(delaney's outfit for this chapter)

Delaney never once thought that her dream of becoming a famous singer would actually come true. That was until she posted a video of her and Austin singing her first song she ever wrote on her YouTube channel and she became a overnight sensation.

That was all thanks to Austin. He was the one who encouraged her to post a video. Austin agreed to help her out with the backup vocals and guitar playing while Dez recorded the two since he knew more about cameras and stuff than Austin and Delaney. 

People loved her, and not just just her, they loved Austin as well. More importantly though they loved them both together. There were many comments on the video for the two of them to sing more songs together and even requests to sing covers of different songs. There were also quite a few comments that said they looked cute together and thought they might even be a couple. Austin and Delaney didn't think much of those comments and went on with their lives. Although things were kind of awkward between them after they read those comments.

Their feelings for each other aren't brought to the surface until they're away from each other in different states. Saying goodbye to her parents were really hard, so was saying goodbye to Dez, but she didn't realize how hard it was to say goodbye to Austin. She was saying goodbye to her childhood best friend. The boy she grew up together and has lived next to her whole life.

Things would be so different with her living in New York. That's right, she's moving to New York because she was signed to a music record label named Mustastic Labels. Mustastic Labels was one of the best music record labels in New York. She was honored that they even thought she was good enough to be signed to a music record label. 

It was a Saturday morning when Delaney said goodbye to Austin. She had to get on a flight soon since her aunt and uncle wanted her to get there in the weekend so she would have time to settle in and they could show her around. 

"I can't believe you're leaving." Austin said, his lips formed into a frown. He looks at Delaney, who sat next to him on the couch in his living room. "Nothing will be the same with you gone."

"I know." Delaney sighs, her shoulders dropping in defeat. "At least this won't be permanently. I mean, I'll be back at some point. I just don't really know when."

"Well, um, I decided to get you something," Austin admits, getting a small box from the pocket of the leather jacket he wore. "For, like, a goodbye gift." He felt like he needed to get Delaney something. Something to let her know how proud he is of her and how happy he is for her.

He handed the small box to Delaney. It's clique but they didn't miss the fact they felt a spark when their fingers brushed against each other as the box was being handed to Delaney. Delaney opens the box, gasping upon seeing a beautiful silver heart locket necklace. 

What touched her even more was the fact it was the one she looked at the other day in the store when she was hanging out with Austin at the mall. She couldn't stop gushing about how beautiful it looked and the fact that she doesn't normally wear jewelry but would definitely wear that necklace all the time. She couldn't believe that he remembered because that was months ago.

"I remembered you liking the necklace so much and, honestly, I thought of you when I saw it." He rubs the back of his neck nervously, a light shade of pink dusting his cheeks. "Because of how beautiful it is." 

Delaney looks at him with surprise, feeling her face heat up. He basically just called her beautiful. He never called her that. Sure, he called her cute and pretty from time to time, but that was it and it didn't really mean much. But this time felt different. Maybe because of the fact Delaney is aware of her growing feelings for the boy beside her.

"Oh, um, t-thank you." Delaney stuttered, her lips forming into a smile. She looked back at the necklace, opening up the heart locket. Her smile widens upon seeing the pictures he had put inside. On the right side of the heart was one of her, Austin, and Dez, and on the left side was a picture of her and her parents. 

"I put the pictures in there so then you can always have the people you care a lot close to your heart wherever you go." Austin told her, looking at her with a shy smile. 

He never got flustered around Delaney. Why was now any different than all the other times the two hung out alone? Probably because Delaney is leaving which made him start to realize that maybe he likes her more than a best friend.

"Austin, that's really sweet." Delaney comments. "Thank you, seriously. This means a lot to me."

A frown replaces the smile on her lips. "Now I feel bad that I didn't get you anything."

Austin shakes his head. "You're the one leaving. You don't have to get me anything. You do have to promise me though that we will always stay in contact."

"Of course." Delaney immediately spoke.

"Pinky promise?" Austin raised his pinky in the air, butterflies swarming in his stomach when he heard that angelic giggle of hers.

"Pinky promise." Delaney nodded, wrapping her pinky around his. 

The two often sealed their promises like this no matter how old they were. It was just something they started doing when they were young and it just stuck. They smiled at each other, staring at each other longer than they probably should.

They didn't realize they had their pinkies still wrapped around each other until Delaney's phone buzzed. The two pulled apart, awkwardly chuckling as Delaney goes to get her phone out of the pocket of the denim jacket she wore. She frowned at reading the text she got from her mom. Her mom was telling her that they needed to make sure they had everything of hers she wanted to bring and added how she didn't want them to be late for their flight.

"I'm sorry, I should go." Delaney sighs. She stands up, closing the small box that held her necklace in it. "I gotta make sure I'm all packed and we don't want to miss our flight that's in half an hour."

"Right." Austin nods, frowning as he stands up. He didn't want her to leave, but he knew she had to go. "I'll walk you out to your car."

When they get to her navy colored truck Delaney turns to face him with a sad smile. "Thank you again for this." She held up the small box that held the necklace inside.

"Yeah," Austin shakes his head, sending her a small smile. "It's no problem."

"Um," Delaney opens the box, biting her lower lip as she glances at him. "Could you put it on me?"

"Oh," Austin's eyes widen, surprised she asked him to do that. "Uh, sure."

Austin takes the necklace out of the small box carefully. Delaney turns around, lifting her hair out of the way as Austin moves to stand behind her. He unhooks the clasp on the necklace and put it around her neck, having a bit of trouble hooking the clasp back together, but eventually getting it hooked. Delaney turned around to face him, letting her hair fall over her shoulders. She glanced down at the necklace, smiling.

Austin smiles at her, butterflies swarming like crazy in his stomach. "You look beautiful."

Delaney looks at him with surprise, her heart beat increasing, and she couldn't help the blush that formed on her face. Austin's eyes widen when he realized what he said. "I-I mean, the necklace looks beautiful on you." He quickly added, his face a bright shade of red. He mentally scolded himself for what he said, not meaning to blurt it out, but he had said it before he could stop himself. 

"Oh, um," Delaney's smile grew. "Thank you."

She couldn't help but think he was cute at the moment, the way he was acting all shy and flustered. She shakes her head, pushing that thought to the back of her mind. They're just best friends. She can't think that of her best friend that way. She shouldn't think of her best friend that way. Recently she was beginning to wonder, are they even best friends anymore? Because it seemed like they were starting to be something more and they just were scared too admit it since they didn't know it but both didn't want to ruin their friendship.

"Laney, I'm gonna miss you so much." Austin admitted.

Delaney frowns. "I'm gonna miss you too, blondie."

A frown was on Austin's lips, hating the fact that this was the last time he was going to see her in person for who knows how long. He didn't even realize his eyes were getting teary until Delaney says, "Oh no, don't cry. If you cry then I'm gonna cry." Delaney chuckles softly, feeling tears begin to build up. "And that won't be pretty."

A small chuckle left Austin's lips and he wraps his arms around her, pulling her in for a tight hug. Delaney didn't hesitate to wrap her arms back around him, hugging him tightly. Neither of the two wanted to let go because they both feared of not seeing each other again. They didn't want that to happen.

Their moment was ruined by Delaney's phone ringing. They reluctantly pulled away from each other and Delaney got her phone out of her pocket. A sigh left her lips upon seeing her mom was calling her. She knew her mom would be upset with her now being a bit late.

"This is my mom probably calling me to yell at me to hurry up." Delaney unlocks her car with her keys and glances at Austin with a sad smile. "I better go."

"Yeah," Austin sadly smiles. "Okay. I'm gonna miss you. Call me when you get there."

"I'm gonna miss you too." Delaney said, opening the door to her car. She nods, sending him a small smile as she sat in the drivers seat. "Don't worry, I will."

Austin smiled a bit and waved goodbye at her while she closed the door. His shoulders slumped in defeat, watching her drive off with a frown on his lips.

The two best friends thought that was the last time they would see each other in person. Little did they know they would reunite in the near future.

A/N this chapter was honestly kind of cute but in my opinion it's not my best chapter. prologues & first chapters are always hard to write but I'm already in love with austin & delaney !