Opened Skies ~ An Auslly Fanfic

Chapter 8

I haven't slept in a long time. Not for the two weeks I've been here, anyways. Technically I fall asleep. But I'm always tired, because I always wake up, once I manage to rest in the first place. Maybe it's just adjusting issues, but honestly it's probably just that I have a lot to think about now that I'm back here.

My future.

My family.

And Austin.

Some things I will never admit aloud. I haven't seen him since I first got here, anyways. I don't know what he does with his time, but obviously our paths aren't meant to cross often. I tell myself that this is perfectly acceptable.

At least I've got Holly, she's still around. She's got a small apartment, with a room that she devotes completely to art. I don't know what it is, but it makes me feel good when I see people that know exactly what kind of life they're going to live.

I'm behind the counter at Sonic Boom. My new paradise. During store hours, I mainly just help with inventory and management, but in the early mornings, and in the evenings, when I'm on my own, I try to teach myself piano, based on what I know about music from guitar, which I haven't been playing. I'm not very good with the piano yet, I haven't come very far. I only practice when I'm completely alone.

Anyways. A customer comes in, and gives me a small smile, which I return. It feels forced. I need a real sleep. Dez walks in after, which is a surprise. I've seen him a couple times, but not here.

"You need to get a phone," he tells me. "Passing along information would be so much easier."

"I also need a nap. What's up?"

"Sabrina and I have to tell you something. Raleigh too. Not Eli, not yet." He's too tense, too serious. This is Dez, and alpacas haven't come up once in two minutes.

"Is something wrong?"

"I'll see you guys at my place tonight then." He turns and walks away quickly. I get a sort of nervous feeling; I'll be lucky if I'm able to concentrate on my job now. Something is definitely wrong, and I can't stand surprises.

"Ally!" I turn towards the back door, where Eli is calling to me from. "Was that Dez, was he just here?" he asks eagerly. I nod slowly, unsure how to explain why he was here, only for a second.

"He's gone now, Eli, he was just looking for Raleigh. Adult things, you know." Something hardens in his eyes as I say this.

"I'm not some little kid, Ally. Everyone thinks I am, but I'm not. I can pick up on a lot more than you realize, I understand probably more than you did when you were twelve." I sigh.

"I know. But this time even I don't know what's going on." Eli scratches the back of his neck.

"Are you sure?"

"Sure that I don't know?" He nods. "Eli, I really don't know. Why would I lie to you?" He shrugs.

"Sometimes people think it's the right thing to do."

"I'm not people. You're not people. Don't worry about people." I command. He nods, but I can tell that it doesn't matter what I say, that although once upon a time Eli listened to my every word, he's going to continue worrying about people.

~

The hardest part of this was convincing Raleigh to let me get back into her car. She still won't make a conversation with me. I'm not really one to hold grudges, so I don't know how she does it.

"Raleigh, it's going to take five minutes. You don't even have to drive me home. I'll get Sabrina to instead. Please."

Maybe if I were to apologize. But I'm not that sorry.