Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter 24: Recognition

Austin settled into his seat at the back of the exam room, the familiar tension building in his chest. The clock on the wall ticked down to the start of the test, each second amplifying the buzzing anticipation in the air. He looked around, trying to focus, but his mind kept wandering back to his classmates. Would they remember him from his days in the spotlight?

The professor entered, handed out the exam booklets, and instructed everyone to begin. As he flipped the cover open, the questions blurred momentarily in his mind. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. This was his moment to prove himself, to showcase the knowledge he had worked so hard to acquire.

Suddenly, a voice broke through his concentration. “Wait, is that Austin Moon?”

Austin’s head snapped up, and he met the curious gaze of a classmate sitting a few rows ahead. The whispers rippled through the room like a wave, catching the attention of more students.

“Yeah, that’s him! I can’t believe it’s really him!” another voice chimed in, disbelief lacing the tone.

As he shifted in his seat, he felt heat rise to his cheeks. He hadn’t expected this reaction. Sure, he had been in the spotlight before, but those days felt like a lifetime ago. This was a new chapter in his life, one he had hoped to navigate without being defined by his past.

“Shh! We’re in class!” someone hissed, but the murmurs only grew louder.

“Wow, I used to watch him all the time! He was in that show... what was it called?” another classmate exclaimed.

“‘Austin & Ally’! He was a huge deal!” a girl replied, her eyes wide with excitement.

Austin’s stomach churned, a mixture of embarrassment and nostalgia flooding over him. He had worked so hard to separate himself from that identity, but it seemed it was still very much a part of how others perceived him.

“Austin, you’re a legend!” someone shouted, breaking into a grin.

He chuckled nervously, shaking his head. “I’m just trying to get through finals like everyone else,” he said, trying to diffuse the situation. He could feel the eyes of the room on him, some filled with admiration, others with curiosity.

“Seriously, though, how did you end up in this class?” a guy asked, leaning back in his chair. “I thought you’d be off making music or something.”

Austin hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. “I wanted to pursue something different. Music is great, but I wanted to learn about the business side of it. I’m not done with music, though. It’s still a big part of my life.”

The murmurs quieted down as more students began to focus on their exams, but a few remained captivated by the idea of a former star sitting among them, a blend of nostalgia and awe lighting up their expressions.

“Can you sing something for us?” someone asked playfully.

Austin couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it. “Maybe after I finish this final!” he replied, trying to keep the mood light.

The professor cleared his throat, and the class finally settled into silence as they began to focus on the exam. Austin turned his attention back to his test, feeling a renewed sense of determination. This was his moment, not just as a former television star but as a student striving for his own future.

With each question he answered, the initial distraction faded. He focused on the material he had studied, the knowledge he had gained over the past few years. Despite the recognition, he felt an overwhelming sense of belonging in this new environment. He was more than his past; he was carving out his own identity, one exam at a time.

As he completed the last question, he glanced around the room one last time, taking in the faces of his classmates, some still glancing at him with disbelief. And in that moment, he realized something important: he didn’t have to escape his past to embrace his present.

With a satisfied sigh, he handed in his exam and walked out of the room, ready to face whatever came next, including the excitement of Paris and his upcoming anniversary with Ally. As he stepped into the hallway, he felt lighter, ready to embrace the future he was building.