DAY 1

Ally's POV

I feel my mother's gaze as I look out the car window for the fifteenth time ready to go, but she tries to keep me back which begins to frustrate me. "Ally, I know how much this means to you. I understand how personal it is, but you're different." She said trying to convince me to change my mind. "I'm not, mom. I'm really not. You and I both know that." I say with a raise of my eyebrows as she sighs a little laying back into the seat.

"Mom, I'm 20 years old. Not 2. I own my own car, I have my own apartment, and my own job. I'm not a little girl anymore. I haven't been one for a while." I tell her as she doesn't say anything.

After a while, she turns her head to me and smiles a little. "I don't wanna be that kind of mother that tries to stop their child from doing some good in the world. Sweetie, I am in awe of you and what you have overcome. In high school...that couldn't have been easy. But I've watched you make a difference in college and now you're here. You really are an angel. There are no amount of words to express how proud I am of you." She said rubbing my cheek softly as I smile touched.

"I'm just scared for you baby doll. What if these people are much more violent and nastier than you anticipated?" She questioned.

"They're alcoholics mom. Not serial killers." I said with a laugh as she shook her head with a smile.

"I know. I know. I guess I have to get use to you being all grown up. I mean, you're a woman now, Ally." She said meaningful as I continued to listen. "But...you'll always be my baby girl." She added as I smiled with tears in my eyes hugging her.

My mom hugs me back tightly before we pull away. "Okay, this has to be the most dramatic goodbye in history." I say as we both laugh before sighing calmly. "I'll be fine, mom. It's just a thirty day stay over program, but it's not like I can't visit you anytime. I won't be restricted like them. I'm helping them remember?" I say as she nods slowly.

"Okay, honey. I don't wanna hold you up any longer. Make a difference." She said as I smiled and hugged her one last time before opening the car door. "Please call me tomorrow morning." She said after rolling down the window. "Of course. Love you." I said as she nodded with a wave driving off.

I turn around at the big gray and white building behind me that reads:

REHABILITATION CENTER (NEW 30 DAY STAY OVER PROGRAM)

I take one last deep breath before walking up to the door and entering the building.

When I do, I look around at the gloomy feel on the walls. The darker and mood dampening colors that fill the whole lobby.

I look as people walk around and the only way I can tell the difference between the staff and the patients is that the staff wear light blue scrubs.

Already missing the summer sun outside, I close my eyes and realize the reason I signed up. To guide and help others see that they can be better than the person they have become. I've been a good girl my whole life. Always a straight A student, had a small group of friends but that didn't stop the damage that almost destroyed me. It was a great decision to take a break from Miami University to do this.

"Hello, are you scheduled to be here? The rest of the patients are in there but you will have to sign in." An older gray haired woman who looked to be in her 50's wearing glasses said trying to hand me a sign in sheet as I shake my head violently.

"Oh, no no no. I'm Ally Dawson. I'll be working here for the next month." I told her as she winced her eyes before going to what looked like a main desk and looking over another chart.

I wait in the same spot awkwardly looking around as a blonde haired young guy catches my attention as he argues on the phone with someone. He seemed pretty angry, almost like he was talking to a parent and boy does he not want to be here.

The older woman makes her way back to me as I snap out of my daze of watching the man I couldn't even see the face of. "Ah, Miss Ally Dawson. You and Miss Jones are actually our youngest staff members here. But don't worry, there are people of all ages of course, so it'll probably be easy to make friends with your new coworkers. Even the nice old ones." She said as I smiled a little uncomfortable because even though she was saying nice things, she had the driest personality I've ever witnessed. But I am an optimist and I could be misjudging. "Thank you... ma'am." I finally said not knowing what her name was.

"Hahn. Call me Doctor Hahn." She said as I nodded satisfied finally knowing her identity.

"You could have just asked me Miss Dawson. That's just common sense." She said before walking away leaving me speechless.

"Right." I said lowly to myself.

Okay, Day 1 has barely even started and things have not started off well but I believe that things will get better because I am a believer in faith. And if you have faith in doing what you love and experiencing true happiness, nothing should steer you wrong.

I look around like a lost puppy before a gay guy in his early thirties with glasses goes to the loudspeaker. Wow, a lot of people wear glasses here. "Hello, new staff members. My name is Simon Donovan and as you all know, this 30 day program is very new and experimental but we all here believe in what it will do. Never in history has someone tried a stay over AA program but we did. Matter of fact, it was our brilliant head of director, Doctor Rose Hahn that thought of the idea that we all here know is going to change lives. We are so happy that everyone who has signed up for this job is excited to help and make a difference in so many people's lives. We appreciate it so much. Doctor Hahn would like for all new staff members to meet her in her office. Room 220." He said as we all immediately headed towards it but no so much in a neat manner, except for me.

I don't really know why the rush but when we get there, the stern look on the woman's face made me catch my breath. I look around at everyone who seemed to have a little fear in their eyes and that's when I realize that these people...are afraid of her. I'm wondering if I should be too.

"Listen up and listen closely. There were hundreds of people who have applied for these positions but only 20 of you were chosen. It is a big deal. I say it's a big deal because I'm a mature, intelligent and talented woman and I am a genius when it comes to things like this. Now you may think or call me cocky but I like to think of it as being confident in changing people's lives. Humans do not take alcoholism serious enough and that is not okay. I will not allow for people to think that it is. Do you?" She asked as we all shook our heads with loud 'no ma'am's.

We all watch in silence as she puts 20 packages on the top of her desk before looking at all of us. "These packages includes your blue scrub shirt to differentiate you from the patients, your ID tag with your picture and name on it that you wear every single day on your shirt during work hours only, a card that let's you enter any patient's room when deeply necessary, but there are boundaries. They still have rights to privacy so do not take advantage of it. Understood?" She said as we all nodded frightened of her intimidating voice. "Last but not least, and the most important rule and even though it sounds obvious not to do it, do not give any patient by any means alcohol. No sneaking it in, helping them get access to it or letting them trick you out of desperation or begging that they need it or can handle it. I assure you that they can not. If they could, they wouldn't be in this place." She said with a raise of the eyebrows and throwing down the chart down on her desk. We each take one of the packages and look through it.

She walks from out of her desk and in between us as we all look at each other before speed walking behind her. "She's kinda scary huh?" I hear someone say from next to me as we follow Doctor Hahn to wherever she's going.

I turn my head to see that it's a pretty girl with straight, long, blonde hair. "Little bit." I said with a small nod as she smiled slightly. "I really hope my room isn't next to hers, because I do not want to hear her monster growling." She said causing me to chuckle as she did as well. "Ally. Ally Dawson." I said holding out my hand as we finally arrived to a room filled with people who I assume were the patients. "Cassidy Jones." She said with a smile shaking mine. Oh, she is the other youngest staff member Doctor Hahn was talking about.

Everyone, as in the patients seem to turn there heads from their circle group facing us as soon as Doctor Hahn walks in the room. Most of them look bored, tired or suicidal. Some have happy expressions on their face but I don't know if it's real or just a mechanism of coping.

I sigh calmly as I take a look at the patients in front of me. The ones that stick out to me is a really old man who looks around 70 years old with a cane. A pregnant woman who looks like she's gonna give birth to twins and-

I'm distracted by Doctor Hahn snapping her fingers in my face. "Dawson. Dawson!" She yelled as I snapped out of it. "Yes, Doctor?" I ask as she hands me a file roughly. "I said for the third time..." She started as I felt uncomfortable. "That you are assigned to Austin Moon. He will be your patient for the next 30 days." She said as I nodded and looked around noticing that ever single staff member had already been given their patient and started interacting with them.

I look at the girl I just met Cassidy and it looks like she got the old man. "Um, who is Austin..." I look down at my chart again. "Moon, by the way?" I ask her and by the look on her face I immediately regret it. "I don't know, Miss Dawson. Why don't you check the only person in the room not interacting with somebody." She said smartly walking away as I bite my lip holding my breath. Today is not my day. But it will get better! It has too...

I look around at everyone until I spot the same blonde haired young guy from earlier sitting on a radiator by himself looking really pissed off. It has to be him. Austin. He looks like an Austin.

I take a deep breath before walking over there with a nice and bright smile.

"Hi." I say causing him to look up with raised eyebrows.

"And you are?" He asked but I could tell he was less than interested.

"Hello, my name is Ally. But you can call me Miss Dawson." I said with a smile showing him my card. He chuckled a little shaking his head. "Yeah, no. I won't be calling someone around my age, Miss." He said as my smile then went away.

I sigh. "Look, you don't know me and I don't know you but maybe we could get to know one another and I could become a friend. I'm here to help. I was assigned to help you so please let me do my job." I ask lowly and nicely as he stood up from the heater and basically towered over me because of his height. "I didn't ask for a friend. I didn't ask for your help. So leave me the hell alone." He said before walking away and slightly bumping my shoulder as I close my eyes in disbelief of that guy's attitude, but I know people who act like that have layers. Dark and painful layers and it takes a long time to uncover them and so I understand that this is a progress.

"You shouldn't sweat that." Someone says as I jump turning around to the pregnant lady.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. But I see you've met Austin." She said as I smiled but anyone could tell I wasn't satisfied.

"Yeah, I know he's not exactly icing on cake. He's an ass to everyone." She told me.

"Even though that's not good news, it does make me feel better. I'm happy to not be singled out." I said as we both chuckled.

"So...what's his deal? I mean, besides being an alcoholic? Why is he so angry? He checked himself in here, right?" I said with a shrug of the shoulders.

"He actually didn't." I fury my eyebrows confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Moon's been in and out of here since he was 16. His mom has been the one enrolling him over and over again. I get that a mother shouldn't give up on her child, but he seems hopeless." She said and that didn't sit right with me but I decide to ignore it for right now.

"But he's 20 now." I said looking down at his file. "He's in control of what he does in his life. He doesn't have to be here. He hasn't had to be here since he turned 18 if he didn't want to." I replied as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I know, but maybe it's personal? I think she's all he has, so maybe he just does it to please her?" She guesses as I turn around to see him moving his head slightly to the music in his headphones that he has on. "Yeah...maybe." I said before turning back around to her.

"It was really nice talking to you...?"

"Erica." She said with a smile as I smiled too.

"It was nice talking to you, Erica." I said as she nodded.

"I should get back to Mr. Johnson. He's about a decade younger than me but he's shaking nervously like I'll have some alcoholic break down." She said with a chuckle as she points at the boy who does seem very nervous looking around and then at the file.

I laugh too shaking my head. "I know I don't need to tell you this but I've been an alcoholic since my early 20's but once I got pregnant I've been completely sober. I was doing well, but last week my friend had a beer in her hand and all I could do was picture the taste of it on my tongue. I couldn't do it. I couldn't fail when I've come so far. So, I checked myself in a place as fast as I could so I could at least stay sober until my babies are born. If I crash and burn afterwards, fine. But they...mean the world to me." She finished with a smile looking down at her stomach and softly rubbing it as I feel my eyes light up.

"If it means anything, I'm proud of you." I said as she smiled and I went to walk away before turning around. "And Erica." I say as she turns around. "For what it's worth, I don't think you should be okay with crashing and burning after the birth of your babies. They are gonna need their mommy who changed her life for them." I said as she looked really touched before smiling widely and nodded off to me as we went our separate ways.

I look at Austin who is still listening to music and walk over to him. I tap his shoulder and he purposely ignores me continuing to listen to his music. Wow, for a 20 year old, he is really immature.

"Austin. Austin. Austin, will you please listen to me?" I ask tapping him one last time as he groans ripping the headphones from his ears. "Didn't I tell you to leave me the hell alone? Maybe I wasn't clear. Leave me the fuck alone." He said as I get offended at his language towards me.

Now, I cuss every now and then, but not at people unless they deserve it. "That was really rude." I said folding my arms. "You seem to think that I would honestly give a shit." He said with a shrug of the shoulders causing yet another sigh from me.

"I know being in this program can't be easy but-"

"You don't know shit!" He yelled taking me back causing everyone in the room to turn towards us.

"Austin! Watch your language!" Doctor Hahn said angrily as he rolled his eyes and walked out the room pissed off.

Everyone still stares at me nosy but I just run after Austin.

When I see him walking down a hallway, I catch up but I decide to stay behind him considering I have upset him enough for one day for doing absolutely nothing.

I open his file that I was given by Doctor Hahn and start to read out loud. "Austin Moon. Age 20. 6 ft. 180 lbs. Drinking History. 6 DUI's, 3 School Suspensions for being intoxicated and... a hit and run." I stated that part more lowly because of the shock. Even though I shouldn't be.

"Shut the fuck up." He said angrily as I stopped in my tracks.

"No." I said upset causing him to turn around.

"What?" He questioned as I walked closer even though I felt a little intimidated by his demeanor.

"No, I won't shut up. Because whether you like it or not, I'm here to stay for the next 30 days. You may haven't asked for my help but you're getting it anyway because it's my job. And who are you to tell me what to do? I'm your boss. Remember that." I said smacking his file against his chest as he looked at me with a blank expression and I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"You'll be keeping that for the rest of the week." I told him putting my hands on my hips.

"Why the hell would I keep my own file?" He asked dangling it in the air.

"Because that's what's in my package book. Week one is all about the patient reflecting on the things they have done under the influence of alcohol." I stated as a matter of fact while he rolled his eyes.

"Please, don't think you'll be some kind of miracle worker to just come in here and make me 'see the light' in front of me. If I did something, it's because I wanted too." He coldly said and anybody else would have thought of him as the most evil person in the world, but still...I didn't believe him. Not one bit.

"I don't believe that."

"I didn't ask you too." He said looking at me as if I was the most annoying person in the world.

"God, you are so delusional!" He said throwing his arms in the air.

"You know what, what is your name anyway?" He asked even though I already told him earlier.

I sigh before looking at him again. "Ally Dawson." I say nicely. "Ally? Wow, you even have a good girl name." He chuckled but even then, it still had a darkness to it. "You Ally Dawson are here for a 30 day job. You really think you can fix someone in 30 days? It's not possible and you are the stupidest person on the planet if you believe that."

"I'm stupid if I want to help people?"

"You're stupid if you think you actually can." He finished as I just looked at him and he did the same to me.

I have never in my life met a person so frustrating and difficult but I refuse to give up on him. I just joined today and it's proving to be much harder than I bargained for but I always loved a challenge. "It's getting late. So, you take your file, look over it and try to process what you've done and we'll talk about it tomorrow." I said having nothing else to say to him. "Whatever." He scoffed opening his door before turning around.

"You don't get to be a hero, Miss Perfect. I won't let you." He said before slamming the door in my face and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

What the hell is he talking about? Miss Perfect? How could he even say that? He doesn't even know me! He has no idea what I've been through. Everything I've been through.

I turn on my heels and walk down the hallway confidently. My patient might have been a game changer but I won't let it change me.

I head back into the main room where the sessions take place and mostly all of the staff members crowd around Doctor Hahn while the rest come after walking their patient/client to their rooms. "Crowd around little ones." She said as if we were her minions.

Cassidy and I look at each other and almost laugh but go back to paying attention. "First day seemed to be a success. Except for Moon's outburst of course." She said looking at me as I embarrassingly look down. "But..." She said taking her glasses off and facing me. "I will not blame you for that one Miss Dawson, considering Austin Moon has been a long time patient here and I know exactly the kind of guy he is." She said as I nodded grateful and she put her glasses back on.

"Tomorrow, you will be spending most of the day with your new patient in between all 3 sessions. Make sure you talk about what's in the package book I gave you. Report back to me at the end of the day with solid answers. Got it?" She asked loudly. "Yes, ma'am." We all said as she waited a while before nodding in approval. "Alright, last thing. Come with me." She said as we all followed her and one by one she showed us all our rooms. I was thanking the lord that we all had individual rooms and none shared. I love my privacy.

Cassidy's room was in my wing and right next to me. I was the last one to be shown their room and as soon as I opened the door, Doctor Hahn called my name. "Yes, Doctor?" I asked with the door still open and my suitcase in the other hand.

"Look, I'm not one to sympathize for anyone but Moon is a difficult one. I know that because I've known the boy...for a very long time. If it becomes too hard for you, I can switch you with an older adult. Someone who can keep him in check for at least the next month." She said as I opened my eyes in a little bit of shock. "Oh...uh no. There's no need for that." I told her surely.

"You sure about that?" She asked looking at me confused.

"Yeah. He is a difficult one, but nothing I can't handle. I'm very mentally strong, so don't lose faith in me yet." I said with a small, awkward chuckle as she nods but looks at me strange.

"And...you shouldn't lose faith in him too by the way." I said not knowing if she was gonna kill me or not for stating my opinion.

In between her eyebrows crinkled. "I said Austin Moon was a difficult man. I never said I lost faith in him. I still know there is a good, solid guy under there somewhere. I know it." She said as I raised my eyebrows in shock. That is the nicest thing she has said since I've got here and met her. "Goodnight, Miss Dawson." She said back in her stern voice as I awkwardly wave goodbye. "Goodnight..." I said lowly closing the door and throwing my suitcase down not feeling like unpacking tonight.

I barely did anything today but I was already worn out and I knew exactly why. Or who for that matter. I open my suitcase and change into my pajama shorts and t shirt and laid on my pretty nice sized bed. I sighed looking up to the ceiling realizing what a roller coaster this job is gonna be. And it's all because of Austin Moon.

End of Chapter Review Questions

1.) What do you think Ally went through in her past?
2.) What are your thoughts on Austin?
3.) How do you feel about the first chapter?