Key West Chapter 3:
. . .
Ally didn't tell anyone that she was going to New York to see Austin's last concert. She simply flew out, spent one night there and flew back the next morning. She already had plans to hang out with Trish the next night because Connor was going to be in Louisiana for two days on business.
While they ate spaghetti Ally let Trish ramble about her pregnancy. She didn't say anything about the concert or Austin because she was still trying to figure out her feelings and what, if anything, she was going to do. As they ate some ice cream, Trish eyed Ally.
"So, have you been up to anything interesting lately?" she asked.
Ally shook her head. "You know me. I'm pretty boring these days."
"Nice try. Do you want to tell me why you and Austin are trending?" Trish said.
"What?" Ally asked in surprise.
"Your fans are going crazy and the media is all over it." Trish said. She pulled out her phone and opened to a video she had cued. She handed the phone to Ally and Trish watched the video over her shoulder.
.
EntertainMe Tonight reporter Shauna Roberts: And I am back with more news about one of our favorite heart throbs: the one and only Austin Moon. He ended his successful tour last night by playing at Madison Square Gardens and boy did he give the audience a show! Not only did he sing the now expected cover of "Whatever it Takes" dedicated to Key West, but he also faltered in a song and made a last minute change to his set list when he saw his old songwriter and former partner Ally Dawson. The two of them drifted apart over the years as they worked for competing labels and Austin moved on to work with other writers and pen his own songs as well. The two of them haven't been seen in public together for almost two years.
Ally stepped out of the public eye in unofficial retirement a year ago. So what was she doing in the audience at Austin's concert? We may finally have the answer to all our questions my friends. After seeing the brunette beauty, the word from concert goers is that Austin pretty much sang to Ally for the rest of the night. Especially when he added a song from his new album that he has never performed in public before. Fan videos of the performance last night have gone viral and it's plain to see that Austin is staring at one person almost the whole time he sang "Stay with Me". Could this be a message to a lost love? Were the old rumors of a relationship between Austin and Ally true all this time even though they always denied being more than friends?
The final clue we have is something that Austin said for everyone to hear, but it was clearly directed at his "friend" Ally. He said quote "I'll be there at sunset. I'll be waiting for you." Ooh, I get tingles every time I think of that. So was Austin talking about a time of day or a place? This reporter did some digging and found out that there is a tiny island off Key West called Sunset Island where Austin Moon has been seen vacationing with friends in the past. Is Ally the "Key West" Austin wants so desperately to win back? This reporter thinks the answer is yes.
.
"So?" Trish prompted when the video finished.
"I was there." Ally said.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going?"
"I almost chickened out several times. I was ready to leave the venue after getting there. He wrote me and asked me to come . . . and I did. It was kind of incredible and freaky at the same time." Ally said.
"What do you mean?" Trish asked.
"Well, he was amazing, just like he always was. And all these feelings came back but I'm not sure if I want them. And he sang to me. And a few times it felt like we were the only people in the room. Like if I reached out he would take my hand and finally be mine." Ally shook her head. "But that's never going to happen and I hate myself for even thinking it."
"Ally, he would be yours in a second if you let him." Trish said. When Ally began to shake her head in disbelief Trish continued. "No, I mean it. We've been talking a lot lately and I can promise that he wants you. He knows he messed up and he's been trying to think of anything he can do to win you back."
"I don't know how to believe that." Ally said quietly.
"Listen, I'm not going to defend anything he did in the past because I think he should have gone after you a long time ago. But ever since you walked away from him, he's been broken and different. He loves you and he knows it now but he told me he doesn't expect you to ever forgive him either."
Ally looked at Trish with tears in her eyes but had no words.
"He hasn't dated since that day. I know you've never let me talk about it, but you need to hear this: that girl stayed the night, but he slept on the floor."
"He told me. Or, I mean, he wrote that in a letter to me." Ally said.
"So you know it was innocent: nothing happened between them at all. She got up after you left, she was pretty embarrassed about crashing our vacation and Austin tried to get her to eat some breakfast before he walked her to the ferry and then she was gone. Austin, however, was pretty much a zombie the rest of the day. He went to your room and sat on the floor just staring at the emptiness. He wouldn't come out or talk to any of us. Dez yelled at him the next morning to snap him out of it. After that he ate when we made him but he didn't do anything fun. The last four days there pretty much sucked. I can tell you right now that he's not about to get over you."
"Trish." Ally whined.
"Listen, I know you are scared and you haven't made up your mind on anything, but come with us in two weeks. If nothing else, the beach will do you some good."
"He will be there. What if he thinks that me showing up means I forgive him?" Ally asked.
"He won't. I think he will just be thrilled you are willing to be in the same building with him." Trish said.
Ally grimaced. "Am I that bad?"
"No. Your relationship is just that messed up right now. It was always complicated, but it's time for you two to figure out how you feel and make a decision once and for all." Trish said.
"You're right." Ally agreed.
"Good, now I'm having more ice cream. what about you?" she asked with a smile.
. . .
One week later Ally popped into Sonic Boom in the afternoon to visit her dad on her day off from teaching. They planned to go to lunch together and in usual Ally style, she was ten minutes early. Lester greeted her with a hug when she poked her head into his office. He told her he had a few things to finish and then they could go. She went back out onto the sales floor to wait and looked around a bit. Out of habit she began straightening a display of violins on the wall.
"Ally Dawson!" A loud voice rang through the store, causing Ally to almost drop a violin. She shakily placed it on a stand and turned to find the source of the voice.
Standing in the open doorway to the store was a tall redhead with a huge smile.
"Dez?" Ally asked in shock.
"Hey shorty, surprised to see me?" Dez asked as he crossed the distance between them.
"Yes, and don't call me that." Ally answered. "What are you doing here? I thought you spent all your time in Hollywood these days."
"I do. But you know I come a week early for the retreat to spend some time with my parents." Dez said.
"You're right. I forgot. I guess I've been distracted lately." Ally said.
"Are you okay?" Dez asked, noting the change in Ally's expression.
"Yeah, sorry." Ally shook her head then tried to say something light hearted but it came out awkwardly. "Time flies."
"You aren't coming, are you." He said in a flat voice. It wasn't a question.
Ally shrugged, still coming to terms with Trish making her promise to be there.
"So Austin ruined all our friendships then? That's not fair! Don't you know how much I look forward to seeing you all again? It's the one time of year I can forget that I'm supposed to be a serious grown up and just have fun with my real friends." Dez said. "At premiers and on set I have all these people who want stuff from Dez the Director. People who pretend to like me to get what they want and a whole bunch of garbage like that. But for two weeks every summer I get to hang out with three people who don't want anything from me, nothing but time and fun. That matters, Ally."
"I know. You're right. I'm afraid everything will be different, you know? I'm sorry it's going to affect you Dez. You know I care about you, right?" Ally asked.
Dez's expression softened and he smiled almost shyly. "I know."
"Alright Ally, where are we going for lunch?" Lester asked as he came out of his office. "Oh, Dez, I haven't seen you in years!" He said with a smile.
"Hi Mr. Dawson. I stopped by to say hi since I'm in town for a few weeks."
"Well that's great. Do you want to get together another time Ally? You can go catch up with Dez right now." Lester offered.
"No, dad. We planned to have lunch and we will. I'll see Dez soon anyway." Ally said.
Dez gave her a thumbs up with a goofy smile and then left.
"What was all that about?" Lester asked as they walked to a restaurant in the mall.
"Our annual retreat is next week." Ally said.
"Oh, so you'll see him then." Lester said.
"Maybe. I wasn't originally planning on going this year." Ally told him.
"Because of Austin?" Lester asked.
"I'm scared to be around him again."
"Well, I know a girl who hasn't let fear stop her from doing anything for a long time now." Lester said. "Besides, you would regret not seeing Trish and Dez."
"You know me too well." Ally said.
"That's my job as your dad." Lester shrugged.
. . .
The last letter arrived five days before Ally was supposed to go on her trip with Trish. She was still anxious about it, her feelings in turmoil every time she thought about Austin's concert and how he sang to her. Despite her best efforts he still got to her. He was already buried deep inside her heart and she was coming to realize there was no way to remove him. She was even starting to question why she would want to try.
When Ally picked up her mail and she saw the familiar writing on the envelope her heart stuttered. She went into her apartment and sat down, the rest of the mail discarded on her coffee table as she stared at her name in that familiar scrawl. The small envelope was heavy and an odd lump distorted the bottom right hand corner.
She opened the envelope and dumped its contents into her other hand. A small silver key on a black leather cord fell into her palm. It had a pleasant weight and a bright sheen. She turned it in her fingers but couldn't find any writing or etching on its surface. It was spotless. The cord was ordinary as well. So she pulled a very small note from inside the envelope and read.
.
Dear Ally,
I meant what I said at the concert. I'll be waiting for you at Sunset Island. I really hope you'll come.
Love always,
Austin
.
That was it. No explanation regarding the key, but Ally guessed that was the point. She would have to bring it with her and find out what it was for at the cottage. She was nervous and excited and she admitted to herself that she really did want to see Austin again. Spending a year apart from him was harder than she dreamed it would be and she missed him.
. . .
Ally stepped off the ferry with her heart pounding. She had actually checked into the hotel hours earlier and left her bags to be delivered to the cottage by the staff. Then she had gone on a walk down Duval street and stopped to get something to eat, hoping it would calm her nerves. Two hours later nothing had changed. So she took a deep breath and walked down the street toward the cottages. As she walked she fiddled with the small silver key, it's leather cord looped around her wrist. She didn't need it to get into the cottage or anything and she wasn't sure what Austin meant when he sent it to her. Now curiosity along with nerves were getting the best of her.
She slipped the key in her pocket and walked into the cottage to find a pregnant Trish sitting on the couch while Connor grabbed some waters out of the fridge.
"Hi Ally." he greeted her.
"Hi." she said, smiling and relaxing a bit. She had feared coming and finding herself alone with Austin.
"Come sit down, your vacation starts now." Trish waved her over with a smile and Ally sat in a chair as Connor handed them each a bottle.
"Thanks. This is refreshing - I'm usually the first one here." Ally said.
"We all arrived yesterday. You are the one who's late." Connor told her.
"I am? I must have gotten the date wrong." Ally mused.
"You had us wondering. I was going to call you but then your bags were brought in. Three hours ago."
Ally looked sheepish. "Yeah, I was building up the courage to actually come. Is everyone else here?" she asked, glancing around.
"They are out on the beach. He was pretty upset you didn't show last night." Trish said, not mentioning names.
"Oh." Ally said, looking past her friend and out the window.
"Go say hello and get it over with." Trish urged.
"Put the poor guy out of his misery." Connor added and Trish scowled at him. "What? He's affecting the calm atmosphere here with all his anxiety."
"Okay, I'm going." Ally said. She went out onto the large porch and saw Austin and Dez out on the white sand tossing a football back and forth. She watched for a moment, and a wave of nostalgia and longing washed over her. Life was so much more simple when they were younger and focused on having fun. Austin threw the football and glanced at the cottage, doing a double take when he saw Ally standing on the edge of the porch. He wasn't watching when Dez tossed the ball back and it hit him in the stomach. Austin bent over with an audible 'oof', his face reddening slightly in embarrassment. He scooped up the ball and met Ally part way as she walked out on to the sand.
"You came." Austin said with a hopeful smile.
"Hi guys." she said, managing to give them a small smile.
"Hi Ally. Glad you could finally join your bags here with us." Dez teased.
"Yeah, I was hungry and got something to eat before getting on the ferry." she said.
"At least now we can start planning the fun stuff." Dez commented, slinging an arm around Ally's shoulder and walking back to the porch. "Come on, I am ready for the fun to begin!" Dez announced. Austin trailed after them, never taking his eyes off Ally.
Dez and Connor pulled Austin off to his room and left Ally with Trish. They quickly caught up and Ally couldn't help but giggle as her friend lamented the difficulties of finding a maternity bathing suit in cheetah print. A little while later Ally excused herself to go unpack. She hung up her tops and sundresses, and put her toiletries in the bathroom, but left her shorts and shoes in the bag which she set on the floor of the closet. She was hesitant to settle in fully.
When she walked back into the main room everyone was there talking about dinner.
"We did some shopping this morning but we want to go out tonight. Are you up for it?" Trish asked.
"Sure. Where are we going?" Ally asked.
"Seven Fish!" Dez announced.
"Oh, I love that place." Ally said.
"Me too and I am starving, so lets go." Connor said, beginning to usher everyone toward the front door.
They walked down Duval Street then cut over on Olivia to the restaurant, going a little slower than usual for Trish who was 5 ⅕ months pregnant. It was a nice night and Dez kept Ally busy telling her about his latest movie project while Austin chatted with Connor and Trish. Dinner was pleasant and neutral conversation flowed easily among the old friends.
Trish commanded Ally's attention on the way back to the cottage and the guys walked ahead talking. Ally kept trying to look at anything but Austin and how nice his jeans fit him, or how broad his shoulders were, and his muscular arms. . .
"Ally." Trish's voice cut through her thoughts.
"What?" Ally asked as she looked at her friend.
"Forget it. Just keep ogling your man candy up there and we're good."
"I wasn't. . ."
Trish raised an eyebrow in obvious disbelief.
"Okay fine. Maybe I checked him out for just a second but," Ally began.
"If by a second you actually mean two blocks, then yeah, I noticed. And I'm glad." Trish said.
"You are?"
"Sure. The sooner you two wake up to the soul mate standing in front of you, the better for all of us."
"Trish!" Ally hissed.
"Relax, they can't hear us and aren't paying attention anyway. But honestly, can you name one date you went on this past year where you didn't compare the guy to Austin? " Trish asked.
Ally clamped her mouth closed and refused to answer. Trish nudged her and laughed.
"I knew it." Trish gloated.
. . .
When Ally got back from her morning run the next day she saw Dez, Austin and Connor out on the beach throwing a frisbee. She grabbed a water bottle and was watching the guys through the window when Trish came out of her room in the prized swimming suit she searched long and hard for.
"Enjoying the view?" Trish teased.
"It's a beautiful day." Ally said.
"Go suit up. After lunch we are going out so we have to soak up the vitamin d now." Trish headed for the porch. "I'm just going to get a good seat to watch Austin drool when you come outside."
"He won't drool over me."
"You clearly have lost touch with reality. He's always drooled over you. It was obvious to the rest of us." Trish said and walked out the door.
Ally decided that she had no one to impress and she would shower after swimming so she quickly changed into her suit and went out to the beach. She walked straight to the water and when she looked at the others on the beach Austin was watching her. She smiled shyly and sank down in the water. She swam a bit and when Austin got in the water Dez followed. He quickly got them reminiscing about their first few trips to Key West and all the tourist things the four of them did.
Connor called to them for lunch. Everyone went inside to clean up and they spent the rest of the day on the bigger island. They came back late and exhausted and went straight to bed.
. . .
On her run the next morning Ally thought about how Trish, Connor and Dez were all making sure she and Austin were never left alone. She was partly relieved that they had been too busy to talk and let things be awkward between them. But another part was getting anxious to talk to him. Maybe they could agree to be friends and keep their relationship light like it was yesterday. Then Ally scolded herself. She couldn't settle for mere friendship with Austin after their history. Unlike last year she was now afraid of change and trying to be more too. She just didn't know what to do.
Ally walked into the quiet cottage after her run. As she got a drink from the fridge and started peeling a banana to eat Austin walked in off the porch. He was dressed casually in shorts and t-shirt but with the morning sun on his hair and a smile on his face he never looked better to Ally.
"You haven't changed." he said quietly.
"Old habits die hard?" she offered and took a bite of banana.
"Or you are still the same person I've known for years. It's really good to see you again Ally." Austin said as he stopped on the opposite side of the counter from her.
Ally merely nodded since her mouth was full. But her body hummed with an inexplicable warmth at hearing him say her name. Austin's eyes locked with hers and she saw longing and love there. It got hard for her to breath.
A door opened behind Austin and Connor was pushed out of his room and the door closed behind him.
"Oh, hey, good morning guys." he said awkwardly, walking into the kitchen where they stood separated by the counter. "What's up?"
"I just got back from my run and I'm going to my room." Ally said and walked away with her water bottle and banana.
Ally heard a dull thud behind her and Connor said 'ouch'.
"What was that about?" Austin hissed in a loud whisper.
"Trish sent me out to. . ." Connor began. Ally didn't hear the rest because she got to her room and closed the door. When she came out later everyone was on the porch. Austin was frowning at Dez over a game of cards and Trish was showing Connor pictures of baby rooms. She was trying to decide how to decorate the nursery for their baby. Austin's frown melted away when Ally walked onto the porch to join them.
"Oh good. I need a woman's opinion. Come here Ally, and Connor why don't you take the guys and go do some male bonding kind of thing somewhere else." Trish said.
"Real subtle, Trish." Austin said as he stood from the table, frown back in place.
"I am not letting you scare Ally away again and ruin our vacation." Trish said.
"I've barely said two words to her! I'm on my best behavior, I swear. Ally's okay being in the same room as me, aren't you, Ally?" Austin sounded oddly uncertain as he asked that question and he looked at her nervously.
"I. . ." Ally began.
"Of course she is." Dez interrupted. "She's the most mature of all of us. Come on, I heard of a place across the island where we can go paintballing." he led the guys back into the house.
Ally sat down across from Trish. "I've ruined everything haven't I?" she asked sadly.
"Nothing is ruined. You are here and we're having fun. We just have to get past a little awkwardness and as long as blondie behaves we can all go back to how easy and comfortable things used to be." Trish said.
"Okay." Ally said. Then she let Trish distract her with interior design and baby plans.
After a while Ally and Trish went out on the beach. They were out there when the guys returned two hours later. They all trudged out onto the white sand beach and sat down next to the girls.
"You are surprisingly clean." Trish noted.
"There was no paintball, just a painting company and we didn't want to join a crew and go paint houses." Connor said.
"I read the flyer wrong." Dez said.
"But he still wouldn't let us come back until now." Austin added. "So please let us do something great for dinner."
"The Hard Rock is always good." Connor suggested.
"I've wanted to try that Peruviuan restaurant for a while. What's it called? The Incas or something." Dez said.
"Over by the Authors Guest house past the cemetery?" Ally asked.
"That's the one. Have you been there?" Dez asked.
"I saw it on my run yesterday." Ally said.
"Let's go there." Austin said.
"I don't care where we go, so why not?" Trish said. "But first I want a nap." She got out of her chair and pulled connor toward the cottage.
"Well, I'm gonna swim. And avoid the house." Dez said. He pulled off his shirt and ripped off his track pants to reveal his board shorts underneath. He dropped his clothes right there on the sand and ran out into the water.
Ally stood up and drew Austin's attention. She saw his eyes travel up her body and when their eyes met he shrugged and winked. "What do you want to do?" he asked.
"I'm going to swim with Dez." Ally said, feeling kind of fuzzy from Austin checking her out. Could he be interested in her? Could she let herself accept it if he were?
"Mind if I come too?" he asked.
"Do what you want." Ally said and walked to the water. She glanced back to see Austin going into his room. He reappeared a minute later in his board shorts and the three of them tossed the frisbee for a while in the shallow water. It was fun and carefree and they laughed together. It felt good.
They eventually went inside to shower and clean up for dinner. Because of the distance and the three of them being ready early, Ally, Dez and Austin decided to walk to the restaurant while Trish and Connor would drive and meet them there later. A few minutes into their walk they passed a few bars and restaurants. Some guys whistled at Ally which caused her to blush and earned nasty looks from Austin. Otherwise the easy atmosphere from earlier stayed with them and the three chatted easily as they went.
When they got closer to the restaurant Austin asked Ally something about Ernest Hemingway and she happily burst into an information filled lecture on the writer. Years before Austin might have rolled his eyes as she spouted little known facts about a long dead author, but now he just smiled and listened. He had missed Ally: all of her, even quirks like this. Dez glanced at Austin as Ally rambled, almost oblivious to her companions for a moment as she talked about something she loved. Austin was watching Ally intently and when Dez elbowed him for attention, the tall blonde shushed him and quickly returned his attention to Ally. Dez shook his head at the two of them. He might have to work some Love Whisperer magic or something soon: these two just needed to be together.
They reached the restaurant and asked for a table for five. A few minutes later Trish and Connor arrived just before they were seated. They all ordered something different and ended up passing around plates and trying a little bit of what each person had. Trish was surprised but admitted that she liked the food there as they got up to leave. She rarely liked restaurants that Dez picked. It was almost time for the sun to set and Trish and Connor decided to go to Mallory Square to watch it.
"Okay, Ally, you come with us and the guys can walk back." Trish said.
"No thanks. I'd rather walk." Ally said.
"But it's a totally romantic thing and you love that stuff." Austin blurted out.
Ally shrugged and wouldn't meet anyone's eye. "Romance is a bit overrated. I really don't want to go."
"Ally, are you. . ." Trish looked concerned.
"I said I don't want to go!" Ally repeated loudly, dropping her normally polite demeanor.
"Okay. I guess we'll just see you back at the cottage then." Trish said. She had never seen Ally turn down sunset at Mallory Square before.
Ally was out the door first and Dez and Austin actually had to speed up to catch her.
"Ally, are you okay?" Dez asked.
"Fine." she answered.
"This just doesn't seem like you. Is there anything you want to talk about?" Dez offered.
"Drop it, Dez." she said firmly.
Ally could clearly remember the last time she watched sunset at Mallory Square. She was with Austin and they had kissed and at the time she thought it was perfect. Five minutes later they ran into Tasha and Ally ended up with a broken heart. She clenched her jaw and walked as fast as she could.
Even with her shorter stride she was pushing the guys to keep up with her. And luckily for them they sensed that talking to Ally wasn't a great idea at the moment. She didn't say another word to them the entire way home and glared daggers at a group of guys coming out of a bar who began cat calling to her. Back at the cottage she went straight to her room and closed the door, refusing to talk to anyone.
. . .
Later that night when everything was quiet Ally ventured into the kitchen for a small snack. She knew there were some chocolates in the cupboard and she really wanted some. She was surprised when she saw a light on over the porch and Trish sitting outside. Trish had seen her so she grabbed a small handful of chocolates and joined her friend on the lounge chairs.
"What are you doing up?" Ally asked.
"Baby is kicking. He thinks me holding still is play time and sometimes it keeps me up for a little while."
"Chocolate?" Ally held out her handful of treats.
"No thanks. Can I ask about your freak out earlier?" Trish asked as Ally sat down.
"I would rather you didn't." Ally responded and unwrapped a chocolate to pop in her mouth.
"Okay, I will move onto to other subjects then." Trish said. She paused in thought for a moment and Ally ate a second chocolate.
"So, how is Drew? You haven't mentioned him lately." Trish ventured, wondering if another guy could be the problem.
"He's fine I think. He and Lisa looked happy when I saw them last week." Ally answered.
"Wait, who is Lisa?" Trish asked.
"One of my voice students. He met her one day when he picked me up after work and I introduced them in passing before our third date. A week later he asked her out and the rest is history. She's just more lovable I guess." Ally said sadly and ate another chocolate.
"You are lovable." Trish said.
Ally scoffed. "Yeah, so lovable. I don't know how many first dates I went on in the last year and none of them went anywhere. Maybe I'm just not the kind of girl guys want a relationship with. I mean, I'm in the same place I was a year ago and I guess I was hoping my life would be different by the time I turned 24. Now my birthday is a month away and, I don't know. . . Maybe it's time to give up on the marriage dream and just be content alone." Ally mused and ate her last chocolate.
"Stop it!" Trish scolded. "This doesn't sound like you at all Ally. What happened to the girl who loves love?"
"She woke up." Ally said bitterly.
"Ally."
"Please don't Trish." She begged as she got up. "I'm tired. See you in the morning okay?"
Trish sighed but let her friend go. She sat quietly on the porch for a few more minutes, listening to the ocean and trying to figure out some way to help her best friend. Austin walked out of the shadows and into the light of the porch.
"Austin? What are you doing out here?" Trish asked.
"I went on a walk because I couldn't sleep. Guess I wasn't the only one." he said.
"How much did you hear?" Trish guessed shrewdly.
"Enough to know she isn't happy." Austin scuffed at the sandy porch with his bare foot. "Maybe I need to change my plans a bit and leave her in peace. It doesn't sound like she's ready to hear my declarations of undying love right now."
"You won't know unless you try." Trish said.
"True. Do you think if I promised her a wedding by her 25th birthday that it would help?" Austin asked with a crooked smile and then shook his head. "No. I've messed up her life enough, I don't think I should push anything yet. I'll just focus on proving that I can be a good friend again."
"Austin, I don't think she needs more friends. Try listening to Dez and do something the Love Whisperer would suggest like some kind of grand gesture." Trish said.
"The key!" Austin burst out, running his hands through his messy hair. "I shouldn't have sent it with the letter and waited till she got here to give it to her."
"What key?"
"A grand gesture." Austin said. "Trish, you have to help me get it back."
"No way. You started something, you finish it." Trish said.
"I promised myself I'd stop messing up, but no matter what I do I can't get it right. I want her Trish, I want her so bad it hurts. This last year without her was the worst of my life. And I miss us being us but no matter how long or hard I think about it I don't know how to get back there." Austin said.
"Then stop thinking so much." Trish suggested.
In the dark front room Ally jumped slightly when Austin turned and she was afraid he could see her inside. She quickly darted down the darkened hall to her bedroom and silently closed the door. She never did get the juice she was going to grab from the fridge after talking to Trish, but she got quite an earful instead.
. . .
Sooo. . . what do you think? Like, don't like? Any favorite parts? I'd love to hear from you!
-weesh