Emison: Home

Chapter 38: We Deserve Better Than This

Emily's POV

It had been over a month since that weird joint session with Alison at Dr Sullivan's and Christmas break was just about to start. I had barely seen her since and I was missing her presence in my life. Rationally, I understood but my heart could not give a shit about reason at this point. I just wanted her now. Needed her.

I was working a stall at the Christmas Dance at school and I was setting up when my thoughts were interrupted

"Hey Emily" I turn my head to see her coming towards me

"Alison, hey" I acknowledge her awkwardly "How are you?"

"I'm good thanks. You?"

"Fine"

"Fine only?" she looks at me in surprise "But it's Christmas time... It's your favourite!"

"I guess I'm not feeling that festive this year" I answer curtly as I turn my attention back to putting the tinsel around my stall. An awkward silence surrounded us. I feel bad for being so abrupt so I decide to try and make conversation with her "So I saw from Insta that you were in NY last weekend... How was it?"

"It was nice actually - I went to see Cece and Noel for a little city break" she smiles

"Oh that is nice..." God why was it so weird between us? Why can we not function like normal people around each other "What did you do there?"

"Nothing much, we went out for drinks and made some new friends" she looks down slightly, before tucking a random strand of hair behind her hair. I notice a small blush creep on her cheeks and I realise what's happened, what she meant by new friends...She did it. She went through with it. God, I know it was my idea but it still felt like a punch to the heart.

"Cool" I bite the inside of my cheek and swallow hard "Glad to hear you're enjoying your me-time" I try to say without rancour

She nods slowly and looks around us before letting out a sigh and turning back to me "Oh did you see that Ella has put us on the same stand for the Christmas Dance?"

"Haha, yeah! I wonder why she did that" I chuckle and Ali joins in. We both knew Ella was weirdly very involved in our relationship and was determined to see us together. It was quite sweet really, you know if you put aside the fact that she's our best friends mother and our boss...

"Alison, could you come help me, please?" Sandra, the French teacher, calls out

"Um, yeah, sure" she turns to me and places her hand on my arm, offering a smile "I'll see you later Em"

"Yeah" I smile softly back

A couple hours later, the dance was in full swing and Ali and I were working our booth. We were quite busy so there wasn't much chance for small talk, which I was grateful for. I was worried that if we did, I'd find out more than I wanted about what happened in New York and I know I wouldn't be able to handle it. I know it was my idea. But God was it a stupid idea ... I know she needed this but I really didn't want her to go through with it. I really thought she'd decide it wasn't worth it and that she would just wait before telling me she was ready.

"Hey there Ali... and Em" Sandra greets as she comes by our booth

"Hey" we respond in unison - for a minute she just stands there in silence as Ali and I manage the booth. I notice that she keeps looking at Ali with a small grin on her face. Oh fucks sake, can't I catch a break...

"What can we do for you, Sandra?" I ask

"Nothing, nothing" she answers "Just wanted to come speak to my favourite member of faculty that's all" she smile flirtatiously towards Ali who looks away, doesn't respond and just carries on with helping the kids. Wow... that's bold of her. Flirting with Ali, right in front of me. She must be trying to rile me up, get Ali to be annoyed at me. Well, that's not going to happen. No way, would Ali flirt back with her. At least, I don't think so. Then again, I didn't think she would sleep with someone else during this break. Oh god. "So how is everything going here then, Ali?" the French teacher asks