Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter 21: The Shift in Focus

The long-awaited moment had finally arrived—Ally’s finals were over. She had just finished her last exam, a grueling test on Educational Psychology, but the relief flooding through her was worth all the sleepless nights and stress. She walked out of the classroom with a deep exhale, feeling the weight of weeks of studying finally lift off her shoulders.

As she stepped into the fresh air, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Austin:

“How did it go, babe? I knew you’d crush it!”

Ally smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. She quickly typed back:

“It’s done! I’m finally free!!! 🎉”

“That’s my girl! We’re celebrating tonight—dinner’s on me. Pick you up at 7?”

“Absolutely. I can’t wait. 😘”

Her mood soared as she made her way back home. For the first time in weeks, she had nothing to worry about—no assignments, no exams, just the prospect of spending time with Austin and letting her brain rest. But while she was celebrating the end of her finals, she knew that Austin’s were just beginning.

As Ally walked through the front door of their home, she found Austin sitting at the kitchen table, surrounded by textbooks, notes, and his laptop. His focus was laser-sharp as he worked through practice questions for his upcoming Business Finance exam. His finals week was about to begin, and although he’d been nothing but supportive through her own stressful time, it was now his turn to face the academic storm.

“Hey, look who survived finals week!” Austin said, grinning as Ally entered the room. He stood up and wrapped her in a tight hug, lifting her off her feet for a moment. “I’m so proud of you, Ally. You’ve been amazing.”

Ally melted into his embrace, letting out a happy sigh. “It feels so good to be done. But now it’s your turn, huh?”

“Yep,” Austin said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve got my first exam on Monday, and they’re all back-to-back.”

Ally frowned in sympathy. “Ugh, that sounds brutal. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

“Thanks,” he said, giving her a soft smile. “I just need to power through for one more week. But I’ve got something else on my mind, too.”

Ally raised an eyebrow, curious. “Oh? What’s that?”

Austin’s heart raced as he thought about the surprise he had in store. Their three-year anniversary was just days away, and he had been planning something special for weeks. The idea had taken root after their conversation about the future, and now, the pieces were finally falling into place. The timing wasn’t ideal—what with his finals and the craziness of the semester—but he couldn’t wait any longer. He was going to take Ally on a trip to Paris, and it was there that he would ask her the biggest question of their lives.

“I’ve been working on something for our anniversary,” he began, trying to keep his voice casual.

Ally’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Oh yeah? What kind of something?”

Austin grinned, unable to hold back his excitement. “How do you feel about taking a little trip after my finals? I’ve been thinking that maybe we should go somewhere special… like Paris.”

Ally’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Paris? Are you serious?”

Austin nodded, his heart pounding as he saw the joy spread across her face. “Yeah, I’ve been planning it for a while. I figured we could use a little getaway to celebrate after all this craziness.”

Ally threw her arms around him, her face buried in his chest. “Oh my god, Austin, this is amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.”

Austin chuckled, feeling a surge of relief and happiness. “I know. It’ll be perfect. I’ve already booked the flights, and I’ve got an Airbnb all lined up. We’ll be there for a week.”

Ally pulled back, her eyes shining. “You’re the best. I can’t believe you did all of this.”

“Anything for you,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. He hesitated for a moment, knowing that the trip would mean more than just a vacation. But he kept that part of the plan to himself for now. “You deserve it.”

“Thank you,” Ally said, leaning in to kiss him. “But what about your finals? Are you sure you can handle planning a trip on top of everything?”

Austin waved off her concern. “I’ve got it under control. It’s just a few more days of studying, and then we’re free.”

Ally grinned, her heart racing with excitement. “I can’t wait. Paris is going to be perfect.”

As they settled into the evening, Austin returned to his studies, but his mind kept drifting to the moment he would propose. He had already picked out the ring, hidden away in the back of his closet, and he knew exactly where he wanted to ask her. The Eiffel Tower at sunset. It was cliché, sure, but it felt right. And after three years together, he couldn’t wait any longer.

With Ally’s finals behind her and Austin’s just beginning, they were both on the edge of a new chapter in their lives—one filled with new challenges, adventures, and, if Austin’s plan went right, the start of their forever.