Two Stars- An Auslly Fanfiction

Chapter 24

Eli isn't the type of person to cry, just one of the many ways we're almost complete opposites. Or at least used to be.

"Why did you do that, Ally?" he questions, his voice hollow. I swallow, unable to meet his gaze. That part of me hasn't changed.

"If...mom saw...that letter..." I drag my words along, pausing between phrases, unsure what to say. "...she'd take us back home."

"I know that, Ally. I thought you wanted to go home." I gape at him. I'm one-thousand percent shocked that those were his intentions, no matter how hateful he acted towards me before.

"But don't you like it here?" I ask. He shrugs.

"I did. I thought you were alright. I was like, 'well she'd rather be home, but she'll be fine,' but then no, you aren't fine. You-" He puts a hand over his mouth. Like I said, he doesn't cry, but this is one of the ways he prevents himself from doing so. "You tried to kill yourself," he chokes out. "I had to get you away from here."

"Eli, you're only ten. You shouldn't be worrying about me," I say, trying to avoid the topic e's just brought up.

"Then don't give me anything to worry about!" he exclaims. "I heard you talking to Austin last night."

"Well you shouldn't have eavesdropped."

"And you shouldn't have tried to commit suicide! We all make mistakes." He hugs me tight, despite everything. He murmurs something into my chest, and I barely catch it. "Ally, what is it like to fly?" I don't answer.

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According to Sabrina, Austin has some family in town tonight. According to Dez, "otherwise, he'd be here every second he could just to see you." And there's the faintest nearly undetectable hint of hostility. Once upon a time, Austin would've been coming over to hang out with him, instead of to comfort me. But it's not like I can control what he does. I can barely control myself.

I wish I could stay home another day. I'm not ready to take on the world. How easy it would be, to just stay in bed all day. But I guess I shouldn't have acted so...healthy in front of my aunt, because I'm not missing two days of education for some light head cold.

I leave school on my own, as usual. I don't say goodbye to anyone, as usual, and I skip breakfast. I'm never hungry anymore.

I don't see Sonali, understandably, until second period math, but she ignores me the entire forty-eight minutes. I'll have to wait until lunch to even attempt to get her attention.

"Sonali," I call when the time comes, but she runs away from me, of course. I glance anxiously at my friends, hoping they'll tell me what to do. Sure enough, they both chime in almost immediately.

"Give her some time," Holly advises quietly. I almost nod, when Avery interrupts.

"No, don't just let her get away! Find out what's wrong and be there for her!" They both seem so honest to their words, like they believe they know Sonali well enough to know exactly what she needs. I hardly know her at all, but I have a plan. Not too subtle, yet not pressuring for information. Yes, I follow Sonali, but I don't approach her straightaway. I stand back, just watching her. Leaning against the wall, her long, shiny black hair hides her expression.

I slowly make my way towards her, trying to look casual. I'm pretty sure she knows when I've come up behind her, but she says nothing, nor does she attempt to dash off again.

"Why?"

"Because you're with him."

"Yeah, Son, we get it. What problems, exactly, do you have with him?"