Two Stars- An Auslly Fanfiction

Chapter 26

I'm still, unblinking, unbreathing, even. 

"So I guess you're just gonna have to get your things and-"

"We'll head back now. Just come over when you're ready," Sabrina cuts him. I give her a look of appreciation. 

"What now?" Austin whispers when they've gone.

"I...I don't know," I mumble. "What am I supposed to do, Austin? I need to stay here. I was cut off, I was trapped, I can't just go back. I'm going to lose you." I bury my head in his chest. "What now?"

"I think-" his voice catches. "I think you should go talk to your mom. Maybe she'll let you stay. See what's up and...yeah."

"She won't let me stay. She won't even let me negotiate with her, how do you think I ended up here in the first place? And if she says no...I'm not going to be able to see you again." I'm filled with dread as soon as the words leave my mouth, because it's so very true, and he doesn't even try to srgue with the idea. Tonight will be the last time I see Austin. He wraps his arms tighter around me.

"I know," he murmurs. 

"So then..." I  trail off, looking up at him.

"So then..." he repeats.

"You should-" my voice cracks, and I swallow hard. "You should come to the orchard sometime."

"Maybe I will." 

I smile a very sad smile up at him, as I imagine what it would be like; just the two of us under the trees, hearing the music in everything. It took me sixteen years to find someone who could hear it like me. And now...

"And...maybe I could send you a letter, since there's no service there, and I don't have a phone and..." I don't finish my sentence, because I'm suddenly  overwhelmed with emotion. I hug Austin again, not wanting to let go.

And I take in every little detail of this moment. I don’t want to forget a single thing. I want to forever remember the way that his arms feel firm around me, how he smells like a mixture of sunscreen and syrup (which sounds odd, but is actually kind of intoxicating), and the way his hazel eyes glint in the night. 

"Letters are good," Austin says softly. Reading one would be like holding a tiny part of you." Tears are brimming in the corners of his eyes, but he blinks hard, and doesn't let them fall. I feel like crying, too. 

"I'm going to-" I choke on my words, "miss you. Just don't forget me, Austin. Look at the stars and all that." 

"Like I could ever forget you." 

I raise up on my toes to kiss him for the last time. It's for a long time, too. I want to remember how his lips feel, pressed against mine. I don't want to pull away; pulling away will mean goodbye. But after a long time, I know I have to. 

I so badly want to tell him I love him, too. But I squeeze his hand tightly, then step back.

"Goodbye, Austin."

"Goodbye, Ally."

He stays outside, but I make my way back towards the door to his room. I see his medal again on the ground. I want to pick it up and take it home with me, but that feels wrong. He got that medal for a reason. And he needs it to remind him to take action. 

However once I'm in his room again, I spot a cream-colored guitar pick lying on his nightstand. This I do pick up after a moment of hesitation, and slip into my pocket. It feels heavier than the medal had only this afternoon.

I glance out the window. Austin is looking up into the sky. I stare at him for a minute, though he doesn't notice me. I want to run right back out there and just be with him as long as I physically can. But I turn, and slip out the door, unnoticed by any of his family.