A/N- Hey guys just to inform you, this chapter is going to be really long like what maybe 3,000 words at the most? So enjoy!:)

Clarity

Ally's POV

I was at Jerry's ice cream parlor working on an some last minute homework I was meant to do the other day. Meeghan filled me on about the party the morning after and it didn't really bother me anymore as it did yesterday, right now I realized that I needed to push Austin to the side and focus on school work.

I know it sounds like I should be completely pissed about it and trust me I am but is he really worth my time?

"Ally?"

I looked up to face Noah, I remember him from the party and I smiled. He really charmed me that night too bad I can't remember any other details. "Oh hey Noah." I said turning to face him. He took a seat across from and intertwined his fingers together. "What are you doing here?" He asked flashing me a perfect smile. I blushed softly, "Nothing much just working on some homework I forgot about."

"Why would you want to do work here? This is an ice cream parlor ya know?" He laughed and I closed my textbook. "Ha ha very funny but I just didn't want to do it at home, my dad wasn't even home this morning so I didn't want to be alone." I said crossing my legs.

He leaned back in his chair examining me, "You don't look like the type to not enjoy their own company."

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh and so you think you know me just like that?"

"Nah I'm just saying you look like the type to enjoy their own company that's all didn't mean to offend you." He chuckled and went over to grab some lights out of a bucket. He then stood on the chair hanging them on the wall. "Yeah what's all the decorations for?" I asked shoving my textbook into my bag.

"Well for karaoke tomorrow night of course!" He enthused. He jumped off the chair and sat down on the table. "Karaoke night?"

"Yeah it's a new thing we've got here, see that stage over there with that grand white piano that's where people will be show casing off their talent." He said running his fingers through his hair. "Wow that's amazing."

"It really is and even employee's can do it so I'm probably going to test it out tomorrow night." He said with a smile. His smile was intensely charming and I couldn't help but smile back. "I didn't know you sang."

"People don't know a lot about me cause they never ask but that's just how I like it to be." He said winking. He hopped off the table as he grabbed the bucket of lights. "Hey how about you help me with these laps and I'll take you over to my house so we can hang out, my cousins coming over so we won't be alone." He offered.

"I'd like that." I said sitting down my bag. I got up and grabbed some lights, getting ready to stand upon the chair. Suddenly a pair of strong hands held onto my waist. I looked down to see Noah's hands on them, he chuckled and blushed a little. "Don't want the pretty girl falling now." He flashed me another charming smile that made my heart skip a beat.

I smiled and stepped on finding my balance as I hung the lights connecting them to the other pair. "Wow angel you're a natural light hanger, they look perfect." He boasted. I blushed at the new nickname, "Angel?"

"Sorry too soon it seemed to fit you." He said helping me off the chair. "No I like it. It seems sweet." I said timidly. He tilted my chin, "You look like one anyways." He said before pushing the chair back in its usual spot. I mentally squealed at the thought of how sweet Noah was. I could totally see us going in a positive direction and to think I almost thought Austin and I had something but it was nothing like this...

"Thanks Noah, anyways anything else you need help with?" I said offering help. I wanted to get to know Noah he seemed so mysterious and intriguing. "Hey Ally I was wondering if you would like go out with me tomorrow. I really want you to come with me for karaoke night." He asked.

I smiled, I mean this was a date question right? I would totally have to ask Kellyanne about this later, maybe get her opinion on it but for now I knew my answer. "I would love to come and see you perform."

"You know if you have some talent you should perform too." He said cocking an eyebrow. My eyes went wide at the very thought, I never been interested in singing in front of people it definitely isn't my thing. I have had stage fright ever since I threw up during a play I was singing for in the third grade.

"I don't know I don't really sing anymore." I said reluctantly. His face showed clear suspicion, "Anymore? Did something traumatic happen?"

"I mean I guess you could say that, it involved a play and very painful sickness." I said laughing a little at the thought. He chuckled, "Okay that was enough detail for now." He said with a smile.

"Okay looks like I'm on my two hour break." He went to the behind the counter opening a door. I stood there awkwardly as he came out five minutes later with a new shirt on. It was a purple collared shirt with a white tank underneath. He was wearing the same jeans except he was wearing purple and blue high tops this time.

"You dress really fast." I said amusingly. He chuckled and put an arm around me, "Lets get out of here."

I slammed his car door shut as we both walked up to his porch. He pulled out a pair of keys and opened the door letting me in. I stepped inside and observed the house. It was your casual house but this one sent off this elegant vibe. The walls were white and tan and there was a golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was the eye catcher of the house.

I grazed my hand against the dark wooden banister and smiled at the smooth touch. The floors were a shiny dark brown that made it look like it was wooden flooring. "And this is my house, there's not much to it but it's really something." Noah said suddenly speaking up. I was so lost in the house that I forgot he was there for a minute.

He checked his watch and headed into the kitchen. "My parents are going to be home on Monday because my mom's friend is having a baby and I didn't really know the chick so I decided to stay home." He said as he shoved his keys into a drawer from the kitchen counter.

I nodded and sat down in a seat. The kitchen was just as beautiful as the corridor. There was checkered flooring and there were granite counters. This was really a perfect house. "So your cousin why is he coming over?"

"Wow Ally I didn't know you wanted me all to yourself selfish much?" He teased getting out a bottle of coke. I nudged his shoulder and he laughed, "I'm kidding angel anyways we got in a fight at a party I called him something really mean and I apologized I mean me and him go way back and I'd rather live with his mistake than lose him as a friend and a brother." He said sympathetically.

Sweet, kind, and forgiving? This was what I called perfection.

"Awe well that's really sweet that you'd forgive him."

He laughed, "Yeah I guess I'm a softy." He walked over and grabbed a box of frozen pancakes out of the fridge. "What are those for?" I questioned as I leaned on the counter. "My cousin of course he's obsessed with pancakes. I remember one time he came over to my house just to use my stove for pancakes because his mom grounded him from it." He chuckled and popped them in the microwave. "I swear angel you'll love him." He enthused. I nodded getting lost in a thought.

Stove? Coming over to a house for pancakes? Why did this seem all too familiar?

He walked over and got out milk, chips, and soda pop. Suddenly the doorbell rang. "Oh that's probably him do you mind getting the door for me?" Noah asked. "Yeah I'll get it." I said walking out of the kitchen.

I opened the door and any smile left on my face slid away.

There stood Austin and Cassidy hand in hand. "Ally?!" Austin yelped in surprise. Cassidy stood there her jaw opened in surprise as if she was lost for words. "What the heck is she doing here?" Cassidy hissed at Austin. He just stood there staring at me in shock.

Suddenly Noah popped up behind me as he wrapped his hands around my waist and laid his chin of my shoulder. "Aye Austin I didn't know you were bringing a friend over?" He said flashing a smile at Cassidy. I smiled weakly at him, how could I be so stupid? Pancakes? Sneaking over in the middle of the night? I should have known it was Austin from the first minute I heard the word pancakes.

Austin smiled and put an arm around Cassidy protectively, "Well I didn't know you were having company over as well." He said through gritted teeth. He looked down at me and I just looked straight at the floor beneath my feet. I didn't want to deal with him honestly, the way he treated me at the parlor and then at the party was unforgivable even if it didn't make a good impression on Noah.

"Anyways this is-"

"We know who she is." Austin and Cassidy said in unison cutting Noah off. Noah looked at me shrugging, "Okay then...lets get this party started." He said letting both of them in. I could feel the crisp tension in the air and I couldn't help but be afraid. Two of my worst enemies were here and I didn't know a way out of here without Noah thinking something was up.

Austin, Cassidy, and Noah walked into the kitchen with me closely behind. Now I felt out of the group, I don't know why but Cassidy always had a way of making me feel like I wasn't one of them.

Suddenly Noah sanded his hands together, "Okay Austin I made your favorite pancakes, with your favorite syrup along with some chips, pepi cola, and..." Noah went to a drawer and pulled out two games. "I got Halo and Tony Hawk Underground."

Austin smirked and hopped on the counter, "If I didn't know any better I would say you were buttering me up for something." He questioned looking suspiciously around the kitchen for anymore surprises. Noah cocked an eyebrow and shoved the games back in the drawer, "So I'm guessing you don't want to play them, alright..."

Austin then hopped off the counter stopping him, "Nah dude we're playing this be prepared for you to lose."

"Game on." Noah declared grabbing the games. They both walked into the living room that was open to the kitchen. Austin sat down on the floor kicking off his high tops as Noah hooked up the Xbox. "Aye I thought you said you got the Kinect 360?" Austin asked.

"Yeah but then I broke it so my mom got me this piece of trash." They both laughed and Noah sat down next to him handing him a remote. "Aye Ally come sit by me!" Noah asked not taking his eyes off the screen. I pulled a strand of hair behind my ear awkwardly as I went over to his side and sat down.

I could feel Austin's stare on me and I refused to look his way. "Oh crap dude you did not just steal my ammunition." Austin snapped angrily. "Awe sucks losing doesn't it?" Noah teased. Austin scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Cassidy come sit next to me." Austin asked. Cassidy came over and sat down next to him leaning her head on his shoulder.

He smirked and looked at me. I pretended not to notice but I knew he was trying to get to me. "So Ally when did you and Noah get together?" Austin asked pausing the game. I didn't want to answer it I knew he was just trying to tick me off and I wasn't going to let him push me over the edge. I faced him trying to look more composed than I felt, "We met at the party."

"Where?"

"In the kitchen."

"How?"

"He offered me a drink."

Austin looked at me examining my composure, "Interesting..." He answered reluctantly. "Wow Austin what's up with all the questions?" Noah asked suddenly. He held me tightly and I felt safe in his arms. "Oh no reason just asking questions that's all."

"It's funny how you two got together Ally normally isn't the party type." Austin bragged. "Who says I'm not the party type." I retorted a bit offended. "That's what you told me."

"Wait you and Austin are friends?" Noah asked.

"No." We both answered in unison. Cassidy snorted, "Ally was never friends with Austin to begin with."

She glared at me and sudden shyness overtook me. "Anyways Ally I remember you telling me your not into the party life why the change all of a sudden?" Austin asked. I glared at him, "Because Meeghan asked is that such a crime?"

Austin rolled his eyes and scoffed. Noah looked at the both of us in confusion. "Okay then... can we continue the-"

"Lets play truth or dare." Austin spoke up cutting Noah off. "Dude there is no way we're playing such a girlish game, we're seniors not freshmen." Noah complained. "Too bad we're playing." Austin demanded. He stared me down as we all got in a circle.

"Okay I'll go first, Ally?"

I popped my head up to look at Austin, I saw the devious smirk on his face and I knew everything was going to go downhill from there. "Ally who was your first boyfriend?" He asked.

I gulped, I can't believe Austin was using truth or dare to embarrass me in front of Noah! "Dylan."

"What year?"

"Freshmen year..." I said shyly. Noah smiled and put an arm around my shoulder. "Don't be shy to tell the truth angel."

"Angel?" Cassidy spoke annoyed. "Yeah got a problem with that?" Noah questioned. Cassidy shook her head and sat her hands in her lap. "Okay Noah your turn to ask someone." Austin said eyeing me still.

Noah looked at all of us and his eyes landed on me. Oh great...

"Ally truth or dare?"

"Truth." I answered. He smiled, "Who was the last person you kissed?"

Okay now this was getting way out of proportion. "Um I don't remember it was actually this guy at the masquerade but I never got his name." I said remembering the sudden moment. I remember the way he made me feel special, he didn't mind listening to my problems...he made me feel like I was someone.

"Wow that's lame." Austin scoffed.

Noah glared at him and put an arm around me, "I think that's cool but he better not mess with you again."

"Oh why not?" I question laughing. "Because I've known you longer." He said huskily. I blushed and looked down. Austin suddenly gagged and cleared his throat, "Go get a room." He snapped. Noah threw a pillow at him and they both laughed.

"Okay Ally your turn to ask." Noah said smiling. I looked around and my eyes landed on Austin, time for payback. "Austin truth or dare?"

"Truth." He answered. "Who are you in a relationship with?" I asked.

Austin's eyes went wide and I knew I had gotten him there. "No one really..."

"That's a lie." I spat. "He's with me." Cassidy sneered holding onto Austin's arm. "Whoa hold up." Noah said suddenly standing up. "That can't be true because Meeghan told me Cassidy was dating Dylan because she got pregnant..."

I looked at Austin in shock, I can't believe I forgot about Dylan and Cassidy. "I..well.." Austin stuttered lost for words. Noah groaned and ran his fingers through his hair, "You've got to be fucking kidding me... you're with Dylan's girlfriend!?" Noah yelled. "No we're not together!"

"Excuse me?!" Cassidy yelled looking at Austin in disbelief. "Don't tell me you guys are sexually active in this affair you got going on." Noah snapped angrily. "Well I wouldn't say sexually active..."

"Holy Lord." I gaped. "I can't believe you would do this to Dylan!"

"Whoa don't get made at me princess Dylan cheated on you first!" Austin convicted standing up. "Oh so you would turn against your brother?" Noah said obviously disappointed.

Cassidy stood up and looked in the door way. I looked past Austin seeing Dylan standing in the doorway leaning against the door. "I knew something was up with the both of you." He said rather calmly. Wait when did he get here?

"Dylan..." Austin said turning around to face him. Cassidy looked at him in fear, "Dylan I can-"

"Save it Cassidy! I gave you everything, and you return your love with cheating on me with my own brother!?" He yelled angrily. "And you..." Dylan said pointing at Austin. "You're a bastard and to think that I was almost beginning to like you when you accepted Cassidy." Dylan spat.

"I can't believe you Austin..." I said disappointingly. He looked at me hurt clearly upon his features, "Can you just stay out of this!" He yelled. "And Meeghan told me what happened yesterday I can't believe you slapped your own sister." Dylan said crossing his arms over his chest. He was the only one here looking composed in the room.

Noah groaned and plopped down on the couch. "You slapped your own sister?" I asked reluctantly. I didn't want to ask but I needed to know. "Yes but it was an accident!"

"Yeah right." Dylan retorted. "And then you call Ally out in the middle of your friends? Who does that kind of messed up shit?" He yelled. Austin looked like he was going to break down, Dylan seemed the only mature person in the room, Cassidy was standing there head in her hands, and Noah was sitting on the couch shaking his head at Austin.

"Austin I can't believe you did all that messed up crap!" Noah yelled. Suddenly both of the boys were face to face with Austin. "You tried to take Ally to your house after calling her out and of all things when she was in terrible drunk state of mind!?" Noah argued. Austin sighed and gave a bored look, "Can you all just get out of my face!?"

"No Austin we won't! I can't believe I apologized to you when you hurt her and then you slapped Meeghan!? What has gotten into you?!" Noah yelled his voice rising an octave. I stood there confused, angry, and of all things sad. Austin looked over at me saddened. "Austin don't look at me looking for a way out of this. I can't believe you." I snapped.

"I can't believe him either, Cassidy leave now." Noah snapped. "But I-"

"Out now!" He barked. I've never seen someone so mad before. Cassidy grabbed her things and scurried out of the room. When we heard the door slam Dylan started up again, "You hurt Meeghan, you lied to me, and you hurt of people Ally!"

"You hurt her too cheating on her with Cassidy since the day you guys started dating!" Austin yelled. "Wait you cheated on Ally?" Noah asked. Austin nodded and Noah scoffed. Dylan nodded reluctantly, suddenly I felt very insecure. "This is ridiculous! Don't make this about me." I yelled.

"Too bad it is this is how this whole mess got started!" Austin yelled. I looked at him and shook my head before running away. I found the nearest bathroom and locked myself inside. It felt like everything was starting to pour out on me at once. Suddenly there was banging on the door. "Ally come on open up!"

"We're sorry!" Dylan and Austin yelled.

"Leave me alone!" I yelled on the verge of tears. Dylan cheated on me, Austin called me out in front of everybody I don't know why I was crying all of a sudden it just felt like everybody hated me. "Angel come on let me in at least!" At the sound of Noah's voice I walked over and opened the door. All the boys tried prying their way in but Noah stopped them. "I'm coming in alone." He said firmly.

He slammed the door on their faces and looked at me opening his arms, "Come here."

I couldn't help myself, I held onto him tightly embracing his warmness. He soothed my hair shushing me softly. "It's over angel it's over I promise, they won't hurt you anymore." He tilted my chin wiping away a tear with his thumb. He had a way of making me feel special.

Suddenly he leaned in and my heart sped up a million times faster. His lips swiftly grazed mine, our lips moved in perfect sync as he lifted me on the counter. I smiled through the kiss, still something was bothering me, I opened my eyes to see Austin looking at us through cracked space, hurt clear upon his features. He shut the door suddenly and I closed my eyes breaking the kiss.

"Better?" He asked leaning his forehead against my own.

I nodded slowly. Was it bad that I was thinking of Austin the whole time through the kiss?

A/N- Hey guys I hope you liked this insanely long freaking chapter:) I want tons of reviews on this one, I liked the part where everything just started crashing down on everybody in the most unexpected moment:) Anyways read, love, and REVIEW!:)

-Taylor:)