Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter Three: The Consequences

Later that evening, Ally was curled up on the couch with Austin, a blanket draped over the both of them. The TV played softly in the background, but neither of them were really watching it. Austin had insisted on staying the night, refusing to leave her side, even though Ally was feeling slightly better after some rest.

However, the peace was short-lived when Austin's phone buzzed loudly on the coffee table. He glanced at it and sighed, knowing exactly who it was.

"Jimmy again?" Ally asked, her voice soft but anxious.

Austin nodded, rubbing his forehead. "Yeah. He's been blowing up my phone ever since I left."

"You should talk to him," Ally said hesitantly. "I don't want to be the reason you get into trouble with him."

Austin hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone. He clicked it to speaker, his manager's voice filling the room instantly.

"Austin, what the hell were you thinking?" Jimmy's voice boomed through the speaker, laced with anger. "You left in the middle of a tour! Do you have any idea how much of a mess this is?"

"I know, Jimmy. I'm sorry," Austin said calmly, keeping his voice steady. "But I had to come back. Ally needed me."

"Ally needed you?" Jimmy repeated incredulously. "Austin, you have fans who need you! You have commitments! This is your career we're talking about! You can't just-"

"Yes, I can," Austin cut him off, his voice firm. "Ally is more important than any tour or show. I'm not going to apologize for choosing her over this. I love her, and right now, she needs me. That's all that matters."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Jimmy spoke again, this time more measured. "Austin, I get that you care about her, but you can't throw away everything you've worked for-"

"I'm not throwing anything away," Austin interrupted. "I'm just putting her first. That doesn't mean I'm giving up on my career, but I have my priorities."

Ally felt her heart swell with emotion as she listened to Austin defend their relationship. She hadn't asked him to choose her over his career, but hearing him do it so firmly made her realize just how much he loved her.

Jimmy sighed loudly. "Fine. Take your time, but you're going to have to make this right with the label. They're not happy."

"I'll handle it," Austin said confidently. "But I'm not leaving until Ally's better."

And with that, he ended the call.

Ally stared at him, her emotions swirling. "You didn't have to do that..."

"I wanted to," Austin replied, turning to face her, his eyes filled with a quiet determination. "I want to be here, with you."

Ally smiled, leaning into his embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You won't ever have to find out," Austin whispered, pulling her closer.

And in that moment, Ally knew that no matter how crazy their lives got, Austin would always be there for her - just as she would be for him. Together, they could face anything.