Hey there everyone! Has anyone told you guys that you're all amazing, because that's exactly what you are. Thank you SO MUCH for every review, favorite, and follow. I appreciate it so much. In bigger news, did you hear that in the next Austin & Ally episode Austin performs a song called "Timeless?" The lyrics are so sweet, I already heard it (I can't stay away from spoilers).
Since so many people were asking about my situation with liking my best guy friend, I'll explain it quickly: We've known one another since the beginning of high school. I immediately grew feelings for him but brushed them aside because I didn't want to risk our friendship. So I liked other guys throughout the years, but to be honest... he was my "what if." Before Junior Year, my girl best friend called to inform me that she would be attending high school with me. I was super excited, who wouldn't be? She knew that I'd really liked him, yet when I introduced them... you know. Lots of confusion and drama unfolded because she had told me that she didn't like him, but people were telling me otherwise. She finally confessed to me about two months later that she did in fact like him, and that they were going out. I let it go and just accepted that. My best guy friend and I are still extremely close, and while my "best" girl friend and I are on good terms, we're not close anymore and probably never will be. As of now, I don't like anyone, but I'm okay and I don't have any feelings for my best guy friend anymore. He's more like a brother.
For those of you out there who may be going through a similar situation, let me tell you that it gets better. And maybe things will change, but keep your head high and soldier on. You have a whole life ahead of you and many more amazing people and boys to meet. You will be okay. Alright, enough ranting, here we go!
Trish grilled me with questions as soon as we entered AP Psychology.
"Did you write in the notebook? Are Austin and Kira going out yet? Did you tell Austin how you really feel?"
"Trish!" I snapped. "Please, it's Friday, enough with the questioning. Yes, I did. No, they're not. And no, definitely no to the last one."
Her shoulders slumped but her face brightened as I passed the notebook to her. She flipped it open and chuckled. "He's seen you in a tutu?" she asked.
I felt myself turn beet red. "It was a ballet class that I took when I was seven. I didn't want to, my dad forced me!" I exclaimed. "The truth is, I can't dance to save my life."
"That's actually not a shocker, Ally," she snorted. I narrowed my eyes at her as she sent me an innocent smile. "So, now that you mention it, do you have any plans for tonight?"
I beamed happily. "Actually, yes. Austin and I are going to Pancake Central tonight."
Pancake Central had become our tradition about three years ago, when Austin's obsession with pancakes hit an all time high. Every Friday, summer, winter, fall or spring, we drove there in his pick up truck, just the two of us. It was why I looked forward to Fridays so much. We sat in the same booth, ordered one giant heap of pancakes, and drowned them in syrup as we shared the plate together and talked for what seemed like forever.
"Like on a date?" Trish asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"No," I answered. "We're just friends, Trish."
"Whatever you say, Ally," she replied. "Have you talked to Kira lately?"
I frowned. "Actually no, not really," I replied. And it was the truth. She hadn't called or texted in what seemed like ages, and while we waved and smiled at each other through the halls, something in my gut kicked every time I saw her. I hated that feeling.
"Maybe she's just busy," Trish said reassuringly. I softly smiled and nodded. Kira said she didn't like Austin that way, and I trusted her word on that. "Anyways, I found these really interesting articles online about platonic friendships. I think that we can maybe paste them into the notebook instead of writing down each and every word."
I nodded and began to leaf through the articles she handed me. I frowned and laughed at quite a few of them. "New research suggests that there may be some truth to this possibility- that we may think we're capable of being 'just friends' with members of the opposite sex, but the opportunity (or perceived opportunity) for 'romance' is often lurking just around the corner, waiting to pounce at the most inopportune moment," I read, my eyes skimming down the page. "That is totally ridiculous. Not all opposite sexes fall for one another, Trish."
She rolled her eyes. "That's why the article says that while we may think that's true, romance is still a lurking possibility."
I shook my head. "It's crazy."
"Is it?" she asked. I bit my lip. "Ally, I'm just trying to prove a point here."
"Well maybe you should stop," I said. Silence filled in the spaces of our conversation for a few moments before I spoke. "I'm sorry... It's just... I have a lot on my plate right now, okay? I'm being replaced. I have to audition for a school play when I can barely sing in front of stuffed animals. I have to redecorate my room... you see?"
She nodded. "That is a lot to have on one plate. I'm sorry, Ally."
"It's okay. I just don't know how I'm going to deal with all of this," I sighed, running my fingers through my loose curls. A mischievous smile grew upon Trish's face. "What?"
"Your hair," she said suddenly.
"What about it?" I asked, looking down at my brown strands.
"Maybe if you did a little something to it, Austin would notice you."
"I would never change myself for a boy, Trish, not even Austin," I reasoned.
"It's not changing, it's... enhancing. Look, Ally, maybe I can help you. You're already pretty, smart, and funny. Maybe all you need is a little polishing up, that's all." Her eyes shone with the opportunity of a possible make over, making my stomach feel queasy.
"I don't know..." I said uneasily. "I'll have to think about it. He's my best friend, Trish. I don't want to jeopardize that."
She grabs the articles from my hands and shoves them inside the notebook. "He'll want to be more than just friends once I'm finished with you."
I sat in my room, putting the finishing touches on my outfit. A loose lace black tee paired with gray leggings and blue flats. I always dressed casual for Pancake Central. I couldn't help but look in the mirror as I observed my facial features. I was pale, paler than a snowstorm. My cheeks were the faintest rosy color and my brown eyes seemed a little dull. I stared at my hair, picking at my strands. Was Trish right? Would Austin notice me if I looked a little different? If I "enhanced" myself? My phone rung, making me jump away from the mirror.
"Hello?" I answered, grabbing my bag, already heading out the door.
"I'm here! Oh yeah, and Ally-"
"Okay, I'm coming down Austin," I said, hitting the END button. "Bye, Dad, I'm going to PC with Austin!"
"Be back by eleven!" he called as I ran towards Austin's pick up truck. There was just one problem: he wasn't in his pick up truck. I spotted a blonde head inside a silver Volvo and carefully strolled towards it.
"Austin?" I peeped. "Where's Shelby?"
"You named your pick up truck Shelby?" a voice incredulously asked. Confused, I turned to the passenger seat.
"Kira?" I asked. "What are you doing here?" Then I bit my lip, hoping I didn't sound hostile.
"Austin invited me to go to Pancake Central with you guys," she said cheerfully. Austin nodded, smiling in the driver's seat.
"That's what I was trying to tell you over the phone, Ally," he explained. I felt my heart deflate.
"Oh," I said. "It's fine! This is gonna be great, the three of us. Kinda like the three musketeers." I managed a weak laugh as I pulled open the door and took a seat in the back. My spot was already taken.
They sat on one side of the booth...
I sat on the other. Trying very hard to steady my breathing before I exploded, I looked down at the menu instead of the sight in front of me which was making every inch of my body ache. Original pancakes. Chocolate chip pancakes. Blueberry pancakes. Strawberry pancakes. Fondue pancakes. Dark choc-
"So Ally, auditions for the play are coming up," Austin suddenly said, interrupting my speed reading process. "Do you know what you're gonna sing yet?"
My eyes flickered to Kira, who was attentively staring at me. This felt wrong, all of it. There were only supposed to be two individuals here, not three. I was supposed to have sat next to Austin in the passenger seat of his pick up truck, not her. And as much as I loved Kira, as much as I knew how kind and funny she could be, I could not understand for the life of me why this was all unraveling so quickly.
"I'm thinking of singing an original, actually," I replied calmly, forcing myself to smile, hoping it didn't look strained.
"That is so cool!" Kira squealed. "So you're still writing songs, then?"
"Oh, trust me, she's always writing songs. Ally is the best song writer I know," Austin gushed. I felt myself smile genuinely for the first time that night.
"I can imagine. I mean, she almost got signed to a record label," Kira said. I froze in my seat. I'd never told Austin about Kira's dad's job, never mind the fact that I had almost gotten famous because of it. Austin's biggest dream was to become a singer.
"A record label?" Austin asked, shooting me a look. I sheepishly looked down at my hands. "How did that happen?"
"She never told you?" Kira asked, looking at me. I tried to send her a sign, something along the words of please-don't. "My dad has his own record label, Starr records, and-"
"Wait, your dad is Jimmy Starr?" Austin asked. He laughed. "That is beyond cool!" I sunk in my seat.
"Thanks!" Kira said, continuing. "Well Ally won this piano contest and got a trip to Hawaii, which is where we met." She smiled at me and I weakly smiled back. "My dad wanted to sign Ally but her dad wouldn't allow it. You know how Mr. Dawson is."
Austin scoffed. "Oh yeah, he doesn't want Ally going anywhere near show business, right Ally?" he asked me. I sent him a glare that he didn't decipher. I wanted to sink into a puddle. "Is your dad still on the look out for signing people?"
"Sure he is!" Kira said. "He's actually looking for a fresh young face right now."
Austin pointed to his face and gave his most charming smile. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "I'm fresh and young!" he teased. Kira giggled. I smiled but died inside.
"Does he have any special talents, Ally?" Kira asked. I nodded.
"He sings and dances and can play almost any instrument," I admitted. "He's great."
"Well maybe I can hook something up, tell my dad about you," Kira suggested. Austin's face instantly lit up.
"That would be so awesome!" he yelled, wrapping an arm around her. I cringed. "You're the best Kira!"
She smiled. "It's really no problem. I'd do anything for Ally's best friend."
There were those two words again: best friend. I was really beginning to despise them.
"This is great," Austin sighed, still not removing his arm. "Ally, you're going to audition for the school play while I might get a chance at fame! Isn't this great?"
I sighed. "Greaty great great." Unintentional or not, she had him in the palm of her hand while I was just another background.
My eyes floated to my ceiling as the TV lit up my bedroom. I didn't even want to think about what had happened earlier at the diner. I had picked on a few pieces of the pancakes while Austin and Kira flirted by fighting one another with their forks. I tried sending Kira desperate confused looks but she didn't seem to be getting them. Who was I kidding?
Austin was a good looking, funny, charming, talented seventeen year old boy. I should have known that I wasn't the only one who couldn't resist him. If she didn't like him, then why was she acting like she did? The truth was becoming a bright blur that I didn't want to look at anymore. I brought my attention back to the Laguna Beach marathon I was having. LC and Stephen were a perfect match, two best friends, just like Austin and I. If only Kristin hadn't been in the picture...
A sudden knock on my window made me scream. The bowl of popcorn that I'd been holding flew all over my comforters and the hard wood floor. I spotted a dash of a blonde head and ran to open the window.
"Austin, what are you doing here?!" I screeched. His hair had a few leaves in them.
"I climbed a tree," he said, grinning. "Let me in."
"It's almost 2 in the morning," I sighed but moved aside anyway, making room for him to come through. He gently jumped onto my floor and smirked at the sight of all the popcorn. I glared at him. "What are you doing here?"
"You already asked that," he said, chuckling as he plopped onto my bed.
"That's because you haven't answered my question," I snapped. "Move your butt." He did as he was told and I plopped down next to him. This wasn't the first time he'd come in the middle of the night unexpectedly.
"I'm sorry about the diner earlier," he sighed. Time froze for a moment and the only sounds that could be heard was the conversation flowing back and forth on the screen between LC and Stephen. Finally, I cleared my throat.
"Sorry for what?" I asked.
"For bringing Kira along unexpectedly. I know you're kinda mad," he mumbled. I turned to look at him, his blonde hair hanging right above his light brown eyes that held glimmering flecks of the TV screen in their reflection. He turned to look at me as well and I felt my body relax.
"I wasn't mad," I sighed. "I was just... surprised, that's all."
"I just really like her, Ally," he admitted.
"I know you do," I replied, even though it hurt to say so.
"But I promise I'll make it up to you. Next week, Pancake Central, just us, like we always do," he said, smiling.
"Promise?" I asked, holding up my pinky as my mind floated back to that summer night. He laughed, linking his pinky with mine.
"Promise," he murmured, wrapping me into a hug. I punched the side of his stomach, shoving his arm away. "Ow! What was that for?"
"That was for making me waste my bowl of popcorn! You owe me that, too!" I giggled as I lay my head onto his shoulder, our eyes both on the TV screen as Austin changed the channel to an old cartoon. His arm wrapped around me once more.
"Ally?" he said.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for always being there for me," he said.
I sighed, the words tumbling out of my mouth like a broken record. "That's what best friends are for."
Sorry if this chapter was ehh. This week is a little busy, I just took my senior portraits yesterday. My school takes them before the year actually starts; I just can't believe this is really my last year of high school! But there is more drama and twists that are going to unfold so stay tuned and bear with me! Thank you SO much for reading, and don't forget to review if you can so that I know how I'm doing. To all those Guests that are reviewing, you are greatly appreciated as well! I try to reply back to all your guys' reviews just to thank each and every one of you. You are all LOVELY.