Chapter 4 – Stay

Friday night had changed everything. Ever since, Ally and Stephanie were truly inseparable. Spending breaks together, sharing lunch, hiding in the band room... It was a rhythm they'd fallen into so naturally that Ally had stopped questioning it. She simply belonged with Steph. But that was also the part which scared her the most.

The bracelet on her wrist was a constant reminder of their growing bond. Stephanie had made it herself. It was braided leather, the same worn-looking kind she wore herself. She had given it to Ally with a casual shrug that didn't quite hide the nervousness in her eyes.

"Here," she had said. "You can't be my sidekick without proof."

Ally had laughed, but never took it off ever since.

On the outside, it was a simple sign of friendship. But to both of them, something deeper was growing. Something that caused Ally's heart to flutter and her stomach to tingle whenever she caught Steph's eye. Their bond, though, didn't go unnoticed.

Becca practically glared at them when they entered the cafeteria. Ally laughed at something Stephanie whispered to her, and Steph casually took her hand, leading her to their corner.

"You're going to stare a hole into their heads, Bec," Trisha said, not looking up from her phone.

"Seriously," Nik added, almost mockingly. "I thought you were over her."

"I am." Becca's voice was sharp. "It just makes me sick. She thinks she's above everyone and plays superstar, but she's nothing more than an arrogant..." She trailed off. But her eyes remained fixed on Steph.

Trisha glanced up. "Right? Did you see her latest post? 'Her photographer' claims she belongs on stage. As if she knows anything about that."

Becca snorted. "The newbie doesn't even know how to take photos. Every single one is blurred lately. Such a joke."

Ally didn't mean to look, but she had overheard them. Becca met her gaze with a glare. Ally's heart dropped.

Next to her, Stephanie noticed her expression.

"What's wrong?"

Ally shook her head. "Nothing..."

"Al."

Ally sighed. "Becca... I think she has a problem with me."

"Why?" Stephanie's voice shifted instantly. "Did she do something?"

"No," Ally's voice grew quieter, "Just a feeling."

But she couldn't help but to notice the darkened expression of Steph, and the seriousness in her voice which she never knew of her before.

"Ignore her," Stephanie said.

Before she could say anything else, Pete suddenly squeezed himself between them with a grin.

"You two are disgustingly cute lately. I just have to put a stop to that," he teased.

Liz, who approached them as well, rolled her eyes. "Just admit that you're jealous."

Pete huffed playfully. "Me? I'm not jealous! Why would I be?"

"Nice to see you two as well..." Ally greeted them. "Where's Tyler?"

"Has a newspaper meeting going on. They plan next week's issue. Apparently Ms. Elliot is dating someone. Didn't know that woman had a heart... Ouch!"

Ally jabbed her elbow into his side. "Ms. Elliot is literally the best," she defended the teacher.

"You're a weirdo for saying that."

"Nah, I think she's onto something," Liz responded teasingly.

Stephanie had gone completely quiet now. Her eyes flicked between Ally and Pete, then Becca before returning to the other two. She sighed and stood abruptly.

"Excuse me..." she muttered under her breath and left without another word.

Ally blinked and watched her leave. Something tightened in her chest, and she didn't hear what Pete talked about. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. Pete looked up, startled.

"Uh... where are you going?"

But Ally was already walking away. Liz watched her go, then looked at Pete.

"You really don't see it, do you?"

Pete blinked. "See what?"

Liz shook her head. "Never mind."

Meanwhile, Ally caught up to Steph in the hallway.

"Steph. Wait."

Stephanie stopped. But she didn't turn around.

"I just needed some air," she said quietly.

Ally's chest tightened. "It's Becca, isn't it?"

Stephanie finally turned. Her eyes were distant, like she was somewhere else.

"It's not just Becca," she paused. "Can we talk later? I just... I need a minute."

Ally nodded. "Okay."

Stephanie walked away. Ally stood in the empty hallway, clutching the bracelet on her wrist. Something had shifted. She just didn't know what.

Over the next days, Stephanie was a ghost, or at least it felt like that to Ally. She had waited at the hotel so they could go to school together like always. But Steph didn't show up. Instead, she sent a text that Ally should go ahead.

Ally walked to school alone for the first time in weeks. The streets felt different, empty, and way too quiet for Ally's liking without Steph's morning performances. She didn't realize how much she'd come to depend on that routine until it wasn't there.

At school, Stephanie was in class. But she sat in the back in Liz's spot who now settled in next to Ally. Steph's eyes were fixed on the board in a way that felt rehearsed. When Ally tried to catch her gaze, she looked away and when she did catch her briefly, Steph's smile didn't reach her eyes. Ally's stomach twisted.

The band room was empty after school. Ally had hoped to find Steph there, hunched over her notebook, scribbling lyrics she'd probably cross out a dozen times before she was satisfied. But the room was silent.

She sat on the table where she'd watched Steph work a hundred times before, swinging her legs. The minutes stretched as she waited. She checked her phone. But there was nothing new, except for the time passing. Her thumb hovered over Steph's name. She typed and deleted three different messages before finally settling on something simple.

You okay? I'm in the band room if you want to talk.

She waited. Minutes passed. One. Five. After ten minutes her phone buzzed.

I'm fine.

Ally stared at the screen. It was distant, and her stomach twisted like it did earlier when she stared at the simple lie. But Stephanie typed again.

I have a lot on my mind. Sorry for disappearing.

Ally sighed. Now that was a better answer. But it didn't feel like it was enough.

Can we talk?

There was a long pause before Steph answered once more.

Tomorrow. Strings'n'Stews. After school. I promise I'll explain.

Ally exhaled.

I'll be there.

The next afternoon, Ally stood in front of Strings'n'Stews, her hands shoved into her pockets. It was quiet, too early for the evening crowd. Finally, she pushed the door open.

Stephanie was already there, sitting in a corner booth, a mug of coffee in front of her that she hadn't touched. She looked up when Ally approached her. For a second, her face softened with something until it was gone before Ally could think about it.

Ally slid into the seat across from her.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Silence settled between them. Stephanie fumbled with her bracelet until she spoke up first.

"I'm sorry. For ignoring you the last couple of days. I've been..." She stopped, pressing her lips together. "I don't know how to say this without sounding like a stupid mess."

Ally frowned, but waited. Stephanie ran her fingers through her hair.

"My mom..." she paused, "She left when I was twelve. But she used to tell me I was going to be something. That I'd make it if I kept singing..." Her voice grew flat in a way Ally couldn't explain. "Then she left without explanation, and I don't even know if she'd still care that I am still singing today."

Ally's chest ached. "Steph..."

"No, I'm not telling you this for pity." Stephanie met her eyes. "I'm telling you because you told me I belong on stage. You make me feel like I could be something like she did and it terrifies me."

"How?" Ally asked.

"You could leave like she did too."

"I won't."

"You don't know that," Steph exhaled. "Everyone leaves eventually."

Ally reached across the table. Her hand found Steph's which was shaking.

"I'm not leaving."

Stephanie stared at their hands. Her jaw tightened like she was fighting something she didn't want to feel.

"But I don't get how this relates to Becca... You left without explanation when we sat together with everyone."

She felt Stephanie tense up, though, she didn't pull her hand back. Instead, she looked away.

"You said you feel like she has a problem with you... That's all the reason you might need to leave."

Ally wasn't sure she was convinced that was the real reason Stephanie left the table. But she decided not to push it, for now.

"And I don't like that she makes you feel unwanted when you're not."

"Okay," Ally said. "Well, I only just moved here. If you think I leave and give up that easily, you're mistaken. I'll stay."

Something cracked in Stephanie's expression and it seemed she couldn't help the smile forming on her lips. She turned her hand over, lacing her fingers through Ally's. It was the first time they'd held hands like this. In a way that felt more intimate than just friendship.

"You're impossible," Steph whispered.

"So are you."

The place grew busier around them as the evening approached, but neither of them moved. Damien swept the floor, shooting them looks that Ally ignored. Mr. Vance disappeared into the back, as if deciding on giving them space intentionally.

Stephanie finally let go of Ally's hand, and leaned back.

"So," she said, her voice lighter than it had been all week, "did you bring your camera?"

Ally blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. I owe you a proper photo session. You know, to make up for all those blurry ones Becca hates so much."

Ally laughed. "I thought you liked the blurry ones."

"I do." Steph's grin was back, teasing. "But I also like watching you try to get a good shot. It's cute."

Heat rushed to Ally's cheeks. "I hate you."

"Liar. You actually love me."

Both grew still at that. Stephanie quickly grabbed her hand again as if trying to cover the sudden stillness, and pulled her out of the booth.

"Come on. Rooftop. The light's perfect right now."

Just like that, it felt like nothing had changed, like the distance between them had never existed.

Ally followed Steph up the stairs to the rooftop, her heart lighter than it had been all week. But as they stepped out into the golden evening light, she couldn't stop looking at Steph in a way that felt completely new. In a way that made her heart stutter and her stomach flip.

The sun hung low over the city, casting long shadows across the rooftop. Ally stood near the edge, her phone in hand, watching Steph move into the light.

Stephanie turned, striking a pose that was deliberately ridiculous. One hand rested on her hip, the other was raised like she was reaching for something invisible.

"How's this?" she called out. "Professional enough?"

Ally laughed, raising her phone. "You look like you're about to fall off the building."

"That's the drama of it. Art is suffering."

"I'll have them carve that into your grave if you fall."

"You know you're actually supposed to tell me I could never fall." Steph dropped the pose, grinning.

Ally lowered her phone as she rolled her eyes. Though, she could feel the heat in her cheeks returned, and she was glad the sunlight hid it.

Stephanie walked closer, her footsteps soft against the ground. She stopped in front of Ally, close enough that Ally could smell her perfume, something floral, like the roses she'd noticed on their first meeting. Stephanie reached out, her fingers brushing Ally's around the phone.

"You know, I've been thinking."

"About what?"

"About what you said. That you'll stay." She paused. "I don't think I've ever had anyone say that to me before."

"Your dad seems very much supportive of you..."

"I know I mean... He's my dad. But you..." Steph sighed, "Despite my mother, I'm used to friends... people I really care about to leave me." Stephanie's voice was barely above a whisper. "That's why I'm scared." Her eyes met Ally's. The golden light caught them, making them look like they were glowing. "Scared of how much I want to feel for you."

Ally's breath caught. She didn't look away. She couldn't. The city hummed below them, distant and unimportant. All that mattered was the girl standing in front of her, looking at her like she was something precious and terrifying all at once.

"I'm not going anywhere," Ally promised and took a step forward.

Stephanie's hand found hers again.

"Okay," Steph said softly. "I'll try to believe that."

They stood like that for a long moment, hands intertwined, the city sprawling beneath them. Ally didn't know what to say or what to do. She had never felt this close to anyone before.

"Come on," Stephanie said finally. She tugged Ally's hand gently. "I want to show you something."

She led Ally to the other edge of the rooftop, where the railing was older and the view stretched even further. The Hudson River glinted in the distance, a ribbon of light cutting through the city.

"This is my favorite spot," Steph admitted. "When everything gets too loud, I come up here. It reminds me that the city is bigger than my problems."

Ally squeezed her hand. "I'm still honored you brought me."

Stephanie glanced at her, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Me too."