The English Teacher ➳ Emison

Chapter 11 | The Older Sister

Alison walked back into her bedroom, her thoughts racing as she headed toward the ensuite. The close call with Cece had left her shaken. What would she have done if Cece had a spare key? Her sister would have walked right in, catching her and Emily together in the shower without a second thought. The only reason Cece didn't have one was because Alison coincidentally hadn't found the time to drive down to the shop in Ravenswood to replicate her house key.

It wasn't the first time Cece had shown up unannounced, and it wouldn't be the last. If Alison tried to hint she didn't want her stopping by, Cece would immediately get suspicious—probably wouldn't rest until she figured out why.

The fact was, she and Emily had already talked about the brunette coming here next Saturday as well. It would require even more secrecy from them than usual, and she'd need to start lying to her sister about whenever she was home, so Cece wouldn't have a reason to stop by.

This was starting to spiral into a bigger and bigger lie than it ever was, but never in her mind did she consider the possibility of putting a stop to what she and Emily were doing. She couldn't even imagine that. She was so far gone in this girl, and truthfully, it would crush the both of them.

Alison knocked on the bathroom door, calling softly, "Em, she's gone. It's just me."

A second later, the lock clicked, and Emily hesitantly appeared in the doorway, wrapped in a towel, her wet hair falling delicately over her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry that happened," Alison said, her eyes searching Emily's for any reassurance. She could see the strain there, the anxious look that hadn't faded since Cece left.

Emily looked overwhelmed by the experience. She must've been worried, standing inside that closed room while Alison was out in the bedroom with her sister.

"It's okay," Emily uttered weakly, managing a small shrug. "It wasn't your fault."

The brunette walked past her, taking a seat on the storage bench at the end of the bed. Alison's eyes followed her nervously. Emily hadn't even looked her in the eye yet.

"What's on your mind?" she prodded gently, moving to stand in front of the girl.

Emily fidgeted with her hands, her gaze fixed on the floor. "I was in there and... I couldn't see anything, and I just kept thinking, what if she finds out?" she explained meekly, biting the inside of her lip. "I just didn't know what to do. I didn't even think this could happen. I mean, my mind was set on the idea that if we're in here, in your house, then no one would know."

"I know," Alison sighed defeatedly, sitting next to her. "I thought so too. I completely forgot about the possibility of my sister showing up. I should've thought of that. But, Em, next time you're here, I'll just tell her I'm not home. She doesn't have a spare key or anything."

"Okay," Emily gave a small nod. She turned to Alison, mumbling shyly, "Maybe I should go home."

The words hit Alison harder than she expected. Before she could react, Emily had gotten up and moved to the bathroom, gathering her clothes. When she came out, Alison was downcast, still sitting in the same spot, feeling a pang of helplessness.

"Em," she implored, walking over to her, "you don't have to go. She won't come by here again, she's going out."

"No, I know," Emily acknowledged, still clutching her clothes as she tried not to sink at the sight of Alison all puppy-eyed. "But still, I just... think it's better if I go."

Alison shook away the small part of her that cracked inside at the words. She sat back while Emily changed into her clothes and slid her jacket on.

It hurt, this sudden distance between them. Alison hated this hasty goodbye. Cece's visit was a massive damp on their quality time together. It was as if all of last night and today were ruptured and erased by the past stupid twenty minutes.