Two Stars- An Auslly Fanfiction

Chapter 2

I don’t want my newfound cousin to notice that I’ve been crying. Something about Sabrina makes me certain that doing so I’d embarrass myself.

The way she walks, the way she talks, the way she holds herself so proudly, it all tells me that she’s the kind of girl who has a million friends, who everyone looks up to. Even just from reading, I can easily identify which clique she belongs in. I know she’s popular.

And I know I won’t be.

My mother introduces my cousin, who Eli is already firing off questions at. Does she have any siblings, how old is she, why is her hair so orange if her moms hair isn’t? I can’t help but envy him a little. We’re being uprooted to another state who knows how far away, which may as well be a parallel universe, and all he cares about is her hair. He doesn’t worry like I do. He doesn’t really know what it’s like, to speak into the trees and be sure, though I can’t hear them, that in a way, they’re talking back.

He won’t be as lost in society as I am.  He’s lucky.

“Ally,” my mother says, shaking me lightly. I realize that Sabrina has her hand outstretched to shake mine. I take it hurriedly.

“So you’re Ally,” she muses. “Hi! I guess you’re going to be living with us for awhile.” I nod absently. She’s nice, definitely perky. But I don’t want perky. I want home.

Apparently Sabrina and Susan are staying here overnight. I guess wherever they’re from is too far to drive back to today. Plus, I’m not packed yet. Mom tells me that I can take one large suitcase and a smaller backpack. She’ll also entrust me with some money in case me or Eli needs anything once we’re there.

I put as many of my folded clothes as will fit in the suitcase, my two pairs of shoes, and stuff from the bathroom. In the backpack I place a few of my favorite books. And I have the book. Where I write all of my music, thoughts, everything, all in these leather-bound pages.

Believe it or not, I have an iPod that my mom bought used for me in town, quite some time ago. Whatever songs were already on there are what I have now, it’s not like there’s network for adding more. I don’t mind, though, I’ve become accustomed to these songs. Music is music.

My guitar! I need to bring it. There’s no way I’ll make it through a week otherwise.

“Ally…” Mom begins as I make my way downstairs, somehow managing to lug everything with me at once.

“Yes?” I say with a grunt as I put it all down, stacking the backpack on the suitcase by the front door.

“You don’t…I don’t think you need to bring your guitar with you.” I literally freeze, the case hanging limply on my shoulder. My mother knows how much the guitar means to me. She’s the one who paid for it!

“No.” I think it might be the first time I’ve directly disobeyed her. She raises her eyebrows.

“No?”

“No,” I repeat, wrapping my arms protectively around the case. “I’m taking it.”

“Ally…” Her expression is pained. I am embarrassing her in front of our guests. Normally, I would sympathize, but today it just aggravates me even more. “I don’t have time for this. It’s not like you’ll never see it again. Leave it here.”

I can feel my face go red with fury.

“You’re sending me off with these strangers, when I haven’t stepped outside of five miles from here, for eleven years!” I’m oblivious to the rest of my family; I don’t care if I’m insulting people who are right next to me. “If you’re going to let my life be taken away, literally overnight, I’m at least going to take my guitar!” I snap.

The room is dead silent as I place the case next to my other luggage, and march back upstairs.

I’m about to slam my door as well, for extra drama, but I stop and turn when I hear my grandfather calling my name from his room across the hall.

I don’t like to seem upset in front of him, especially since he’s apparently ill, so I pull off a serene expression, though I’m ready to explode.

“I heard you shouting downstairs,” is all he says as I enter. He’s sitting in a chair in the corner of his room, waiting for me to explain.

“Oh…” I mumble, taking a seat at his desk. “Mom, uh, she didn’t want me to bring my guitar…” It’s a very feeble excuse to him, I can tell. I already know how he’s going to respond.

“Bit of an overreaction, isn’t it?” I don’t speak, just stare at the ground.

“She’s…she’s letting them take me! I can’t go anywhere!” I finally whisper. Grandpa shakes his head.

“Your mother has her reasons. And you children need to see the rest of the world. You won’t go far if you can’t be free.”

“But-“ I start, “I don’t want to be free! I want to be here!” He doesn’t understand either.

“I know you do. But there’s nothing we can do.” As he stands, I see pain in his eyes, pain I hadn’t noticed before. I wonder how long it’s been there. “Let’s go downstairs, Ally-gator. It’s your last dinner here for awhile. Make it special for me.” He ruffles my hair as he passes me, and strolls downstairs. I don’t want to follow, but I know I have to.

I don’t want this night to be special. I want it to be like the thousands of other dinners I’ve had here, nothing different. No strange cousins eating with us. No knowing that tomorrow night’s meal will be somewhere far away.

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I don’t remember a time I’ve held such a hostile expression, for so long. I keep silent throughout the entire meal. Sabrina greets me like I didn’t throw a fit a few minutes earlier, but I only nod at her, and walk by. Anytime anyone tries to talk to me, I just shrug, and go back to scowling. Susan, Sabrina’s mom, is looking at me like I’m some alien, with all my misbehaving. I feel like one. And she’s the one who told her daughter not to judge!

The rest of the night goes by in a blur. After dinner, everyone seems to know not to talk to me, even my sometimes clueless brother.

As I sulk on my bed, I sort of wish I hadn’t made such a big deal over leaving my guitar downstairs with the rest of my stuff, because I desperately want to strum it now. Tears drip down my face. I just…don’t know what…I’m going to do.

Eventually, my door opens, revealing Sabrina, ready for bed.

“Um…your mom said I could sleep in your room for the night,” she informs tentatively. I nod my head towards Raleigh’s old bed. “Night,” she says as she turns out the light. I don’t say anything for a few minutes.

“Goodnight, “ I finally whisper into the darkness. And before I finally drift miserably to sleep, one last thought occurs to me.

I have not made this night special at all.