You guys are seriously beyond the valley of absolutely AMAZING! We've already hit over 60 reviews and I'm only on Chapter 5! I appreciate each and every one of you, truly. And all those favorites and follows... I'm blessed. Guest people, you guys are killing me because I want to reply back to your reviews sooo bad because yours are the sweetest, but I can't! Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you. Because so many people requested a jealous Austin, you guys are gonna get one.

Okay, here we go...

There are countless articles on the internet overflowing with facts about platonic friendships. I attempt to rub the sleep that is beginning to fill my weary eyes from staring at the laptop screen for too long. I have to fill the notebook with at least something new, some viable piece of information that will support my point that boys and girls can, in fact, be just friends. I click on a link that seems enticing enough.

pla-to-nic
Adjective
1. Of or associated with the Greek philosopher Plato or his ideas.
2. (of love or friendship) Intimate and affection but not sexual.

I sigh, writing that down in the notebook. That seems pretty accurate: Austin and I hug and touch all the time, but we're not... The sudden thought of it makes my cheeks burn. I've never even kissed a boy, having sex is an entirely different level that I'm reserving for someone special. I scroll down the page and click on another link.

"The belief that men and women can't be friends comes from another era in which women were at home and men were in the workplace, and the only way they could get together was for romance," explained Linda Sapadin, a psychologist in Valley Stream, New York. "Now they work together and share sports interests and socialize together."

I almost wish Trish was here to read this with me. See? Platonic friendships do exist. As my pencil scratches against the page, a bad taste enters my mouth and I realize it's dissatisfaction. I shut my laptop and notebook. My bedroom ceiling seems to hold all the answers these days. The internet states that platonic friendships exist, and maybe they do.

But does that mean that Austin and I are going to stay this way forever, simply platonic, nothing more? More importantly, do I want to share only a platonic friendship with Austin? My mind drifts into yet another daydream as I imagine what it would be like to date Austin.

He would buy me jars and jars of pickles. He would give me his jacket when the wind was whipping right through me.

The real truth of it all was that in this friendship, only my heart was willing to give itself up. Austin's heart was already taken.

"What should I do?" I whispered. The ceiling, of course, didn't answer.

"Shelby!" I squealed, running up to the familiar pick up truck. I practically hugged the side door as I climbed into my rightful spot. "I missed you."

"Me or the car?" Austin teased as his foot lightly placed itself against the pedal and we began our daily drive to Pancake Central.

I rolled my eyes. "The car," I replied. He pouted. "Alright, and you." He grinned. "I see Kira isn't convening with us today."

He took a glance at me, blinking in confusion.

"Kira's not with us," I stated in simpler terms, laughing and shaking my head.

"Oh, right," Austin said. "It's not my fault you speak fancy. I speak chill."

I rolled down the window and let the cool night air blow a breeze through my hair. The radio was playing an old song that I couldn't quite remember the title to at the moment, but it would come back to me later. Finally, a Friday alone with him. These moments were lessening bit by bit, and I tried to savor the ones we did manage to have together.

"I promised you that the next time, it'd be just the two of us, remember?" he asked.

"I forgot," I lied, biting my lip to keep myself from smiling. I just wanted to hear him say it.

He gasped mockingly. "Ally Dawson, forgetting something? I've never heard of such a thing!"

I giggled as he parked in an open spot and we both hopped out of the car, our sights soaking in the familiarity of the diner. As we took a seat in our regular booth, he opened his mouth and said the stupidest thing in the entire history of stupid Austin Moon moments.

"So, that Elliot is something, hm?"

I slowly pulled the menu away from my face and cocked an eyebrow at him. "I didn't know you played for that team, Austin."

His eyes grew wide. "Not like that!" he exclaimed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I just meant that he's really... well known at school, that's all."

"What about it?" I asked, deciding on our usual large platter of original pancakes.

"I've heard he has a reputation, you know," he commented. I smirked in amusement.

"For what, being the nicest guy on Earth?"

Austin shot me a look. "No, for easily charming girls."

I let out a loud laugh before I realized he was serious. "Austin, come on, Elliot? He seems harmless."

"Just be careful, alright?" he sighed, telling the waitress our order before he continued. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I can handle heartache, Austin," I said, and it came out a little snippier than I expected it to. All these platonic friendship articles were messing with my mind, and the line between what my mind claimed was right and what my heart wanted was becoming a blur.

"Since when have you experienced heartache?" he asked, giving me his full attention now. I felt myself squirm in my seat.

"Oh, you know," I said, waving away the discussion with my hand. "It's nothing."

Pleasedon'taskpleasedon'taskpleasedo-

"Now I have to know," he whined. "Who was it?"

I shook my head. "I was only kidding. Do you seriously think I've fallen in love with someone?" I scoffed. "I don't have time for that right now."

"Why not?" The question threw me off guard and I blinked in surprise.

"Well... I'm really busy right now. I'm going to be the lead role in a play. I have an AP Psychology project to work on. There's a lot on my plate." The conversation seemed strangely familiar and I realized that I had just explained this to Trish not more than a week ago.

"You don't make time for love. Love makes time for you," he stated. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, come on, Austin," I replied. "Do you really believe in that?"

For a moment his eyes shone with such intensity that I couldn't stop looking at them, his usual light brown turning s shade darker. "Yeah," he murmured. "I do."

The platter of pancakes was set on the table and I jumped at the sudden action. I cleared my throat, immediately stabbing my fork into the syrupy goodness. "So you're really in love with Kira, then?" I forced myself to ask.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I think so."

"You think so or you know?"

He stuck his fork into the pancakes, cutting a small slice. "How do you know you're in love with someone, anyway?"

"Well," I began, "time slows down and... all you can see is that person. And you know that you want to spend the rest of your life with them." I fiddled with the hem of my tank top and took another bite of the pancakes to steady my racing heart.

"Time slows down?" Austin snorts. "Seriously?"

I frown. "What?"

"You are so cheesy," he laughs, adding more syrup onto the heap.

"Hey, you asked! And would you stop adding so much syrup; you're gonna get fat," I teased, sticking my tongue out at him. He flexed his arms and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, I don't think so," he replied. "But thanks for trying."

I giggled and tried to savor this moment, simple but sweet, just like our pancakes.

"The script is really long," I said, my stomach turning as I flipped through the pages of the seemingly heavy packet that I suddenly had to memorize.

"I know right," Elliot replied. "It's longer than my AP Calculus tests."

I looked up to smile at him, quite impressed. "You're in AP Calculus?" I asked. He nodded. Rehearsals for The Little Mermaid were finally beginning today, and we settled around the stage waiting for the drama teacher to enter. The stage seemed almost bear without wearing its usual bright spotlight, but I felt relieved that I didn't have to worry about being blinded.

Trish and Dez had been happy to drop me off because they were doing volunteer work on the campus, so it was a one way route. The drama crew was surprisingly versatile, and while it did include a few exotically dressed people with wild hair colors, it also held a handful of the hierarchy. I felt comforted at the thought that everyone appeared to feel comfortable with one another; there was no room for putting up a front.

"So what made you want to join the play?" I asked.

"You," he replied, and I felt my cheeks turn pink, remembering Austin's warning to take caution. "I'm just messing with you."

I sighed in relief. "Oh, okay good."

"Would it be so bad, though?" he asked, sending me a slightly hurt look.

"Oh no, no, no, that's not what I meant!" I quickly exclaimed, placing a hand on his shoulder in reassurance.

He broke out into a grin. "I'm just messing with you," he laughed, and I stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, smacking his shoulder. "But if it gets you to touch me then I'll continue."

"Let me guess, you're just messing with me?" I stated.

"Nope," he said, getting up from his seat. I blinked as he lent me a helping hand, which I gladly took. So maybe he was a flirt, so what? "I think me and you are going to be just fine."

"You and I," I corrected, then bit my lip in embarrassment.

"You are too cute," he laughed. "Alright, come on Ariel, she's here."

I turned my attention to the wavy haired lady I had seen at my audition and did my best to hang onto every word she said.

"As you all know, I am Miss Lu, head of the drama department, and I do not like introductions so let's get started!" Elliot and I shot one another wide eyed looks. "We are going to take a modern twist on this play!" she exclaimed, gesticulating wildly, making it hard for me to keep my eyes settled on one part of her. "Ariel, played by Ally, is going to be blackmailed into staying silent by a gangly group of girls, who are all in love with Eric, otherwise known as Elliot."

I found myself smiling at everyone and giggled when I noticed Elliot was doing the same.

"Eric is the irresistible charming boy of the school, while Ariel is a shy bookworm who has loved him from afar. She saves him from getting hit by a car, but he unfortunately cannot recall the memory too correctly because he was drunk. Which reminds me," she said, peering at us through her purple lenses, "no one in here has taken a drink, right?"

Almost everyone in the room snorts and laughs but me. The closest alcohol has ever gotten to touching my lips has been cold medicine for when I get sick throughout the year.

"Let's get started! Ariel and Eric, center stage please!" she exclaimed and the two of us rushed over. "We are going to do a simple reading, scene three. Let's begin!"

"Do I know you?" Elliot read. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding, and opened my mouth to speak. But as I looked down at the script, I realized that Ariel only had to do actions since she was being blackmailed into staying silent. I looked up at Elliot and shook my head. He moved closer to me.

"Maybe I would remember if you told me your name," he stated. I fiddled with my hands as it was written to do so. He took one of them in his own and I felt my stomach churn. That part wasn't in the script, was it?

"I feel like we've met before," he murmured. I nodded eagerly. "So we have?"

I sighed, taking my hand out of his and walked away from him until he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back towards him. I think that part was in the script...

"You can't leave yet. You have to help me remember," he said, tucking a hair behind my ear.

"Okay, stop!" Miss Lu called, and I immediately jumped away from Elliot. Not only was he the class president and captain of the football team... he was running for an Oscar, I was sure of it. My heart was pounding at the fact as to how realistically he seemed to act. I looked over at him and he sent me a smirk. I felt my gut boiling. "Let's take a break! That was excellent, Ally and Elliot!"

The group dispersed and I marched up to Elliot.

"If you think you can just send me a charming smile and be a wonderful actor, then you're wrong," I seethed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied unpretentiously. "You think I'm a wonderful actor?"

I glared at him. "That's beside the point!" I exclaimed, folding my arms. "Look, we are going to be working together, so I'd like to keep this professional. I don't have time for your shenanigans."

I turned to walk away but he lightly took hold of my arm and pulled me back. "You are..." he murmured, his eyebrows furrowing, almost as if he were frustrated and confused at the same time. "...different." I stared at him and gulped. He smiled. "I like that."

I scoffed at him and yanked my arm away, storming off the stage to head outside for a sip at the water fountain. Try and try he may, but my heart only had room for one person, even if that one person didn't have room for me.

To: Austin
From: Ally
3:30 pm
You were right. Pick me up ASAP.

I sighed. This was wrong, every single inch and centimeter of it.

I liked Austin.

Austin liked Kira.

Kira...liked...Austin...maybe...?

Elliot apparently liked me.

How did this all happen? I groaned and threw my face into my hands, sitting down on a bench as I waited for Shelby to arrive and take me away from this mess.

"Having problems?" a voice asked. I turned around and glared.

"Not now, Elliot," I sighed, turning around to send another quick text to Austin.

To: Austin
From: Ally
3:32 pm
HURRY UP.

"Who are you texting, your boyfriend?" he asked, taking a seat next to me. I was careful to scoot about an inch away from him.

"No," I replied.

"I thought Austin was your boyfriend," he said. I frowned and turned to look at him.

"You did?" I asked, then shook my head. "Oh, never mind."

"Do you like him?" he asked.

"No!" I exclaimed. "No, I don't like Austin!"

"Good. Then you'll say yes if I ask you out on a date," he declared, grinning.

"No."

"No?" he said in confusion.

"No, Elliot. I told you, I don't have time," I said. My phone vibrated.

To: Ally
From: Austin
3:38 pm
I'm coming, don't move.

I sighed in relief.

"Why don't you have time?" he asked.

"Because my schedule is full."

"Well, maybe you can make room. Dinner at Illusions Cafe, 8:30 this Friday. What do you say?" I stared at his face for a moment. He really was good looking.

"I'm sorry," I said, getting up at the sight of Austin's pick up truck. The tires screeched abruptly and Austin got out of the car, frowning.

"Is everything okay, Ally?" Austin asked, taking a step in front of me and staring at Elliot.

"Yeah... it's fine. Come on, Austin," I said, pulling his arm to drag him towards the truck, but he wasn't budging.

"You weren't bothering her, were you, Eli?" he snarled. I gulped.

"Austin..." I murmured, taking another tug at his arm but he still wouldn't move. Elliot smiled innocently, folding his arms.

"It's Elliot. And nope. I was just asking her out on a date, that's all," Elliot replied. I felt Austin's arm freeze under my hold.

"Maybe she isn't interested," he replied, his voice shaking quite a bit.

"Maybe you're right," Elliot sighed, but then sent me a wink. "But maybe I can get her to change her mind."

I felt my cheeks burn. Austin took a step forward but I finally managed to pull him back.

"Let's go, Austin," I said firmly, dragging the both of us back inside his pick up truck. I stared at Elliot through the window, shaking my head as we sped away. "What was that all about?"

"That was me saving you," Austin huffed. "You're welcome."

"Thanks," I muttered, not liking his tone. "But you didn't have to start a fight. Now you've only made things worse."

"Worse? Ally, that guy is a sleaze! I can't see why any girl would want to go on a date with him. You said no, right?"

"Of course I did!" I exclaimed. I watched the tendons bulge out of his hands as he gripped tightly on the steering wheel. "Relax, will you?" The tendons disappeared.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I just..." He turned to look at me once we hit a red light. "I don't like that guy, Ally. He's not right."

"You have nothing to worry about, Austin. I don't like him that way," I reassured him. "Oh, it's a green light!" He quickly turned his attention back to the road but not before taking my hand in his and squeezing it.

The next morning, I was having a hard time squeezing through the crowd that surrounded my locker.

"What is going on?" I gasped, standing on my tiptoes.

"I have no idea," Austin replied, trying to squeeze through a pack of students who were all whispering. When we both finally managed to squeeze through, my jaw dropped.

Someone had placed an array of pink Post-It notes into the shape of a heart on my locker door. In the middle, a bright orange Post-It read:

I'm not giving up. -E

"God, he was serious," I whispered, then quickly ripped the Post-Its off.

"Alright people, move, nothing to see here!" a familiar voice yelled, and I turned around.

"Trish, thank God," I sighed, wrapping her into a tight hug and shooting a quick smile at Dez.

"I knew he was into you," she squealed, then stopped when she noticed Austin glaring at her. "Sorry."

"That guy just can't take a hint, can he?" Austin asked in frustration.

"I guess not," I muttered.

"Hey Ally, can I keep those Post-It notes?" Dez asked, smiling eagerly. We all bluntly looked at him. "Or not..."

"This is ridiculous," I said, throwing the Post-It notes away in a nearby trashcan.

"I can make it even more ridiculous," a voice chuckled, and we all turned around to see Lover Boy himself. "Did you like it?"

"Not really," I replied, exasperated. "Elliot, I told you that I don't-"

"Have the time, I know," he said, cutting me off. "But..." He pulled a bouquet of roses from behind his back, handing them to me. I gasped.

"Aww!" Dez squealed, and Trish shoved his rib cage.

"Elliot..." I said.

"She doesn't want your stupid roses, Elliot," Austin said.

"You wouldn't know what Ally wanted if a bus hit you," Elliot retorted.

"What did you say?" Austin yelled, taking a large step towards Elliot.

"Guys..." I said uneasily. "Take it easy..."

"It's okay, Ally. I've heard that you don't like violence, so I won't take a swing at him," Elliot said, smirking. "Even though I know I could knock him out in three seconds."

That's when Austin took a swing.

OH SNAP, yeah, I did it. I left ya'll with a cliff hanger. Tee hee. I love you all, don't hate me, but I was feeling it. You guys are all amazing and your reviews are literally the sweetest! Some of them even make me tear up a bit because I've honestly always dreamt of becoming a writer, so to hear these words of encouragement from you guys feels amazing.

Guest people: Oh my goodness, PLEASE make an account because I want to reply back to you guys so, so bad! If you ever need someone to rant to or need advice from, I am here for you. And this goes for all of you, not just Guests!

Friendly reminder: You are all good, kind hearted, beautiful people, I'm just absolutely sure of it. You will all succeed at something in life. You will end up with your Prince Charmings at the end of the day, I promise. Don't ever let anyone tell you anything less because you all deserve the best. You all have big hearts, and that's all I can ever ask for from anyone.

Okay, I'm ending the cheesiness now. Don't forget to review so I know how I'm doing. THANK YOU, truly and honestly, thank you so much for reviewing, favoriting, or following. Or even if you're doing all of the above, even better! This isn't for me, I'm writing for you guys, so thank you so much and I will see you in the next chapter! MWAH.