Author's note: Hey guys, I'm so, so sorry for the indefinite hiatus and for making everyone wait so long... if anyone actually cares, that is. I have no good excuse except I was very busy with completing high school (which I did!) In the wise words of London Tipton, "yay me!" So, here is the next chapter, and again, I am seriously so sorry about the wait! I also hope that I can regain the humor that this story once had, because I know it was starting to get pretty whiny, and that's not cool. Also, I finally finished the Cell Phone Swap, and I would just like to give DoNotMicrowave the biggest congratulation on her book being published soon! Seriously girl, you rock. I appreciate your patience, and I couldn't ask for better readers! Also, I apologize that Ally seems so bitchy, or if I portray her as ugly. I definitely don't think she's ugly. And, one last thing I'd like to add, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I wrote this (hopefully) in time for someone's birthday. Thank you for being the motivation I finally needed to write the dang chapter.

Xoxo,

-EnlighteningTaleBrethren.

Ally's POV:

Let me tell you something about waking up before even the birds have risen; it's unpleasant and unnatural. How did I find myself driving towards the studio at 4:30 in the morning? Because I had stupidly agreed to have breakfast with Austin and Serena. My mom had asked me last night if I was going to regret this later. Shoot, I was regretting it now.

I parked in the lot and groggily made my way towards the front where Serena was standing patiently. She smiled at me as I approached, and I did my best to try and smile back. In reality, I just wanted to be curled up in my bed, dreaming. My bed and I had this long, ongoing relationship that always seemed to be getting interrupted by petty things such as waking up at a specific time.

"Good morning," Serena said pleasantly. I just groaned in response, glancing up to see Austin slowly approaching us.

"I'd say it's a good morning, but I haven't even had coffee yet," I grumbled.

"Well fret not, Dawson. We just happen to be going to Starbucks first. I figure we should get a good caffeine fix before we board the plane."

I perked up a little at the sound of coffee. Coffee was my blood-type, after all. "Good morning," Serena and I both greeted at the same time. He grunted in silence, and that was all the response we got. I glanced at him and had to wonder about the aviators he was wearing. It wasn't even close to light out. Despite the catchy song by Corey Hart, normal people didn't wear their sunglasses at night…err… pre-day?

During the limo ride (what is it with celebrities and their damn limos?) I learned there are two kinds of people: morning people, and noon-thirty kind of people. Austin and I both, as it turns out, are the latter. Yet another thing we happen to have in common! I also kind of wanted to search for Serena's sleep button during the duration of the ride. Seriously, it's not okay to expect people to have deep, meaningful chats before they've even had a cup of Joe.

After a fun-filled trip nothing but Serena's endless chatter, we arrived at the wonderfully over-priced, but very yummy Starbucks. Personally I didn't feel like forking over $5 for a coffee, but if anything productive was going to occur today, I wanted to be fairly hyped up on caffeine.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee hits my nose as we enter the beloved building that is famous for its very delicious, very overpriced coffee. I mean seriously. I could sell an arm and leg for a cup of coffee from Starbucks. I know, I'm overexaggerating. Oh well. Serena plops down at a table nearest to the door. Austin just stands there with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. Well, it looked like I was going to be the one initiating things.

"Okay, what does everyone want?"

"Caramel frappaccino for me, and then whatever you two want. My treat." Serena says, handing me a black credit card. Wow, this must be one of this limitless credit cards I had heard about but never had the chance to see! Oh how the other half lives.

"What do you want?" I ask Austin. He doesn't answer. "Riiight, well I guess I'll just take a wild guess, because I regret to inform you that while I possess a multitude of talents, reading minds is not among them."

I saunter off towards the counter and Austin follows me wordlessly. The first thing I notice is that the barista is kind of really hot. I'm talking Ian Somerhalder or Jensen Ackles status. He's glancing our way, lightly drumming his fingers on the counter, bored. I give him a smile, despite my still semi-coherent state of mind.

"Welcome to Starbucks! Order when you're ready," he says brightly. Internally I almost groaned. Of course, he was hot, but he was also that type of person to bring an amount of pep in the morning that grumps like me didn't appreciate. Still, there was no need to be rude.

"Hi, two caramel frappaccinos, and uh..." I turned to Austin, indicating that he should probably order now. He's staring intently at the barista. "Austin, do you want to order something?" I ask, hoping he'll get the hint. No answer, so I do the most logical thing I can think of... I kick him in the shin. He grunts and his gaze shifts from hot guy to me, his eyes narrowing. "Sorry, but he's been waiting on your order for at least a solid minute."

He clenches his jaw, briefly scans the menu, and then places his order: another caramel frappaccino.

"And what's the name for the order?" hot barista asks, winking at me. I feel an arm wrap around me, and briefly tense before I notice his expression. Normally I would hit him, but it's too funny to see how possessive he's suddenly become.

"Austin," he says, before forking over a $50 (gosh, lifestyles of the rich and the famous man,) and escorting me back to the table. Serena raises an eyebrow when we get sit down, and me? Well I'm still internally giggling. I have to admit, I still feel a little bad about kicking him in the shin. Although to be fair, I don't think I kicked him that hard. I think he was just a bigger morning grump than I was.

"Austin, your order is ready," cute guy calls, and Austin springs up before I can even think of heading for the counter. I hear Serena chuckle. Hmmm... so I'm not the only one who noticed his dislike towards the barrister.

Auslly, Finally A Thing? The caption read. I rolled my eyes. But I also had to smile, because they had got a photo of us in the water, and hey, I didn't look bad. To the untrained eye, I even looked happy. I glanced at the front page of US Weekly once again, and decided that hey, maybe being on good terms with Austin might make things suck just a little less. (There was that optimism I always seem to lack.) We even had a couple name.

My growling stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten dinner yet. Sighing, I picked up the phone and dialed room service. After all, Serenity had said I could order anything off of the menu. I figured I might as well take advantage of it. A filling feast of fluffy flapjacks later, I was pretty content with finally lulling off to the endless land of dreams.

I had just finished my shower and gotten dressed when there was a knock at the door. (Hey, this situation sounds kind of cliché!) Pulling my hair into a pony tail as I approach the door, I realize how tired I really am. I'm practically dragging my feet.

"Who is it?" I ask, too tired to bother looking through the peephole. No answer. "Okaaayyyy," I sing, "I'm not opening the door if there's 'no one there.' I've seen enough horror films to know how this ends."

There's still nothing from the other side, so I start walking toward the bed. Fine, I'd go to bed then. I wasn't in the mood for this. "Probably some kid's moronic idea of a practical joke," I mutter. Another knock makes me halt.

I sigh, and head towards the door. Again. A third knock makes me grit my teeth. "Okay, I'm coming, god!" I yell, and a fourth knock responds. "Hakuna your tatas!" I snap as I fling open the door. Austin stands on the other side of the door, fist raised to knock a fifth time. "Austin?" I feign surprise, "I didn't even know you were here! Not even from the first four knocks!"

He smirks. "Well I had to be sure you were awake. I find knocking once or twice seldom does the trick."

"So you figured that by being pesky, you'd accomplish…?"

"Pestering you, for starters, which is always a perk. But most importantly, I knew you'd eventually open the door from pure irritation."

"You're intolerable," I say only half-joking. I roll my eyes, and start closing the door, but his hand stops me.

"I'm sorry, there was an actual reason I came here."

"You mean aside from driving me bonkers?"

"Yes, aside from driving you bonkers. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?"

"I was going to go to bed—"

"I don't mean here, you goon. Sometimes I get tired of being cooped up in hotels all the time. And I know this city fairly well. Come on, I want to show you something."

"Okay, let me get a jacket." I turn and head toward the closet, and Austin invites himself inside. Or I guess leaving the door open was an invitation. Whatever tickles your peach.

"What, you're not going to bother with makeup?" he asks, and I must give him a slightly offended look, because he puts his hands up in protest. "That sounded better in my head," he amends, "I didn't mean it like you need makeup. I'm just used to girls putting on makeup before they go anywhere. Rixion especially."

"Why would I bother with makeup now? It's 10:30 p.m. and it's not like I have anyone to impress."

"Let me borrow a dress!" he says suddenly, and I look at him bewildered.

"That was completely random. Why would I let you borrow a dress? Are you thinking of becoming a woman?"

"No it's not that. But I like to leave the hotel in various disguises and I have yet to try it as a girl. I thought it might be kind of interesting. A new experience."

"Well joke's on you bud, because I don't own any dresses."

"Come on, you're a girl. I'm know you have at least one dress hiding somewhere in this room," he says as he flings open the drawers on the wardrobe. I charitably choose to ignore that rather sexist comment. Just because I have a vagina, doesn't mean that I also wear dresses. I watch in mild horror as clothes begin flying off of hangers. And then, oh yep, there went a bra. And another.

"Hey! Do you mind? Can I help you?" I ask as he roots through my clothing. I grab his arm as he appears triumphantly with a pink sundress that I most definitely have never seen before.

"I told you that you had to have at least one dress in here! I saw Serena buying this the other day, and I figured she'd be giving it to you. I was right."

"Congratulations, Sherlock Holmes. Do you want a medal? A cookie perhaps? And most importantly, do you plan on putting everything back?" I say as I point to the various items that are now strewn on my floor. His eyes focus on where I'm pointing and he looks vaguely apologetic. But he nods, and immediately starts hanging things back up. We work together because everyone knows teamwork is where it's at.

"Now that I've tidied up your hotel room, can we please go?" Austin asks, holding my newly acquired sundress in his hands. I nod and root through the closet for my favorite sweatshirt. I turn around right as Austin starts unbuttoning his pants.

"Uh, I'm all for confidence and all that jazz, but there's a perfectly good bathroom over there..."

"I'm well aware there are bathrooms here, Ally. After all, I've only stayed here a thousand times. But I'm too lazy to walk such a long way, so I'm staying right here."

He resumes undressing, and I choose to ignore it. Okay, I might have glanced that direction a couple of times, but you'll only hear me admit that once.

"Welcome to Mochahauntus, my favorite cafe! And look, just in time to hear poetry hour."

"I didn't think you'd be into something like poetry," I said as we entered the warm and inviting cafe. I had to admit, I dug the theme of the place. White brick walls, blue and purple dangling lights, and a paint splatter counter were just some of the awesome decor. There was a small stage in the center, with what appeared to be real vines crawling up the sides of the curtains.

"I'll pretend to ignore that, because I'm a generous kind of guy. Don't knock it till you try it. Plus, this place has some of the best coffee New York City has ever seen, and I know how much appreciate coffee."

"Well, I can't argue with coffee. Lead the way," I say, grinning.

After we order our coffees, we plop down on a black sofa, and I could practically melt into the plushness of the seat. If I was a guy, I wouldn't mind if my wife kicked me out of the bed and made me sleep on a couch like this. "The couches are pretty great, eh?" Austin says as he lightly nudges me in the side. I stick my tongue out in response and open my mouth to say something, when a man with a horribly dyed orange goatee and a black beret walks on stage. All chatter in the room stops.

He clears his throat. "Welcome to our weekly poetry reading. To start things off, I will be reading one of my newest poems. I've titled it 'My Dearest Snookykins.'"

I almost snort, waiting for him to announce that he's totally just kidding. But, his face is 100% serious, and I sink back, mentally preparing to not bust out loud. Especially if he uses the petname 'Snookykins.'

"My dearest Snookykins,

Where did you go?

Life is like a giant hole.

I'm sorry honey bear,

for being square.

I love you so much, my teddybear.

I miss your luscious locks,

your apron and smocks,

and of course, your buttocks.

Why did you leave me?

I have to know.

Without you here,

I'm lost and confused.

Baby come back,

please, I love you."

He receives light applause, and he bows. I roll my eyes, and Austin must see it, because he nudges me again. I glare at him.

"Don't be such a party pooper. It takes guts to go up there and read amazing poetry about your snookykins. Can I call you snookykins?"

"Not a chance. I'll take princess over snookykins. And just because someone can get on stage, doesn't mean they should."

He snorts. "Like you could do any better."

"I think I could write a better poem than that."

Austin cocks an eyebrow and gives me that trademark cocky look that I've come to know so well. "How certain of that are you?"

"Why do I not like the way you're looking at me?"

"That doesn't answer my question."

I roll my eyes. "Fine. I think I'm 100% certain that I could write a better poem off the top of my head."

"Then I challenge you, Ally Dawson, to a poetry writing contest."

"And if I win?"

"Well, what do you want?"

I ponder for a second. What exactly did I want?

"Wait, what do you get if you win?"

"Ally, stop stalling."

"Uh, fine. If I win, you have to let me put makeup on you."

"Deal."

"What? You're just going to agree to it?" I narrow my eyes in suspicion. "What do you want?"

"If I win, you have to kiss me."

I sputter. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard me. I didn't stutter. If I win, you have to kiss me. It's as simple as that."

Something in his eyes tells me he doesn't think I'll do it. And part of me never could back down from a challenge. "Alright, you're on!" I tell him as I stick my hand out. He looks shocked, but quickly recovers and reverts back to his cocky self. "Now, who goes first?"

"I say we flip a coin. Ally, hand me a quarter."

"And what gives you the impression that I have any money on me?"

"Well I hope you do, because I'm in a dress, and therefore, did not bring any mula."

I roll my eyes again and fish out a coin. "Fine, but I get to flip."

"Deal. Whoever it lands on goes last. I call heads."

I toss the coin in the air, hoping that it lands on tails. But, as these stories always seem to go, I have no such luck. Instead, it lands on heads. Austin hoots in triumph and I scoff.

"Alright princess, I expect to be dazzled by your poem. If I don't shed a single tear because of its sheer beauty, I will annoy you endlessly for the remainder of the night."

"You already do annoy me," I mutter under my breath.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"Oh nothing," I say innocently.

Several awful poems later, it's finally my turn, and I'm slightly nervous. The stage light is a tad bit bright and it's already hot. I take a deep breath and fixate my eyes on the back wall, and begin. "Hi, I'm Ally, and I've titled this poem 'One Year Ago.'" I take one more deep breath.

"One year ago,

I smiled in the late hours of the night,

because all I could think about

were the stupid, crazy, wonderful things

you had said that day.

I memorized the lines of our script,

because no one else said them that way.

12 months ago,

I told myself to be wary.

That to love you would bring me pain.

But then you draped your jacket over me,

when we walked home in the rain.

I frequently said it wasn't bad,

I could quit you any time.

365 days ago,

I counted the hours until I'd see you again.

I told myself it was unhealthy,

but I was strapped to a high speed bus.

I told myself that there was a distinct possibility that there was more.

That maybe for once, I was pretty enough,

or witty enough,

or even funny enough.

52 weeks ago,

I used to stare at you from a distance,

and I always compared myself

to all the other girls you hugged.

But you told me you liked me best,

and that no matter what,

I would always be your favorite.

8,765 hours ago,

I hung on to your very essence,

while trying not to seem too interested.

You always had a smile ready for me,

and we talked about our favorite things.

Somehow you became a wizard,

And I was enticed under your spell.

525,949 minutes ago,

I was hopelessly devoted to you.

I would've ventured into unknown galaxies,

because you were the pilot.

I knew back then that even though I was probably looking too

much into things,

you made me feel beautiful for once in my life.

31,536,000 seconds ago,

I was flailing helplessly,

trying not to be left in your dust.

I told my mother that I loved you.

She said, "It's just a crush."

But it was more.

One year later,

I realize how stupid I really was.

Ignorance is bliss,

and you yanked me directly off of cloud 9.

With just one short, little sentence.

"I don't feel the same way."

Everything shattered;

All those hours that were used.

But now, I won't waste a single second more on you."

I get a fair amount of applause. I do a mock curtsy before I return to my spot. I ignore all the eyes I feel might be fixated on me, and I'm not too surprised that one of those pairs belongs to Austin. He gives me what appears to be a sincere smile, and I give him one in return.

"That was really good. I've gotta hand it to you, you can write."

"Well thank you! Now I expect your poem to top that."

"Oh don't worry, princess. Prepare to have your socks knocked off!" he exclaims before leaping off the couch and heading for the stage.

"Hi guys! My name is Luna, and I've titled my poem 'Stupid Me.'

I kind of miss you, which is weird for me to say.

After all, I think I broke up with you.

Or maybe it was mutual.

At one point I believed you'd take away my pain.

But you were behind the trigger,

and once again, I was wrong.

There was stupid me, thinking we'd be a love song.

You need to focus on life, and hey, that's okay.

But maybe this should be where it ends.

No more saying, 'we'll still be friends.'

Not a word between us has passed,

since the night our feelings left.

But I still think about you often,

which is honestly a first for me.

I know you'll find someone better,

Despite what you believe.

And when you go and get him,

I hope he will succeed.

But me? I will miss you, and maybe always love you.

Even if all of this is my fault.

This is all because of stupid me.

And stupid thoughts; and us not meant to be.

So why do I still care?

Why do I still want you?

Am I really as naive as you once said?

Well, maybe these feelings will die when I leave you behind.

Stupid me will grow smarter in time."

I can't help but applaud Austin because hey, his poem was pretty darn good. In fact, maybe it was better than mine. He maintains eye contact the entire time he walks back to the sofa. I end up breaking eye contact first, and taking a sip of the coffee that I hadn't actually bothered to taste yet. I took a timid sip and nearly spit it out. Austin noticed my reaction and started laughing.

"I thought you said the coffee here was good!"

"Okay, I might've stretched the truth a little bit. To be fair, it's one of their better tasting coffees. But how else would I have gotten you to stay?"

"I said I would hang out with you."

"True, but you were skeptical. Admit it."

"Alright, so I might've started the night with a closed mind. But I'll admit, it was actually kind of fun."

"See? I told you I knew some cool spots to hang out. Now Ally, I think it's time to pay up."

"Pay up? I don't recall saying you won."

"Oh please. My poem was so much better. I got more applause than you did, it was shorter, and it was personal."

"And mine wasn't personal?"

"No, it was, but it seemed too rehearsed. There's no way you came up with that on the spot."

"You can't prove anything! You enunciated yours just fine. Maybe you're the one who rehearsed."

He raises an eyebrow. "Are you always going to be this stubborn? Or does that just have a trial period?"

"Stubborn? Me? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm the most agreeable person I know."

"Have I ever told you you're full of shit?"

"Have I ever told you that you don't look good in dresses?"

Austin puts a hand on his chest, feigning hurt. "Princess, that hurts. I am an incredibly good-looking guy, and I can't believe you don't appreciate the beauty that appears before your very eyes."

"Gosh, you are so dramatic. Anyway, I won the contest. I declare myself the winner!"

"Uh, no... you can't just declare yourself winner. We had a bet. Yours was rehearsed. You lose."

"Again, I never admitted to it being rehearsed, so you need actual evidence before you can prove it."

He rolls his eyes and drapes an arm around me. Before I can register the move, he pulls me so I'm sitting right by him. I give him a weird look, and he sighs. "I swear to god, how a person can be so oblivious to hints astounds me."

"Hints?" I ask, confused.

"Look just, don't... don't hit me, okay?"

"Uh, what?"

Instead of answering my question, he tilts my face up, and suddenly, we're kissing. And for once, I don't even care that we're in a public setting. For once, I don't freeze up, or hit him, or fight it. For once, I let loose.

He deepens the kiss, his hands resting lightly in my hair. He tastes like peppermint, and as cliche as this, it makes me feel calm. Sure, he may be an ass at times, but he's cute, and he's actually not such a horrible person. He goes to pull me into his lap when I finally break the kiss. I take a couple deep breaths because damn, does this make everyone feel like they have sucky lungs?

"As much fun as this is, we're kind of still in a cafe, and pretty soon I'm pretty sure someone would've intervened."

"Oh you prude. This is New York City. The city of sex. But you're probably right. This is a classy establishment, and it's already almost 10. We should probably get back to the hotel before Serena realizes we're missing. She could be a member of the FBI with how persistent she is with finding me." With that, he stands up and offers me his hand.