How to Change a Bad Boy

By: Janzelle

Final Chapter (21)

The Past and Present

Afterward

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Thank you for reading HTCABB.

Enjoy!

(^w^)

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Recap:

"Austin…" I trailed off, quickly dashing towards the boy. I guess he expected me to hug him, since he opened his arms up, but I had other plans in mind.

I cupped his bright face, crashing my lips against his. Trish and Dez were coming in through the door, but I did not care. I couldn't take being away from Austin for so long, not knowing whether he would be okay. Austin wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. Feeling his warmth again, I finally relaxed again; I needed Austin just to be comfortable again.

He broke away, touching his forehead to mine, "Allyson Dawson, now when did you get so bold?"

"I don't know. Maybe you're rubbing off on me," I giggled, sharing one last kiss before being interrupted by the clearing of someone's throat.

"I don't know you if lovebirds noticed, but we're still in here," Trish hissed and walked towards us. We looked up at each other and smiled lovingly.

The worst was over and the best had yet to begin.

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In the Past: Springtime Bus Ride (Eighth Grade)

(Austin's POV)

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Lucky! We pranked another teacher again! Mr. Kamio's blushing face was so funny when he fell out of his chair! Dallas was so great at scheming up pranks. He always seemed to have something up his sleeve. Even when a prank went wrong, Dallas always found a way to bring it back on track and end successfully. He was cool like that. It was fun listening to the great schemes he had in store up on the roof, since that was when he was happiest.

Mr. Kamio gave everyone a stern talk to, though he kept stuttering all throughout his lecture. Just because he couldn't pinpoint whoever rigged his chair to break while he was reading 'fun facts' about the Civil War, he decided on lecturing the entire class. Though, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that tomato-red, embarrassed flush off his face. How funny!

School ended quickly after the chair mishap. As soon as we left Mr. Kamio's class, Rick burst out laughing and I immediately joined him.

"Hah, that was funny! I don't care that we had to sit through that boring lecture. Because he kept lecturing, we didn't get any homework! Next we should try gluing targets to his butt," Rick smirked as we climbed onto the bus, "It's so fun to prank the shy teachers 'cuz they always get so worked up and embarrassed."

Dallas nodded in agreement, though he didn't say anything. I glanced back at Kai, who was nervously playing with his bright orange hair. I smiled. Even though pranking teachers was fun, we probably shouldn't have done it so much for Kai's sake. He hated to see people get hurt, but he wouldn't dare defy Dallas. He always went along with everything Dallas said since the first time I met him. They were completely inseparable.

I walked to the back of the bus, stumbling a bit when it suddenly jerked forward. I heard the mumbles of apology coming from the bus driver as he frantically pulled a few handles and pushed some buttons.

'Jeez! I almost fell flat on my face. I bet Rick would have pestered me about it for days.'

I glanced around, composing myself and running a frustrated hand through my hair, noticing a small girl pushing a trombone case away from her face.

'It must have whacked her in the face…' I thought, a sly smile forming from my lips. I wanted to laugh, but something kept me from doing so.

She pushed her glasses back up to her puppy-dog eyes, an embarrassed blush tainting her cheeks. Her brown pigtails flopped side to side when she turned her head, desperately picking up the loose papers that slid from her lap.

For some reason, I felt more inclined to ask if she was hurt than to laugh my butt off. I mean, since her forehead was turning red…

'Oh, wow, a bump grew. Now, I want to laugh again…' I thought, the worried look on my face disappearing again.

This must be the first time I was ever so interested in anyone other than my friends. I mean, usually, girls were pretty whiny and annoying and I wanted to avoid them at all costs, even though they come up to me and bother me with their high-pitched giggles and over-the-top smiles. She seemed a bit different.

'Albeit if I told her she was a whiny, weak girl, she'd probably avoid me like a plague instead of trying to gain my approval like the rest of them.'

Looking at her more intently, I realized that she didn't have a single drop of make up on her face. That was new. I thought every girl wore loads of that stuff. It wasn't like she needed it anyways. She'd probably look weird covered in that gunk.

"Hey, are you okay? You hit your head pretty bad; there's even a bump," I found myself asking without my brain's permission.

Why did I even care? I wasn't really interested in chasing skirts just yet; I was more for a good time out with friends.

'I guess… there's just something about her… maybe it's the fact that she's got an instrument and doesn't wear make up.'

The girl snapped her head up, those big, puppy dog eyes boring into my body. Her figure seemed to freeze up, which got me really worried.

'What? Did I look scary or something?'

She opened her mouth to speak, a light tint of red brightening her cheeks, though only nodded her head in the end. A warm smile unknowingly escaped my lips and I sauntered to the back of the bus, plopping down next to Rick. I didn't know why I was so relieved to see her nod her head, but I was.

"Hey, Austin. We're going to get off at Kai's stop since he lives closest to the ice cream shop. Wanna' come?" Dallas asked in his usual tone.

I glanced up; a wide grin plastered on my face and a cute, pigtailed girl long forgotten, "Ice cream? Sweet!"

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(A/N: The Song: Breath of Life by Florence and the Machine)

In the Present: Just Another Morning…

(Ally's POV)

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I was looking for a breath of life, a little touch of heavenly light

To get a dream of life again, a little vision of the start and the end

But I needed one more touch, just a taste of that heavenly rush

Ah, the rush of lyrics through my head…

Bright rays teased my relaxed eyelids. I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep, or the fact that the night had disappeared right before my eyes.

'Ah, that's right. I must have dozed off when Austin and I were playing with Rainbow Moon. I didn't realize how exhausting it was to play with one overly enthusiastic dog.'

My toffee-colored eyes twitched a bit before fluttering open and adjusting to the sunny room; Austin's room. The grey floor was surprisingly clean, considering how disorganized the blonde was. My eyes flickered over to the overstuffed closet, a small smirk curving my lips upward.

My body felt a bit stiff. I attempted to stretch, but quickly realized I was unable to move. Something was preventing me from doing so. My heart quickened a bit in apprehensiveness until a soft snore prickled my ear.

"Austin?" My voice was a bit scruffy, but it was morning after all.

I glanced behind me to meet with a serene, sleeping face. His slender, but strong arms were wrapped around me, securing me safely in his well-built chest. His body emitted soothing warmth I had never felt before, and it felt so inviting. Glancing at his face once more, my smile widened. How could you not smile at the one you love sleeping so peacefully before your eyes? When his troubles were finally diminishing?

Dallas was paying for his actions, hopefully learning how horribly he hurt the people around him. My nightmares were slowly lessening and Austin's attitude was slowly changing. For a moment, I thought the world was laughing at us when the Child Safety Police tried to force Austin to move to Oklahoma where he was supposed to reside with his grandmother. Luckily, Austin was able to sweet-talk her into moving in with him at the cottage, secured in Miami.

I was all for Austin living with his grandmother. Now, he was less lonely. It made me happy whenever I come over since I was always greeted with that smile. Not the one full of faux feelings or strained contentment just to make me happy nor the one covering up the pained emotions carving a hole in his heart. No, Austin's smile, his genuine smile, was a little goofy, a little silly, but full of happiness. His smile defined his cheery and open personality and captured your heart in a matter of seconds. It worked together with that childishly caring glint in his eyes, so, no matter how unhappy or dull you felt, once you've seen his real smile, those feelings were burned up as if the sun was shining on you.

I sighed contentedly, my mind full of Austin, the boy just a few millimeters away from me. As if mimicking my actions, hot breath exhaled from the boy behind me, tickling my ear once more. A vibrant blush spread across my cheeks, my smile broadening into something Trish would probably call creepy. Well, it wasn't like I could've helped it. Just these small movements are enough to stir my heart and remind me: He was still there.

There were times when thought I would lose him, but each and every time, Austin stayed right there. Yes, he did trail off course, but only to find his way back. The red string of fate was stronger than what either of us believed.

I clasped my arms around his, curling up a bit in his hold. My hair must have been a mess; my breath could've scared away the boogey man. I knew I should've gotten up to freshen up, but I found myself unable to move. With Austin's head nuzzling in my hair, his long eyelashes brushing against his cheeks, there was no way I was going to possibly ruin his peaceful trance by stirring.

Growl~ Grumble!

"Oops." The word slipped out of my mouth just like the loud groans from my stomach did.

A light chuckle filled the air. "Morning Ally." Austin's words were muffled in my unruly, brown hair, but I could still here them loud and clear. "So… you're hungry?"

"Good morning," my blush deepened, "Maybe just a little…"

I turned around to face the boy behind me. 'Since when was he such a light sleeper? Or maybe, was he even asleep?' His hair was just as messy as mine, but oh, how cute it was! I glanced down at our current position, embarrassment slowly kicking in.

"Ah, heh," Austin chuckled, a nervous blush brushing his cheeks, "When you nodded off, I just… and I didn't feel like sleeping on the couch… and yeah…"

If this happened at the beginning of the year, I probably would have called the cops on the boy, but now… it was different. We were different.

"Then, what would you like to eat? I'll cook breakfast today!" I said willingly, knowing how much Austin loved my cooking.

"Awesome! Um… let's see…" soft lips met with my pink ones and the order was given. The same shock coursed through me as it did the first time we kissed, only stronger.

"Chocolate chip pancakes it is!" I smiled and he laughed. It was a small game we played. Through a kiss, we would pass a message and, each and every time, we would receive the right answer.

"Your so good at this Ally! Okay, try this one next!"

Austin cupped my chin before pulling me in gently. I was about to close my eyes until they locked with his. The kiss wasn't the only thing speaking. There was no fluttering of butterflies, no flying sparks. Just that same shock pulsing through my skin, raising the hair on the back of my neck and causing me to shudder in his arms. His feelings were shooting through me like an electrical current. My hand squeezed his arm in response and, again, verification of that silly-but-important fact: He was still there.

"Mmm. Always, Austin. I love you too."

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