Two Stars- An Auslly Fanfiction

Chapter 19

My dad calls a second time. I've literally stopped breathing.

"What?" I croak out. "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk. That's all." I clasp my hands together in anxiety.

"What should I do?" I whisper softly to everyone in the room.

"Whatever you think is right," Dez says, in one of his moments of seriousness. Sabrina and Austin nod. I put my head in my hands. It would be easier if one of them could tell me what is right. I wish someone would tell me specifically what I'm supposed to do.

I mean, I know I should talk to him. I need to. I need to know the information he's willing to give me, that's been hidden from me in the past. If I can finally understand it all, if I can take everything in...

But another part of me is so bitter towards the man on the other side of the door. I'm so afraid that this will end horribly on my part.

"Ally?" Austin murmurs questioningly. I raise my head and look him in the eyes, searching for answers. And in a second I've made a decision. I nod my head slightly, and he knows. He holds out his hand to help me up. I take a deep breath. I wish Austin could comfort me further, but he just gives my shoulder a light squeeze, and I know I'm on my own from here.

I breathe again, and open the door to face him. My father.

I suddenly regret this decision. I feel sick, I want to turn right back around and slam the door. I want to hide behind Austin, or curl up under my covers.

But here I am. And here is my dad.

"Ally," he says gently. Ten years ago, he'd say my name like that. My stomach churns. "Let's take a walk." I nod slowly, and we silently make our way outside. "I'm assuming you have a lot of questions. Or just really hate me."

"A little bit of both," I confess, and he shrugs.

"Well, you have the right to both. I left you, you were so young."

"Yeah. I was. Eli wasn't even born yet. Raleigh-" my voice lowers as I think of all she's been through, everything she's tried to unite us all again. "I think she's looking for you." He raises his eyebrows, but he doesn't seem too shocked.

"Ah, I'm not surprised about that. You know, back when I still lived in South Carolina, she'd prayed enough to find my address, and sent me a letter." I frown.

"How long ago was this? And what did it say?" I ask.

"When she was your age. About three or four years ago. She told me she was sorry I had to go, even if she didn't know why. She asked questions. She promised to find me one day, and she'd bring you and Eli. I believe her exact words were, 'the three of us can finally be free in the world, and yank off the veil being held over our eyes.'" I don't know what to say. First of all, Raleigh always seemed so angry over my dads absence, no way would she be more forgiving than I.

"Did she really hate our home that much?"

"I think she felt trapped. She wanted to be part of the world." I don't even know what that means, really. Isn't everyone part of the world already?

"Why did you leave?" I inquire abruptly. He sighs.

"I had to. Naturally, feelings changed between your mother and I, that was a big contribution. But you know I stil love you, Raleigh, and Eli. And then, when you were five...I was falsely accused of hacking into the government military information system." I furrow my eyebrows.

"Wait, what? That's so random though, it makes no sense! Why, of all people, would they accuse you?" He shakes his head.

"I really don't know. A big misunderstanding. Anyway, I had a huge court issue; I was afraid, your mother was afraid that if I were to be proven guilty, something would happen to you kids. Until I was known to be completely innocent, which took a year, she decided to hide you guys. Out of harm's way. If I were to be arrested, who knows what would've become of you?

Eventually, they discovered someone else, a business partner of mine, had used my computer for the hacking job. But by then, your mother didn't want to face me. So I moved around the Carolinas for a few years. Then I decided to come to Florida. I stayed with Susan for a few months, and when the opportunity came knocking, I bought Sonic Boom."

It all fits together so cleanly, every piece. Yet although I have no one to blame (aside from that no-good colleague), I still feel a bit angry.

"But then why didn't you want us to know where you were ever?" He winces.

"It's more of me not wanting her to know I was here. If anything ever happened, I knew she'd send you to Miami, all of the other family she knows is on the west coast. Unless she knew I was here. If you guys never came to Miami, Id've never gotten to see you, most likely. And for so long I've wanted to, but never had the chance. Eli...I mean he's my son, and before today, I'd never been allowed to see him. His entire life, I didn't even know what he looked like." My dad sighs again.

I blink back tears, just because the entire concept is so heartbreaking. So horrible. Being forced to go ten years without knowing a thing about your child.

"Hey...dad?" The word feels weird in my mouth. It's been out of use for the last decade, after all. I can tell he appreciates being called by that after the last decade, too, by the way he smiles at me.

"Yes?"

"Did you ever reply to Raleigh's letter?" His expression darkens.

"No. I never did."

"Why not?"

"Two reasons, I guess. First of all, if your mother saw a letter from me arrive in the mail, I know she'd trash it without hesitation. And secondly...where would I start?"

"You told me. Was it so hard?"

"The hardest thing I've ever done."

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Well not really any Auslly, but I thought that chapter was okay anyways. I really wanted to post this sooner, sorry, something came up...anywho, *female robot voice* Vote and comment, it would make your Ivy very hap-py.