Author's Note

20 Chapter! Wow. I seriously didn't think I would get this far. You guys keep me going!

Disclaimer: I don't own...

Chapter 20

Austin's POV

That girl really amazes me. That was the second time that she has left me hanging. I had to have yet another very cold shower because of her. And do you know how hard it is trying to hide a boner from like a whole sea of people.

"Dude! She did it again!" I moan, walking into Dez's apartment.

"She did what?"

"Left me hanging! She is like the biggest tease I have ever met. And she is totally taking control. I mean, she leads me on until am hanging on the edge of a cliff, and then she leaves!"

"Then why don't you stop her?" I cock an eyebrow at Dez's simple, but genius suggestion. "Take control and don't let her leave."

"That is why you are my best friend. Simple, but pure genius. A lost and misunderstood soul, and under rated, yet he is one of the worlds greatest minds." He rolls his eye half-heartedly.

"So why did you burst in here moaning, when Jess could have been here. You know, the only reason you are with Ally in the first place." To be honest, I haven't thought about the bet in ages.

"This is around the time Jess goes on her jog, so I knew she would be out." He gives me a look that said 'really'. "I listen to what she has to say. Do you really think that I am such an obnoxious jerk that I wouldn't even know such simple facts about her-"

"You saw here when you came here, didn't you?" He interjects in a bored tone.

"Yep,"

"Thought so," He laughs patting my back.

"Are you saying that I don't listen to girls?"

"Well, you don't. I bet you can't even tell me 5 things about Ally."

"I can to. She um," I think about it. "She um..." I can't think of anything. "Well... Well that's not fair, because she hasn't actually told me anything!" I exclaim in my defence.

"Then maybe you should get to know her,"

"Fine then. I will," I retort.

"Great." He says calmly.

"Hello Asshole,"

"Hey slut," I greet Jess.

"So has Ally finally got fed up with you yet?"

"Nope. We're stronger than ever,"

"Really. I'd give it another day or two,"

"Oh really. I'd say that we are so strong that I'll raise the bet to a month and make the money $50,"

"Oh really then? Then you won't mind that I called your parents and told them about Ally," She replies slyly. My eyes widen in horror.

"You did what!" I exclaim.

"You seemed so sure a second ago. What happened Austin? Getting cold feet,"

I clear my throat and regain my posture. "It's not that that I am worried about. It's my parents. They will embarrass me. And meeting the parents so early, wouldn't that scare her?"

"Oh come on Austin. If she really likes you then she won't mind."

I sigh and rub my hand through my hair. I got to do this. "Fine."

"Is that a fine? Great! A month, and $50,"

"Deal," I say shaking her hand. I am really digging myself my own grave here.

"Can we never have a 'hi nice to see you' 'oh it's nice to see you too'?" Dez mutters to no one in particular.

Ally's POV

I find myself at Austin's (and now my) favourite coffee shop. I some how find myself coming here almost every day. It's just so nice here. I grab my usual order a look around for a table. To my surprise I see Austin's friend. Dez was it. And he was looking through a load of photos. It looks like he was pondering over something. I look over his photos and analyse them.

"I like that one," I say pointing at a breath-taking photo of a pink rose. He looks up me surprise for a second, and then smiles.

"Hi," He replies, looking down at the pictures. "I quite like that one too, but I also like that one," He continues pointing at another picture.

"May I ask what you are doing?" I ask taking a seat across from him.

"I'm choosing shots so I can send them in to a magazine," He explains. I nod in understanding.

"I think you should chose that one, that one and that one," I say, pointing to my 3 favourite pictures, all gorgeous shots of various types of flowers

"Thanks for your help," He smiles.

"Any day,"

"So I'm guessing that Austin introduced to this place as well,"

"Yeah. And to be honest, I've been coming here ever since,"

"It's nice isn't it?" He muses, looking around.

"It really is. I'm glad he showed me."

"Wanna know a secret?" He asks, leaning in a bit so that only the two of us could hear.

"Sure,"

"This place sells better cupcakes than Starbucks. Seriously, it's like catnip for humans,"

"It'll be our little secret," I chuckle. Wow, he is really different from when we first met. He was all serious, and didn't talk much back then. Now he has an easygoing atmosphere, and is really comfortable to talk to.

"Y'know, you are really easy to talk to," I say nonchalantly.

"Thanks. I guess," He says unsurely, eyebrows knitted together.

"Don't worry, it's a good thing." I reassure. "It's just that when I first met you, you didn't talk much,"

"Well, you guys did all the talking," He says making me chuckle a bit.

"So what magazine are you sending these shots off to then?" I ask, gazing over his beautiful shots again.

"Some gardening magazine. Although personally, I wouldn't read it, it's nice to see other people's gardens, y'know, because we live in New York,"

"I know what you mean. It's so different moving from somewhere as luscious as Miami, to somewhere as dull and loud as New York," I sigh, reminiscing about my old house that was near the beach, and surrounded by palm tree and other lovely flowers.

"You're from Miami? Awesome! I'm from L.A,"

"Awesome! It must've been so cool getting to live right next to movie stars huh?"

"Yeah. But being next door neighbours with Jonny Depp was annoying. He is quite the party animal," He jokes, making me laugh.

"So Austin tells me that you went to NYU," His eyes widen in delight when I mention this.

"I did. It was lot of fun,"

"I went to NYU too!" I exclaim excitedly.

"Really! That's awesome! What did you major in?" He asks, just as excited as me.

"English Language!"

"That's awesome. My parents never thought that I would get into NYU, yet alone graduate. They were a bit cynical when I had to move to New York"

"I think it's really sweet that Austin moved all the way out to New York with you,"

"It was a new start for him as well. I glad that I could go through the big change with my best friend,"

"So how long have you and Austin been friends?"

"Since as long as I can remember. I know every thing about him,"

"Oh really? Any secrets you're wiling to share?" I ask, joking, but kind of curious at the same time.

"I'm afraid that if I tell you, Austin would murder me." He replies, making me mock pout, "However, I can tell you that he adores his family, and that he is a total momma's boy,"

"Wow! The Austin Moon. A Momma's boy." I fake gasp. "I could totally picture that," In all truth, I think it is adorable that he is a momma's boy. It's a more venerable side to him, one that I hope I can see for myself one day.

"Yeah. He's a big softy. But he only shows that side to people that he really cares about."

"I'd like to see that side of him,"

"He puts up this big boy act, when really, he is really quite fragile." He says, almost like a warning.

"Well, I can assure you that he is in good hands," I smile at him warmly. I really did mean it.

"Hey Ally! What's 'the regular place?' Oh you two have a place now! That is too cute!" I hear Trish yell. I turn to look at her curiously, wondering what she is talking about. She answers my unasked question by holding up my phone.

"Trish! Stop going through my phone!" I exclaim, snatching the phone out her hands. She shrugs, and I just roll my eyes.

I look down at my phone to see a message from Austin.

Hey! Can you meet me at the regular place. And no, this is not a date. I need to ask you a favour. Austin.

I instantly know what he meant by usual place. It's weird how because we see each other so much at the coffee shop, that we call it the 'usual place'. I grab my bag, deciding that as it was not a date, what I am wearing is fine.

"Where are you going?" Trish asks as I walk past her.

"Out" I reply, walking out the door. I reach for my phone and text Austin back, saying that I'll be there in around 5 minutes.

When I finally reach my destination, I look around for the bubbly blond. I smile as I take in the all so familiar sent of coffee. The atmosphere as warm and welcoming as ever. I suddenly spot a very familiar face under a beanie, and wearing some glasses.

"S'up Moon," I great him, keeping new Ally in mind, as I take a seat. He looks up and his eyes light up.

"Hello beautiful," My cheeks redden, as I sit down. Damn it Dawson. Keep your cool.

"So is there a reason you asked me here?" I ask, still curious to what this favour might be.

"Can't I ask my favourite girl out to coffee without here asking my motives?" He asks innocently.

"Well your mom is in L.A isn't she? Momma's boy," I coon, pinching his cheeks. His eyes widen and his face reddens.

"Damn it Dez!" He curses under his breath. I just silently laugh in amusement at Austin Moon losing his cool.

"So the reason why I question your motives, is because you said you wanted a favour,"

He clears his throat, and regains his posture. "Oh right," He laughs sheepishly. "So you know how I did you a favour the other night when I went to that stupid party," I nod, recalling the 'eventful' night. "Well..." He started, and then mumbled incoherent words.

"What?" I ask, tilting my head in confusion.

"Jess kinda, maybe, told my parents that we are dating, and they want to meet you," He mumbles, although this time I can understand. My eye widen as I process what he said.

"What! You want me to meet your parents." He nods. "Who live in L.A," He nods again.

"You don't have to come. It's just that I would've had to go anyway. It'll just be a lot more fun with you there. And I haven't had a stable girlfriend for a while..."

"And you don't want to disappoint your family," I finish his sentence for him, understanding what means. Dez's words ring through my head. He adores his family. So obviously he would like to impress them. "But it's not like we're dating, are we?"

"I don't know. Are we?" He retorts. Maybe he's just as confused with our relationship as I am.

"But they live in L.A. How are we going to get ticket on such short notice?" I ask, avoiding anything to do with defining our relationship.

"Does that mean you coming?" He asks, eye lightening up again.

I sigh and say "Yep," This makes him jump up, yank me up, then squeeze me to death. My eyes widen at his very child like action.

"Thank you. You are the best," He exclaims into my hair.

I awkwardly pat his back, not knowing what to do, and becoming very cautious of the people beginning to stare.

"So when do we go to meet your lovely parents," I ask pulling away from the bone crushing hug.

"In 3 days," He says sheepishly. My eyes widen. 3 days!

"You want me to jump on a plane to New York to meet your parents in 3 days."

"Yep," He smiles. "Thanks! You are the best!" He exclaims.

"You need 3 days off so you can go meet Austin Moon's parents." My Boss summarises. I stand there nervously, desperately wanting to put a clump of my hair in my mouth, a very pleasant (note my sarcasm) habit that I luckily kicked. Knowing that she could be really brutal, isn't helping my situation.

"I'll allow it." I visibly relax. "On one condition." She adds making me groan. There is always something. "You use that time to find out the deepest secrets. Get to know the real Austin. Then write me the article I asked you about."

Can I really do that to him. Gain his trust, then exploit him like that? But then again, it's not like I can particularly care for him. He's just a toy to play with until I get bored right.

"I can see big things for you in the future if you do it," She says slyly, knowing that I wouldn't refuse.

"Fine. I'll do it." I groan.

So I'm sorry about grammar mistakes. The thing is that whenever I have inspiration, it is at 3:ooam in the morning. So i am not drunk, I am delusional. It's sad, but it's true. I don't know why I get inspiration at night, but by that time I am half asleep, and my brain is straining. Anyway...

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Until next time