Ch. 12: Road Trip

I thought I hit rock bottom when I saw Austin a year and a half later from our break up and learned that he was engaged. I thought my world was going to fall apart when I agreed to be their Maid of Honor. I was certain that the last words I'd ever speak were to tell the person I love that I don't care about them because the pain was just too much. Now I have come to learn that those moments were actually the good moments of this wild roller coaster. I have realized that I must be the most unlucky person from all the bastards that are unfortunate.

Because last time I checked, lucky people don't plan a wedding for an ex-boyfriend. Reasonable people actually try their hardest to avoid an ex-boyfriend when they run into them. In fact they actually run away as fast as they can from their ex-boyfriend. And most certainly, fortunate people aren't in the same car as their ex who's sitting next to his soon to be wife, while the rest of the group is in a different car most likely talking about gossip. And sadly for me, my lucky star disappeared a while ago.

Halley is the only one who's really enjoying herself with the seating chart. Something about us getting to learn to like each other because her new BFF can't possibly hate her too perfect to be real fiancée. If she only knew that I know him all too well.

But as she talks about the wedding plans to us, even she can't ignore the tension in the car. It's like we're waiting for a bomb to explode. It's like Austin and I are waiting to see how long this little charade can keep going. How long can we keep acting like we hate each other? I still can't believe that he hasn't told Halley anything about us. Did we really mean so little to him that we're not even worth to tell anyone to?

For the past hour on this "wonderful" car ride, I have been staring out my window in an attempt to avoid awkward eye contact with Austin, he looks like he's pissed off, and Halley has been trying to make us interact. To add the cherry on top, Halley keeps asking us questions and all we are doing is saying one worded answers. Then she asks the only question that Halley knows will make us talk, "So why can't you guys get along?"

I hold my breath as she finishes the question and automatically my eyes shift to Austin. I only find him staring at me with the same panic look written across his face. Slowly we start to lean towards discomfort but Halley's oblivious to it. In fact she's oblivious to the silent conversation that Austin and I are having with our eyes as we tell the other to speak first.

Getting tired of the silly game that Austin and I are playing, I say, "Well I'm not sure why. I think it just has to do with the fact that we have too many different tastes. You know? Like I like pickles, he likes pancakes. I like being civilized; he'd rather live in the jungle. I have manners; he can be a total cold hearted person when he feels like it. I actually have something called feelings and if it wasn't for the fact that I learned he had proposed to you, I would still doubt that he had any."

This makes the car go into complete silence. And to make this a little bit more uncomfortable for Austin I say with a smirk on my face, "What do you think Austin?"

Biting his lips while he glares at me I know I'm going to pay. But I don't really give a damn about what he says. He can tell me to go to hell for all I care. He lets out a low chuckle before he says, "It's funny you mentioned all those difference because I actually remembered it a different way. I remember how you could be such a… well with lack of words but for respect for Halley I think I'll say unpleasant. I mean remember how you would always be insulting me about every little thing I did. I mean I kind of understand why now because you never knew what the word fun meant. And from the looks of it, you still don't. In fact I think you're even more of a tight ass than you were the first time I met you. And let's not forget how you would leave me to hang out with everyone else."

I can see Halley squirming in her seat but I just can't stop myself when I say, "Well maybe I went to hang out with everyone else because you were always showing up late whenever we made plans with our friends. What you expect me to do? Wait forever?"

"Well I obviously wasn't expecting that but at least to hear my side of the story before jumping to conclusions."

Getting frustrated with him, I just turn back to the window and try to block out my surrounding as I concentrate on the horrible 60's station that we are currently listening to. It's too quiet for anybody to feel comfortable and to be fair, I think that the conversation actually went pretty well. After all, if I have an excuse to be angry with him, why not take advantage of it. It is his fault that I'm feeling so annoyed at the world right now. He could have chosen to get married in whatever state he lives but no, he had to come back to Miami. He had to come back into my life.

Halley's the first one to break the silence as she says, "Well, that's interesting. Now that we've gotten those feelings out why don't we go back to planning the wedding? I think that's a wonderful idea."

Thirty minutes later we (Halley) all get bored of making small talk so we actually spend that time to ourselves. But it's cut too short when Halley says, "I can't believe Ruara broke up for the fifth time! I really thought they were going to make it this time. They're just so perfect for each other! I mean what could possible make them break up?"

I was going to brush her off, but of course Austin just wants world war three to start right here in the car. "Well maybe Ross just got annoyed how Laura kept going to, what's his name, that guy she always goes to when they get in a fight. Uh, Dallas! What do you think Ally?"

I can already hear the smirk on his face. Is it bad that I want to strangle him right here? I mean, I don't want to kill him, just knock him out; make him pass out long enough that when he wakes up we are already at our destination. That sounds like a really nice idea.

Covering my bitter voice with sweetness I say, "Well maybe she wouldn't have to go to Dallas if Ross actually showed up on time and actually spend more time with her. You can't blame the girl for getting lonely. Don't you think so Halley?"

Halley stutters on her words as she tries to find a way to get out of this conversation but before she can Austin interrupts her, "Well if Laura could just understand that he is trying to build and keep his career then she wouldn't have a problem with it. Especially since she tells him that she supports him a hundred percent. If she is getting lonely, she should just tell him that she wants to go with him."

"Why would she? She has a career of her own. You know, a world can't revolve around one person in a relationship. Both have to try. And maybe if he didn't get jealous so easily they wouldn't have broken up again."

Halley just keeps staring back and forth at us but we can't stop bickering. It's like word vomit. One says something and the other has to respond. We keep at it and we don't realize that our voices are too loud to be considered inside voices. I don't notice how I clutch onto my purse tighter as this conversation continues. I fail to notice how Austin knuckles are white from tensely holding the steering wheel.

"Well I still think if she would reassure him that she loved him he wouldn't get easily jealous!" Austin tells me for the hundredth time.

I roll my eyes and even scoff at his response. Then I tell him for a millionth time, "Well don't you think that he shouldn't doubt her love?! If she hasn't cheated on him yet with Dallas why should he think that she doesn't love him? It's obvious that Dallas loves Laura, but it's even more noticeable how Laura doesn't get the same shine her eyes or smiles as wide as she does when she's with Ross. If she wanted she could have just dump Ross and moved on to Dallas but she doesn't. Because she most likely loves Ross!"

"He does notice this! He notices the way that Laura loves him and I bet that he only gets upset when she goes with him because he's scared of losing her!"

Taking a deep breath, I lower my voice a bit and finish off saying, "But he doesn't let his fear make him break up with her good and then disappear like they never even happened. He's scared of losing so he lets her go before she leaves him. But every time he notices how much he needs her, he comes back. He just can't stay away. He's not afraid at the end because he needs her more than his fear."

Austin is opening his mouth but this time Halley snaps us out of our war when she says, "Oh look there's a gas station. We should get some gas, and snacks. Plus I need to use the ladies room."

This makes us shut up, but I can't help but start to panic because Halley is actually going to leave us alone. And I've never been tempted to use violence as a way to solve a problem. But making Austin unconscious until we get to Lake Buena Vista has never been so appealing to me.

As soon as Halley steps off, Austin starts to fill the tank. I can see him leaning on the car through the mirror and I don't think I can handle this. I can't handle the rest of the road trip if we are going to be bickering constantly. We need to make peace. I think we can still be friends… if we tried. At least we can do this just for this week or so.

Taking a deep breath, pulling my hair in a loose bun, I get out of the car and stand next to Austin. He has his arms crossed and I can't see his expression as his shades hides his eyes. Closing my eyes and praying for a miracle I say, "Look Austin, We can't keep biting at each other's throats. We're scaring Halley and I can't stand this for the rest of the road trip. Much less for the time we are going to spend on this trip."

It hurts me when he doesn't even acknowledge me. He just keeps staring at the screen that lets him know how much he has to pay. I'm starting to play with my fingers and then say, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. I was out of hand to tell you that you shouldn't have been born."

Feeling embarrassed I'm going to go back inside the car when I hear him say, "You know, after having so much history with someone, you don't tell them you don't love them the way that you did. That just makes you as heartless as you say I am."

Not turning around I just shrug my shoulders. "I know. But I had to defend myself."

I'm opening the door when he turns me around to look at him, "You had to defend yourself from what?"

Is it funny that I don't feel any panic right now? I'm not scared or worried about what could happen as he asks me this question. This feels so much like before. How we'd scream and fight to annoy the hell out of each other and then all of a sudden our voices would get soft and gentle. We'd speak with our hearts instead of our mind.

"I had to defend myself from you… from another heartbreak. You know I still think of you every now and then," I let out a chuckle as I know the truth is that I only think about him. Except he doesn't need to know that; I don't need to get any more ideas inside of his head.

"I think about you too. But you already knew that," he whispers to no one in specific.

We both lean on the car and stare into the distance. It's weird talking about… us. It's weird acting the way we used to be before and it's even weird how even after all the things that have been said and done between us, we can still find a middle ground to talk it out and forgive.

"You know that I still care about you. I care too much to let you ruin your moment with Halley. She loves you, you know? I can tell from the way she glows when she's next to you. I can tell you love her too. Your smile gives you away even when you say you love me."

On cue a small smile tugs on the corner of his lips before he chuckles and says, "Yea you're right. I do love Halls. But that doesn't mean that I don't love you just as much or more. It's just we had something special you know? Something that's hard to forget."

I can't help but giggle because it's true. I haven't been able to erase him from my memories. I don't even think I want to erase him from my life. Even after getting on this crazy roller coaster with him.

"Trust me I know. It was good, never looking down. Cause right there where we stood was holy ground."

I don't even let him get the song reference from Taylor Swift. He doesn't need to know that sometimes I just play this song to think of him. He doesn't need to know that all this time I've dedicated this song to him. I just go next to him, stand on my tippy toes, and gently place our last kiss on his cheek. Softly I whisper in his ear, "You'll always be my first love. Maybe not the one to change my last name or the last guy I kiss, but you'll always be my first love."

I go back to my side of the car and open the door to get in for good this time. I'm on my phone trying to check my email when he open the door across from me and says, "You know, I think even if Ross and Laura don't get back together, they can still be good friends like they were before they even started dating. Don't you think so?"

A small smile starts to form on my lips and I know what he's asking. He wants to be friends. He's words are beautiful, but they are bittersweet. Because I'll never let him know how fast my heart beat still goes. He'll never know that I care too much about him for my own good. I'll never know if he ever wants something more. But we burn too bright together. When we're just friends everything seems more simple and easy; like we don't have to try.

Nodding my head I tell him, "I think they can be the same friends they were when they met that one night in a dance."

We both stay there, smiling at the other until Halley comes back and asks us what she's missed. When Austin goes to close the tank I tell Halley how Austin and I are going to try to be friends for the sake of the wedding which throws her into a fit of giggles and joy.

"I just knew that this seating chart would be a wonderful idea. Now my BFF and my husband will be friends too!" she shouts in joy.

When we pull off, we all get a tad bit lazy from driving for two hours and seeing the sunset going down. I'm going to take a nap but as I close my eyes for the first time I realize that they've been holding hands since we've left the gas station. And for the first time, I'm completely fine with it.

A/N: So I was writing this story and I just realized that in about a month, it's going to be a year of reading and writing some amazing stories that people have written, but most importantly it's going to be a year of writing and thanking all of you wonderful people. And somehow I can't get this to register in my head. But what I really can get threw is how amazing and supporting all of you guys are because really, you guys inspire me so much to write and I love reading your reviews and the emails of faves and follows and the fact that someone is actually reading them, still surprises me like the first time. So sorry for disappearing and all, but I think this chapter came out the way I wanted it to. After all, they couldn't stay mad at each other forever. What's the fun in that? ;) SO on to one of my fave things, SHOUT OUTS! :D

Ch. 10

NE: Yes it is. I can't believe someone actually put them all together so I am going to say an extra big, THANK YOU! And thank you so much for reading. I'm glad you're loving the story and I hope you like where it's heading to. Thanks for reading. :)

queenc1: Thank you so much for always being there and I also can't wait to see them get back together. But trust me, it'll happen. Sooner or later. Thanks you so much for reviewing! :)

jamesmaslow4evz: Thanks you so much for making me smile :) with your wonderful review. I'm glad you enjoyed it and sorry for confusing you. Glad you understood it after. Sorry for making you cry...

Miss-Sunny-Skies:Have we met before? JK ;) Love you and miss you. glad to see you're back again! well i'm doing fine and all and yea. sorry for confusing you but glad you understood. I fixed it now so thanks for letting me know. I hope everything's fine and write you soon! :)

Guest: Well of course I wouldn't make Ally act the way she did just like that. I'm just mean with you guys and making you suffer so sorry for that. But thanks for supporting me! :) It really means a lot and makes me smile real BIG!

auslly-ruara101: You are amazing and yes that chapter is dedicated to you and your ausllyness! Sometimes I just need a wake up call and yours did it. Thanks for reading and being amazing! :)

HappyBeginnings3:Thank you for being there since the start. It really means so much. I love reading everything that you have to say and thanks! :)

APlusAzian: Well I'm glad that if I'm breaking you down that I'm fixing you back up wouldn't be fair to just tear down your dreams of Auslly in my story. LOL yea I see. That's one of my fave songs of them. Glad you're liking it. Thanks for EVERYTHING! Love you too! :)

XxChasingMoonlightxX: Thanks you so much! Seriously if smiling could hurt then I'd blame you for my pain because your reviews always leave me smiling! :) I'm glad you're liking it and thanks for understanding that things are rocky but it will get interesting. SO thanks love ya!

randomsmileyperson:Thank you so much and I can't wait to see what your working on next! I left lots of love in those reviews ;) I hope you liked this chapter. :)

XxRauraXAusllyxX:Thank you so much Alex and sorry for making you wait and for making yuou cry. And don't worry we're all a little bit weird. It's the thing that makes us unique ;)

Guest [ Meeeee;;) ]: Hey there well I've been amazing! And i hope everything is going well for you! :) That song does go well. l like her music too. I haven't heard of whatsapp! but is it supposed to be a chating website? And my email is . I don't think you wrote out your email or it got erased. Either way can't wait to start talking! :)

LilRed29621:Thank you so much! I love reading what you have to say and I wrote this phrase and song a while back and when i was looking over it i was like, it has to go in. It just fits with them so perfectly. SO thanks and hope i didn't take toooo long. :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Abby:Well they are not going to get together right now, i'm not sure how long, sorry for making it depressing, but it's going to be more light and lots of Auslly moments that are going to make you feel like why don't they just get together kind of thing. Thanks for reading though! :)

RLKS123:You are truly amazing! You're review made me so happy that I started dancing like Ally. Yup my dancing is that bad but in a good way! ;) Thank you so much for reading six little rules. That was my fave and super fun to write. And thank you for reading this one. :)

smiley:First off, nice user name. ;) And sorry for the long wait on this chapter but Thanks for reviewing! And i hope you enjoyed it! :)

Awesomesauce325:Hey there! ;) Long time not write. Yup I'm for this review and the last one. You are amazing! :D You are too sweet and yes. I agree with you a hundred percent! :) But we have to wait. :( because my stupid brain won't let me ruin the story line. But thanks for all the support and patience. Stay Rossome!

Ch. 11

So I thought it wouldn't be fair to only write you one shout out so for this time I am going to write two for all! :)

HappyBeginnings3: Thank you so much once again and sorry for making you wait. i'm sure that must be frustrating but hope you liked it! :)

APlusAzian:You are a hundred and ten percent correct. I love the way that you analyze my story. :) And trust me, your auslly feeling will be going everywhere! ;) And thanks for the get well wishes. it meant so much. Especially since I am horrible in making people feel better when their in physiical pain. i kept saying horrible jokes to try to make her laugh but I think i ended up annoying her. But it's the thought that counts right? So either way hoped you liked the chapter and THANK YOU! :)

pinkink10:thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I loved reading and a lot is going to be happening in these next few chapters! :)

Awesomesauce325:Yup. When I mean drama I mean DRAMA! (singing out the word) Im glad that i didn't hurt you at all this time. I'm glad or else i would be apologizing. I love reading and writing with you! :) See ya next time. ;)

queenc1: Thank you once again and get ready for auslly moments!

randomsmileyperson: hey there again! :) So thanks once again and update soon. On like all your stories. i can't wait to see what the great one comes up with next! ;)

XxRauraXAusllyxX: Thank you so much! My mom and me are doing better and she is all healthy now. Thanks for understanding and sorry for the long wait. I wouldn't mind if you got frustrated but I hope the chapter makes up for it! :)

kindy:Thanks for reading and reviewing. And Auslly is going to become offical at the end most likely with a few chapters to see how their second time is going. But for now it's pretty much a roller coaster but a lot of AUslly moments are coming up. So that's all i can let you know. Sorry but Thanks! :)

jamesmaslow4evz:Thank you so much. You are pure SWEETNESS! :) And sorry for not updating soon... I hope you liked the chapter though :)

RLKS123:Sorry for a long wait but here is the next one. I can't wait til summer. Then it'll hopefully get easier! But thank you for all the support and i hope you liked this chapter. :)

brickbreaker: You're ROSSOME TOO! and yup. I had this up my sleeves for a long time but had to wait the time to use it. And thank you so much. I can;t wait to be reviewing on your story! ;) wink wink

I love Kick Ausally and GeCe:Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I'm glad your liking it and sorry for the long wait. I hope you liked this chapter. :)

dress: Sorry for making you wait but thanks for reading and reviewing. It means so much and i hope you liked where it's going.

Wow that is a lot of shout outs! :) But i love writing to all of you. So here it is. So yes, Austin and Ally are becoming Friends after everything that's happened. But don't worry, lots of Auslly is coming that is going to be interesting and cute and sort of like six little rules when they started figuring out they like each other. But of course you're goign to get to know better the other brides maid, especially Alice and see Halley in a new light. But you'll figure that out in the next few chapters. ;)

So thank you guys for all the support and for making me smile and dance like Ally in my room. You guys can't sieze to amaze me. So I know that i shouldn't but review? You know you want to! ;)

Have a Rossome day or night with lots of smiles! :)