Work Text:
“Look, a book stacking game. I guarantee you I can win you the biggest bear,” Ally said, grinning.
“You’re just like Austin, aren’t you? All about winning me the biggest thing?” Kira joked, her voice light.
“No.. I am a much better girlfriend than Austin. Than Austin was a boyfriend, I mean.” Ally always found herself a little flushed with Kira, a little in shock that this pretty girl had chosen her, of all people. Ally had always been told that they were pretty, especially by their mom, but they had also grown up with a strong awareness that they were different . She had wanted to spend more time with chemical formulas than people; Austin was chatty, sociable, but Ally never wanted to talk to strangers as much.
“You’re cute,” Kira said, her nose scrunched up happily. Ally had learned that Kira often showed her emotion by basic phrases ( you’re cute or something similar) or little motions. It wasn’t that she was stupid - in fact, she was incredibly smart. She just showed her emotions differently, that was all.
“No, you’re cute,” Ally said.
“Okay, win me the biggest bear, Alls,” she said.
Ally gave the man running the booth money and started stacking the books. They grabbed some books from the basket and put them to the side. Then, they put the heaviest, flattest ones on the bottom, including Grapes of Wrath and Six of Crows . Then, she strategically placed the smaller ones on top.
The man running the game smiled at them and came out to count the books. “That’s the most books we’ve had stacked! Could we get your picture? And...could I get your picture for my daughter, as well? She’s a big Ally Dawson fan.”
Ally was startled. “Ally...like me?”
“Yeah, of course. She’s a songwriter herself, and she’s always going on about how the lyrics you write for Austin Moon are genius.”
“Okay. That’s cool. Of course you can get a picture for her. I could sign something as well, if you’d like?”
“That would be great. Here, we can get you in front of the books.” He snapped a few pictures, stopping when he seemed finally satisfied. Then, he gave his phone to Kira and asked her to take a few pictures of him with Ally.
As she signed something for him, she started asking about his daughter. “So, what’s her name? Your daughter, I mean?”
“Samantha. She wanted to see Austin on tour, but I’m a librarian and her mom’s a teacher, so we couldn’t afford it. She loves Austin, of course, but she’s always been drawn to your music. She just turned 16, so she’s got herself a job working at that local bookstore to save up to see Austin. Her girlfriend’s parents said they would buy tickets for Sammie, but I didn’t want to put that on them. She was pretty upset with me, actually.”
“I would love to meet her. With Austin, of course. I know he’s not on tour anymore, but we could do a little show for her!” Ally looked towards Kira as well, gesturing for her to come closer. Kira gave her a little nod, as if she knew what she was going to say. “This is my girlfriend, Kira Starr.”
He looked between them, slightly shocked, but then a look passed over his face as if he should’ve known. “Right, as in Jimmy Star’s daughter. Actually, I’m sure Sammie and Lily, that's her girlfriend, would love to meet both of you. Sammie is always talking about how important it is to meet older LGBT people. Sammie was so excited to hear you’d come out as pansexual. You mean a lot to her.”
“That means a lot. I try to avoid the spotlight, but I thought it was imperative to talk about sexuality. Actually...let me give you my number. I’ll let you know a time that works for Sammie.”
“Or...I can call her, right now? If that’s okay?” The man asked.
Ally nodded.
A little while later, a smaller blonde girl and a brunette walked towards them. When the blonde girl saw Ally, she started getting really excited.
When she got over, she started squealing. “You...you’re Ally Dawson! And you’re Kira Starr.”
“I am. It’s nice to meet you, Sammie. I’ve heard a lot about you from your dad. And Lily, it’s nice to meet you too. I heard you guys are fans?”
“Oh gosh, I’m such a big fan. You inspire me so much. I think I would cry if you released your own music. My favorite Austin song is ‘The Way That You Do.’ You’re just...so good. I wish I could write like you do.”
“Well if you ever want someone to look over your music, I can give you my number.” Ally knew she technically shouldn’t, but she trusted this girl.
“YES!! I promise I won’t be weird about it! I promise!!”
Lily smiled at them. “It’s so nice to meet you both. Sammie and I actually met through Austin. We were in school and we just started talking about him and how good the lyrics are, and we clicked. I play guitar and sing, so we’ve written a few songs together, but nothing as good as what you write with Austin.”
Ally smiled, but nervously looked at Kira. She never wanted Kira to feel like she was her second choice or that she was inhibiting her creativity. They grabbed Kira’s hand and put it in their own.
The other girls smiled at each other.
“It was really nice to meet you two, but I think we should be getting home,” Ally said as they noticed the sun was setting. Kira looked at her with love in her eyes.
As Kira and Ally found their way back to Kira’s car, they both stopped.
Kira looked up into Ally’s brown eyes and leaned up. Finally, their lips touched and both felt warmth in their stomachs. When Kira pulled away, she smiled. It was their first kiss together, and it was like summer days and ice cream.
“You really are cute,” she said.
“I...I just want you to know you’re not my second choice, okay? And you’re not...you’re not inhibiting my creativity. I want to be with you, and only you.”
Kira, who was always so confident, looked down at her shoes. “Are you sure you don’t want to be with Austin? Your music might be better.”
“Kira, I don’t care about my music. Well, I do but...You come first. You always come first. Look, I really like you. I know this is only our fourth date or so, but...I really like you.”
“I really like you, too.”
“Okay, so then let’s do this. Let’s do this. I don’t want to hide our relationship. Telling that man that you were my girlfriend...it felt good. We are girlfriends, right?”
“Yes, Ally. We’re girlfriends.” Kira giggled.
“Okay. Then let’s tell the world. Who cares what people say?”
“I’m in.”
She kissed her again, and Ally felt loved. This was simple, pure and good.