Opened Skies ~ An Auslly Fanfic

Chapter 14

He stops playing a few minutes after, and then he store is pretty quiet. And I have no idea what he's doing up there, but he's not making any noise, and so I assume he's just sitting there.

I feel bad, I do, but...he has to understand, right?

I'm about to go back up there, but Avery rushes in, smiling.

"I'm baaaaack," she sings, and I have to laugh. "You ready to go get something to eat?" I glance up at the practice room.

"Yeah, "I say softly. "I'll be right back, though." Avery furrows her brow, but shrugs.

"Alright. I've got time. I'll be down here; my killer reflexes at their prime, ready for any spontaneous ninja attacks." I don't even know how to respond to that.

As soon as I push open the door, Austin immediately goes from his slouched position on the piano bench to actually playing the piano again. I come up behind him and grab his arms, and maybe if he were trying, he'd be able to resist, because I know he's stronger than I am. But he let's me take his hands off the piano.

"Don't start," I whisper.

"Don't leave," he whispers back.

And I have never loved him more than I do in this moment.

My hands are still on his arms. Neither of us move, but I do speak.

"I'm sorry, alright? I just...I need this, and...I'm just really sorry." I am, I am very sorry, and maybe if I were very very sorry, I wouldn't leave. I guess I'm not very very sorry.

"Ally,..." I don't get to hear him finish his sentence, but at the same time, I don't think I want to.

His voice breaks. I feel the impulse to sit next to him. So I do. And when I look at him, I notice that his eyes are wet. Brimming with tears I know he won't let fall.

Avery enters the room. "Hey guys," she says softly. Her tone is so solemn, I figure she must've heard at least some of our conversation. Austin shrinks back a little behind me. Maybe Avery doesn't notice how upset he is, but I think she does. "Ally and I were about to head to the food court, Austin, do you want anything?"

He shakes his head. I stand up, and Avery puts a hand on my shoulder, guiding me to the door. "Ally will be back in about half an hour. Then you two can talk," she words what I can't manage to. And pulls me out of the room, before I can even share another look with Austin.

She doesn't speak again until we're completely out of the store, well out of his earshot. "What's up?" she asks, but not in her normal way. I frown.

"I don't know...I mean I do know, but I don't...know what I could've done to prevent it."

"Is it your fault?" I nod reluctantly.

"I...Avery when I have enough money and stuff, I'm out of here. I'm leaving Miami, and I'm giong everywhere I can."

"And he doesn't like that," she states. I nod again, in agreement.

"He really doesn't like that." We've arrived at the food court, and we take up a table. Avery is gazing at me.

"I feel like you don't...Ally, I personally think it's great that you want to get out and see the world. You'll enjoy that, and everyone needs a little freedom. Everyone needs a little change. But when everything is changing so fast around you, you need something-or someone-to hang onto."

I get what she's saying. "And you think I should hang onto him."

"I absolutely one hundred percent think so. Ally, you can forget family, although I'm not telling you to do so, you can forget all about me or Holly or anyone, you could even just forget music. But Austin...don't let him go."