Chapter 10- She Doesn't Fall
Ally's POV
Of course. Just when I thought that Austin would just drive me home and then we would never see each other during this break again, something had to happen. And I could tell from Austin's face that this 'something' was major. His face was frozen in fear that even the Miami heat couldn't shock him out of. His lips were slightly parted as if he was about to scream and his usually tanned face has gone pale in a matter of seconds. I quickly observed him. Even if I didn't know Austin that well, I could tell that the paparazzi were bad news for him. I mean, some celebrities also dislike the press and such, but for Austin; he seemed to even be scared of them. That might explain why he is still stuck in the same position.
"Austin!" I hiss frantically, seeing that the giant crowd was closing in. I start shaking him when he doesn't respond and luckily, Austin zoomed back into reality quick and he turns to face me. His voice sounded nervous and I wasn't prepared for what he said next.
"Ally," he rushed, probably wanting to talk quickly so we could leave faster.
"You've already done enough for me. I'm going to bring you home and then I'll go back to my house." I was surprised. Austin was really just going to drop me home and then spend the rest of his break cooped up inside his house? Some part of me was relieved that I wouldn't have to see Austin until school started. I wouldn't have to deal with his constant flirting and the paparazzi. I could just enjoy my warm time away from school and away from the trouble that came with Austin. But, the bigger part of me was incredibly guilty of what Austin was going through. I mean, every famous person gets followed by the people searching for gossip but Austin was young. He was just a senior and this must get overwhelming on him. Not to mention that after he dropped me home, he would most likely be stuck in his house while the paparazzi chased him.
My stomach rumbled. But, it wasn't just from hunger this time. The fact that Austin was going to waste time driving me home and then he was going to spend the break by himself was very unsettling. I looked up into his piercing brown eyes and my mind was set. Besides, I'm Ally Dawson. I do the right thing.
"No, Austin. I'm not just going to go home when the paparazzi seem to be hunting you." I say this and try to sound as determined as possible. I don't think it worked though.
"Ally-," Austin tries to protest. I raise my hand to stop him.
"Don't even try. I am going to help you, but first…," I look over Austin's shoulder and am alarmed by how much closer the group has gotten since I last looked. They were close enough that I could now see everyone's faces. I made a disgusted face at the expressions everyone had. They all looked evil and so proud that they had found Austin. It was a little sickening.
"…We need to leave this place," I finish, with a frown. Austin thinks for a minute.
"I don't think we can use my car. It was probably the reason why they knew I was at the beach." Austin looks at me hopefully and I know exactly what he wants.
"Okay, then. We'll use my car. Let's go," I say before we both turn around and run across the beach to the parking lot.
Austin's POV
My jaw drops and I am surprised with how long it took. Before, I wanted to drop it when Ally had declined my offer to get away from me. I mean, I know that she is the sweetest person ever but I honestly thought she wanted to never see me again until school started.
But, that wasn't the most shocking event to me. Not even when Ally climbed on top of me to hide me from the paparazzi. No, those times had nothing on this. We were standing in the parking lot and Ally had just led me to her car. Yes, the cause of my humiliation and why my mouth was now wide open is because of her car. The vehicle was parked before me and it did look pretty sweet. But, my mouth just would not close. The entire body was covered in hot pink. The kind that Barbie wore. There were some music notes and flower magnets stuck to the trunk and even the windows were tinted with a light rose shade. The same colour as my cheeks now too.
Ally glanced over at me and I could tell she was trying not very hard to stop her giggles. I wanted to roll my eyes, but I was standing in shock. Most of me was beyond relieved of her car's appearance. This was the perfect vehicle to leave in. No one would even imagine Austin Moon in this car. But, a small part of me holding my manly pride was completely mortified. I would not get into this car. Even if no one saw me, it would crush my reputation forever.
"Austin, meet Delilah." Ally says with some loud giggling afterwards. I was under the impression that she wanted me to be as awkward as possible. And it was absolutely working. My cheeks darkened and I looked at the car.
"Delilah," I said with a nod. Ally continued laughing and after a couple seconds, I felt my face cool down.
"Okay, let's just… um… go now," I say without looking at Ally. Instead, I was straining my head to see if anyone was watching me as I slowly inch towards the car, hoping to draw no attention.
"Austin, slowly creeping won't help you. It'll just make you look like a wannabe spy or something. Now, hurry up!" Ally says after she passed me and was in the process of opening the passenger side door.
I sigh and pick up my pace until I am also opening the driver's door. We both climb in and as soon as I hear the slam of both the doors, some loud talking is heard outside.
"Hey! Keep on looking! Austin can't be that far," some voice says. I tense and wait for the person to continue.
"You guys, go make sure Austin's car is still here and the rest of us will continue looking. We need to find him." The voice stops and I don't hear anything for a while. I slightly cock my head in both directions and when it seems like no one is watching, I dive my arm towards the glove compartment and pull it open. I am greeted with a bunch of CD's, some papers and then, after a little more shuffling, I pull my hand back in triumph.
"Here, wear this," I say to Ally, passing her the scarf I found. She obliges and I'm guessing I really look like a mess if she's not attempting to argue. I take a deep breath and start the car. After I hear the engine, we slowly drive out of our parking spot- only to be quickly stopped by a tap on the passenger side window. I look out of the corner of my eye and stop myself from gasping. There was a small girl standing outside and looking at Ally. She was young, with funky clothes and a bright smile. And I knew exactly who she was. Megan Simms. She was Cheetah Beat's best and most determined photographer. And even if Ally didn't know that, I bet she guessed who she was by the camera that Megan was holding. Ally cleared her throat and slid the window down half way. I only knew this because I could hear it. My head was actually facing the other direction to my window and I was trying to steady my breathing.
"Um, hi sweetie. Is everything okay?" Ally says in a gentle voice that sounds naturally calm. I feel my pulse slow down and I decide that Ally can handle this situation. That is, until Megan starts talking.
"Actually no," she starts in her cheery voice. "I'm looking for Austin. Have you seen him?" Megan asked and I could practically see her staring accusingly at Ally. A couple seconds pass and I am afraid that Ally was crumbling under the pressure. I am about to turn around and give myself up when Ally speaks, her voice as clear as when I heard her talk to the paparazzi on the first day.
"Sorry, I haven't seen him. I mean, do you even expect to find him in a place this big?" and then I imagine her swooping her hand to motion to the area.
"And besides, you're young. You should be out enjoying your weekend instead of chasing after some egotistical pop star." A frown appears before I can stop it. Does Ally really think that? Me, egotistical? Well, I think back to how I am constantly thinking about myself and how upset I got when I found out that Ally had no interest in me. But, I didn't like the paparazzi. That shows that I'm not self- centered, right? Sadly, I knew the answer was not good.
I am brought out of my negative thoughts when Megan talks to Ally again.
"I guess you're right. Well, thanks! Bye!" Then, in a flash, Megan is somewhere farther down in the parking lot and my chest feels so much lighter, like I just dropped a huge weight I was forced to carry. I turn to Ally.
"Um, Ally, did you really mean what you said about me being egotistical?" I ask her, a little afraid of the answer. Ally just chuckles lightly and she turns her body to face me.
"No, Austin. I only said that to convince that girl that you were no big deal. I guess, you are just a tiny bit but that's you, so who am I to judge?" I smile at her response and for a second, some kind of look flashes across Ally's sparkling brown eyes but then, it is gone so quickly that I'm not even sure if I saw anything in the first place. I just forget about it and then Ally yawns.
"Okay, now that that's done, let's go. I've had enough of the beach." I was about to agree completely with her but then a loud, perky voice screams and I swear I was about to faint from the exhaustion and unfairness of today. But, apparently, my body wouldn't sleep. It wanted me to experience all of this terror and nervousness.
"Guy's, hurry up! Austin is in that pink car with that girl!" Megan's voice is heard loud and clear and I want so bad to collapse in defeat. But, I forgot about the brunette in the car with me.
"Austin, are you buckled up? Good. Let's go!" Ally says, full nervousness oozing in her voice but, she sounded confident and determined too. I stared at her in awe until about 3 black vans pulled out of their parking spot a couple cars down and I knew what was going to happen.
"Yep, let's go," I agree as I push down on the gas pedal and then, we speed away from the beach with the 3 paparazzi filled vans chasing us.
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