Chapter 9: Dress for Thrills and Courage

(Author's Notes: I hope you're all enjoying the story and I appreciate the reviews. Anyways, this chapter is inspired by the episode Costumes & Courage. If anyone picks up on a some of the dialogue used in the chapter you'll notice it's from the episode. I definitely had to include Don't Look Down but I decided to put my own spin on the chapter. FYI don't own any rights to Disney lol & hope you like it!)

Ally's POV

After the unsettling encounters Austin and I had with our insignificant exes, we both talked about it with each other. Down the line we know that we were bound to experience more run ins with them. On the other hand, between our two equilibrium exes as Austin describes them, Elliot is the one we'll frequently run into. After all, he is the golden boy of Marino High and runs the school along with the It Crowd. How could I forget them they made school a living hell for me since I was in the fourth grade.

For now, we decided to put our ex dilemmas on hold for the sake of getting through our next gig for Halloween this upcoming weekend. Trish, taking the impromptu role of being the band manager announced that she had some big news to tell us about the Halloween party we're playing at Shredder's. Austin came by my house after school we picked up Cadence from my grandma's so we could work on the new song we were writing.

"Okay, when you think of Halloween, you think of costumes. Ooh, Maybe the song can be about the masks we all hide behind." I said thinking out very loud settling Cadence in her swing. Austin, being the practical joker he was, scared the crap out of me by wearing a gremlin mask that caused me to scream. "Austin!"

"Sorry. I'm getting us in the mood to write a Halloween song. Let's think of things that scare us. You go first." Austin suggested.

"Well, obviously I scared of Cadence not growing up without a father." I bluntly stated until Austin lightens the mood.

"Ooh, sometimes when I burp, I'm afraid there's an alien in my stomach trying to bust out!"

"Don't you have any fears that aren't,... I don't know, absolutely ridiculous?" I eyed him suspiciously.

"I am kind of freaked out about singing in front of all those people at the the beach club on Halloween." Austin said mumbling.

"That makes sense, it's a lot of pressure." I then started recalling one night we actually sat down and watch one of the old home videos our parents made of us when we were kids. "Remember what my brothers told us that time when we went to the water park and we were scared to go down the giant water slide?"

"Keep your mouth closed at the bottom; there might be pee in the pool?" Austin said as I was slightly disgusted by that comment.

"Yyyyes, but they also said, no matter how scared we were, just push ahead and don't look down." Suddenly an idea pops in my head. "Hey, that could be a cool chorus to sing."

"Yeah." Austin plays the piano and sings. "Don't drink the pee in the pool…"

"No, no, no, no,... Noooooo.." I grab his hands to stop playing. "I mean, Don't look down." I play the piano and sings the chorus to him. "Don't look down."

"Yeah, that's good, too." Austin complimented as we worked on the sheet music for the others to play. "We were eight and it was before we ended up moving on the other side of town. Our parents kept in touch constantly and you four were always present. Why was it we have a hard time remembering our childhood?"

"Probably because I was going through that little childhood phase where I thought boys had cooties," I slightly teased. "That I can thank Scarlet for."

"Yeah and your brothers told me the same thing about you when I was little." We worked on the song for a little bit and had it complete for rehearsals this week with our friends. Our phones went off and we got a message from Dez saying that he was coming to pick us up in a bit. We planned on going to the mall to buy costumes and I was excited to shop for Cadence's very first Halloween costume. I was getting all of Cadence's things together and I had to warn Dez that I needed to bring the carseat.

"My two month old little girl, I can't believe this weekend is her first Halloween!" I happily replied making extra bottles of breast milk. "So Dez says he doesn't mind to put the carseat in his car. I was hoping to throw a little party before the gig on Friday night. I need to hand out the candy for the kids trick or treating and we aren't performing at the beach club until 10pm. I want to make this first Halloween for my daughter special."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea a little pre-Halloween festivities. We can run it by with the guys to see if they're down for it." Austin helped get Cadence changed in the nursery and then he stopped. "Hey Ally did you ask Dez if he's letting Carrie drive his car?"

"Don't worry he got her to carpool with Dallas and Piper to the mall. Dallas quoted he's not letting Chim-Chim Carrie lay one hand on his steering wheel." I smiled.

Austin's POV

"Get my phone ready Austin!" I hear Ally calling from the fitting room at the Halloween-atorium.

We met up with the others at the mall to shop later on in the afternoon. We were at the Halloween-atorium looking for some costumes to wear for Shredder's Halloween party this weekend. This Halloween was also a big deal for Ally because it is Cadence's first Halloween. It sucks that she's only two months old and way too little for trick or treating but the guys and I jokingly offered to go trick or treating on Cadence's behalf. However, we knew we were way too old for trick or treating but you'll never know.

"Ally we've been here for the last hour and the guys got their costumes except for us!" I exclaimed as I glanced at the store clerk who had an annoying look on her face. She was staring right directly at us over our overstayed occupancy of the fitting rooms.

"It's just this one more costume I want Cadence to try on. This is her first Halloween so I want her to look super cute and adorable."

"Well you said that about the last five costumes you made your poor little girl try on." I smiled glancing at the photos on Ally's phone I used to take pictures of the costumes Cadence tried on. There was one of Cadence dressed up as a fairy; another in a flower costume; then another in a sheep costume; one picture where Ally made me dress her up in a Tigger costume. However, she had a frown on her face when we put her in a dinosaur costume. The others stayed to also get their photos of Cadence in her sample costumes.

"Which costume number is Ally at with Cadence?" Trish asked.

"Number six and unfortunately we're getting the death stares from the store clerk. Plus Ally and I still need to find our costumes for the gig this weekend."

"Ally? Come on we don't have all day." the others complained. I picked out costume number six for Cadence to try on but the look on Ally's face say otherwise and thought I was out of my mind. The others fought over who's turn it is to snap photos with the baby. The look on Cadence's face in the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man costume was priceless as she had her awe look along with the cute dimples.

"What a puffy little cutie pie," Piper cooed as the guys passed Cadence around to take a quick photo.

"Really Austin? The Stay Puff Marshmallow Man? She's a girl first of all," Ally said raising her eyebrows. "My little girl looks like a giant puffy cloud!"

"That's the point and besides the puffiness pays homage to mommy and her cloud watching cloud." I exclaimed happily. "Look she likes it Ally."

"Okay she looks cute…but still she's not going as the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters." The others jokingly booed Ally at her objection over the costume for Cadence. "She's going as a sheep okay? Come on Austin, we gotta go find our costumes. Piper, do you mind changing Cadence out of the costume and the sheep costume from the hanger? Here's the money to pay for Cadence's costume."

"No problem Alls but still it would have been nice to see little Cadence in a puffy cute costume like Mr. Stay Puff. It maybe a dude but it can work." Ally passes the baby off to Piper along with the money to get her changed out of the costume. However, the way she looked at her daughter in the costume made her smile as she snapped a quick picture. Carrie went to go retrieve the sheep costume Ally wanted but then I looked at the price tag of the Stay Puff costume and smiled.

"Hey Carrie, Dallas add an extra twenty dollars to the money Ally gave. This is Cadence's first Halloween so she needs a costume that will make her look cute, adorable and stand out." I smiled instructing my friends to buy Cadence's first costume and make it one Ally will remember.

A few minutes later Piper came out of the fitting room with Cadence changed back in her regular clothes. Carrie and Dallas bought the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man costume for Cadence but we wanted to surprise Ally knowing she'll be shocked it wasn't the sheep costume she originally intended to have us buy. Dez and Trish stayed with Ally, Cadence and me while the others went ahead to Dallas' place for rehearsals.

For the next half an hour the two of us were rummaging through what costumes to buy. I eventually settled with a gladiator costume since according to Trish being a ninja wasn't my style. She pulls it from one of the clothes racks and passes it to me as I jokingly comment on showing off my muscles. Trish has been busy with her phone the whole time texting and messaging someone. She said she had some news she wanted to share with us but will wait until we all met with the rest of the guys at Dallas' place.

Ally came out in a red cross nurse costume and Dez was looking after Cadence as he pushed her in the stroller. Eventually, she ended up striking a conversation with a guy dressed in a pilot outfit. He complimented Ally on her outfit but Ally got tongued tied trying to come back with something to say. The moment the guy saw the baby stroller he left immediately only for things to get worst when we had one unpleasant encounter with Tilly and Gavin.

"Oh look, Dorkson struck out on the playing field." Tilly smirked cruelly. "What's the matter, did your potential baby daddy go running for the hills again?"

"Good one there Till probably the poor sap wasn't digging the whole Florence Nightingale vibe." Gavin said joining Tilly to take his jab at Ally. Gosh no wonder why Ally hated them for so long and these guys reminded me of my old classmates from Miami Prep. If I could right now I like to introduce Gavin to my fist seeing how their inconsistent teasing took jabs to Ally's self confidence. Me and Dez were ready to shut Gavin's face while Trish stared daggers at Tilly.

"Tilly, Gavin it's so nice to see you guys here. Are you shopping for new masks to replace the ugly mugs you call faces you're wearing?" Trish got them good by dissing them up as Dez and I laughed and high five Trish for her comment.

"Surprise to see you two in here shopping for discount mugs to replace those faces you're wearing." Dez added as we continued to laugh until the two of them walked away from us scoffing. That will show them not to mess with our friends.

"I'm alright guys and thanks for having my back again, but you know me I'm use to their jabs." Ally said solemnly.

"Hey I've seen worst happen and trust me if I could Dez and I would have floored Gavin." I commented hoping to make Ally feel better.

"But still what they said about the Florence Nightingale costume, it doesn't suit me. I wish I could be more confident and cool." Ally replied.

"It's Halloween you can be anything you want!" I exclaimed happily as Ally notices another costume, an apparent anime character who's outfit consists of a silver super-heroine uniform with pink accents, a pink cape and a pink "G" between the breasts. It also comes with a pink bob wig, and silver eye mask catching Ally's attention.

"You're right! I'm gonna be...Galexis Nova!"

"Ooh, I love Galexis Nova. Mild-mannered nuclear physicist by day; Butt-kicking inter-galactic avenger by night. She's confident, and fearless." Dez went over to the mannequin and struggled to get the costume off of it and got his hand stuck. He was trying to get it for Ally knowing it was what she wanted to buy. "Here you go Ally, got it off the mannequin by battling a stuck zipper." She smiled at Dez as she walked up to the cash register and paid for her costume.

Ally's POV

I presented the new song Austin and I wrote "Don't Look Down" to Dallas, Piper and Jace at rehearsals. The five of us managed to learn it in a matter of two days getting most of the melody and lyrics down. Trish revealed her big news to us during the week in the form of a live video chat she and Dez set up with Shane Harper and Bridgit Mendler, the actors from the Disney Channel show Good Luck Charlie. They stumbled upon Dez's website he had of The Wave Breakers and they saw our performance of Anytime and left a positive review about it. The couple sent us their contact information so they can view one of our rehearsals.

They set up a video chat so Bridgit and Shane can watch our rehearsal of "Don't Look Down" and they love our new song. The couple was in town to do a show for the week and one of their shows was going to be at Shredder's for Halloween. I came up with an idea with Trish after we played the song for them to join our band live on stage for one song. I ran it by with Austin and the others that Austin performs Don't Look Down as a duet with Bridgit and have Shane join in playing with the band.

I sent a recorded copy of our song to Shane and Bridgit so they can learn this week before the show. Finally it was the day of Halloween and we were excited and stoked about our performance tonight. However, for me my first excitement was celebrating my daughter's first Halloween costume. I invited the gang over for a pre-Halloween party at my house and also hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters already dressed in our costumes. Dad was getting Cadence ready in her very first Halloween costume while I prepared the candy to hand out and had Dez set the camera up for picture.

"Okay so it's set, Bridgit and Shane will arrive at Shredder's for about 9:30 for tonight. Hazel had the equipment set up on the stage so you guys won't have to take too much time setting up." Trish reported to us. "We need to do a quick sound check to make sure the acoustics work."

"So where are Bridgit and Shane currently?" Jace asked.

"I got word that they're just having dinner at the new Mexican restaurant downtown, El Trompo." Trish said.

"This is some surprising exposure for the band, especially for Austin and Ally," Dallas replied smiling. "Our performance of Anytime got 30,000 hits online and now two stars from the Disney Channel want to perform a song with us. We only started this band to earn some cash to save up for college. The three of us made a good decision to bring you two into the band so it can give you guys a platform to showcase your stuff. We believe that you two are made to be in the spotlight and perform on stage."

"A platform for what? This is your band Dallas. You created the Wave Breakers and you three also deserve the credit and spotlight." Austin and I asked them curiously. "Are you three up to something? Wait...are you trying to launch a music career for us by using our involvement in the band?"

"Literally, we're just known for playing background music and stuff. The whole song writing aspect wasn't for us until you two introduced it." Piper said. "If you two keep on doing what you do, we'll be a hit at Shredder's and it will possibly open new opportunities up for you guys. It maybe a temporary thing and whatever happens from here on out, we'll be with you guys for the ride."

"Wow, I can't believe you guys are willing to get us out there and use your band to launch our talents." Austin said in awe. "I just met you guys a few months ago and suddenly tonight's performance, it's a lot of pressure. I mean Bridgit Mendler is a Disney Channel star and to perform Ally's song with her means we got a give them a show that will leave them buzzing."

"That's a lot to take in, the idea of showcasing my musical talents. I love writing songs and playing in the band, but that's also going to be added pressure. I'm just getting by between school and raising Cadence on my own. It's something I dreamed of but I have to be practical to accept the situation I'm in. The future is still uncertain but tonight can we just focus on celebrating my baby's first Halloween and get ready for the gig at Shredder's."

"Okay Ally, your little girl is ready to come out now!" I heard my dad call from upstairs as I was anxiously excited about seeing Cadence in her first Halloween costume. It was still in the bag and in the packaging because school and rehearsals took up most of my time this week. My dad comes down holding Cadence as Dez starts taking some pictures of Cadence.

"This is it guys. So for those with the benefit of flash photography I like to present to you Cadence Avery Dawson wearing…" However my face goes goes from anxiously happy perky mom to bewildered and shock by what my daughter is wearing. I rub my eyes looking in confusion only for Dez and the others to catch my reaction to Cadence's costume. "Oh my baby?! What the heck happened? She…she was suppose to be an adorable little sheep. How the heck did she goes from cute and adorable to a puffed up fictional marshmallow man? Dad, where's the sheep costume?"

"Well honey this was the costume in the bag." My dad handed Cadence to me as I was in disbelief wondering how the store managed to mix up a sheep costume with the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man? However, Cadence's face tells me another story as she lets out a few happy gurgling sounds. "Are you sure you bought Cadence a sheep costume?"

"How did the store mix up the costumes? She was suppose to be cute and adorable as a farm animal with the floppy cotton ears." I sighed in disbelief.

"Come on Ally look at your little girl. She likes being the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man and if I could say on behalf of the others here, she can totally rock the cute, puffy and dimple awesomeness look. So you can thank me for busting out a memorable costume for your daughter's first Halloween." Austin smiled as Cadence gave him a small smile. I then realized what happened to Cadence's costume. "Also the guys said Ghostbusters is the only somewhat scary movie you'll watch."

"You convinced them to swap the costumes didn't you Austin?" I asked curiously though I know I shouldn't be upset with him for undermining me.

"Hey if it bothers you I'm sorry I may have stepped over some boundaries. It's just we really like spending time with Cadence and we wanted to fun up her first Halloween experience." Austin said sincerely. "You're her mother and I have to respect if I went over the line with buying the costume without your permission I can return and get your money back."

"Austin's right about that Ally. We all like spending quality time with Cadence well, not as often as Austin does." Dez pointed out. I see Cadence's face and she seems to like the costume though it's actually a marshmallow man. Instead I plop Cadence in a sitting position on the couch as my friends start taking pictures of my marshmallow little girl. I stand next to Austin for a minute as Cadence continues her photo ops with the guys.

"I'm not angry, but maybe a little upset that you didn't tell me about the costume. However, she does like it and Cadence is apparently growing accustom to being dressed up all puffy and cute. I'll give you a free pass on this one since you did help make Cadence's first Halloween memorable so thank you."

"Thanks Ally and I promise next time I'll consult you first because you're her mother and you're welcome." Austin smiles as Dez takes a picture of me and Cadence first to add in her baby book. I then end up doing a selfie photo of me, Austin and Cadence and something about the picture seems sweet and natural. My baby looked happy and Austin and me manage to straighten up the minor mix up on the condition next time he tells me first.

After a little while, we realized it was time for us to head to Shredder's for the Halloween Party. We were going to be out late so I had to leave Cadence with my dad and he didn't mind looking after her. Trish got word that that Shane Harper and Bridgit Mendler already arrived at Shredder's. This is it, time for another gig as we said goodbye to my dad for the night and left.

Austin's POV

Shredder's Beach Club was already packed and there were a lot of guests at the Halloween Party. It was very lively and a lot of people were dressed in some pretty amazing costumes that it's hard to choose which one I liked. It was easy for us to blend in because no one didn't know we were The Wave Breakers but a few of the us were bummed that people wore the same costumes as them.

We manage to test the equipment backstage and out of sight from the party guests. Hazel, the manager of Shredder's informed us we were going to be on stage in a bit. The girls were starstruck when they saw Shane Harper tuning his guitar, as Trish managed to quell their zealous excitement of meeting a local star. Shane was dressed up as the Green Arrow from the TV show version of Arrow starring Stephen Amell. It was an honour to have this opportunity to perform with well known professional actors/musicians.

"Hi there, are you Trish?" Shane replied shaking Trish's hand. "It's an honor to meet you finally and this must be The Wave Breakers." He turned towards the direction of the restrooms and yelled out. "Hey babe, The Wave Breakers are here."

"Alright I'm coming out." The girl's washroom door opens and we see Bridgit Mendler. To our surprise she too is wearing the same silver and pink costume along with the pink bob wig like Ally. For Ally, she was starstruck that Bridgit was wearing the same thing.

"Wow this so awesome." Ally exclaimed happily. "Bridgit Mendler is wearing a Galexis Nova costume too? That is so cool oh my gosh I'm freaking out!"

"Okay little preppy happy go Galexis Nova Dawson you're starstruck." I teased her.

"So this must be Austin and Ally." Bridgit said shaking our hands politely and then turning to the others. "And this must be Dallas, Piper and Jace who all five are part of the Wave Breakers? It's a pleasure to finally meet all of you." For some reason Bridgit looked like she was about to lose her lunch or puke her guts out. I heard her stomach rumbling, but not the hungering type of rumbling, the more like upset stomach type. "Pardon me for a moment."

"You got to love her costume. It's better than the Florence Nightingale costume she wore for last year's show." Shane turned to Bridgit who was eying for the bathroom door. "Hey Bridge, are you alright bunny? Is the the El Trompo food again?"

"No it's alright I'm fine…just go get ready for the performance I'll be out there in a few minutes." Bridgit replied groggily.

"Yeah we got to plug our chords and equipment in and tune up first," Piper replied as her, Jace and Dallas took their leave and headed to the stage. "We'll be out there waiting."

"The guys are right I should get our microphones now and get ready to perform with Bridgit." I said heading out to the stage alongside Shane Harper. Ally decided at the last minute to sit out the performance not to confuse the audience with the idea of two Galexis Novas on stage. I felt bummed but this was her song and I promised to give her the credit she deserved for it. The crowd was getting pumped and ready to see us perform all we're doing is waiting for Hazel to announce Bridgit so we can get this show going.

Ally's POV

I didn't mind sitting out tonight and no one in the crowd wouldn't notice me missing. Trish, Carrie and Dez were backstage with me as we saw Bridgit ready to walk up on stage until she ended turning back and running for the girl's washroom. Trish, Carrie and I followed her and suddenly she was throwing up big time. Just when she thought the coast was clear, Bridgit ran back into the stalls again to puke some more. Okay, this is not going good as Carrie instructed Dez to go retrieve some Tums and Gravol in the employee first aid kit.

Bridgit Mendler looked like she was about to pass out but then her stomach made that upset rumbling sound. At this point she wasn't looking all too hot as Trish passed her a bottle of water to drink.

"Here you go, this will keep you hydrated." Trish gives the bottle of water as Carrie walks into the girl's washroom with the Tums and Gravol. "What are we going to do? This is not good!"

"You're telling me. Next time I'm not going to El Trompo and ordering the nacho platter surprise." Bridgit moaned as she threw up again. "Oh gosh the chunks…"

"Well Bridgit can't go out there and perform without littering the stage with vomit." Carrie said.

"Maybe we should just tell Hazel the truth." I reluctantly said. We were hiding out in the washroom when things got heated once Hazel announced The Wave Breakers with special guests Bridgit Mendler and Shane Harper. The crowd was applauding as Austin led the crowd in chanting Bridgit's name.

"Hey we can't leave Austin and the others hanging." Dez opened the door voicing his concern. "We got to do something."

"Ally…go out there…" Bridgit said taking off her mask and wig. "It can work…she'll perform and they still get their show…" She once again went back to puking more of the nacho platter she ate tonight. She gave me a thumbs up in appreciation but is it possible I can pull it off? Then I looked at our costumes and realized she had a plan already set. I thought about my friends, Shane Harper and especially Austin and this is Halloween, a time to be whoever you want to be.

"Wait now I know what is going on. Bridgit and I are wearing the same costume." I thought to myself. "Ally may have reluctance to perform, but Galexis Nova doesn't. I know what to do. I'll go on stage in costume, perform as Bridgit Mendler, and no one will know the difference." I looked at Carrie and Trish and then at Bridgit. I gave her a thumbs up and without saying a word smiled at all three as I exited the washroom.

I emerge from the left side entrance of the stage. The audience applauds thinking I'm Bridgit Mendler, despite the slight difference in height as the audience resumes the Bridgit and Shane chants. "Yeah I could get use to this." I thought to myself happily liking the chants and the applauses. I make my way to take my place on stage next to Austin and I can't wait to see the look on his face when he realizes who his duet partner is.

Austin's POV

"Good evening everybody! First of all on behalf of The Wave Breakers, we like to thank Bridgit and Shane for the honour to play with them tonight." I addressed the crowd and then addressed Bridgit and Shane. "This song is called Don't Look Down. It was written by my partner Ally Dawson."

However, Bridgit walks to up to me and secretly tells me something only I can hear and my eyes widen. "Austin, it's me Ally. Bridgit is having a severe case of upset stomach and threw up."

"Ally? Oh my God" I said nervously and surprised but laughing with appreciation. Instead of Bridgit Mendler, I'm actually going to sing with Ally and part of me swells up with excitement and anticipation. "Is it really you? I can't believe it. Are you actually going to do this? Are you performing with me?"

"Just like what my brothers told me at the water slide when I was a kid. I'm gonna close my mouth and not look down."

"Okay, but open your mouth when it's your turn to sing." I happily replied to her.

I begin to sing the first part of "Don't Look Down" getting the crowd going. Shane and my friends don't realize that it's Ally on stage as they continue to play. As part of the act, Ally does a series of flirtatious poses, which Bridgit Mendler would've done if she had been on stage instead. I toss her a spare microphone and Ally goes through the song unhinged. I'm blown away by her voice and her confidence. It felt like she was this enchanted songstress on stage who was dazzling me with her talent and her charm.

I spot Trish, Carrie and Dez who are thrilled while watching Ally from behind the stage. Sometime after the bridge, Ally blows the audience away with a high note that a mere transcript can do no justice to whatsoever. There is no words to describe the sensation and thrill to be singing with someone I describe as my musical muse and equal. The song ends and the audience applauds. We both hug on stage, partially as part of their act, and partially because I'm happy for Ally for going through with her performance.

After the performance, we all meet backstage as Trish, Dez and Carrie are tending to Bridgit. They gave her some Gravol and Tums for her stomach. Shane was confused and wondered who was actually the girl in the Galexis Nova costume that was on stage moments ago. I took my mask off to reveal myself to him as Piper, Dallas and Jace were surprised it was me singing with Austin. Bridgit explained the situation and how it was her idea to have me impersonate her on stage in order to save the gig. Shane Harper smiled and shook my hand.

"Well Ally I got to say great job out there tonight. You're one talented musician." Shane complimented.

"Shane and I would like the opportunity to collaborate with the Wave Breakers sometime. Also sorry about the whole throwing up thing. I'm guessing El Trompo's cuisine didn't agree with my stomach tonight." Bridgit said. "Ally, you were wonderful out there."

"She was and thanks for the chance to perform with you guys tonight." Jace replied. "And FYI, the nacho platter at El Trompo on weekends is awful to eat."

"It's probably because they overload on their secret salsa sauce." Dallas slightly joked.

"I'm still blown away by the fact it was actually Ally on stage tonight." Piper smiled. "You totally rocked it girl."

"And Dez has it all on film so you can remember it." Carrie added.

"Although they'll assume that Ally is Bridgit if you end up posted this on the website." I pointed out as I watched some of the guests congratulate Ally on her performance, though they still think she is Bridgit.

"You two were great. We're so proud of you Ally. You did it! You really did it." Trish gives Ally a big hug.

"I'm proud of you too." Dez gives Ally a hug as well. "Hey, now you can perform with Austin all the time."

"Yeah, we can both share lead vocals for the band." I happily said. "What about it guys?"

"Oh hell yeah after Ally showed off her vocal pipes she can rock it on lead vocals for the band." they agreed with me. "The offer still stands if you're looking for that push just tell us when.

"That's so thoughtful of you guys but I'm still not sure yet. I was only able to to do that because I was pretending to be somebody else. It was like what you said about Halloween being able to be someone else and imagining yourself being someone instead of yourself."

"Well mask or no mask, that was you up there and you rocked!" I replied back giving her a hug. "What I saw up there was talent that blew my mind away and I hope one day that talent and musicality is showcased for the world to see. What we all saw tonight was you, Ally Dawson doing what she loves to do."

"You're right I actually did it? I did perform up there didn't I?" She exclaimed posing heroically and then high-fiving me in appreciation. "Thanks for cheering me on guys. Maybe someday, I won't be reluctant anymore and perform on stage as Ally Dawson. It doesn't mean I'm giving up, I just haven't given an answer yet but for now I'll just continue doing what I do best and help create some music to showcase."

"And still the world will be waiting for you Ally Dawson," Shane and Bridgit complimented. "There's still time, be ready when you feel like you're ready."

"They're right whatever happens, we'll wait. But for now, I think I'll settle with continuing to work with my genius music partner and equal music muse. I still like to keep on writing some songs with her that the world is waiting to hear. Hey we're patient friends and devoted fans to your talent and music Ally, we'll wait." I said happily assuring her that when the time comes, we'll be with her.

It's safe to say that after tonight's performance, I was starting to look at Ally in a whole new different light. I would like to see this part of her that I was performing with tonight emerge and reignite a light and passion within.