Moonday!

I actually really like this chapter. Not gonna give away too much, but it's pretty important. And I really love how I wrote Austin in this one, yaaas. And this is sort of a continuation of the last chapter. Maybe? Hmm...

So Chapter 7; this marks the halfway point of the story. This can only go one way after this aka dow - I MEAN UP. Or did I really mean down? :o I like talking to myself in these A/Ns. Makes me seem like I have friends, oops.

Enjoy! Plot line is mine, nothing else.

just like a magnetic field

Austin sat across from Ally Dawson at an old-fashioned restaurant known as Queens.

She was slurping a strawberry and banana milkshake. Austin remembered her order. It was specific, and she said it fast, as if she had her order memorized.

"A fresh strawberries and frozen banana smoothie with extra cream if you can."

Austin twirled his chewed up straw around his chocolate shake. He watched the bubbles disappear like a little child until Ally grabbed his other free hand. He was startled at first, but then relaxed when she only wanted to get his attention.

"Let's work on the assignment," she said. Austin nodded, pushing his drink off to the side so he could unpack his books. They had gotten some work done after cleaning up whip cream. Ally, surprisingly, had some really great ideas. No wonder she was in Advanced English.

Austin placed his binder and notebook on the table, then reached into his backpack for his pencil case. He slipped it onto the table and slid it over to Ally. She gently dispatched a blue pen from his case. They were more at ease now, after that I-won't-tell-anyone-if-you-won't moment.

Austin watched as she began to move her wrist over the page. He heard from Dez that Ally never completed anything. However, Dez's comment contradicted with what was happening right now. Ally Dawson was actually working on their shared project.

He must be some miracle worker or some shit.

"Uh, Austin..." Ally asked. Austin snapped his head out of his daze. He looked at her awaiting. Her attention was on a sheet of crumpled paper that he recognized was from the inside of his pencil case. Austin snatched it away immediately, feeling flustered.

He quickly stuffed it in the pocket of his jeans, looking down. He heard Ally shift in her seat.

"Why'd you do that?" She asked, genuinely confused. Austin frowned and looked up at her.

"Because..." He mumbled. He was still feeling a little embarrassed that she saw that. Austin heard Ally shift again. He looked up again and saw her with a distant look in her eyes. When she focused back on him, she smiled.

"It sounded brilliant," she spoke, eyes shining. For once, her voice didn't sound fake. It looked like she was actually enthralled by it. Austin looked at her with utter confusion. He knew that she saw it, but he didn't think she would get it that way. He cocked his head a little, raising an eyebrow; questioning her.

"The lyrics were so meaningful, the chords sounded all in sync. You've got a real talent," she said again. Austin felt a blush rising to his cheeks. Even though he was towering over her in height, he always felt like he was smaller than her, no matter what.

"Thanks," he mumbled. Ally suddenly leaned across the table and tipped his chin up with a long-nailed finger. He gulped, suddenly feeling nervous again. But she let go of his chin and sat back down, smiling. Austin smiled back, relief flooding over him.

"Do you like writing music?" She asked. Austin answered that without question. He nodded his head as he grabbed his milkshake. He took a sip before answering.

"Yeah. I just write when I'm bored," he said. Ally nodded she leaned over the table again with one arm supporting her chin. She narrowed her eyes suddenly, but they were full of mischief.

"Wanna know a secret?" Austin nodded, mostly because he was scared what would happen if he said 'no.' Ally lowered her eyes and then looked around as if anyone were listening to them. She suddenly smirked and leaned across the table again. Her mouth was right near his ear. As she spoke, it sent a shiver down his spine.

"I like to write songs too," she whispered softly. Austin was startled by her sudden openness. He smiled as she returned to her seat, brushing off non-existent dirt from her biker jacket. Suddenly, however, she didn't look like a biker anymore.

"Really? What do you like to write about?" He was getting excited now. He'd never talked to anyone who knew as much about music as himself before. Austin shifted in his seat suddenly, as he realized he let his guard down.

"I don't know. I just write whatever comes to mind. But usually, I like writing love songs. They're really cool. Just gettin' the feels out." She said. Austin nodded. He was relaxed now, finally feeling he could just let some things out.

Maybe that was what she was doing in the cafeteria on a Wednesday after school? Writing songs.

"That's nice," he said simply. Ally smiled at him again before returning her attention to her milkshake. She finished the cup with one big gulp from her straw, licking her lips appreciatively. Austin caught himself staring at her and quickly looked away before she noticed too.

Austin reached across the table, taking their page of notes. He had already agreed to do the cons side of things with Ally. He read her surprisingly neat handwriting. It was all points about how bad and how much it could mentally and emotionally affect someone. Austin looked up as Ally stood up suddenly. She grabbed her purse.

"I'm gonna go out for a smoke," she told him. Austin cringed but nodded. She whisked past him and left the restaurant. The little bell at the top of the door jingled. He had to physically turn his head away from the door. He caught glimpses of the black and white cliché checkered floors on the way back.

Austin took all of their notes and examples and tried to start the essay. It was hard. He had no idea how to start it off. He knew that when writing a speech, one must be passionate about the topic. And yet, he wasn't.

Austin frowned as his hook wasn't good enough. He crumpled the paper and put it in his pencil case. He kept his trash there. He took a fresh sheet of lined paper and began to write again, coming from a different perspective. Still he couldn't get it right.

Ally was suddenly sliding back into the seat across from him. Austin smiled as she waved at him. He felt like they were getting more and more acquainted by the moment. But he was still wary of her.

Austin continued his sloppy speech. He just couldn't do it since he never had a bad experience so bad that he never wanted change ever again. Change was great for him. It was experiencing new things and finding something you love was what made it so special.

"Ally," he asked suddenly. Ally looked at him. She was busy on her phone again, probably texting her current love affair. He gulped and continued. "Tell me why you hate change so much. It's just for the essay I promise."

Ally remained stony as she placed her phone down. Austin gulped nervously, as she placed her silver-jewelled hands on the table, clasping them together. Her lips formed a hard line as she finally raised her eyes to meet his. Time seemed to stop. Austin never really noticed how her eyes were almost the shade of his. He'd always referred to them 'doe eyes.'

"Change," she started, swallowing hard. "It's just bad." Austin sighed in frustration as she barely gave him anything to work with. He pushed the blank sheet of paper over to her and passed her the pen.

"Why don't you write about it, since it's more your experience than mine." He told her, cringing when the harsh words left his mouth. Austin was used to doing all the work. Handing the wheel over was making him nervous. He tried hard not to give in.

Ally stayed silent for a bit. She looked at the page, then the pen, then at him. She suddenly lowered her head and sighed. And it was such a sad sigh, Austin felt guilty all over again. He nervously glanced around, feeling a sweat breaking out.

It was all silent again. And awkward.

"Why don't you, uh..." He started off, realizing he had no idea what he was going to say. Ally just looked at him. Austin swallowed down his words, ending with a nevermind.

"No, tell me," she said, eyes blazing with a certain fire. Austin gulped. He scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Uh... wh-why don't you... date?" He asked. It was on his mind ever since the party. Which was technically a week ago. But he had been up all night, making mental notes and things, trying to figure out the only thing he couldn't. Austin figured since he was already making a fool of himself, he should just it out now.

"Date?" Ally asked. Austin nodded, almost rolling his eyes.

Yeah, what else?

Ally stayed silent again. Austin slumped down in his seat. He wasn't getting an answer. He should've known that. What surprised him was when Ally actually did speak up.

"I-I... I just don't..." Her voice dropped into nothing more than a whisper. "I just don't want to get hurt."

Austin swore he saw Ally in a different light. Ally looked like a totally different person. Her features seemed to soften, along with her voice. She looked more, innocent, vulnerable, and soft. Just soft. Like something that needed to be protected.

"No one's gonna hurt you," he said quietly.

Especially not me.

He realized their hands were pretty close on the table top. They were just inches apart. He wondered what it would be like to...

Oh god.

Too late.

His mind said no, but his heart said yes. Austin was suddenly very aware that he was loosely holding onto Ally Dawson's hand with one of his. Just a little brush on the tip of her fingers with his thumb in a slow motion. And then, he whisked it away.

It felt like electric.

Ally was still looking down. He cleared his throat, feeling flustered. "Love is just a scary thing," he said.

Suddenly, she straightened up again, fixing her jacket. "I don't believe in love. Just avoid love at all costs. That's my motto." She looked hard, rough and edgy again. Just as she always did. But Austin couldn't see it anymore. The image of her looking like a kicked puppy was burning into his mind, making him wonder what she would've been.

Or what she really is.

Austin watched as Ally took the pen in her hand and began to write the essay. She worked furiously, as if something came over her. It was if she was writing for her life.

Austin sat there uncomfortably. He watched all write until half the page was filled with neat, blue ink, written in nice letters. Ally suddenly handed him the piece of paper- shoving it, actually.

"There," she mumbled. Austin took it and then read it.

Woah.

It started off with a catchy hook and then opened up into an example about how a tragedy could scar one for life. He nodded, looking at Ally with a smile.

"This is brilliant!" He exclaimed. Ally just blushed and looked away.

Wait, blushed?

Ally Dawson just fucking blushed.

"Yeah, yeah," she said. Ally suddenly stood up and slid in the booth next to him. His breathing hitched, but he contained himself. Ally leaned over him and pointed to part of the paragraph she just wrote.

"Do you think I should fix this?" She asked. Austin nodded, not really paying attention. Not when Ally was sitting so close. She smelled like smoke and cigarettes and milkshakes, all mixed with her own scent.

"Uh, no it's good," he finally said, after reading it. Ally just looked at him with a glint in her eyes. She bit her lip playfully and returned her attention to the speech. Austin felt her shift closer. Their legs were touching each other's. Her body was pressed up against his right side, looking over his shoulder at the speech.

"Austin! Hey!" Ally suddenly said. He realized he was yet again, not paying attention. He gazed at her before realizing what was happening. She laughed at him. The smile reached her eyes. Was she doing that on purpose? Was she trying to do this to him on purpose?

"Uh yeah?" Ally just giggled, that's right giggled , at him. She took the pen, which was in his hand and began to write. He felt awkward. Was this how guys usually felt around girls?

Ally began to start on the second paragraph while he sat dumbfounded, staring at her.

She was a mysterious-no-good-one-night-stand-smokes-cigarettes-racy-strawberry-and-banana-milkshake-loving-music-writing-non-lover who was sitting right next to him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see her in her old light. She was different.

She was Ally Dawson.

And he was Austin Moon.

She's bad news, buddy.

end part seven

I wanted this chapter to be a little deep, but apparently it's not. Touche.

Okay, okay, okay! I'm really excited because I just read over the next chapter. ASDFGHJKL. Okay. Thanks for all the reviews and love and support so far! I'm super duper happy you guys are loving the story! To be honest, this is my favourite thing I've ever written so far.

Thanks for reading! Hope you're having a good Moonday! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!