We must all remember to take life for granted, because it can be taken from our clutches faster than ever thought possible. I just never thought this would ever happen to me. I'm more perspective now but this was my last chance. My time on Earth was not completely done, and this is my chance to make things right.

x.x

"Hey Ally!"

I looked up to see Austin. His usually messy blonde hair was combed and he wore a nice button-down shirt. "Date with Kira?" I guessed.

He nodded. "Yeah, but I was hoping we could get some songwriting in beforehand?"

I shrugged. "Sorry Austin, I have to work till seven thirty." I began organizing the change in the cash register. I am a little bit of a perfectionist.

He groaned. "Aw, that's when we're going to Dez's house …"

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you even so fancy if your just going to Dez's house?"

"He may not look like it, but his parents are really sophisticated people. Sort of aristocratic, you might say …"

My eyebrows rose. "You learn something new everyday."

"So …" He continued. "Our date should end around eight thirty. Are you available at nine?"

"I don't know, it's a school night."

"Please Alls?" He was pleading and his eyes showed it. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

That's because you haven't …

I tried to push the pestering thoughts out of my head. I just recently found out that I liked Austin and I found out that he liked me too. It actually seemed quite awkward. He and Kira were taking a break and he wasn't sure whether or not he wanted to be with me or Kira. He chose Kira, and it honestly kind of hurt but I tried not to worry about it. Kira wasn't sure and needed to think about it. Meanwhile I sang a duet with Austin and conquered my stage fright. And he kind of kissed me afterwards. I couldn't lie that it was amazing and that I felt sparks. But Kira wanted him, and I understood that he had asked her first. It was only fair. Besides it could ruin our partnership if we went out, no matter how much we liked each other. Things were different now.

Oh come on, Ally! He picked Kira because she's he's perfect match! She's pretty, smart, rich, and she likes the same things as him. She's actually fun and not lame …

I once again pushed the thoughts out of my mind, focusing on here and now. "Okay, nine it is …"

"Thanks!" He beamed and ran out.

I shook my head at his innocence and continued stacking the millions of pennies in the register, arranging them by produced date.

2002 goes before 2007 but after 1992. Ooh! Is this seriously from 1963?

"Guess who got a job at Bonnie's Bakery?"

I looked up again to see my best friend wearing a baguette for a headband and croissant earrings. "And how long is this job going to last?"

"Well, I'm trying for two days so I can get a discount on your birthday cake tomorrow." She smiled. "I can't believe your going to be seventeen!"

I returned her smile. "I know, it just seems so unreal. So much has happened this year, and I want seventeen to be the best year yet."

Trish pulled out her phone. "It will be, because I'm ordering your cake right now."

"Shouldn't you be working?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh yeah I should probably get back before I'm fired." She started walking out but looked back. "The things I do for you …"

I chuckled to myself, thinking on the spur of the moment.

Just another day …

x.x

It seems this crazy world is upside down.

We are young and wild in this small town.

Turn up this music loud.

Go ahead, shout it out!

Let this moment be forever ours.

I quickly erased the original lyrics and jotted these ones down. I took out my phone. It was nine thirty. And Austin still hasn't shown up or texted. I couldn't help but feel upset. He was the one that scheduled it, and now I'm being simultaneously ditched. I sighed and continued to play, hoping it would calm my nerves.

And tomorrow will be just the same.

Just having fun in this land of fame.

Sometimes we are to scared to say-

"Hey Alls!" Austin walked in with a wrinkled shirt and swollen lips. Sometimes I wonder if he wants to tick me off or if it comes naturally. But by the looks of him, he didn't seem to be at Dez's house. He looked over at me. "Why are you here so late?"

I opened my mouth in shock, trying not to rage. "Why do you think?"

He thought for a minute before a look of realization dawned on his face. "Oh, we had a rehearsal didn't we?"

"Yeah, according to you earlier, when you practically begged me to hang out with you! You're a half an hour late anyways …" I was aware that I was yelling but I didn't care.

His eyes narrowed. "Chill Ally, I just got caught up in Kira. It's no big deal." His voice was sharp.

I scoffed. "Yeah it is a big deal! I'm writing these songs by myself and furthermore you're with Kira all the time so I never see you. I'm sorry Austin, but some things are more important than your girlfriend!" I couldn't stop now; the words were just tumbling out of my mouth.

His face was furious now. "Oh I see what this is about, you're jealous of Kira!"

"No I'm not-," I tried to protest.

"Yes you are!" He pointed out. "I'm sorry by kissing you and giving you the wrong idea, but you need to get over it! You've been a nuisance to my relationship with Kira since it started!" He screamed.

My face felt beet red. "Then why did you do it? Huh? Why did you kiss me if you regret it so much? I'm the reason your with Kira! The practice date was my idea. And I tried everything to make the date perfect. How dare you call me a nuisance!"

"I call you that because it's true! You mess everything up Ally! I don't know why I kissed you, probably because I thought I liked you. But I like Kira! And Kira's more important to me than you will ever be!" His eyes widened and a hand clapped over his mouth.

My eyes were stinging with unshed tears, and I felt like I couldn't speak. How could one person hurt you this much? "Fine! If I mess everything up and you don't even care about me then you can find yourself a new songwriter and best friend! I'm done!" I turned on my heels and ran out as fast as I could, somewhere where I could think. I could hear Austin call after and run after me as I continued to sprint. I just needed to be alone. I ran to my house and bounded upstairs, collapsing on my bed and letting my tears loose. I took out my phone, seeing I had five missed calls, four voicemails, and eight texts from Austin. I scowled and threw my phone across the room; it landed in my laundry hamper. I just needed to think. I didn't realize I would have plenty of time for that later.

x.x

As soon as I got to school the next morning, I headed to my locker and right to my first class. I didn't want to see Austin, Trish, or Dez who were probably at our table in the lunchroom eating breakfast. I'm sure Trish will find out soon anyways. The day went by quickly, and I was surprised that I didn't see Austin in the halls or when I went to my locker, which was next to his. The bell rang for lunch and I went to my locker for the fourth time, kind of wanting to bump into Austin. But he wasn't there. Instead I was faced by a worried looking Trish.

"Ally! There you are! I heard everything that happened. I'm so sorry." She hugged me and I returned it gladly.

I smiled it off. "It's fine, I'm sure it was just the heat of the moment. I didn't mean what I said and I'm sure he didn't either. I'm just going to give him a day to cool off and I'll apologize tomorrow."

Trish raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I was hoping we would all hang out for your birthday today …"

I face palmed. "Crap!"

"What?"

My face flushed. "I forgot it was my birthday today." I mumbled.

Trish looked at me with a 'seriously' look. "How do you forget something like that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I was thinking about Austin and my situation, and I ran out of the house to get here early so it's not like I got a greeting from my dad or anything …" The bell rang again and I quickly grabbed my bagged lunch and Trish and I headed to the cafeteria.

We started to head towards our table, but stopped when we saw Austin and Dez already there. Dez was scarfing his food like an angry gorilla and Austin just sat there with his head in his hands. His pancakes were untouched. There was something seriously wrong.

Trish started to lead me over to another empty table, but I refused. "Hey Trish, I'm going to actually apologize to Austin now. I can't bear seeing him like this …"

Trish nodded in understanding and I sat down at our table. Before Dez could get a word in edgewise, Trish snatched his arm and dragged him over to the empty table. I shot her a grateful smile then looked at Austin, who still hasn't looked up. "Hi …" I muttered meekly.

"What? Are you talking to me now?" He spatted sarcastically, finally turning to look me in the eye. He looked under slept and a bit pissed off. So I knew I had to be careful with what I'd say.

I sighed. "Look, I'm sorry Austin. I didn't mean anything that I said last night. I was angry and I was being stupid. I'm so sorry …"

His eyes softened and portrayed a guilty look. "No, I'm sorry. What I said was unforgivable and you had every right to be mad. Things have been just so confusing lately …"

I half-smiled. "So we're still best friends right?"

He chuckled and pulled me in for a tight hug. "You know it. We'll always be best friends Alls, no matter what happens." He pulled back and pulled something from his backpack. It was a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. The frosting was smeared from the plastic wrap and it wasn't exactly a perfect Betty Crocker made cupcake. But I could tell he went through work to make it himself. And I was touched by it.

"Happy Birthday, Ally. Your seventeen now!" He handed me the cupcake and leaned toward my ear. "Make a wish …"

I chuckled because it had no candle, but I decided to make one anyway and eat it. I made my wish, even though it seemed impossible that it would come true.

I wish that Austin would feel the same way …

Right after I made my wish, I opened my eyes and turned to Austin. But I was interrupted by the sound of a gunshot and screams echoing to the cafeteria. We looked over at where the noise came from. There was a freshman boy with a gun, shooting everyone he could see. Before I could ask what was going on, Austin shouted. "Ally get under the table, now!"

We were in the middle of a school shooting.

He pulled me under and he held me close, waiting for the screams to be silenced. I shut my eyes tight and wondered if Austin and I would die together. Maybe being under here gave us a better chance of surviving. I looked up at Austin, whose eyes were shut tightly as he mumbled under his breath. It took me a minute to realize he was praying. I could feel his hold on me tighten. I looked out to see the shooter heading towards Trish and Dez, who were sitting at a table, faces frozen in shock and terror.

He inched closer, aiming the gun at Dez. I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline and courage rush through me. I couldn't let them die and just watch. It would kill me.

"I'm sorry …" I whispered to Austin. I tore myself away from Austin's grip and he opened his eyes and looked at me with a horrified glance as I ran in between the shooter and Dez. "Ally! No!" He screamed.

But it was too late. I jumped in between, causing the bullet to hit my chest instead of Dez's. I immediately fell, everything was getting fuzzy. I felt my heart stopped beating. The last thing I could see or hear was Austin's tear-streaked face above me. He was sobbing. "Ally come back! Please come back!"

Everything suddenly stilled. It was too late. I was gone.

So this is my new story "Her Last Seventeen" It was originally a dream I had about me and my best friend and I died and visited her for fifteen minutes each day because I originally called it "Her Last Fifteen" So I edited it and this was born! I really hope you guys like this story. I promise Another Cheesy High School Story will be uploaded when this one is finished:) I'll update soon!

-Evelyn