Back for more!
I'm terribly sorry about how the last chapter ended and stuff, but hey, I got a great response. I'm so happy to read that you're liking (?) the story's turns and twists.
I'm sorry to say that, if there will be a week I won't be able to finish a chapter before sunday, it's gonna be coming sunday. Surprise, surprise, I'll be having tons of events and shit during the week, which means I won't have a lot of time to write. Surprise, cause I literally have no social life whatsoever, but it's fun to have some concerts and parties once in a while.
The drama continues!
It turned out Austin really had hacked the system to place Ally and him in a room together. The same night they had had the fight, Ally had went to the office to take all the blame. She had never mentioned Austin in 'her' confession and begged them to leave him out of it if she promised to face the consequences. They had placed her in a single bedroom in another corridor. That's everything Ally had told the rest of the group the same morning.
The following days, the four hadn't seen the broken couple a lot. And if they saw them, they saw them separately, both with equally tired eyes and lifeless voices. Just like today, when they were enjoying the sun for a short break before they had to attend some their last few classes. After that, they would have to go to their dark dorms to study some more.
"How have you been, Ally?" Lib asks her friend, who just sat down at the table after being called over. She had bundled up her stubborn locks in a high bun with the occasional curl falling out of the tie and was wearing her university hoodie, despite the spring sun shining down on her.
"Good," she suppresses a sigh and shows everyone a brave smile.
"Good," Lib comments in response before grabbing her hand. "And how have you been, Ally?"
"I'll be fine," she lets out a deep breath as she finally gives them her honest answer. "The most important thing is that Austin has the distraction free space to study for his finals. That's all that matters."
"Ally, you need to understand that you're not the reason he's struggling," Ian enlightens her, still feeling slightly guilty his innocent teasing started the insecurity she was suffering from.
"He said so himself," the answer he gave to her question 'What do you need?' was more than enough to form the unconfirmed conclusion that she was the person that stood in the way of Austin's happiness. After looking at a certain point behind Hannah, she stands up decidedly before saying goodbye. "Anyway, I should get going. I wouldn't want to be late for my study date with myself," and she was gone in the direction that was not the same that she came in. And, not a minute later, Austin came up to their table, indicating the reason for Ally's hurried departure.
"Hey, Austin. Where are you headed?" Dan greets the boy with hair that had clearly suffered from stressful hands.
"I'm just getting a sandwich before heading back to the books," he tells them, showing no interest to join the group, purely because he needed all the spare time to study he could get. He had already turned his back to them before stopping his pace and throwing an insecure look over his shoulder. "Have-, have any of you seen Ally?"
"She just left," Dan responds pitiful in which Austin nods understanding. "Have you spoken to her since the day she left?" Austin shakes his head while looking away with hurt in his eyes. "Why won't you talk to her?"
"I don't know. I don't know what to tell her. I feel horrible about what happened, but I don't think she'll understand," sticking his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants, he purses his lips. "Besides, she won't even look at me."
"This is the saddest thing I have ever seen," Hannah after watching Austin take off to his deserted dorm room.
"I feel horrible for Ally, but I think I know what Austin is going through," Dan nods in which his girlfriend looks at him in disbelief.
"You're not honestly telling my you're picking Austin's side, are you?"
"I'm not picking anyone's side, I'm just saying that I've been in his position," he defends himself. "Are you saying you don't feel bad for Austin?"
"Of course I do, but-" Hannah rolls her eyes, but is cut off by Lib's snarky voice.
"Hannah, calm your tits," the blonde girl crosses her arms in front of her chest with a huff in which Dan chuckles, immediately forgetting their forming argument. Lib sits back to take a few sips from her Iced Tea. "The last thing we need to do is let this fight influence us too much. They're old enough to solve it themselves."
"They're not solving anything as long as they won't be in the same room," Hannah makes the wise statement, making everyone nod in agreement. "What if they never make up?"
"It wouldn't be right to make them do anything they're not ready for," Lib speaks in a tone that arouses the interest of the others. "But then again, would it really be that bad if we just spend up the process a little bit?"
"I know that face, you've got a plan," Ian notices with a grin, which she copies.
"Just follow my lead and don't be obvious," shooting a distrusting look at Hannah, she raises one eyebrow. "I'm looking at you, Miss nervous giggle."
"What? Wha-, what are you talking about?" Hannah raises her voice slightly too much, followed by the exact nervous giggle they all knew very well she couldn't suppress, whatever she tried. After the giggle dies down and Lib's judging stare was still holding her, Hannah sighs deeply. "I'll stay in the background."
"Austin and Ally's schedule don't converge, except for one moment. Which is today," Lib grabs a notebook and pen from her bag and scribbles down a few numbers. "Ally's last class starts at 3 in the same classroom Austin has class from 1 to 2:15, before he has a 20 minute break until his next class. If we can stall Austin for 10 minutes and convince Ally to come to the classroom 40 minutes early, they will be there alone."
"Ally won't stay in that room once she sees what's going on," Ian points out.
"I guess we'll have to lock them up for just a few minutes," Lib shrugs in which Hannah's eyes widen.
"We can't just lock two people up, that's illegal!" Hannah whispers in distress.
"Relax, we will get them out if anything goes wrong. It's just a classroom and it's just Austin and Ally, those two love each other," Lib calms her down quickly and looks around for consenting reactions.
"Can't argue with that," Dan nods after a short moment of thinking deeply.
"Then it's settled," with a proud look in her eyes, Lib finishes her drink and points at the rest with her pen. "Ian and I hold up Austin while Hannah and Dan take care of Ally," her eyes land on the two as she cocks her head. "You can do that, right?"
"Duh, we're team Dannah, we're the smoothest when it comes to tricking people!" Hannah squeals as she puts a hand on Dan's shoulder.
"Oh, yeah, we have that talent when it comes to being subtle and persuasive," Dan nods confidently in a way that makes the other two believe the complete opposite.
"Well, here goes nothing," Ian mutters after exchanging a knowing look with Lib.
''So, why did we need to come to class earlier again?'' Ally walks a few feet in front of the two towards the classroom while hoisting her book bag more comfortable on her back. They had suddenly appeared in front of her in the library, rushing her to come with, telling her some vague story about an extra class.
"Professor Smith is giving an extra short lecture about that... thing," Dan stutters, struggling to make his story sound believable, since they hadn't had time to work out everything. "You know, that difficult subject."
"Not to be witty, but there aren't any difficult subjects I need extra lectures about," she chuckles in disbelief. "And neither do you two."
"I don't think I can hold it any longer," Hannah whispers to Dan as she hits him repeatedly on the arm. She had had to hold her nervous giggle for a long time now and she was on the verge of telling Ally the truth.
"Hold what?" Ally stops her pace to give the two a distrusting look as she puts her hands on her hips.
"My," Hannah's eyes widen as she looks around helplessly before her eyes land on her boyfriend who watches her while holding his breath. "desire for Dan!"
"Excuse me?" the other two raise their eyebrows in surprise, one with his mouth slightly open, paired with a cheeky smile and the other one with eyes filled with repulse.
"Yup, come with me," she grabs his hand and starts walking back while Dan lets him drag away voluntarily, promptly forgetting this was part of Hannah's plan to let Ally enter the classroom alone. "We will see you in a few minutes."
"Disgusting," Ally mutters before turning around to continue her way.
"Oh, the difference between hard and soft news, is that hard news is covers subjects like politics and crime, while soft news is, for example, arts," Ian exaggerates his astonishment and eagerly scribbles a few notes in his notebook.
"That's exactly what the professor explained, like, 10 minutes ago. How am I helping in any way?" Austin had placed himself in front of the blackboard to repeat what the professor had explained in the lecture that had just finished. "Besides, I barely understand it myself."
"There's something about the way you talk, it's very clear," Lib nods in agreement as she focusses on her phone, expecting the text to tell her that Ally was on her way any time now.
"Whatever, can we leave now?" he rolls his eyes and starts packing his backpack impatiently.
"No!" Lib exclaims, a little louder than was probably necessary, just as he phone lights up with the message she had been waiting for. She gives Ian a meaningful look in which he nods. "Can you show me your notes about Sunshine Laws? I think I dozed off a little during that part," she gives Austin a smile while Ian subtly stands up and joins Lib near the exit, in which Austin shrugs and turns to his backpack again.
When he turns around with his notes in his hand, it's not Lib who stands at the door.
"Hi," he breathes.
"Hey," still trying to understand what was going on, Ally looks at the boy who she had been avoiding for a few days. Nervously, she looks around, trying to find anything that could prove Dan's story true, but fails. It doesn't take her long to understand who was behind this and what they were trying to make happen. "I'm sorry, I didn't know this classroom was occupied."
"I was just about to leave," Austin quickly tells her, making his way towards the door and, thereby, towards her. Stepping away from the door handle to make room for him, she brushes a strand behind her ear. But, soon, her fear is confirmed as the door appears to be locked.
"I think Lib used her secret collection of classroom keys again," she sighs while awkwardly biting her lip and playing with the belt of her book bag. Austin nods thoughtfully before giving her a shy smile as soon as he notices this is the first time they're face to face with only a feet space between them. Ally realizes as well and quickly walks towards the desk, breaking the spell that was slowly forming.
"So, how is your studying coming?" she starts the conversation, figuring it's the best way to have a chance they could leave soon.
"Barely," he chuckles, finding humour as one of the only things to make the truth less painful. When Ally shoots him a supporting smile, his grin falls. He starts walking towards the desk, too, leaving a responsible amount of distance between them as he leans against a school desk while facing her. "I'm sorry, Ally."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. You need your space and I'm giving you that," she keeps avoiding his eyes, together with the confrontation that was still haunting them.
"I didn't mean it like that, Alls, you know that," the use of her nickname startles her, causing to look him in the eyes and immediately catches the begging look he's giving her.
"Yes, you did. You may not realize it, but I'm standing in your way, your way to graduating Brown," Ally breaks their eye contact by turning her body slightly away from him, in which he detaches from the school desk and moves to the desk she's leaning on. By placing one hand on top of the professor's desk, he's making her unable to escape his desperate attempt to make her understand.
"You could never stand in my way! I need you, I miss you," he's exerting himself in order to change her mind, finding it hard to get through.
"Don't you think it's not killing me to be apart from you?" she suddenly asks him in distress. "To see you walking on campus, but being forced to stay away from you? I'm not doing this for my own entertainment, okay?"
"I don't want you to stay away from me."
"You don't understand!" she raises her voice even more, ignoring the way he's slowly getting closer to her. "If you don't pass this year because of me, I will never be able to forgive myself. I don't want to be a burden in your education. This college is more important to you than I can ever be," taking a deep breath after this speech he left her no choice of giving to make him realize the truth, she blinks away the tears in her eyes. "I'm only a distraction."
"You were never a distraction and if I do fail, it will not be because of you," Austin whispers to her while taking the final step in her direction. Carefully, he touches her cheek in order to make her look up. As she stares at his eyes full of hurt, a thousand thoughts run through her mind. She glances at his lips, a sign for him to start leaning in, when she purses her own all of a sudden.
"I can't take that risk," taking a step backwards, the hand disappears from her cheek and falls down. Maybe they weren't meant to meet during college, maybe it just wasn't the right time or maybe this was never meant to work out. Either way, Ally couldn't risk being the one thing that kept Austin from performing at times he needed the concentration the most. Grabbing her bag, she decides to shoot him a brief glance. A wrong decision, she finds out, noticing how his broken expression tears out her heart. "I'm sorry, Austin."
It's safe to say that whoever held the key to the door had heard everything, as it, against all expectations, opens smoothly when she moves the handle. Nobody is seen in the hallway and she quickly walks out the classroom without looking back, taking the little bit of hope the boy she had left behind had kept with her.
Ugh, I know, get over it already. But, nope, they're stubborn. Well, Ally is.
I'll answer a lot of your cute reviews and pray to god that I'll have enough time to grant you with another chapter next week. If not, I'll see you guys later
ROTBTDreader chapter 12
Um, why do you hate me? Cause this chapter just made me feel all types of unhappy emotions towards a lil cute blond that can do no wrong, but apparently he can. Oh well, this is a great chapter anyway! You're an awesome writer God bless your soul. - Ahahaha, as weird as this sounds, the pain you feel in your heart after reading chapters like this is extremely satisfying for a writer. That sounded creepy. You know what I mean. Anyway, thank you for telling me you liked it! You're an amazing person
ForeverR5 chapter 12
Omg!? What is happening to Austin? I feel so bad for ally! I really can't wait for the next chapter! - Tell me about it, poor guy. And girl. It sure is a messed up situation where no one is the winner
Auslly0731 chapter 12
This was crazy! She left! And I feel ya I shed a few tears on the finale and my mom thought I was crazy and emotional. Anyways can't wait to read the next! - She sure did, damn that was a bold move. Right? I watched it live in my bed at 2 am (you all know how messed up your emotions are at that time of the night) and it killed me. I haven't watched the finale after that, just cause it hurts too much. Man, I'm a mess
Lookin' For Treble chapter 12
Nfufjvifjktjffnhrbfjfjfj
No I'm sorry but I blame you *politely hands you a rotten tomato*
Haha, seriously though, I feel really bad for Austin (and Ally but). It looks like college is taking a toll on him and it actually worries me for some reason. Da,n you for making me worry about fictional characters (jk I love you).
AND I KNOW THE FINALE LIKE WHAT IT WAS TOO GOOD BUT NOW ITS OVER AND IM NOT TAKING IT WELL. OMG IM A SUCKER FOR THE BEGINNING OF THAT SCENE WITH AUSTIN AND ALEX. - AHAHAHAHA I LAUGHED SO HARD. Thanks, I'll take care of that *Throws it at Mike*. The stress can really get to people, affecting them too much. Ahahah, isn't that our daily occupation? IT WAS AMAZING, THE WRITERS DID AMAZING, THE CAST WAS AMAZING WOW. And daddy Austin, hello
Guest chapter 12
OKAY SO I HAVE BEEN READING THIS STORY SINCE THE FIRST CHAPTER (unfortunately I had never read the first story beforehand, however I recently finished it) AND I HAVE NEVER REVIEWED YOUR STORY BECAUSE IM ALWAYS IN A RUSH BUT I HAD TO STOP BECAUSE YOU ARE AND AMAZING WRITER AND I LOVE THIS CHAPTER SO MUCH I JUST KEEP GOING OVER THE FIGHT AND UGH YOU ARE SO TALENTED I JUST CANT GET OVER THIS CHAPTER I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT AND I LOVE YOUR WRITING I JUST LOVE IT UGH THIS IS JUST SO GOOD I AM JUST SO HAPPY IT IS SO GOOD WOW! - These. These are the kinds of reviews that make my week. I don't know if you know, but the reason I update sunday night, is because I get to wake up monday morning (worst mornings) and have my day brightened by your lovely words. I thought about this a lot through the day and it really made me happy, so thank you, sweet human being. For a humble unprofessional writer, these compliments mean the world
Guest chapter 12
Why did you stop it right there?! - Sorry, mate. For writers like me, cliffhangers are like popcorn. Can't get enough of em
Fishelle chapter 12
heh I'm glad my reviews amused you, I like to think that I'm funny xD But ahhh yes this was a sad chapter and a part of me wants to be like "Austin's overreacting" but i mean? studying is actually so stressful and the whole "I have to do it by myself" is something that I personally relate to so for me I actually sympathise with him even though he's being mean to Ally omg. But also I think that Ally overreacted a bit like she just left in the morning. that silly goose. i'm keen for the next chapter! hopefully they'll resolve this :o - You really are! Teach me your ways. I love the fact that you're feeling this way. You see, I hate when in a breakup there's one 'bad guy' and one person the 'victim' (This was the unintentional case in ROALT). The fact that both contribute to their fight by reacting like any normal human would, i think, really makes this situation realistic. Or at least I hope it does.