Sunday morning, I woke up to Paul frantically shaking my shoulder. "Allie, Allie wake up!"

Determined not to let him ruin one of my rare chances to sleep in, I tried to push him off me, but he yanked off my covers. At first I deemed it alright to keep lying there without them, but then I remembered I'd gone to bed without any pants on. Sitting up in a flash, I yanked them back over my legs and glared at Paul, face red. "Hey!"

His face was just about as red as mine. "S-sorry!"

"What is so urgent?" I snapped at him, still grumpy.

"Something came up so they had to move the date of Nationals and they had to split it into two groups so now instead of it being a month away you're going to have to preform in about two weeks because you're in the first group, " he said in a rush, his eyes wide.

It took me a moment to process what he'd said in my sleep state. But when he did, you bet I woke the hell up. "What?"

"They have too many contestants or something, I don't really know. But they decided to move it up and now you're going in two weeks. Not that I don't think you're ready, but it's still not a month more you have to prepare," he babbled, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I mean, you're totally ready. But it's still two weeks earlier than we'd expected—"

"Paul. Paul, calm down. It's fine," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. "You don't need to worry about me. I'd probably be ready to perform today if I had to."

He took a deep breath and nodded. "I know. I just really want you to win. I don't want anyone else to be my partner but you, Allie."

"I don't want anyone else with you either," I agreed, biting my lower lip. Was it even allowed in the rules to move the competition? Not that I didn't think I'd be ready in time. It was just a little unnerving. There was a lot riding on this competition. And it wasn't about the money or scholarship. It was about who'd be travelling around the world with Paul for the next year. I didn't want it to be anyone but myself.

"It's during the week, so we're going to have to miss school," Paul continued, tapping his fingers against his leg. "So close to the end of the year too."

"I don't have any problem with skipping school," I responded, shrugging.

He gave me a half-assed scolding look. "I'm your teacher, you shouldn't say that to me."

"I'm your student, you shouldn't be living with me," I countered smugly.

A smile broke out across his face and he lightly pushed on my shoulder. "Get up and I'll make us some breakfast. Then we'll practice."

"Ughhh," I complained, falling back into my bed.

"Make sure you put pants on, too," he added before leaving my room.

Heaving a loud sigh, I forced myself out of bed. Now Paul was going to make me practice even more. I wouldn't have been surprised if my poor fingers fell off. Still, I knew he was doing it for my sake. He probably wanted me to win more than I myself wanted to win.

But then again, I couldn't let anyone else win. What if it was a girl? They'd travel all over the country together. What if they shared hotel rooms? What if love blossomed? I couldn't let that happen. I had to win.

With renewed vigor, I jumped into the shower to prepare for the day. While I was in there, I thought I smelled something burning. Curious, I got out and quickly threw on a maroon shirt and a pair of dark-washed jean leggings. Paul was in the middle of plating some pancakes when I walked into the kitchen. I raised my eyebrow at the blackened state of some of them.

"Ah, so that was the smell."

He flushed a little and stared at the floor. "I told you I can't really cook. It's probably not even edible."

I glanced at the table, where there was a plate of black crisps that I assumed to be bacon. Next to it, there was a plat of scrambled eggs that looked mildly okay. "I'm sure it will be fine," I told him, taking a seat at the table.

"Don't force yourself," he muttered, shutting off the oven top before bringing the pancakes over.

Predictably, everything just tasted burnt, but I made sure not to let Paul knew that. He put his best effort into it and I was going to eat it. Even if it was kinda gross. Paul watched me as I ate, a little smile on his face, as if he knew my thoughts.

"There's somewhere special I want to go today for your practice," Paul said after we'd finished eating. "This way we can get out for a bit and get your practice in."

"Where?"

"You'll see," he responded cheerfully. "Go grab your jacket."

I ran upstairs and grabbed a light jacket, then followed Paul out to his car. I really wanted to know where we were headed, but knew he wouldn't tell me even if I asked. When we got onto the highway, I became even more curious.

                    When we were on the highway for two hours straight, I became impatient.

"Are we there yet?" I groaned, resting my head on the passenger's side window.

"Almost and if you do that you can get a minor concussion," he lectured me.

I puffed out my cheeks. "This better be good."

"I'm sure you'll love it."

Eventually, Paul took an exit off of the highway and we drove for about half an hour more. I rolled down my window and immediately got a whiff of something salty and familiar.

"Ocean?" I cried, whipping my head around to look at Paul.

He grinned. "I take it you like the ocean?"

"We're going to the beach? How is that practicing? Not that I care, I'd rather go to the beach anyway," I continued, sticking my head back out the window again. We had to be close— the smell was strong.

Paul drove around a bend and suddenly I could see sand dunes and the long expanse of the ocean. I nearly hopped out of the car right then and there. It'd been too long since I'd been near the beach. There was a little parking area a little further down the street that Paul pulled into. I immediately unbuckled my seatbelt and scrambled out of the car.

"Hey, wait a second," Paul called, digging for something in the back seat. When he pulled out sheet music I raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing with that?"

"We might need it," he responded, shrugging.

I gave him a 'are you crazy' look, but he just simpered at me. Turning around, I headed toward the boardwalk that led up the dunes. Paul caught up with me and grabbed my hand, interlacing our fingers. I smiled at him.

"This way," he said as the boardwalk split into three different directions. The way Paul was taking me didn't lead to the beach though.

"Can't we go to the water?"

"After I show you something," he promised me.

There was a lot of sand on the boardwalk, so our steps were sluggish. I really wanted to take off my shoes, but Paul wasn't stopping. When we reached the top of the boardwalk I took in the ocean again, seeing a large boat on the horizon.

"Cool, huh?" Paul said.

I looked away from the ocean and my jaw almost dropped. On a little wooden deck above the dunes, there was a grand piano. "What?"

"Cool, huh?" Paul repeated, grinning. "I found this years ago when I was travelling with my family."

"Does it work?" I asked, jogging up to it. The wood it was made out of was weathered, resembling driftwood. Almost like it had rolled out of the ocean. I touched a key and to my amazement, it sounded perfect.

Paul stopped beside me, laying a hand on the keys as well. "Yep, it belongs to a guy that lives in the cottages down the street. He wheels it up there every day and wheels it back down every night. I thought it'd be fun if you got to practice with the view of the ocean in front of you."

I turned to him and I was sure my smile was stretching all the way across my face. He was amazing. He'd sacrificed his whole day just to bring me here. Just so I could have some fun and also get in some practice. "I love it."

"I thought you might."

"I want you to play first."

He seemed surprised by my words. "Huh?"

I patted the bench in front of us and grinned at him. "Yeah, come on! I want to see you play."

Suddenly seeming shy, he shook his head. "No, this is for you."

I pushed on his back. "I'll feel inspired if you play first."

"I don't know—"

"Come on, Mr. Russet, work your magic," I urged him.

After a mini-staring contest, he finally relented. "Alright, but don't let this discourage you."

"Why would it?"

"Because I'm a top pianist."

I let out a surprised laugh and rolled my eyes at him. "Okay, don't get too cocky."

He chuckled and sat down on the bench. "Any requests?"

"Hmm... do an ocean-y one."

"An ocean-y one?" he repeated, sounding amused. "I think I know a good one."

His fingers touched the keys and a beautiful melody flowed out. I was immediately enraptured. He played flawlessly. The salty wind tousled his hair as his fingers moved against it. It was beautiful. He was beautiful.

Suddenly I was reminded why I wanted to play piano in the first place. It was all because of this— all because of him. I wanted to achieve the same beauty and grace as he held.

I swallowed, my throat feeling dry. I loved this man. There was no doubt about it.

I had to win this competition. I had to be the one to play along side Paul. I had to be the one beside him.

When the song ended, Paul stood still for a moment. I started clapping my hands enthusiastically and he hunched his shoulders, obviously a little embarrassed. "Bravo!" I called.

"It's nothing impressive."

I scoffed. "Aren't you the one always telling me to have more confidence?"

He slid off the piano bench and gestured for me to take a seat. I did as offered, inspired by him to practice even harder. After finding some rocks to use as weights, he set up my sheet music for me.

"I'm going to win this competition," I promised him.

He smiled at me, eyes crinkling. "I have no doubt."

And instead of shouting I love you like I wanted to, I let the music have my emotion instead.

It was relaxing to play with the ocean view in the background. The wind coming off the waves was a little chilly, but I didn't mind too much. It was fun. If I ever bought a house by the beach, I'd definitely be getting a piano for the deck.

After a few rounds of Liszt, I pushed away from the piano bench. Paul applauded me and I mocked a bow. "You're a natural," he complimented me. "It's really sounding great."

"I know," I replied, flipping my hair over my shoulder.

He laughed and patted my shoulder. "There's the confidence you should have."

"I was just kidding."

"I know, but you're pretty great."

I shook my head at him, folding my arms over my chest. "Don't you ever get tired of complementing me?"

"I'd never," he responded confidently. "Now come on, let's check out the ocean."

Excited, I hopped off the bench and followed Paul back down the boardwalk and to the section that led to the beach. I knew the water would be cold but I still ran right to it to feel it. I plunged my hand in and then immediately back out. Yep, it was freezing.

"Wanna go swimming?" Paul joked.

"No, but, um, if it's alright with you I'd like to take a picture with you..." I dropped my gaze to my feet, feeling a little embarrassed. We didn't have any pictures together and I wanted one with him. This was the perfect chance.

He seemed surprised by my request. "Oh, sure."

"Yeah?"

"I'm used to people requesting to take pictures with me," came his response.

I grimaced a little. "That's not quite the reason..."

"I know the reason Allie Cat," he told me, putting an arm around my shoulder."I'd like a picture with you, too."

"There's no one around though," I commented, looking both ways down the empty beach.

Paul pulled out his phone and fiddled with it for a moment. "It's okay, I've got a timer. Let's put it on a rock."

I watched as he carefully placed his phone on the rock and then made an appropriate distance between him and the phone, making sure the ocean was behind us. Then he gestured for me to come over to him. After I was in place he walked back to his phone and pressed the camera button, then quickly ran back to me. "And pose!" he called.

So I did pose. I stood on my tippy-toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

For a moment he froze and then he jerked away from me, his cheeks flushing slightly. I smirked back at him. Just because he was nervous bout kissing me didn't mean I was nervous about kissing him. "I hope it came out well!"

I ran to his phone before he had a chance to and looked at the picture. It was perfect. Paul was smiling and I actually looked good for once in a side profile. I quickly sent it to myself, just in case Paul decided to delete it. When I handed him the phone though, he smiled. "It's cute."

"Wanna take a walk down the beach before we head back?" I asked. "Maybe find some sea glass?"

"Sure," he agreed, offering his hand to me. "Then maybe two more play-throughs on the piano?"

"Ughh, I guess so," I groaned, but only half-heartedly. I couldn't really complain. The drift wood piano was pretty sweet.

We walked on the beach for about a good hour and a half before deciding to call it quits. It was getting colder by the minute. And after I practiced a few more times on the piano, the sun had set, so we decided to head out to find something to eat before we went home.

Claiming he was full and sleepy after eating, Paul let me drive home. He fell asleep quickly after setting up the GPS, his seat reclined all the way back. I yawned and stretched my back a little. There was still two hours before I could safely sleep. The day had been the most fun I'd had in a long time. And if I won the competition, a lot of days could be like it. I'd be able to be with Paul like this all the time. And that thought made me incredibly happy.

When I pulled off the highway, I noticed someone had pulled off right behind me, his high beams on. I squinted in the rear view mirror, a little irritated. Big trucks already had bright enough lights and this douche had to have his high beams on? There were streetlights now!

Then the guy started driving close to the car— dangerously close. I pressed on the gas, now feeling a little nervous. He was tailgating me so bad, if I had to make a quick stop he would definitely rear end me.

I was so focused on the truck that when I switched my gaze back onto the street in front of me I didn't notice the stop sign until last minute. Then, forgetting about the guy behind me, I slammed on the brakes, the tires squealing.

"Cr—" I started, but before I could get any more out, the car jerked, spinning sideways and sending my head right into the window. Immediately my vision darkened and I felt nauseous. The airbag went off, pushing me back against my seat. Then there was another loud crash and the sound of metal scraping against metal and the car lunged again and this time I felt my stomach flip and my seatbelt choked me. My heart pounded in my chest and I could feel myself hyperventilating.

We're rolling, was my only thought. Then it was Paul.

But as soon as I was about to call his name, I heard glass shattering and then felt my head explode with pain. My vision blurred again and my mouth felt funny. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't feel my hands. My ears were ringing.

I'm going to pass out.

And not a moment after that thought passed through my mind, everything became dark.

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                        Phew! It's been awhile. Wattpad's formatting is all weird. I hope this doesn't appear weirdly on the phone app. It looks weird on the draft page, but published it looks fine? At least on my computer. I hope it looks fine on everything!!

                  Sorry for my absence- I've been busy! But now it's summer and I'll have more free time to write more! Woooo! (and my boyfriend works nights now, so I can't hang out with him ): sigh) but hey more time for writing hahaha. If you're interested in what I am doing, remember, I have a Twitter and Instagram! Sometimes I post writing related stuff, sometimes not. I usually respond to people better on my Twitter because it's easy access. Both of them are @JordanLynde_       and don't forget the underscore! Someone took the username without it ): Some boy, grrr.Oh and I guess I should be apologizing for the cliff hanger? ;) There's gotta be SOME action. I feel like it's been kinda boring.

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