Chapter 16- She Doesn't Fall

Ahhhh! I am so sorry for not updating. It has been ten days, my longest ever. School's hectic right now but if you like this chapter, I promise to update soon.

Standard disclaimer, although I would love to own Austin and Ally.

Enjoy!

Ally's POV

"Mrs. Suzy, can't you make an exception only this one time?" I begged to her. There was absolutely no way I was going to have him as my partner. I looked over my shoulder and saw him sitting at the edge of his seat, waiting for me to come back. I turned my attention back to the teacher.

"I'm sorry Miss. Dawson, but if I let you change partners then everyone else would want too," she says and I mentally groan. "And besides, why would you want to change partners?" Mrs. Suzy asks me. I nod my head absentmindedly and think of another way to persuade her. Suddenly, my answer walks up beside me and I listen to her cheery voice.

"Mrs. Suzy, if Ally doesn't want to be partners with Austin, I could switch with her," Brooke suggests, trying to contain her excitement. I smile and agree with Brooke for the first time while we both watch Mrs. Suzy purse her lips.

"I'm sorry girls, but there are no exceptions. Now, get back to your own-," she makes sure that word is emphasized, "partners and get started. You have already spent too much time up here." Then, she ends the discussion by lowering her head and continuing with her work before we interrupted her.

I sigh in defeat and slowly make my way back to where he was waiting. He stands up and I refuse to look him in the eye, afraid that I was going to blow up in the class.

"So, I'm guessing we're still partners?" he asks, his voice tinted with nervousness. I look up and nod, not wanting to drag the topic any longer.

"Okay, um, do you want to start working on the song?" he scratches the back of his neck nervously and I sigh at his discomfort. I may not want anything to do with him anymore but I was still Ally. This project was important and I can't be childish. He- I mean, Austin was obviously uncomfortable and that would create the worst partnership, causing us to get nothing done.

I huff out a breath and look at the clock hanging on the wall.

"We can't," I say, looking Austin in the eyes. He frowns at me and I point to the clock.

"The period's almost over. But, we need to catch up with everyone else so we should work on this after school," I say, hoping he agrees. Austin nods after he looks away from the clock.

"Okay, what about at my place?" he suggests. I gulp and bite my lower lip.

"How about back here after school?" I say, not really wanting to be at his house. I mean, after I got back from the hospital, I made sure my walls were back up and stronger than before. I am not taking any more chances. Austin smiles, and something flashes across his face. It looked almost like… disappointment?

"Sure, okay then," he says and then, the loud piercing sound of the bell is heard and everyone starts gathering their stuff and talking to their friends, making it too hard to discuss the plan anymore. I finish packing up and I quickly head to the door. Then, I walk out with everyone else but not before I hear him sigh loudly. I smile and shake my head before changing my direction and heading to my next class.

Time skip to lunch…

"He's your partner?" Trish outbursts as soon as she sits down. I nod my head and proceed to open my sandwich container. It was now lunch and the first day back was more than halfway done.

"I can't believe Mrs. Suzy didn't let you switch!" she continues. I had just told Trish about how Austin was my partner for this project and before I could add another word, she began her rant. Don't get me wrong, she was so sweet and understanding. The day after I had gotten back from the hospital, I had called Trish and explained what happened between Austin and I. She- being Trish, immediately got defensive and threatened to kill him but after a while, she calmed down and now, Marino High had a total of two girls that had no interest in Austin Moon.

"I know," I agreed with her.

"But, she had her reasons," I say, wanting to drop the subject. I was already Austin's partner and that couldn't be changed so might as well stop talking about it. Trish huffs and we both start talking about what we did over the break. Well, mostly Trish's break. I was at home most of the time after I could leave the hospital. The doctors suggested I rest before I came back to school.

Trish was halfway through describing her boss at her new job and complaining about how hard it was when suddenly, the cafeteria breaks out into screams and all the attention from the girls are directed to the doors. I blink and continue with my lunch, already knowing what was going on. The same thing happens every day. But, Trish was still new to this so I watch her as she looks around in confusion, searching for whatever everyone was looking at.

Then, that 'whatever' walks closer into view and Trish sees that it is Austin. She gives a quiet "oh" and then sits back comfortably into her seat. But, a second later, Trish scoots to the edge of her seat and her gaze is to something behind me.

"Doesn't he look kind of sad?" she questions to no one. I continue enjoying my lunch until Trish snaps her fingers in my face. I look up and she tilts her head in a way that shows me to turn around. So I do, and the only thing I can see are students and tables. Then, I focus and I can make out Austin surrounded by his usual crowd. But, I could also see that he looked different. Like this morning in class. Austin's head was tilted slightly down and he wasn't smiling. He only talked when someone asked him a question. Otherwise, he was just sitting quietly, picking at his lunch.

I turn back to Trish and can feel a frown on my face. Austin never acts like that. I wonder what's wrong. I think. I mean, it's strange that he would be acting like this. He was usually soaking up all the attention and smiling so much that people found it contagious. I guess I could ask him after school, but I wouldn't want to push, like he thinks I do.

"Ya, he does," I reply coldly, my thoughts now on how he thought I was invading his privacy. I feel myself warm up as I get worked up, remembering how angry I felt at that time. Worst of all, I didn't know if I would ever stop thinking back to that time. It was just too emotional, that it was stuck in my brain. Suddenly, the bell rings and it snaps me out of my thoughts. All the students start filling out the doors and before I can get a chance to think about anything else, Trish's voice invades my mind.

"Hey Ally, since we both have a free period, do you want to hang out? She asks. I look up and see Trish already turning around, so I know that I'm going. Besides, what would I do anyway? So, I quickly stand up and walk to where my best friend was waiting and then, we both walk out the door.

Time skip to the end of the day…

Briiiing! I hear the bell and I sigh. I stand up, grab my stuff and walk out the door. I smile, glad that the day was finally over. I mean, I am one of those people who love school, but there are times where it can seem tiring. Like today. And, it was Trish's fault. During free period, she had made me go look at dresses for our prom. I had looked at her incredulous, saying that our senior prom wasn't for a couple months. But, Trish wasn't one to take no for an answer. So, we had spent our time at the mall, walking around and browsing for dresses and accessories. But, by the time we had to leave to make it back to school on time, we hadn't found anything. Or, more accurately, I hadn't found anything. Trish was carrying about a dozen bags of items, some not even related to prom and I was holding a couple too- for her. I laugh at the memory and make my way to my locker.

I pull my locker door open and then Trish appears. She smiles at me.

"Hey Ally, do you wanna hang out at my place tonight. We have to finish that manatee poster for the football game next week that Dez asked us to make," she reminds me and I inwardly groan. Not because I don't want to help Dez but suddenly, I remembered another thing I was committed to. Austin and my music project.

"Sorry Trish, I can't today." I apologize. She looks at me to explain and I hesitate. Austin was now on Trish's bad side so what would happen if she found out I was meeting with him, alone? Well, she could accept it and we could schedule to meet another day, but knowing Trish, she was probably going to storm into the music room and threaten Austin into making sure nothing happens. But, I couldn't take that chance.

"I have to work on a project for music class," I explain. Not a complete lie. I smile at her and when Trish realizes that I am telling the truth, she smiles too.

"Okay then, we'll just work on it tomorrow. Have fun Ally!" she says before she walks off in the opposite direction to her locker.

When Trish's footsteps are no longer heard, I then realize that the hall was deserted and quiet. It was only me and my thoughts. Austin, alone… I think repeatedly as I grab my back pack. What if we get locked in? What if Austin doesn't show? What if he causes a piano to fall on me? I shake my head, aware that I am very paranoid. But, I have every reason to be. Bad things happen when I am with him. And if I haven't stressed enough on the topic, I don't want anything drastic to happen again. But, my grade is on the line, I think to myself. This thought slightly motivates me and I sling my back pack over my shoulder.

Guess I'll just find out what will happen, I think before I slam my locker shut and walk off to the music room.

Please take some time to review! You guys are amazing at them and it makes me so happy when I read them! And again, so sorry for taking so long to update. I mean, it might not seem that long if you are reading other stories but I apologize to those who really like my story and had to wait.

Until next time (which will hopefully be soon)!