Chapter 11

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Austin is approaching, and I'm running out of time. Or...simply running. It seems like the only thing to do, so I hastily turn on my heel, and bolt. 

"Ally!" he calls once after me, but when a look back a minute later, I don't see him anymore. He must be tired of chasing me around. Good thing, too, because I don't want to have to run all the way home. I'm already breathless from sprinting two blocks.

But when I finally approach the house, both Sabrina and Austin are standing outside. They must've taken a faster route...Sabrina is getting something out of the car, and Austin is leaning against it, no doubt waiting for me. He hasn't seen me yet, though, only because Sabrina is talking to him, distracting him. 

"You know," I hear her say when I get a little bit closer, her head still ducked in the car, "Usually when a girl is avoiding you, it means they don't want to talk." 

"You know, usually when I tell you I don't care, I really don't care. I need to talk to her, Sabby." While his back is turned, I manage to sneak around him on the other side and slowly make why way towards the door, prepared to crouch behind the car if necessary. 

Sabrina straightens up and slams the car door shut. "Suit yourself," she says with a shrug. "But good luck." 

I'm so close to getting away from them unnoticed. But the  universe is not on my side, because at this moment it decides to take the key to the front door, yank it from my hands, and drop it in the loudest way possible. I cringe, and Austin looks up, finally aware of my presence. 

"Alls-"

"Ally. My name is Ally."

"I know- fine. Ally. I really need to talk to you." 

"So I heard," I say flatly.

"I tried tp warn him, Ally," Sabrina calls as she breezily passes us and opens the door. "He refused to listen." I ignore her, and think of how I'm going to avoid having this conversation. But I think my time is up. 

I blow out the breath I've been holding slowly. "Talk," I finally mutter. A pained look crosses his face, and I know I'm not being nice, but...I don't know what else to do.

"Can we go...somewhere that isn't here? Like in the backyard or something?" I nod, and turn to the side yard. He follows, and opens the gate.

I haven't been in the backyard yet, I've only seen it from the balcony. But even then, I couldn't really see it well, nor was a paying much attention.

Flower boxes line the edges of the yard, and there are tall trees all along the back fence. I can see a tree house in one, and I wonder how long it's been there. I doubt anyone in this household has used it for years.

There's a little deck, beneath an awning-type thing, and on it, one of those porch swings. Austin sits there, and gestures for me to follow.

"Why are we like this?" Austin asks finally. I don't answer for a minute, playing dumb. "I know you know what I mean." I sigh.

"Sorry. Yes, I do know. But...I don't know. Why are we like this?" He shrugs.

"I just...I didn't think you wanted anything to do with me, because you..." I quickly shake my head.

"No. That's not what it is at all. I...I don't know what it is. I'm just nervous, because-because, well, I'm new to this life. I never know what I'm doing wrong or right. I embarrass myself. And I don't want to do that in front of you. I never know what you think of me."

"To be honest? I think of you as unique, talented, intelligent,...and kinda beautiful."

I watch the birds flit around the trees, as I tap my fingers nervously against the arm rests. I don't know what to say, and, as always, I'm not ready to look at him.

"Let's be friends," I suddenly blurt out, surprising even myself. I don't know if I really wanted that.

I now turn to see his reaction. He has an expression that I can't really read. But it's not exactly a happy expression. When he realizes I'm looking at him, the corners of his mouth raise a little.

"Sure, Ally. Friends." I breathe a tiny sigh of relief. I wasn't sure what he was going to say.

Without giving it much thought, I lean closer, resting my head on his shoulder. By the time I take note of my actions, I know that moving would make it more awkward, so I pretend like it's normal for me.

"Good. Because I have so much to talk to you about." 

"What?"

"Music related. Nothing crazy." While Avery wasn't entirely helpful, I see no harm in that one tip of finding stuff in common.

"Oh."  I can feel him relax. Well, he would. Music is his domain, too. "Anyways," he says, "how long have you been playing guitar?" 

"Since I was twelve," I reply. "Four years."

"I thought you said you've only been playing for a little while!"

"Hey, when you're left out of civilization for ten years, you tend to lose track of time. It felt like only a little while. Besides, I told you, I'm not great yet. I only know what I taught myself."

"Ten years..." Austin marvels. "That's a long time...and it's awesome that you taught yourself. I learned from my older brother. He's in college now. Do you play any other instruments?" I shake my head and sigh wistfully.

"I wish. I especially want to learn how to play piano, I think piano music is beautiful. But getting my guitar was hard enough. The nearest town to the orchard is only three miles, but the nearest music store is much further. Sucks, but hey, whatcha gonna do? Do you play any instruments besides guitar?"

"Oh my God, I need to show you Sonic Boom. It's the best music store in Miami, and the owner lets me hang around in there sometimes. You'll love it. And I play piano and drums."

"That's really awesome, I can't wait! You know...I love being able to talk to you. I really didn't think anybody understood..." I trail off, then look at him and smile. He chuckles lightly.

"Same here." I wish he'd say more, but I guess that doesn't happen when you're only just friends with someone. I guess it's my fault, then. 

"And..." I continue, unsure of how exactly to word the way he makes me feel, without going outside of 'friends'. "I'm different. I know I am, and no one else here let's me forget it. But you...you don't make me feel that way."

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It feels good being so quick on these updates! I'm just like "Friday: Update! Sunday: Update! Thursday: Update!" Bam, bam, BAM! In case you guys couldn't tell, I'm in an extremely good mood right now. I don't even know why. But, hey, you don't need a reason to be happy, right? 

Also, I noticed I use the words "just" and "really" a lot, and I also do "...", does that annoy you guys, or do you not care? Anywho, vote and comment and follow and recommend this story to all of your friends and family and 2nd cousins three times removed! Well, okay, you don't need to go that far...but you can! :D I'll stop talking now, I hope you enjoyed!

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