Ally bit her lip, standing behind the counter in sonic book, her songbook gripped tightly in her hand. Through the opened double doors, a dark-curly-haired latina walked in with her hands up, saying, "Guess who got a job at the flower shop?" When the latina didn't receive any response but a worrisome flash of the eyes from her best friend, she walked over to her, concerned. "Ally?"
The brunette kept staring down at her closed book, her lip continueing to be bitten. Her eyes kept looking back at her friend, Trish, and the songbook until Trish was starting to get a little annoyed. Ally was deciding whether to say it out loud or not, but she knew she couldn't keep it to herself. "Trish, I found something earlier in the practice room." She said, and the latina quirked an eyebrow. Ally looked around to make sure no one was looking and waved for Trish to come behind the counter. The turned their backs from the front doors to Ally's book in her hands. Ally opened up the book to a page where something seemed to be already holding it's place. It took Trish 2 seconds to register the square packet laying there.
"Uh, Ally, why is there a-" Trish started, tearing her eyes away from it to her friend with many questions. Ally's cheeks were a little pink as she bit her lip again, closing the book firmly. She walked out from behind the counters over to the benches near the door and sat down. Trish took a seat beside her, her patience running low.
"I found this earlier in the practice room... after Austin left to get a snack from the food court." Ally started cautiously, looking her friend in the eye to know she was listening. The way Ally always did when talking about something serious. And being the genuine girl she was. She continued after Trish raised her eyebrows, shifting back a little to relax, knowing she needed to hear the rest of this. "He left, and I was still at the piano bench, working on some chords. Then, I looked down and noticed this under the bench. I picked up, and when I realized what it was after a few minutes, I got really nervous! I didn't know what to do so I stuffed it in my songbook as soon as Austin came back in!
Trish's mouth dropped, processing it and looking around to see if the blond was anywhere in sight. He wasn't. "Well?! Was it his?! It must've been!" Trish said.
Ally put her hands up in a defeating motion, because she's thought it over herself a thousand times for the last hour. "I don't know! But... no one else was in the room! And I definitely didn't buy this. Nor need it." She pressed her lips together, her innocent eyes looking to the corner of the bench across from her.
"Ally... did he act any different when he came back? Like he was missing something?" Trish asked.
"Well...when he did, he was his normal self until he stood up and his eyes went wide a little. When he thought I wasn't looking, I saw him look around real quickly around the room."
"THEN IT WAS HIS!" Trish exclaimed and Ally felt herself tense her shoulders up.
Earlier
Ally felt herself turn red as soon as the realization hit on what the object was that she was holding. What is this doing here?! Why did Austin have-?
The door opened and Ally jumped 5 feet in the air, immediately slamming the packet into her songbook and slapped it shut. Austin looked at her, smiling confused.
"Hey Austin!" Ally greeted as casually as she could, her smile bigger than usual when she was trying to hide something.
"Hey Ally..? Okay, let's get back to that song we were writing." He said, sitting on the bench and reached out for the song book.
"Don't touch my book!" Ally squeaked and Austin went wide-eyed, looking at her. It's been months since she's said that, and they were looking at the lyrics in the book to make chords for the song they were making currently anyway. When Ally realized what she did, she rambled, "I mean, I, psh, who needs this book? It's just a bunch of lyrics. And personal entries. And everything I treasure." Her voice dead-lined at the end while she got up, the book secure in her hand, heading to the fridge.
Austin, wondering to laugh a little, stood up while she opened the fridge door, looking in it. "Are you sure? Because you kind of contradicted yourself just now." He said, one hand going into his pocket. Then, he froze a little, his other hand unconsciously patting his other pocket. Ally felt her heart race at the suspicion, watching him as he quickly collected himself again.
"You okay, Austin?" She asked, getting a bottle of water.
The boy formed a small smile, nodding. "Yeah." He assured. And as Ally turned a little to twist the cap off the water bottle and hold it up to take a drink from it, she saw at the corner of her eye, Austin quickly look over at the bench's surroundings and check his back pockets.
When she finished drinking, Austin acted normal again, rocking on his heels as he looked towards the door. Ally swallowed and looked at her book for a quick second. "Um, why don't we take a break? I have to go back to my work shift downstairs anyway." Ally said, grinning her usual smile.
Austin looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, sure. I gotta go meet up with Dez anyway."
"Alright... I'll see you later Austin!"
"Yeah, see you Ally." He said, and Ally felt the moment of awkwardness approach on who would even leave first now. Then, before she could blink, she felt a pair of lips peck her cheek. She looked up, her cheeks warming up when Austin gave her a warm smile before leaving the practice room first.
Back to now
"Ally...? Ally!"
Trish's voice snapped Ally out of her flashback. "Why are you holding your cheek?"
The girl took a moment to realize how hot her cheeks were again at the simple memory, and how her hand was on the place he kissed her cheek. She didn't even know how to question why he did that. It was friendly right? They're just friends, even if she couldn't deny she felt a little more than just 'friends' to him... but she pushed that feeling away for the sake of their partnership and friendship. Still, as if the condom situation disappeared, she was smiling at the memory at the end.
"Okay now you're smiling, what happened." Trish said, again bringing Ally back to reality. Wide eyed, she looked at her best friend.
"Whaaat?"
Trish sighed a little, knowing her and smiled. "Spill it."
/
Meanwhile
"Dez it's gone!" Austin panicked, pacing around his room. Dez, eating a banana, sat in his chair watching.
"What is?"
Austin, a little frustrated by his best friend's forgetfulness, blurted, "The condom!"
The redhead choked on his banana, his hand going up to his throat. When he recovered he looked at his friend. "Gone?!"
"Like... it's not in my back pocket!" He said, his hands out.
"Where did you last have it?" Dez's eyebrows pulled together, standing up abruptly. Was he ready to go sherlock or something?
"In..." Austin made an embarrassed face. "The practice room."
"Practice room?"
"With Ally."
"With Ally?!" Dez gaped. "Now are you sure you didn't just use it, I mean-"
"DEZ!" Austin's squeaky voice came out as Dez's tone was skeptical.
"Okay, how do you think you lost it?" Dez phased back.
Austin scratched his head, the blond locks more messy now. "I was in the practice room... and I had it in my back pocket... it must've slipped out somehow when I was sitting on the piano bench."
"Austin!"
The blond rubbed his nape, stretching his neck around, trying not to stress too much. "If someone else found it, I don't know what I'd do to try to not get them to misunderstand... or, if Ally found it..." He groaned, falling back onto his bed, his hands over his eyes.
Dez was still standing, his arms crossed, and hand near his mouth. His expression belonging to one deep in thought. Or as deep as Dez can go. "So it wasn't there in the practice room when you left?"
"Well, not that I know. I left after I realized I didn't have it. I thought maybe the food court but."
"Why did you even still have it?" Dez raised an eyebrow. Austin ignored it long enough for Dez to get distracted to move on. "Okay there's two things. Either Ally found it." This made Austin groan again. "Or we have to search the practice room while Ally isn't there."
Austin peeked at his friend through his fingers and sat up. "We search." They nodded and he got up, both of them running out of the room.
/
Back at Sonic Boom...
Ally finished handing a customer their purchase before Austin and Dez ran in through the front doors, clumsily stopping when they saw Ally. Ally's eyes went big, seeing the blond again. Her eyes tried not to go to the song book she put on the shelf under the counter. But now as she stared at Austin, he was panting, as if he'd been running, his messy head of blond hair pulled back by the wind, yet still managed to hang over his eyes. She watched the vein in his neck become less visible as he caught his breath, and how his brown clouded eyes went to hers.
"Austin? Dez? You guys okay?" She asked, quickly bouncing to her normal self. Dez and Austin looked at each other and looked back at her with big smiles.
"Yeah!" They both said at the same time, making Ally form a suspicious face. "Just, goin up to the practice room." Austin said.
"O-Oh?" Ally said, her voice going high. Austin chuckled nervously.
"Yup! Let's go Dez." He said, and before she knew it, the two tall boys ran up the stairs.
She didn't even want to go check on them. Shaking her head, she returned to her position, helping out with a customer buying a trumpet.
In the back of her mind, Austin's image came back into head.
Because of the condom she found, the innocent image of Austin she had was suddenly shadowed by a different one. A more manly image, if she could say so. One that reminded her, Austin was a guy.
An incredibly attractive guy who could have any girl he wanted.
She didn't imagine his character like that.
Or imagine him kiss anyone intimately-at least not without her shutting her eyes closed at it in disapproval.
She had so many questions why he could possibly have it. And why he'd even have to use it. He didn't even have a girlfriend at the moment. Or did he? It wouldn't be something he'd keep from her though; they were each other's best friends.
Everyone's been telling her Austin liked her, but she always brushed it off. She knew it wasn't something to be taken too seriously until she heard it from him directly. (And that maybe they've had more flirting moments than the usual in the last couple of weeks.)
What if he had it because he was going to surprise her one day? But what kind of surprise is that? The thought alone made Ally shudder and shake her head in disdain. Austin wouldn't do that. Would he?
She tried coming up with other possibilities. Like the condom belonging to Dez. That theory was more supported when she saw Dez race in here too, just as urgent as Austin. But now that added even more mystery.
Why did Austin Moon have a condom?
/
Upstairs
"It's not here." Austin said, after rummaging around everywhere. Even under the seat cushions he hadn't even sat on. If he lost it in the food court, he wouldn't care. He'd be glad it was gone. No one would know it was his anyway. But, if he lost it here, in the practice room, there were many reasons for him to panic.
"Then I may be left with my other conclusion." Dez said, his voice deep, standing up straight again. Austin raised an eyebrow at him, waiting on the chair. "That Ally Dawson found it."
The words made Austin make a surrendering face, letting his energy go with his hopes of Ally not knowing. Does he ask her? He can't just ask her, "Hey Ally, did you find my condom?"
Then, the door opened, making Austin jump out of his pants. Not literally. He wasn't sure to be relieved to see it was just Trish. Because Trish was heading straight towards him after she closed the door. "Austin Monica Moon!"
"Why are you calling my full name?" Austin whined, and fear in his voice. Trish scared him when she was aggressive or mad. Even if it wasn't directly at him. But now that it was...
The latina composed herself, closing her eyes, and sat down. She placed a smile on her face and asked in a sweet, calm voice. "As Austin Moon's manager, am I allowed to ask why this 18 year old boy had a condom with him?"
Austin quickly flashed his eyes to Dez who stood up straighter again, his hand going to his nape, looking away. With no hope in avoiding it, Austin gave up. He sighed and looked at Trish, his elbows on his knees. "Okay Trish, you gotta swear that you'll believe me." He waited for her to nod. "Okay at the concert two days ago... someone threw a condom on stage. I know." He said to the girl's disgusted face.
"And you kept it?" She said, disbelief high in her voice.
Austin put his hands up, begging for further time to explain. "No, I wasn't going to pick it up! When I was heading back to the car, a girl slipped several of them into my back pocket." He rolled his eyes, feeling violated at the time than 'turned on' as the girl had hoped (she also slipped her phone number). "A lot fell out and I didn't notice till I got home. And... okay, I don't know. Something about having one in my pocket made me feel more...capable."
Trish raised her eyebrow and rolled her eyes, standing up.
"I wasn't going to do anything! I don't really know why I kept it! But when I realized it was gone, I realized how stupid I was being!" He defended, keeping her from leaving.
"Well you better explain that to Ally! She's pretty freaked out!" Trish said.
The color left Austin's face only for it all to come flooding back in red. "A-Ally found it?"
"Mhm and she still has it. Austin Moon, you better go explain to your friend down there." Trish said. And then a small smirk came on. "If you want to call her just your friend."
Austin's eyes looked at her, shaking his head a little to not dwell too much on the fact Ally found it. "Huh?"
"A little kiss on the cheek, Austin... what was that?" Trish said and Dez tilted his head in curiosity and surprise. Austin blinked.
"It's just a kiss on the cheek..." He said. He did that without thinking. And it's not like he regretted it.
"Well you better get something straightened out. And tell her tonight before her mind goes off to any other crazy things." Trish said before walking out of the room.
Austin, disgruntled, stood there and then looked to see if his friend Dez was still here. He was, and he was giving Austin a look. "What?"
"Do you need help?"
"Huh?" Austin responded, puzzled by his friend's question.
"Because I have a small idea." Dez said, nodding.
"Dez...has an idea... okay." Austin said slowly, and waited to hear what he had to say.
/
Later that evening...
Ally sighed, waiting and sitting on the counter, her ankles crossed. She wore a white and light pink dress with teal flats, her dainty hands on the counter to keep her up. The songbook was still in the shelf under the counter.
Night time had fallen and the store was closed, but she didn't lock the doors. A few hours ago, Austin asked her something.
"Hey Ally?" She heard his voice from behind her while she was still working.
"Yeah Austin?" She smiled turning around, and felt her heartbeat quicken a little at his appearance as he leaned forward on the counter with his arms folded.
"I was wondering... are you free later tonight?"
Ally wracked her brain for words. "Ah... yeah, I am! Why?"
His eyes glanced down for a moment and then up to hers. "I wanted to meet with you here at Sonic Boom later at 7. Dress a little nice okay? And don't worry, we're not going anywhere." He chuckled, seeing the girl's expression change because she worried how 'nice' to dress.
Regardless, she was still surprised and felt like a fool for not being able to speak words at a time like this. She managed a smile, one that she realized came without her knowing, and nodded. "Okay. I'll see you then."
He smiled the grin that always made her happy. "Good." He stood up straight and waved. "See you soon." As he walked around, she was even more surprised he came into the counter space and kissed her on the cheek again. While she was busy blushing, he left the store.
What was going on? Ally couldn't keep up. First the condom, then the surprise cheek kiss, and then a 2nd cheek kiss.
And oh my...she and Austin were going to be alone here. Her dad was out of town too. Why was she so nervous? It was not the first time she's been alone with Austin. They've even pulled all nighters together to finish songs.
But tonight was different. He asked her here, and not even for a music occasion.
Was he going do something? Could she bring up the condom? Was he going to do her?
Ally nearly fainted at the thought until she had to snap herself out of it. Come on Ally get your head together, it's just Austin. But the presence of the condom in her songbook just behind her haunted her.
She must've spaced out because she then heard someone clear their throat. Austin was in front of her, a bouquet of flowers in his hands. Ally's mouth dropped, a smile breaking out onto her lips as she slipped an "Awww." She gawked at the flowers as he handed it to her, which she held tenderly in her hands and looked up at him in the eye. "Austin, are these for me?"
He grinned, a hint of shyness in them. "They are for you, Ally." He confirmed a matter of fact, sweetly. She smiled at him, looking down at the flowers.
"...Thank you. You're so sweet." She placed the flowers beside her and hopped off the counter to reach up and put her arms around his neck to hug him. She felt his hands on her upper back as he hugged back, and she smiled, embracing his warmth and scent.
When she pulled back, her arms still around his neck, she looked up at him, still grinning. He stared down at her and Ally felt time slow while her heartbeat did the opposite. His gaze softened and he slowly leaned in. Ally's eyes slowly closed, and just as their lips were a centimeter apart, she gasped, pulling away.
Austin, wide-eyed, let her pull away from his touch. "Ally?"
Looking like a strawberry, Ally kept her eyes down, pressing her lips together as her hands went behind her back. "Austin? W-Why did you have a condom?"
The blond quickly tensed but tried to relax quickly. "Um," He tried, his voice strained, raising his hand and she leaned away a little, causing him to hurt a little. Was she scared of him? Or just uncomfortable? I mean it was something used to protect things... He took a deep breath. "Ally first, I want you to know I would never do anything to you like that, or something you wouldn't want. And the condom was just a stupid thing I was carrying around! I wasn't going to need it! I"m not a man-whore! A fan threw it to me on stage." Ally gave him a look, the same questions Trish had burning in her eyes. "And some pushed in my back pocket..." He muttered quickly. He shook his head to keep from drowning in embarrassment. "But besides that! I'm not doing anything with it, like, I'm, still you know." He said, already stepped back and his hands up. Ally blinked, watching him. "Besides I... wouldn't want to do anything to you if you didn't want it, or force anything, or anything... so don't get the wrong idea! I," All the words he practiced earlier seemed stupid now. So he shut his mouth and looked around. "Where is it? I'll throw it now."
It seemed the gears in Ally's head was working slower than usual. "Oh!" She walked around the counters and into the area behind it, reaching down and held up the song book. She opened it, revealing the packet. Immediately, Austin picked it up and went to the trash can near the doors and chucked it in, earning a small clunk in the bin.
He looked at Ally with a vague smile and held up his hands, clean of any crime. "See? Nothing to be nervous about Ally." He promised, widening his smile to help her relax.
The brunette blinked and then ended up laughing, surprising but soothing Austin. "Alright...fine Austin. So we don't make things any less awkward or weird, let's just forget about it okay? I'm not even going to ask." She said through her laughs and smiled when he smiled back, nodding.
They shared a moment of peace, smiling at each other. Ally smiled at the flowers and sighed lightly. "But why did you get me these flowers?" She asked, her voice slowing as she turned her head back at him.
He chuckled, slightly shrugging. "Because if anyone was going to give you something, it should be flowers, not a condom." He tried to joke. She rolled her eyes. "I wanted to give you flowers." He said, as if it was the most obvious thing. He walked back up to the counter, putting his hands on the counter and stared at the girl. She was ogling the flowers and then looked at him beneath her lashes, a half smile playing on her lips. "You're a sweet guy you know?"
As one of her favorite moments from him, he lifted his shoulders a little, shyly lowering his head and smiled sweetly. "I know..."
She smiled wide and he smiled back. "Come on. Let's go on the real date I planned." The word date replayed in Ally's head as he carefully put his hand on her back and walked around to the staircase.
"Oh?"
"A picnic in the practice room." He said and Ally felt the worries of the whole incident downstairs. Before the entered the practice room, she felt him press a kiss against the side of her head.
A/N: Ahh okay! So I admit this story didn't go the way I thought it would. I ended up making it much more fluffy and cute than the humor it could've had when I first saw the prompt. I'm not completely happy with this though compared to the idea itself. :/ -sobs-
So I'm attempting a Version 2, after this, so look out for it! In the Version 2, Austin and Ally are already dating.
P.S I think couples that just happen, like they already know, without neither of them actually asking, is kind of cute.. so maybe that's what's happening to Austin and Ally in this one? I'll leave it to you. ^^
To the anon! I hope this wasn't disappointing! And if so, I'll try my best to add more humor in the 2nd version, but it's kinda new to me to make it like that. Thanks for the awesome suggestion! It was very entertainingly appealing.
In fact, if any of you guys have any more ideas or prompts, I'd love to hear! My tumblr is imfinallyme.
Thanks for reading! :) Look out for vers. 2 on this!