CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! austin moon

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN, videos & villains

"That was number nine 'Timeless'." Jett, the host of the live countdown, announces. "Now let's ask Ausin some questions."

Delaney grimaces, sharing a worried look with her friends. Austin wasn't back yet. He should be back by now, she wondered what was taking him so long. Trish steps on stage, followed by Dez and Ally, but Delaney and Finn stayed back for the moment, not quite sure what the plan was. "We can answer for him." Trish smiled.

"Uh, let me guess...He's busy trimming his nose hairs now, huh?" Jett joked.

Ally shrugs with a sheepish smile. "Maybe."

"Ask us anything." Dez suggests to the host ."We know everything about Austin."

"Uh ,okay, what's his favorite cereal?" Jett asked, offering the microphone to each of them, but no one knew.

Delaney stares at her friends in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?" She mutters before stepping on stage. "How do you guys not know that? He doesn't have a favorite cereal. He always just grabs whatever's in the pantry, depending on his mood." She shot her friends a look, which made them all laugh nervously.

Jett, clearly amused by the situation, grins and gestures for Delaney to take the spotlight. "Alright, then. Since you seem to know Austin better than anyone, how about you tell us a fun fact about him that no one else knows?" Jett asked, turning the attention toward her.

Delaney blinks, the sudden spotlight catching her off guard for a moment. She bit her lip, considering the question. She thought about the little quirks Austin had, the things that made him unique—things that only she knew. "When he was little, he wished to be stuck in a freezer of ice cream. And honestly, I can't blame him. Who wouldn't want to be in a place where you could eat ice cream all the time?" She finished with a fond smile, glancing at the camera as the audience chuckled and voiced their agreements. 

Jett grins. "That's actually kind of sweet. Though I feel like he'd regret it after a while."

Delaney laughs. "Oh, absolutely. He told me later that he didn't think about how cold it would be, just how much ice cream he could eat."

Jett shakes his head, still grinning. "You guys are clearly close. How long have you two been friends?"

Delaney paused for a moment, careful to school her expression. She and Austin were in a secret relationship and weren't quite ready to tell anyone yet. Still, she could answer truthfully—just not the whole truth. She smiles. "Austin and I have been best friends since we were practically babies. We grew up together, so I've pretty much known him my entire life."

Jett raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "So you know all of his embarrassing childhood stories?"

"Oh, absolutely," Delaney teases, smirking. "But don't worry, I won't expose too much...For now."

The audience laughs, and Jett chuckles. "Sounds like you're holding onto some good blackmail material."

Delaney shrugs playfully. "Hey, it never hurts to have a few cards up your sleeve. Though, in all seriousness, Austin is one of the best people I know, and I couldn't ask for a better friend or partner in music. I'm really grateful to have him in my life." She caught herself before saying anything too revealing, but the warmth in her voice was undeniable. Her face flushed as the crowd erupted into awes, and she shot the host a small, embarrassed smile.

Jett smiles at her sincerity. "That's adorable. You two definitely have an amazing bond—both on and off stage."

Delaney nods, her heart racing just a little. "Yeah, we do."

She clears her throat and quickly adds, "But don't tell him I said that. It'll go straight to his head."

Jett chuckles, nodding knowingly. "Oh, don't worry, we'll make sure to keep it a secret...Even though this is being broadcasted live."