---14---

ANDY:

I turned around to feel Austin's body besides me, curling myself much closer but I crash landed on the floor. My butt hurt badly. What the hell is this?!

I jolted myself, looking around and found myself on the floor, in my room and in the same dress..... My Engagement dress! Why the hell I'm wearing this? Didn't I changed it last night and then Austin came to me and confessed that he loved me and then the date... pool... diner... proposing.... What the hell happened?!

I rubbed my butt and stood up. I looked at the mirror and stared shocked at my self. I was still in the dress... and my hair was still tied hanging loose in curls which were kinda rough now and my head felt heavy. A few of the pins were pinching in my skin and it felt like they're gonna pass through my skull. The make-up was still there but marks of dry tears that flowed from the darkly shaded eyes till the chin were prominent. Had I been crying?

Yeah! I was crying when I slept. But I had wakened up in the middle of the night and changed and washed my face and there was Austin and I had slapped him and he told me he loved me and he took me on a date down to the pool.

Where did all that go?

Why am I still I'm my dress?

I stared at myself confused and shocked.

I walked with slow steps to the balcony and it was locked. How can it be locked when we went through it?

I ran my hand through my packed hair, trying to rip it off because it was making my head heavy and I couldn't think! Why is everything so still and same?! Why doesn't it make any sense?

I felt the coldness of the ring on my finger. I stared at it trying to remember if anytime in the middle of the night Austin had carried me up to my room....

But why the hell would I still be in my engagement dress?!

My stomach growled, pulling me back to reality. I was hungry! Really very hungry... but I ate last night with Austin...

Or I didn't?

But I did... his words were still ringing in my ears... 'I'm sorry for being a jerk to you all this time and I'm sorry I couldn't tell you how I felt sooner.'

The touch of his soft lips was still lingering on mine. I brought my finger, touching my lips but they were dry...

He said he liked me... loved me...

Didn't he?

Had I dreamt it all?

Was it really a dream!?

It can't be! I shocked gasp passed my lips. NO! It can't be a dream! It was the best thing ever! No....

None of it was real? None of it...

My head started spinning and tears started welding up in my eyes. Why'd I have to dream that!?

My heart ached again... was I this miserable that I didn't deserve happiness? Can I only dream of being happy? Can I only be with Austin in my dream?

My legs got wobbly and I fell on the floor. I wanted to scream! Scream for everything to rewind back and happen in real!

Austin said he loved me....

Damn it! I'm so messed up. Nothing happened last night. Nothing.

There was no point to cry. Nothing left to cry about...

I got up and dragged myself to the bathroom. I washed my face and filled the tub with cold water.

All I needed was to relax. I took off my clothes and drowned myself in the water and rested my head on the edge. I closed my eyes and tried to forget it all.

Lights...

Glittering water of the pool...

Fresh cold breeze...

Austin held my hand kneeling before me...

'Andy... will you please marry me.'

The sparkle of his eyes... his heart racing faster at every passing moment.

'Yes! I'll marry you.'

His smile... the kiss... the depth in his honest blue eyes...

'I love you Andy...'

"I love you too, Austin." Words of my heart escaped my lips, like really telling Austin, but they were empty... meaningless... until he says it... only he could complete them...

Wait... am I in love with him? Really in love with Austin? Or to what he did last night in my dream?

I wasn't sure... but I wanted to hear him say he loves me and so I could tell him that I loved him too...

AUSTIN:

I woke up on the floor in front of Andy's room. My back was stiff and my neck hurt because of lying all night uneasily on the floor with a tilted head.

I rubbed my neck straightening up. Her door was still closed. I slowly turned the knob and opened it looking it. She wasn't on her bed.

Should I go in? Wait for her to come out?

Was she still mad at me?

I really wanted to break in last night and tell her I was sorry and that I like her but...

Before I could just go in, I heard my dad's angry shout and mom's cry. What could've happen? Mom and dad never fight!

I ran down to the living room and there he was... Paul!

He came so soon.

My mom was crying of happiness and dad was shocked to see him there.

"Oh look Austin! Your brother is back! He's back!" she ran to Paul and hugged him.

"Mom!" he hugged her back.

"I missed you so much... why did you go Paul? Why dear?" she cried, taking his face in between her hands and kissing his forehead and cheek and...

C'mon mom!

"Why did you left?" she asked him again.

"I'm so sorry mom... I won't ever do that! I missed you too..." Paul cried with my mom.

I never knew he was this emotional.

"How dare you show your face to me again after all what you did!?" dad was going red. I could feel the anger in him. Paul shouldn't be here.

"I had to come back. This is my home." Paul replied back.

"Not anymore! There is no place for you here! You were dead to me the day you turned your back on me!"

"Stop it Blake! Please..." mom pleaded. She loved Paul more than anyone. She was distant when he left and everyday she cried for him. I knew that. "At least be happy your son is back..."

"He isn't my son Doris!"

"Blake, don't say like that..."

"Doris, tell this man to leave immediately from our house! We've got no place for him."

"No. No! I want him. He's my son."

"Mom! Please!" I said from behind them. I walked to her. "He left you mom... he left you when you needed him! When dad needed him... when I wanted my brother to be by my side! Where the hell was he when you had an accident and were in hospital for three weeks?"

"Austin... he was a kid..." she looked at me with sad teary eyes.

"So was I! I wanted him. We wanted him." I turned to Paul who had tears in his eyes.

Was he guilty about everything?

"Leave Paul. Now!"

"I won't go. I want to live here. With mom... with dad... with you..."

"Drop the act Paul! You don't care about any of us! You never wanted us..."

"I do now.." he looked at me with hurtful eyes.

"Leave..."

What the heck is wrong with you Austin!? He's your brother for crying out loud! He's back... what ever he did... he's still your brother... don't tell him to leave!

"...just for now." I whispered. I wanted him to give dad sometime to think. I wish he could understand.

He looked at me and nodded slightly like really knowing what I thought.

"Paul, no..." mom cried again, gripping his arm.

I slowly pulled her to me. Paul turned and left. I hugged mom tightly. She sobbed hard against my chest. I wanted to cry too.

Just for once, I felt I had someone to look over me. My brother...

I took my mom to her room and stayed with her till she slept. She really loved Paul and if he was the one who could only make her happy... then I would never want him to leave.

But dad really needs some time to think.

He'll be fine once he realizes that Paul completes this family.

I sighed and kissed mom's forehead and left the room. As I walked through the hall to my room I realized in a short moment how messed up my life is.

I hate Paul... but I want him back...

I love Andy... but I just haven't told her...

Andy.....

I walked up to her room to tell her all about my feelings. Just as I unlocked the door I found her lying on her bed. She was in the dress. I slowly went up to her but she was sleeping.

I couldn't wake her up. She looked really peaceful and calm after all the crying.

I lowered myself, just inhaling her scent.

She was the one. She made me look at who I really was. She was the reason I wanted to change.

I brushed my lips on her soft cheek, kissing it really lightly, trying not to wake her up.

"I love you Andy..." I whispered, wishing she would've listened and whispered the same to me.

I pulled back and sighed. I stood there for a long time wishing she would wake up and I could really tell her that but she slept so calmly. So I left but instead of going back to my room I stayed out, leaned against the wall and maybe I slept.

And now I got up and looked for Andy but she was in bathroom. I don't know how long she'd been in there.

Should I wait for her?

I have to tell her before she gets anything wrong. I went in and sat on the edge of the bed. I don't care how tired I was or how long it would take me to tell her... I just have to tell her that....

A few moments later she walked out with only towel wrapped around her till knees. My eyes dropped on her naked legs. They were smooth like silk. My heart raced fast.

What was I doing here? She's practically naked! No Austin! Its no time to think about this!

I shook the thought from my mind and looked at her face. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her soft delicate beautiful white face with tint of pink on her cheeks.

Was she blushing?

She stared back at me with huge light brown eyes. Her features were still. Her steps froze where they were. She was just so still, staring at me.

She was holding her breath.

I stood up. My chest felt a little heavy and I realized I was holding my breath too. I slowly exhaled out. I stepped towards her and she flinched away a little.

I neared the distance and stood close to her. I wanted to touch her and make her feel me. Feel my love for her.

Why wasn't I ever able to tell her all this time?

"Andy..." I breathed out her name and she sighed. There was a hint of happiness to it.

My lips curled up a little in a smile. I looked deep in her huge beautiful light brown eyes that stared back at mine, so deep and with such intensity that I felt she was looking through my soul.

"Andy, I wanna apologize about everything I did to you..." I let out and her eyes went from huge to wide.

Did I say anything wrong?

ANDY:

I wrapped the towel around me and stepped out of the bathroom but my foot froze. Austin was sitting on the edge of my bed.

Just like in my dream last night.

My heart stopped and my breath was lost. Not because I was mad at him or anything but because the dream changed it all for me. I felt something for him. I wanted him to be the Austin I saw in my dream.

I wanted him to say he loved me.

I stared in his deep piercing blue eyes. They were staring back at me. Was he really here to tell me something?

He stood up and walked near to me. Close enough that I could feel his breath. So near that I could hear his heart beating wildly, just like the dream...

"Andy..." he breathed out my name and I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding for so long, just to fill myself with his voice calling my name.

He smiled, looking at me. I stared back in his eyes trying to find anything that wasn't so strange. Not unfamiliar.

Austin's eyes weren't the same deep blue. They had something so different in them that I couldn't tell what it was. They had strange look in them. A good strange look.

"Andy, I wanna apologize about everything I did to you..." Austin said, taking my breath away.

I stared at him, shocked myself. I had the strange feeling of déjà vu.

Was it happening again? Am I still dreaming?

I remembered the words I said to him. Maybe it was coming real. "Save it Austin. I don't care.." I said so softly, they lost the meaning. I didn't mean to say it but if it's my dream... I have to say what I said before.

"But I do." He put his hands on my shoulder. "I'm uh... I-I like you Andy." He looked deeply in my eyes.

I inhaled his words and closed my eyes. My heart felt heavy with happiness and pain.

Happiness that Austin said he liked me in real. And pain to think if this was again my dream... it will be over soon.

I flinched away from him, but he curled his arm around me and leaned closer. He cupped my face in his hands and closed in. "I'm sorry for everything. I didn't want to hurt you... just wanted you to be mine." he whispered. His words pierced through me.

Cutting me into piece. It was pleasure but... it was breaking the déjà vu...

He pressed his lips to mine, taking all my energy away. I couldn't respond. I was numb again. I was afraid of losing him again... afraid of this dream getting over.

He worked his lips up and down at mine, expecting me to kiss him back but instead my aching heart and heavy teary eyes flooded out. I sobbed against him. He pulled back.

"Andy? Wha-" he panicked.

Though my vision was really blurred but I could feel his whole body tensed up. He brushed his fingers across my cheek. "Don't cry... please. I love you Andy!"

I sobbed harder. "Andy, please tell me... what's wrong? I told you I'm sorry... everything's gonna be fine now..."

"No... it's not gonna be." Tears were making it difficult for me to see in his eyes. I dropped myself on the floor, sobbing hard.

There was so much pain. What if it was a dream again? What if it got over again?

Austin sat beside me, looking at me with worried expression. He took my hands and soothed me down. How could I tell him whatever he was saying would be over soon?

"Are you upset? Andy, if you're mad at me, please punish me, not yourself. Why are you crying? Did I do anything wrong? If there's any problem... tell me..."

"Yes! There is a problem..." I wiped my tears, looking at him. "The problem is that I've fallen for you... but it's no use telling you this!" I said in between sobs.

"Why? Why can't you tell me?"

"Because you're just a dream." I choked. "This is a dream Austin. You are a dream."

"What are you talking about? What dream?"

"Don't you get it Austin? Isn't it obvious? It's a dream." I sobbed again. I just couldn't help it. I know I was being a sissy but my heart just wanted to let out everything.

"Sshh..." Austin curled his arm around me, pulling me to him. He tugged me in him, removing my hair from my face. "Shh..." he rubbed my back and stroked my cheek. "Did you dream this?" he asked softly.

I nodded. He kissed my hair. The feeling of déjà vu developed again in me. He had kissed my hair the same way... I pulled back, looking at his face.

He concentrated at my face. "Were you here to tell me you loved me and that you're sorry for inviting Lee to the party?" I asked him looking deep in his eyes.

He stared at me in shock but then he smiled, cupping my face in one hand. "Did you dream about me telling you I loved you?"

I blinked my eyes and he smiled even wide.

"And if I tell you that you're dream was true... will you believe it?"

I just looked in his eyes and saw the strangest thing ever... my image. I could see my self in Austin's eyes. He held me in his eyes.... Did he really mean that?

I slightly smiled and kissed his palm. He stroked my cheek with his thumb and was closing in but I quickly got up.

First I was unsure if all of this really happened! I mean moments before I was crying and now what.... I just told him I'm falling for him. Did he hear that?

I rushed in the closet, locking the door behind me. My heart was beating wildly and my breathing was heavy. What would Austin think about me?

He'd think I'm crazy!

But he said he loves me! And I told him I've fallen for him....

Is it gonna work?! It better should be!

***************

A week later...

Okay... things were going a little weird around. Not just with me and Austin... but Mr. and Mrs. Blake were quiet distant too. They weren't talking at first. And if they talked, it was all business.

Yeah that was weird for them because as far as I now... it's not normal for them to act this way.

And Austin and I were... well... things were a little awkward. We talked, but awkwardly. We walked, but awkwardly.

I just couldn't understand where the problem was. Was it that we both told each other about our feelings and just don't know what to do about it? Or we were just not meant for each other?

We were in Austin's Convertible Mercedes, headed for the school. This was the first time we were going to school after our engagement.

I was feeling butterflies in my stomach. Not the good excitement one, but the nasty one.

Would I be able to face anyone? I mean Lana... Bianca... Austin's friends? And Lee! What about Lee... he'd be there. In my class... shit!

Every time I thought about it I felt a knot in my stomach and I gulped the fear. Damn it! I'm just a little girl! Why'd life had to be so extremely difficult for me? I never imagined myself to be 'The Engaged to Austin Blake girl!' yeah that was what everyone was calling me.

"Nervous?" Austin startled me. He'd parked the car in the parking lot and damn! Everyone was staring at us. Like seriously.

Austin noted the horror in my eyes. "It's just a school Andy. It's not like you're on a battle field." Actually, I had discussed this feeling with Austin a couple of times and he'd tried to calm me down quiet a few times.

"Isn't it more than a battle field? Everyone's watching me Austin! Lana is gonna give me a hard time with her killer eyes and poisonous sarcasms! And then there would be a hundred girls talking about how I got the 'Big Piece'. And they'd call me bitch every time I'd pass them and Lee would be there, who thanks to you I can't even face him!" I said in one breath.

Shit! Why did I have to bring up Lee?! Austin's jaw tightened.

"Look Andy. It's not like you're alone in this. Do you think people are gonna let go the fact that I'm a player and got you trapped in my game?" he crocked up his eyebrow.

I sighed.

"C'mon." he said to me and got out of the car. I inhaled deeply and got out. Austin came to stand by me.

A few of the kids blew whistles and Austin slipped his hand in mine. I relaxed a bit. They'd forget it all real soon, accepting that no matter what... we'd be together.

I hope.

We walked in the school and everyone was really staring at us. Girls pointed at us... or just me?? I flinched but Austin gripped my hand tightly.

"Just relax... they hate us because we look so perfect." He grinned.

I smiled too.

"Just pretend that I'm the prince and you're the princess, it's a love story, babe just say yes.." he chuckled.

"Isn't that Taylor Swift's song, just you're version?"

"Yeah something like that." He smiled.

"Love's in the Air!" Seth and Collie sang, coming towards us with a big grin on their faces.

"Er I guess we should be singing this for you love birds." Austin joked; doing the guy's greeting stuff with Seth.

"Um so how are things' between you two?" Collie asked.

Austin and I looked at each other. "Uh... okay."

"Fine."