I laughed at the LOL. When we first started hanging out, I thought LOL meant lots of love, and used it with Austin after some bad news. Let's just say after some confusing talks and some understanding laughs, we understood where the misunderstanding was. Now anytime we text, we say LOL at the end when were heading away from our phone.
12:07 Ally
Dill Pickles. LOL
I looked at his text again and got excited. I knew how to wrap up the chorus. I look at Gavin and give him a smile.
"If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile. If you wanna fly, I will be your sky. Anything you need, that's what I'll be. You can count on me."
I smiled and thanked Gavin for his help. We agreed to meet up again next week so that we could write some more together. But all I could think about was Austin's text.
Anything you need that's what I'll be.
Sorry for the late update- life just caught up with me for a second. I will still try to upload weekly (who knows if I will be able to stick to the schedule ever though)
Next week, get ready for a new Point of View, from the one and only Trish De La Rosa!