Oh guys I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever! Honestly, I really, truly am. I had seriously writer's block and I was seriously sitting there and staring at my notebook and thinking, 'why can't I write this?!' I actually re-wrote this because I'd write it out and then I'd hate it and start all over again. SORRY!
I own nothing!
Ally's POV
As soon as the lesson had ended, I grabbed my files and my magenta messenger bag and ran out of the lecture theatre. I was in such a hurry to get back to the apartment that I crashed into Austin, who was waiting for my outside of my class, as usual. That did not stop me from picking up my pace again, however.
"Whoa, Ally, where's the fire?" Austin called, running after me. I huffed and brushed the bangs from my face, scowling a bit. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him.
"I have a lot of work to do, Austin. I have to catch up," I responded, starting to walk again. "You?" Austin started incredulously, "You, Ally Dawson, need to catch up on school work?! I don't believe you." I scowled.
"Well, I wouldn't have to if it weren't for someone who kept me up all night last night and made me miss more than half the lesson!" I snapped, poking him in the chest.
Austin put his arms up in defence, "I said I was sorry! And anyway, you could have gone to bed, but you didn't."
"Who was the one who was begging and pleading for a song?"
"And who was the one who agreed liberally?"
"I was intoxicated!" I pleaded my case, even though I knew that he had won the fight.
"By my unbearable good looks, charm and remarkable charisma?" he grinned, puffing out his chest and making a funny face. I laughed so hard I almost didn't notice my phone vibrating in my jeans pocket. I quickly read the text from mom whilst trying to carry the files in my tiny arms. Austin noticed my struggling and took them, holding them with ease in one hand whilst the other hung casually around my waist. I leaned into him slightly and wrapped my free arm around his middle, slowing our pace down.
"Are you free tonight?" Austin enquired out of the blue. That's how he is, really. Spontaneous would be a perfect way to describe him.
"Does it have anything to do with the library?" I asked, still typing.
"No."
I sighed, looking up at him. Believe me the last place I wanted to be was in a dusty old library instead of spending the night with Austin.
"I'll help you with it after our date, I promise," he said, kissing my temple. Aw... now just watch him ruin the sweet moment.
"...If you're still sober." See?
I shook my head, "I'm not drinking. I told you; I'm never ever doing that ever again." Austin laughed just as we arrived at the apartment I shared with Trish. I fished out the key from my bag and unlocked the door.
"That was a whole three years ago! What's more, that's when you got together with the best guy out there," he said, puffing out his chest. I giggled at the memory, following Austin into the kitchen. It was around two in the afternoon, so Trish must be in class.
"Oh you mean Rocky?" Austin's smirk dropped and was soon replaced with a feign jealous expression. "Tell me, Ally, what does that leaf have that I don't?"
"Modesty," I replied with a chuckle. Austin walked around the kitchen, collecting a bowl, a spoon, chocolate sauce, strawberries, and a tin of chopped nuts, sprinkles and ice cream wafers. I watched, unfazed. This was a daily routine, after all.
My mom replied.
You have to, Ally. It would mean the world to your father.
I groaned and did a face palm. Whenever my mom said that, she really meant, "If you don't do it, I'll kick your ass."
"What's wrong?" Austin asked, layering the chocolate sauce, strawberries and ice cream in the bowl.
"Mom and dad are having this stupid dinner thingy tomorrow night with someone from his work-"
"Sonic Boom?"
"Not Sonic Boom, the owner of the music company he works at. It supplies Sonic Boom with all of its instruments." Austin nodded in understanding.
"So they want me to come."
"Why?" he asked. I shrugged, "Don't know. But I have to go. And since it's going to be so boring," I exaggerated, "Maybe you could..?"
"No," he said biting into a strawberry.
"Wha-why?"
"Because one; I've been to loads of those things when I still lived with my parents and two; your dad hates me." I shifted from one foot to another.
"Well... I wouldn't say 'hate' exactly..."
"Oh yeah. He loathes me."
"Oh come on now, when I mentioned your name last time, he didn't scowl... okay, he did groan but... I'm not helping, am I?" I winced, seeing Austin's expression. Something flashed in his eyes but before I could even notice what it was, he shrugged and acted nonchalant.
"Not really. The feeling's mutual anyway."
I sighed, putting my head in my hands. I just want two most important people in my lives to get along. Is that too much to ask? It really hurts when I think about it – sometimes I feel like Dad thinks that Austin isn't good enough for me. Well, he made it pretty clear already anyway. I felt Austin's gaze boring into me before he spoke up.
"But I'll do it. I'll come with you." I looked up at him, smiling, "You'd really do that? I mean, you don't have to. I was just-"
Austin walked over to me and wrapped my arms around my waist and rested his forehead against mine. "Ally, if it makes you happy I'll come."
"Really? Because I could do something to make it up to you or-"
"Well..."
I can't say I didn't see that coming... I guess it's only fair, since I'm practically making him go to a really lame party where the host strongly dislikes him.
"What do you want?"
"You have to make me pancakes whenever I want, and you are so coming on that date with me tonight. I swear I'll help you afterwards."
"Austin, I was going to go anyway," I said.
"Uh huh."
"I was!" I exclaimed, pulling away slightly from the embrace so that I could poke him the chest. Austin smiled down at me, amused.
"I never said anything."
"You were being sarcastic," I pointed out, "So is that all you want?"
"No, there's one more."
"Shoot."
"You have to come with me when I go to Spain to visit my parents at the end of year," he said, leaning against the counter, his arms crossed triumphantly.
My jaw dropped, "But they hate me!"
Austin laughed, "That, Als, is what they call sweet, sweet revenge," he said with a wink.
"B-but that isn't fair!"
"How so?"
"It's only going to be a night," I reasoned, "And you're taking me with you for how long?"
"Three weeks."
"Exactly."
"Don't you want to visit your other half?"
I crossed my arms stubbornly but couldn't help the smile that was nevertheless growing on my face, "No." Austin laughed and turned his attention back to the sundae he was making, devouring it.
"Are you going to share?" Austin smiled and popped a strawberry in my mouth. Before I had even bit the strawberry, Austin leaned down and bit half off, kissing me in the process. I smiled and returned the kiss before he pulled away. He swung me around so that I was pressed against the wall, not breaking the intense kiss. Deciding to take domination for once, I pushed him gently back. As expected, Austin was caught off guard and sat on the counter. I swung my hips around and mounted him, my hands holding his face in place as my lips pressed harder against his soft lips. I felt Austin smile into the kiss before he broke it, his hands travelling up my shirt and his nails softly running up my flat stomach. I let out a soft moan, trapping my hands in his hair. His hands rested on my hips his lips were kissing my neck. Between kisses, his tongue lightly tickled my neck as he went down to my collar bone. My fingers found their way down from his hair to his shirt, and soon I found myself tugging at the bottom of it.
"Hey guys... oh sick! I walk into my kitchen to get a snack only to walk into the middle of a porn scene!" Trish snapped from behind us. "Seriously, I think you two are the most sexual couple I've ever met." I rolled my eyes as I pulled down my shirt.
"Trish, what are you doing here?" Austin asked, setting me down.
"Um I live here?" she said.
"He meant shouldn't you be in class?" I explained further. Trish sat down and grabbed Austin's forgotten sundae.
"Right," Trish said with a laugh, "'shouldn't you be in class?'" she imitated, putting air quotes for emphasis. "I haven't taken school seriously since the ninth grade. And anyway... oh my gosh, this is so good," she groaned, taking another spoonful. Austin pouted and reached for his stolen treat, only for Trish to slap his hand with her spoon.
"But it was mine!" he whined.
"'Was' being the key word," she said, "but this is great stuff, by the way. If you need me, I'll be in my room."
"Oh no you won't!" Logan cried from down the hall. Instantly, Austin groaned.
"Oh shit, it's you again," he said, earning a punch in the arm from the feisty Canadian as she entered the kitchen. There was... something off about her. I don't know what, but I could see it in her eyes. They were filled with her usual confidence but there was something else. Was it... remorse? Anger? Disappointment, even?
"You aren't exactly supermodel material either, Blondie," she spat. "Hi Ally," she said sweetly.
"Hey."
"Trish," Logan started, "You are not going back to bed – if I have to suffer with school, and you do too." Trish stood her ground. "You'll have to make me."
Logan cracked her knuckles and sighed, "I don't have time for this – we're already late to class!"
"Well there is no way that you're forcing me to come and go to that geek fest again."
"Trish, just go," I said, tired of the fighting. For once there is an argument going down and Austin isn't involved.
"Oh sure, then you two can go back to swapping spit, right?" Logan wrinkled her nose, "TMI."
"Hey, at least I'm getting some," Austin muttered. At this, I saw something flash in her eyes. She crossed her arms, masking her emotions. Austin had obviously hit a nerve.
"By who? Your hand?" Logan taunted.
"Oh for crying out loud, can you guys just quit fighting over nothing and grow up? Someone might get hurt!"
"Speak for yourself, you fight with Third all the time," Austin commented. That comment gave me a great idea. If they could go a few days without fighting, then they'll get used to each other and become friends! Then no one will get hurt! Am I not brilliant?!
"At least we can spend more than a minute without fighting senselessly over nothing!" I retorted, "In fact, I bet we can go a week without fighting. You guys can't go two minutes."
"We so can!" Logan said, "right Blondie?"
"Right." Ha, these guys are so easy to mess with.
I stuck out my hand, "Fine. No one can fight for a whole solid week. No insults, no violence, no pranks for a full seven days. That includes Trish and Dez," I said, shooting Trish a look. Logan, Austin and Trish shook on it.
"It's on."
"Now Trish, get your... oh my gosh ice cream sundae!" Logan exclaimed, running for Trish, drama class long forgotten. I watched in disgust as the two devoured the ice cream. Beside me, Austin sniffed.
"That's my sundae!"
Maybe the bet will have to start later, I thought as the three fought for the tiny bowl of ice cream. But... it does look good...
"Ugh!"
"Ugh!"
"Ugh!"
"Ugh!"
"...okay you win."
"JELLY BEANS!" Dez cried, diving for the bowl, knocking over the basket full of tennis balls as he went. I sighed and looked up from my book.
"What are you two doing?" I grunted.
"Eating jelly beans," Dez said with an eye roll. "Duh."
"We're trying to find out who has the manliest grunt," Tony explained, "And people grunt all the time when their playing tennis!" Honestly, I sometimes find it hard to believe that they aren't five year old kids.
"So you decide to play tennis in here while I'm trying to work instead of outside?"
"Yeah," they both simultaneously replied.
"Well can you keep it down? I'm trying o get as much work done before my date with Austin," I said, flipping through the pages of my notebook.
"Austin and Ally sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I... wait, what's the rest?" Dez stopped to ask. I stared at him in disbelief before picking up my books.
"Grow up," I snapped as I left the living room.
"Where are you going?" Dez called after me.
"Far, far away, a place where immature idiots don't know of," I replied. The library. My only hope of getting stuff done around here would be there.
"But you can't run away from yourself!" Tony laughed. I bit back an insult, remembering the bet and opened the front door. "Tell Trish I'm out," I said, stepping out. I walked right into Tasha, who seemed to be down in the dumps.
"Hey Tasha," I greeted my cousin, "What's wrong?" Before she could answer, Tony came running to the door. I watched in amusement and sheer horror as he leaned casually on the doorway, trying to act cool.
For Tasha.
"Hey," he said smoothly. My eyebrows shot up. Tony has a crush on Tasha?! Since when?
"So I was wondering if you were free tonight. A little birdie tells me-" Sensing that his next words were not going to help, I jumped in.
"Tony, if you don't mind going that would be great. Tasha and I have a lot of studying to do," I said, taking Tasha's hand.
"I'll come," he said.
"No!" I said, louder than necessary. Embarrassed, I cleared my throat, "I mean; it's at the library."
"Oh maybe next time... you know, when there's no books involved," he said. "I'll call you later," he winked at Tasha. Uh gross.
The moment he closed the door, Tasha burst into tears. I put down my bag and embraced my cousin in a hug.
"Tasha, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"Ross thinks I actually like Tony, so now he's giving all his attention to Logan!" Tasha cried, still in hysterics. I immediately felt guilt take over inside of me.
"Oh Tasha, this is my entire fault! If I hadn't told you to say Tony's name, this wouldn't be happening!"
Tasha shook her head, "No Ally, don't –"
"Oh Tasha I'm so, so sorry..." I paused, "Wait... did you say Logan?" Well that doesn't help the situation.
Tasha nodded, still sobbing. It broke my heart to see her like this; her big beautiful brown eyes now red and puffy with tears, her nose now red and her mascara running. Forgetting all about the library, I opened the door and led her through the hallway, past a confused Dez and Tony, and into my bedroom. I closed the door and sat her on my bed.
I took a seat on the small armchair, "Tell me the full story."
Tasha nodded and took a deep breath, trying to stop crying. As I handed her my box of Kleenex tissues, I studied her. If she was hurting this much for a boy she's liked for three or more years (she obviously cared a lot about him) then he must have done something really bad. She cried into the tissues for a bit, squeezing her eyes shut. The room was silent, the only sound being her sobs and my occasional whispers of comfort.
"I hadn't seen Ross all day," she started at last. "But at first that didn't really bother me because it wasn't like we'd never spent more than a day apart before. Then it was around four when I decided that it would be best if we started on one of our projects, to get it over with. For class we were paired up and we have to make a video... anyway, Ross was my partner. I looked for him and he wasn't answering any of my phone calls. When I finally found him in the auditorium he was just joking around with Logan and Trish. I was pretty angry at him for ignoring me the whole day like that. I started to tell him about the project and then he blew up and next thing I know, he's leaving with Logan. Trish tried to talk to me but I was so embarrassed... I ran before she could say anything else. Then I saw Ross again with Logan, but this time they looked really cosy. I was jealous, obviously, and he saw that. Then..." She stopped, her lip quivering.
"What happened Tasha?" I gently asked, "What did he do?"
"He... he kissed her."
Yikes, it's been way too long! I'm so, so, so, so sorry for not updating sooner! I just couldn't stop the writer's block! Please forgive me? I will try and update sooner, I promise! Ten fingers on the keyboard!
Please review!
Sammie