Chapter 12:

Hey I decided to update today again just for you guys!

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Ally's POV

I have never wanted to disappear so much in my life. Mimi waited for an answer and Austin furrowed his eyebrows.

"Um-um my my dad's great!" I stuttered. "The business is really good." I smiled shakily.

"That's great! How about Penny? I've been meaning to call her and apologize." Mimi said her smile fading.

"Why apologize?" I asked.

"Well since the business took off we haven't spoken in years, and I lost your number. I just want to catch up." She smiled.

How am I supposed to tell her, her old best friend is dead? The memory of my mom clouded my thoughts. I didn't know what to say. I felt their eyes on me and I felt overwhelmed.

"Dear, are you okay?" Mimi asked with worried eyes.

"Fine- just a need air." I said and took off running and finally let the tears that I was holding in fall.

Austin's POV

It was going great. Ally and my mom and uncles talked and laughed nonstop.

They have always liked Ally, sometimes more than me.

My mom asked about ally's mom and she froze and got red.

Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Penny since I left to New York. She wasn't in the plane with Ally or at the airport.

I looked Ally and she was running away and my mom stood up.

"I'll go." I said gesturing for my mom to sit back down.

I got up and followed the path that Ally just took. I went into a hallway and looked around until I saw her sitting at some steps by the bathroom. I knew she was crying because her head was buried in her hands, and she never like when people saw her cry.

"Alls what just happened?" I questioned as I sat next to her.

"Ally what's wrong?" I asked putting my arm around her. I hate seeing her like this.

"Austin- I – I can't." she cried.

"You can't what?" I asked while taking her hands from her face. Her eyes were red and puffy.

"How am I going to tell Mimi!" she said staring at me.

"Tell her what?" I asked. I was so confused. She took a deep breath and then looked down at her hands.

"Austin my mom died the summer you guys left." She said barely loud enough for me to hear.

My eyes widened and I froze. Why didn't she tell me before?

"Ally I'm so sorry." Was the only thing I could say.

Ally's POV

Austin nd I sat there huddled together as I just cried. He probably thinks I'm an emotional wreck. He had already seen me cry twice since summer started.

"I'm sorry Austin I think I'm gonna go." I said getting up.

"I'll go with you." He started.

"No its your aunts wedding you can't just leave!" I shouted.

"But-"

"Austin!"

"Fine, but I'm really sorry Alls I didn't know." He said sadly.

"It's fine." I said.

"You can drive my car home, I'll just pick it up later." He offered.

I was about to protest but someone said something behind Austin.

"I can take her." I heard a voice. I turned to face Eliot. He was in a tux and he looked nice.

"I was leaving too, I have to go pick up my sister at the airport her flight just got here, I can drop you off." He smiled.

"Thanks, what are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." He laughed.

"I'm here for my uncle, he just got married." He smiled.

"Uncle?" Austin asked eyebrows raised.

"Yup, I guess we're cousins now!" Eliot laughed. Wow this world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.

Austin pulled a fake smile and there was this awkward silence so I decided to break it.

"Alright so I'll take you up on that offer!" I said smiling at Eliot.

"Great, see you later cuzo!" Eliot said elbowing Austin.

Austin stifled a fake laugh and watched us as we left.

As soon as Eliot dropped me off I went inside and just went straight to the practice room.

I felt bad for leaving Austin. I felt bad for causing a big show at the reception. I felt bad for feeling bad.. uhh I don't even make sense sometimes.

I just couldn't handle saying those words again. I was about to call Trish but I realized I had 12 new messages, and they were all from Austin.

I shook my head letting out a giggle as I read all the texts he sent.

"I'm fine!" I wrote back and then shut my phone and threw it on the bed.

I took a shower and changed into a sweatshirt and sweat pants and decided to take a power nap. I climbed into bed and drifted to sleep.

I woke up and it was already dark. I could even see the moo high in the sky as I sat up. I guess that was just a really long.. power nap. I looked at the clock and it read 8:30 pm. Great now I won't be able to sleep. I walked out of my room and headed down the stairs. I heard a noise like someone was rummaging through the kitchen. My dad isn't home and neither is Trish. She told me she wouldn't be home tonight and my dad texted me saying he won't be home for another couple of days. I felt myself freeze as I saw the figure opening the cabinets. He was in a hoodie so I couldn't make out his face.

I froze on spot not knowing what to do. I should of brought my phone down with me. Stupid I thought.

I tiptoed over to the couch and grabbed what I could when he was about to turn around. I threw a pillow in his direction letting out a squeal as I bolted up the stairs.

I know he was following me so I quickly got my phone and locked myself in my closet.

I didn't even call the police like I should of. I called Austin instead out of panic.

"Hello?" he answered with a soft quiet voice.

"Austin! Help! There someone in my house! I think there-" I said but I stopped because I heard him.. laughing? Why is he laughing? Is he drunk or something? This isn't funny!

"This isn't funny!" I yelled over the phone.

Just that second the closet door opened. I thought I locked it! Oh god I felt like I was about to pee myself.

He got closer and closer and then flipped the light on.

"Yes it is!" Austin laughed hysterically right In front of me hanging up the phone. I'm going to kill him.

He was in a black hoodie and sweats like me. He was the guy downstairs. I just buried my face in my hands as he sat next to me holding his stomach as he laughed hysterically. Tears even were falling from his face from laughing so much. I didn't even want to lift my head because I know I'm red as a tomato.

"So I better inform your dad to get security on the place because a pillow won't cut it!" he laughed.

"Hilarious!" I scoffed and got up from the floor and walked into my room, clearly irritated.

"Oh come on Ally, maybe we can go to the police station and explain to them how you killed a guy by pillowing him to death!" he laughed again. But then noticed my anger and finally stopped.

I sat on my bed and he sat on my carpet.

"How did you even get in?" I asked. "Well you left your purse in my car, along with his key in it and with this." He said taking out my songbook from his hoodie's pocket.

"My songbook!" I exclaimed as he gave it to me and I hugged it close to my chest.

"You didn't read it did you?" I asked my eyes wide.

"No, of course not I respect that you don't like people touching it." He said smiling.

"Plus if I did I know you'd kill me." He smirked.

I stood up and was about to walk downstairs but turned back to find him staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Why are we matching?" he said with a laugh as he eyed our similar clothing.

"Great minds think alike." I laughed as I walked down the steps, Austin following close behind.

"So how did the rest of the wedding go?" I asked as I plopped on the couch.

"It was alright I guess, I got to know more about my new cousin and his amazing achievements in arts in crafts!" Austin said with sarcasm.

"Eliot isn't really the fun type." I laughed a little.

"Trust me, I know!" he said walking away.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To pop some popcorn of course!" he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Ohh so you think you could just come over whenever you want and expect I'm going to let you stay?" I said with a smirk.

"Yes?" he smiled cheekily.

"Uhh, fine but I pick the movie!" I said while he agreed.

Half way into the movie Austin fell asleep and I wasn't tired at all so I decided to go up to the practice room.

Once I got there I sat on the piano bench and opened my song book.

I have been working on a new song for a while and I started playing it.

"Stop hiding out in the shadows, scared to show the world you exist." I sang.

"Don't lock yourself in the darkness, the world is so much brighter than this." I sang but stopped as I bit my lip looking for more lyrics.

I heard breathing and turned around to see Austin leaning on the door.

" How long have you been there? Why aren't you sleeping?" I said suddenly sounding like a mom.

"Not long." He said walking over to the piano and sitting on it. I cringed a little and he noticed.

"Don't worry I wont touch your book, but that was a really great song." He exclaimed.

"Thanks, but that's not what I meant. You see, my mom and I, I guess this was our special room and this is her piano." I said as he stood up right away.

"Sorry I didn't know-" he started.

"No its okay, so you like the song? I cant figure out what to do for the next part." I said gesturing him to sit next to me.

"Well it sounded like taking chances and overcoming a fear of some sort." He said probably trying to remember it.

Can I touch your book just this once?" he asked.

"Fine." I said hesitantly.

"Wow Alls, these are crazy good." He smiled.

He read them over a few more times and then placed his hands on the keys but then turned to me kind of asking permission to play. I nodded and he started playing the melody I was playing just a few secons ago.

"How about this." He said as he went into the tune for the second verse.

"if you never take a shot your never gonna win so turn it all around." He sang. I quickly nodded and wrote it in my book so wouldn't forget.

"And break down the walls!" I sang and wrote. He smiled and sang the song from the top.

The next hour we worked on the song.

"Break down the walls!" we both sang together.

"Ahh we finished it!" I exclaimed.

"I know!" he said smiling.

"Ally can I sing it next time at pizza palace? And I promise I'll give you all the credit." He asked.

I smiled and nodded. "Really? Awesome! Maybe you can even sing with me!" he exclaimed.

"Austin you know I can't do that." I said sheepishly.

"Yes you can! Like the song said, you have to take a shot and break down the wall!" he exclaimed.

I know he was right but I just.. wasn't ready.

"Maybe one day." I said with a small smile.

"Don't you remember our promise? My dream hasn't changed. I want to become famous. I want to become famous with you." He smiled.

"So do I, but I have my stage fright maybe you'll have to do it without me." I said

"Ally I cant write songs that well, and-" "But you can!" he said his eyes getting wide while he cut himself off.

"Ally what if we can do this! You write the songs, I perform them!" he said getting into a little trance by his own words.

"So we would be like music partners?" I asked.

"Yeah I guess so!" he smiled.

"Let's do it!" I squealed as he pulled me into a giant hug.

"Austin wait." I said as he pulled back and met my eyes.

"What about college? I already applied to over ten and my dad won't let me just-" I started.

"Ally, let's just take it day by day, alright?" he said smiling.

"Okay." I agreed.

I know this going to be start of a big journey, but I know with me and Austin anything is possible. I guess were just … better together.

Ooh possible song lyric maybe?!

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