Hello lovely people! WARNING this update is going to suck and I'm so sorry but it's got to happen :( But this is the 20th chapter woo! I can't say how many chapters are left for the story but I'm going to guess no more than eight probably.
And to Luckystarz910, PLEASE don't quit on this story (And that goes to anyone else who feels this way too)! You are probably one of my favorite readers/reviewers on here (I love all you guys though!) and I'd hate to see you go. Trust me I never thought when I first started this that it would get so dramatic. But I'm not lying when I say there is a happy ending! You just got to stick it out for like two more chapters. This story is almost to the finish line and I'd hate to see you just give up when you're so close to what you want. I'm kind of known for building up to the kiss between them, so please just keep reading because you're going to get a lot of good stuff after these turning points, I swear! But it actually upset me that you think I enjoy hurting Ally because I really don't. I love Ally and I want nothing more than for her to be happy and she is going to be happy! Cassidy can't win them all so don't believe everything she puts herself up to be. You're definitely going to hate this chapter, but everyone else is too. Trust me I hate it too. That's all I have to say. I'm not going to beg you stay; it's your choice if you don't want to read it anymore. But don't leave for the wrong reasons. Just please keep what I've told you in mind though ok.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but this story, all rights reserved. Also be prepared to have your heart ripped out. I'm sorry in advance to any pain this chapter is going to cause you, read with caution.
It's been four days and I could write a novel of all the awful things Cassidy has done to me so far. Four freaking days. Keeping me from Austin was one of the worst things she's done to me though. I don't like that I have to keep my distance from him and I hate having to lie to him and I just can't stand all this stupid stuff I'm being put through! Since the day at the lake she's mange to humiliate me in any way possible. The list doesn't end. Thank goodness for Megan and Bea though because they're the only reason I'm still sane.
Her evil and manipulative ways ranged from her tripping me in the cafeteria at almost every meal so my food would spill all over me, to somehow "miss placing" my stuff. Not to mention how she filled my bag with tons of bugs and other creepy crawlies yesterday so everyone around thought I was absolutely disgusting. She also is telling a good majority of the people some nasty rumors about me. Like how I've secretly hated some people here for years and am always talking behind their back, and how could I forget that I apparently have some contagious dieses and if you get too close you'll catch it and won't be able to live into your mid-twenties. And there are a lot of other unmentionable things she's said done in these four days. What a bunch of nonsense and these people are dumb enough to believe it. But people will believe anything that comes out of her wretched mouth. She is pure evil.
And where's Austin in all of this you ask? Well the funny thing is, Cassidy makes sure to do all these horrible things whenever Austin isn't around, which seemed to be quite often. And when he is around all she does is flaunt him in front of me. As if things can't be bad enough she just makes them worse. Every time they hug or kiss or flirt I die inside. And I don't know about you but the reoccurring feeling of death is not at all pleasant.
But it's not like Austin hasn't tried to contact me. I see him start to walk over to me but Cassidy somehow pulls him back. He's texted me a fair bit, sending "Hey :)" and "What's up?" and "Are you ok?" and ":(" and I have to ignore every single one of them. I can't reply back and it kills me. I bet Cassidy has sent one of those messages off of his phone just to torture me even more!
I don't know how I've put up with this but I really can't do it anymore. It been four days since our second almost kiss and we haven't really talked at all since then. When he does get the chance to say something it's only ever "hi" because Cassidy somehow joins the conversation before we can say anything else. She just continues to wreck me. It's like I've hit the point after rock bottom and I know there isn't even such thing. I'm not sure if it really exists or if there's a correct term for it but I can tell you that it sucks so badly. I don't want to sit here and take any more of this stupid crap though. Things are just going to get worse if I don't.
I'm going to find a way back to the surface.
"ALLY!" Megan shouted.
"Hhm?" I replied.
We were currently in my cabin, hiding away from Cassidy. I wasn't safe out there so I tried to stay in here as often as I could. I think people just assumed I wasn't feeling well, or had something to do but none of them actually cared enough to ask.
"You've been zoned out for like ten minutes, what's up?" Bea asked.
Well to be fair I've just been zoned out a lot these past days. I'm somehow trying to make it through these awful days.
I bit my lip nervously. Should I really do it? Should I even tell them? This whole time I've been saying no because I was scared and thought it was wrong. Does it make me a hypocrite now if I do it? Probably. But I really don't deserve any of this. I'm a good person with good intentions and a good heart, so why should I be the one to suffer? I shouldn't have let this get so messed up. And I need to put Cassidy in here place.
"I think it's time." I stated simply.
They looked at like I had three heads.
"Elaborate please?" Megan questioned.
"I need to tell Austin. Like now. I was so stupid to think not telling him was the right choice." I said.
"Well it's about time!" Bea cheered.
I know, I know.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Megan asked.
I'll never be ready for this, that's the problem.
"She's right. It's a pretty risky thing to do at this point in the game." Bea added.
"I really can't take this anymore. I've kept all this stuff bottled up from him almost the whole time we've been here. He needs to know. He deserves to know." I nodded to reassure them that I felt this was right.
"What if it back fires?" Bea asked.
What if it does back fire? What if this goes terribly wrong?
"He's my best friend and I've got to trust that." I defended him.
"I just need you guys to make sure Cassidy isn't trying her next move on me when I go to talk to him." I informed.
This little plan was beyond risky. It would get me into all sorts of trouble if I got caught, but I figure I've seriously got nothing left to lose at this point so it doesn't really matter anymore. I can't win this either way so I might as well lose the right way.
"We can do that." Bea nodded in agreement.
"I'll text you guys when I'm done talking to him. I don't know how long I'll be or how this is going to turn out but I really need a miracle and this is the last chance I've got." I sighed.
"Good luck." Megan smiled.
"I'm going to need a lot more than luck." I said as they pulled me in for a bone crushing hug.
They walked me out the door and then went on to looking for Cassidy. She can't know I'm doing this or she will pull the worst of things she has up her sleeve on me. She's not afraid to do it either which really freaks me out. I felt the nerves build up inside me. It's now or never.
I shut my eyes and took in a sharp breath before nervously knocking on his door. The knocks matched my insane heartbeat throbbing in my chest. Austin always makes me nervous, but I've never experienced this kind of nervous before. I think it's called panic.
He opened the door with a surprised yet happy look on his face. If only he knew I was coming to drop the biggest of bombs on him.
"Hey!" he greeted, pulling me in for one of those hugs I had forgotten I loved so much.
I squeezed him back, loving the feeling of our close proximity. Four days have been way too long and I've missed this too much. His embrace was warm as usual and I felt safe from the world with his arms around me. This hug really should have calmed me down, but it only made the panic feel worse.
"Hi." I said into his chest.
"I was actually about to come and find you. Things have just been crazy busy these past few days and I've had no time to talk to you." he smiled as we pulled apart.
Things have been crazy, that's for sure.
"I've tried to text you a few times but you haven't answered." He frowned.
I felt the panic rise in me again. Think of something good Ally, and fast!
"I uh, my phone stopped working. It won't let me receive or send stuff anymore. I had no idea, sorry." I lied although my apology was very real.
"It's ok, really." He nodded.
I hate lying to him.
"But are you ok? You don't really seem like your usual self. It's been like two minutes and you haven't even insulted me yet." He worried.
Usually that would be his way of teasing me, but he sounded pretty serious right now. Even at times like these he still has to be sweet, sensitive and caring Austin! That makes this even harder for me. I guess I'm horrible at hiding my emotions.
I took in another breath before speaking. Here goes nothing.
"There's something that I have to tell you, and I'm not really sure how to say it." I started nervously.
Well at least that was the truth.
"Ok. What is it?" he asked.
He looked at me with soft eyes and it put me at ease for a few seconds. He makes this so hard for me and I wish I didn't have to tell him what I'm about to. He deserves all the happiness in the world yet he gives it to other people. People like me who probably don't deserve it.
God I could barely even look at him right now.
"It's Cassidy." I said with a shaky breath.
It felt like this giant weight had just been lifted from my chest. It was a good feeling.
"What about her?" he asked, even more confused now.
I took in another shaky breath. I'm not sure if whether my heart was beating like crazy or not at all right now. Either way, none of those can be good.
"She's not who you think she is." I could feel the lump in my throat grow as I spoke. I waited a moment for his reaction. He didn't say anything so I just continued.
"She's jealous of our friendship. So jealous that she's been threatening me and doing all these nasty things you can't possibly imagine. She thinks I'm a threat to your relationship." My voice was a mere whisper.
I wish I could describe the look on his face, but honestly I have no idea what that expression was.
"I don't understand." He questioned me with confused eyes.
I proceeded with caution. This can't be any easier for him to understand than it is for me to tell him.
"That's why I've been avoiding you. She told me that if I went near you then she would ruin my life and now she is actually doing so. I'm risking a lot just by doing this right now." I explained.
"This can't be real." Austin stated with a shake of his head.
I could tell this was frustrating him, heck it was frustrating me too.
"I know this makes no sense but I'm not making it up. My phone isn't actually broken. I've just had to ignore you because she told me to. She's forced me into telling you all these lies." I tried to reason, my voice consistent though I felt so small and uneasy.
The look on his face had started to get more recognizable. And that look could only be described as pretty upset and a little mad. He doesn't get like this often though and that's what really made me worry. I felt the panic consume me again.
"No one knows Cassidy better than I do. She'd never do this in a million years." he defended her.
He looked so hurt and I felt awful right now.
"I thought that too for the longest time! I really thought she was kind and sweet but boy was I wrong. She isn't the nice and innocent girl you think you know and I don't want you to get hurt too. You have to believe me Austin." I begged him to try and understand.
"I'm not sure what you want me to say, Ally. I know Cassidy and that's not her. She isn't jealous of us." He sighed as he rubbed his left temple in frustration.
"She's out for me, I swear. You wouldn't believe the things she has said to me!" I tried to reason with him.
"Yeah, I won't believe them because they aren't true!" he argued.
"Listen to me! Would someone so nice threaten to make my life a living hell?! She's trying to take you away from me!" I whispered that last part, the realization of the statement finally hitting me.
"Why are you doing this, Ally? You're just making stuff up now!" he yelled at me.
I was taken aback at first. Austin has never yelled at me before. I can tell he didn't like it either but he kept his sympathy hidden.
"I swear I'm telling the truth. I don't know how much more obvious I can make this for you." I argued back.
This plan was definitely backfiring.
"I thought you were my best friend. And I really thought you supported Cassidy and me. You're the jealous one here, not her. I haven't seen her do or say anything bad to you like you claim she has! All I've seen is you coming here and telling me all these lies about her! You're making it pretty hard for me to believe anything you're saying right now." he shouted at me.
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes but I fought hard to keep them back.
"I am your best friend! That's why I'm telling you this. I'm trying to protect you." I shouted back, the hurt dripped from my voice.
"Stop lying to me Ally! This sure doesn't look like you're trying to protect me." he spat.
His hands were balled up into fists now and the veins on his neck were starting to show. I've never seen Austin like this before and it really scared me. I wish this was just another nightmare but I know this is real life.
"I would never lie to you Austin! And I'm hurt you'd ever think I would!" my voice cracked with sadness and anger.
"No. I'm hurt you'd think this about Cassidy and think I'd believe all these lies about her." He stopped shouting but the resentment in his voice was still evident and it made me feel just as terrible.
"Are you really going to believe a girl you've known for barely two weeks over me, someone you've known and been friends with for seven years?" I yelled.
He looked at me with cold eyes for the first time since we've ever been friends. They weren't the usual chocolate brown that I've known to love. No, these were glassed over with hurt and anger and looked almost black. They hit me in the vey pit of my chest and boy did it hurt like hell.
"I guess I am." he said.
And that's when I let the tears fall.
His voice was cold and hard and not him at all. I didn't even recognize him anymore. What has she turned him into?
"Please don't do this!" I cried, grabbing hold of his hand as I spoke.
My hands were shaking but I didn't dare loosen my hold on him. What scared me was that his hands felt cold and I've never felt anything but warmth from him. Everything about him had gone cold: His hands, his eyes, and worst of all, his heart. He looked back and forth between our hands and me as I stood there crying like the stupid and naïve girl I am.
"I think you should just go now." his voice was hushed and he didn't even look at me when he said it.
Now that really hurt. It was probably the worst of all the pain I've felt.
"Please." I begged, choking on my own sobs.
He jerked his hand out of my hold and my heart felt like it had just been torn in two. He took one last look at me before walking into his cabin and slamming the door shut behind him.
It took all my will power to not fall to the ground and cry my eyes out. I forced myself to walk away although it was the hardest thing I've ever done.
I sent the girls a quick text saying "it backfired." and headed straight for my cabin. I walked as fast as my legs would carry me, trying my best to not hysterically sob as a few people passed by me. I just ruined seven years of friendship over some bitch named Cassidy. How stupid am I?!
I got to my cabin to find the girls already in there and waiting for me. I shut the door and let myself burst into tears like I've wanted to do ever since he walked away.
"He hates me now." I cried.
"Oh, Ally." Bea said with soft eyes.
They pulled me in for a hug, trying to comfort me. Honestly it made me feel worse because it just made me think of my last hug with him. I didn't want that to be our last hug.
"I'm such an idiot." I told them as I sat on the bed.
"Ally, don't say that. You're super amazing and smart and beautiful and it's his loss for not being able to see that about you." Bea smiled.
I wish I could say that made me feel better but it didn't.
"What exactly happened?" Megan asked as they took a seat on either side of me.
"I told him everything minus the fact that I like him. He didn't believe me and then he started to yell and he's never yelled at me before." I explained as I broke into tears again at the memory.
"He doesn't hate you ok." Bea said to me.
I shook my head unconvinced.
"Everything just happened so fast. One minute we were hugging and the next he was questioning our friendship. I messed everything up so badly." My heart sank even deeper.
"I'm sorry Austin is the biggest idiot and jerk ever born." Megan grumbled.
I would have defended him but this time I had to agree.
"Love stinks." I groaned.
"We know sweetie." Bea nodded.
"Everything hurts so much. And I feel so lost and empty, like a part of me is missing." I cried into my hands.
Nothing in the world could make this better. Nothing.
"What am I going to now?" I asked them.
I found myself asking that question a lot lately. And oddly enough there was never an answer when I needed one.
"For once, I really don't know." Megan answered truthfully.
Megan always has the plans or some sort of idea but I guess this just proves how bad things are. How did my summer go from the best time of my life to so fucked up?
"Cassidy is such a home wrecker." Bea groaned.
Boy was that ever true.
"She won. She actually won." I stated simply.
The realization of how true that was hurt me so much. I was even stupider to think I could beat her at her own game. Why did I ever think I could win, I don't know. Maybe because I really thought Austin would believe me and would just come running back to how things used to be between us. Once again I was wrong.
"Ally." Megan whispered.
"It's true. There literally can't be anything worse than this." I bit back my tears but failed miserably.
They pulled me in for another hug and there went the water works again.
"It's going to be ok." Bea tried to convince me.
"No it's not." I shook my head and sniffled.
"How am I going to face him or Cassidy or anybody now?!" I panicked.
"Because you have us. We're not going anywhere." Megan smiled sympathetically.
Bea nodded and smiled with her. I don't deserve these amazing girls to call my friends. They're so great and put me before anything else. Austin could definitely learn a few things from them but it's too late for that anyways. I forced my lips upward, forming a little half smile in return.
All their efforts to comfort me just made what I was about to say a whole lot harder.
"That's so sweet of you guys, really, but there's no way I'm going to be able to look at him without crying my eyes out or look at her without wanting to repeatedly hit her face." I admitted, my voice was a mere whisper.
"What do you mean?" Megan questioned with a confused look.
"I mean I can't stay here any longer." I told them.
Suddenly they understood.
"Oh Ally, don't do this." Bea pleaded.
I hated this so much, I really did.
"I wish I could stay but I'm not happy here anymore, and I don't want to watch Austin be happy with her any longer." I continued.
"We don't want you to go but if it's what you want we understand." Megan replied.
"You deserve to be happy." Bea nodded.
"I just wish I didn't have to leave you guys. I'm going to miss you guys so much!" I said softly.
We hugged for what seemed like the hundredth time tonight but this hug made me feel warm inside. I guess things can't be so bad if I have them. The room felt so quiet but my thoughts were so loud that it drowned out the silence.
"I should probably go call my mom. It'll probably be another two days before she can get here but I guess I should start packing." I said a little sad.
"We'll help you." Megan replied with a small smile.
We got up from my bed and started gathering my things. I went to collect my stuff from the bathroom while they helped pack my clothes. I can't believe this is really happening. I just hope I'm making the right decision.
*Meanwhile with Megan and Bea*
"We can't let Ally leave!" Bea whispered to Megan.
"I know. She needs her happy ending." Megan whispered back.
"What are we going to do?" Bea asked.
"Luckily I have a plan, but we got to act fast." Megan informed with a mischievous smile on her face.
So yeah I hated writing this so much and I feel so awful for torturing you guys. Please don't kill me for doing this because I swear there is only like one chapter left of horrible heartache and then things are going to get good. Ugh I hate Cassidy and Austin is such a guy. Just a pre warning, there is another fight to come for Austin and Ally … But tell me in the reviews if you think Ally is going to stay or leave camp early! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, I love you guys a lot!