The Domino Effect || Auslly (The Online Chat rewrite)

Chapter Thirteen

Two o'clock had swung around faster than I expected it would. It would seem that my excitement combined with my anticipation made the day move along rather quickly. That's probably just me overthinking things, though.

But as I make my last sale before I take my lunch break, looking at the clock on the wall as it inches closer to signal two o'clock, my palms start to sweat. I smile at the customer, bidding them a wonderful rest to their day and they smile right back at me before leaving with their purchased item. I look at the clock once more and groan softly, clicking my fingers to capture Trish's attention.

"Trish, man the register for a second." I say and she nods, putting down the magazine and making her way towards me.

"You still need to tell me about last night, you little sneak." She points an accusing finger at me and I roll my eyes before running up the stairs to get to the staff room. I duck my head in, calling out to my dad.

"Dad!" I call out.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going on my lunch break now!" I yell and he yells back his approval. I thank him before running back downstairs, looking at my reflection in the window once I make it outside.

"Where are you going?" Trish asks and I smile at her, not giving her so much as a goodbye before I begin sprinting to a bus stop. I wait impatiently for the bus to arrive and as soon as it does, I step on and pay the driver. I take my seat in the middle of the bus in the window seat, looking out at the passing scenery as the drive begins.

It's not long until the bus slows at my stop and I hop off. Looking at the time, my eyes widen. It's five minutes past two. Ugh, I'm late. I begin to run - more like sprint - towards the Eternity coffee shop and as I round a corner to get there, I notice a whole bunch of people with cameras surrounding the cafe. My eyebrows pull together as I slow my pace, approaching the cafe at a normal pace by now.

I walk by the paparazzi and enter the cafe, letting the small bell jingle above the door as I do so. The photographers are taking their photos from the outside of the cafe. I look around inside and my eyes widen when I catch site of a beautiful head of blonde hair. He catches my eye and smiles upon seeing me.

"Ally!" He shouts enthusiastically and I feel my heart seize up and climb out of my butthole. He stands from his seat and makes his way towards me. I freeze up, just staring at him. What is he doing here? When he stands in front of me, I gulp down my nerves. It doesn't work as they just rise up once again. "How's my wife?" He winks playfully, resting a hand on my arm.

"I-I uh..." I stutter, unable to let any other words leave my mouth.

"Two o'clock, right?" He smiles and I hesitate before I nod my head. "Ally bear eighty eight," Austin speaks again and my eyes widen. This is really happening. "I am cool." He whispers and I swear I died for a second.

"You're..?" I trail off in disbelief. He couldn't be... That would be too easy... Too crazy...

Austin looks down at himself and as if he just discovered he was wearing a mask, he laughs and gasps a small "Oh!" before looking back up at me and smiling a little shamefully.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he says, grabbing my hand in his own. He pulls me towards the table he was previously seated at and as I look towards the window, I notice that the count of photographers has gone down. There are about two or three people out there besides Austin's bodyguards.

"You..." I say, unable to get any other words out as I just stare at him. This is unbelievable. How is this a possibility. How is this happening. How is this real. "You - You save me yesterday." I manage to get out, frowning down at my hands. "You met me. You watched me cry and get emotional over meeting you and...and..."

"Listen Ally, I didn't know how to-"

"You stood there and hugged me while I cried over finally getting to meet you, and you didn't say anything. You didn't say anything about Tumblr and you didn't say anything about me. You didn't even try to bring it up." I say in a rush, suddenly feeling both angry and annoyed. "You had the perfect chance. You talked to me without even talking to me. You held me in your arms and I didn't even know I was hugging my best friend. Our first hug as best friends was a lie."

"Please, calm down." Austin sighs, leaning forward and holding his arms our over the table. I shake in my seat, unable to keep myself from feeling vulnerable and weak. This isn't how today was suppose to go. This isn't how our first meeting was suppose to go. This isn't how we were suppose to meet. He wasn't meant to be Austin Moon. He knew who I was and I didn't know who he was. He was unfair play and I don't appreciate being made a fool of.

"Explain yourself. Why didn't you tell me who you were?" I ask, my arms subconsciously crossing over my chest as I stare at him across the table.

"I didn't know how to approach the subject." He defends himself, frowning down at the table separating me from him. "You looked so emotional, so happy. I didn't know how you would react and I was scared. You also looked so...beautiful. Even when crying."

I blush, despite my stubborn will to stay guarded at the moment.

"You're a beautiful girl, Ally. Inside and out. I know that and I just hope you can look past my appearance and see the boy you've been talking to for the past couple of years." He frowns, reaching over and grabbing my hand away from my chest. I sigh as his hand wraps around my own. "I hope you can look into your heart and see that I'm still me. I am cool, after all." He playfully winks. I don't swoon, though.

As I look at him right now, I don't see Austin Moon. I see the crazy, silly boy I've been back and forth messaging. This boy is my Tumblr friend. My best friend. Is it a bonus that he's Austin Moon? Heck yes. How do I feel now that I've finally met my friend? I feel amazing, fantastic even. I squeeze his hand in my own and smile at him, reassuring him that I'm okay with what's happening and the information I've just endured.

Austin Moon is my mysterious best friend and I wouldn't change it for the world.

A/N - Goodnight.