Okay, this is officially the chapter before the last chapter. Wow.

"So, what are your intentions for tonight?"

Austin shifted uncomfortably on the loveseat he and Ally were sitting on, opposite to Mr. Dawson. He really gave off that "over-protective father" vibe.

"Um . . . I'm taking her to the school dance?"

"You don't sound too sure of yourself."

"I am." Austin said. "Sir," he added, for good measure.

"Alright, then. Let's see your drivers' license."

"I don't have a drivers' license."

Lester turned to his daughter, who was fiddling with her thumb, trying to resist the urge to chew her hair.

"You're gonna date a guy with no drivers' license?"

"Dad! We're not dating! And he's 12!"

"You're gonna date a 12-year-old?"

"Dad! We're not dating! And I'm 12!"

"You're not old enough to date! You're only 12!"

"Dad! We're not dating! And how come now you acknowledge the fact that I'm 12?"

"Lester," said Penny as she walked to the kitchen. "Just let them—" Penny stopped mid-sentence. "You're Austin? Oh, I've heard so much about you! Did you know Ally—?"

"Well, time to go!" Ally said, pushing Austin off the couch and towards the door.

Once the door was closed, Ally leaned against it and sighed.

"That was so embarrassing." She whispered.

"Why are we whispering?"

"Because they're leaning against the door," she said, normally this time. Sure enough, they heard an "Oof!" and footsteps, followed by a bump! and a crash.

"Come on, we'll be late."

When Austin and Ally got to school, it was more or less than what they had expected. More, because the school was decorated — and they liked it. Normally, it would be something lame, like Barney stickers. [1] Less, because most of the school was piling out.

"What's going on?" Austin asked, confused. Ally spotted Trish and pulled her aside.

"What the — oh, hey Ally," Trish greeted nonchalantly.

"Trish, what happened? Why is everyone leaving?"

"Oh, didn't you hear? The band for the dance quit at the last minute. There wasn't any time to find a new one so, dance cancelled."

"What?! That's terrible!" she said. "Austin went through all that weird interrogation for nothing!" Austin wasn't listening. He was staring at a space, deep in thought.

"Austin?" Trish waved a hand in front of his face. "You okay?"

"Ally, have you finished that song?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You'll see. Trish, keep everybody in school."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"I don't know! Just do it! Come on, Ally!" he dragged Ally into the school.