You're Not Alone

I Will Dance with Cinderella

(Austin's POV)

I watched through the bus window, the trees flying by as we made our way to Montrose, Colorado. Everyone else was passed out on the couches. After PTV made their way back to their own bus after our little "movie party", we began the trip to our next destination.

I looked down at Jen, who was still asleep in my lap. She took slow breaths, making soft little noises every now and then. I squeezed her tighter, never wanting to let go.

It was 4 am, and I couldn't sleep to save my life. I was too happy.

Alan stirred in the chair across from me, sitting up and stretching.

"God, what time is it?" He sighed.

"4 AM." I replied. He groaned.

Alan's gaze shifted to Jen, curled up in my arms. She looked so innocent, gripping my shirt as she slept. He smiled at her. "She's so cute." He giggled like a little girl.

I rubbed her back slowly, as she contracted into a tighter ball.

"How does it feel? Being a dad?" Alan asked, gesturing to Jen.

I laughed, moving hair away from her face.

"It's fucking awesome."

Alan chuckled, before laying back down and shutting his eyes one again. I figured I should do the same.

I carefully laid down on the couch, still holding Jen close to me. She stirred for a moment, and I was afraid that I'd woken her up. But she just buried her face into my neck, still keeping a tight grip on my shirt. I kissed her cheek, before closing my eyes and drifting off.

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(Jen's POV)

I woke up to Patrick and Spongebob's voices blaring out of the TV speakers. I reached out looking for Austin, but the only thing I felt was the empty space on the couch. The bus was no longer moving.

As I sat up, a familiar ginger caught my eye. He and I seemed to be the only ones on the bus.

"Morning, Little Carlile." Alan greeted.

I gave him a "sup" nod.

"What's good gingy?" I said in my best "gangsta" voice. He laughed.

"It's just you and I today, kiddo. Everyone else is scouting out the venue and setting up. They didn't wanna wake you, so they left me in charge." He explained.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off, as if he knew what I was going to say. "They don't need me there. All I ever did was screw around when they brought me along." He said, drinking from a water bottle.

I nodded, chuckling at how childish he was. His demeanor changed quickly, his expression growing serious. He walked over and sat in the empty space next to me. He reached up a hand and held my face gently.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, his hand still cupping my injured cheek. "You seem better, but I can't help wondering."

I sighed, feeling tears prick at my eyes again.

"I'm really confused about how I'm feeling. After last night, I feel like I can fly. I feel like I hold the whole world in my hands. But at the same time, I'm not okay. I just don't understand. Why?" I felt the break in my voice. "Why does my own mother hate me?"

Tears began to flow out of my eyes, gently sliding down my cheeks, rolling onto Alan's fingers.

"I don't know, Jen. But I have to believe that everything happens for a reason. I have to believe that something good is gonna come out of this. Even though I may not know what that is." He said, taking my hand in his.