I'd Sell My Soul

Chapter 17: Past 12

Katie Aberdeen's POV

It was twelve am when we exited the police station and we were now past the point of exhaustion. Late September had brought cold nights so we stood, huddled in a circle behind Levi's truck. I sighed loud as Ali shivered next to me with Sophie's head on her shoulder.

"So that was a big fat waste of time." I huffed. Ali nodded in agreement.

"We don't know that for sure." Levi corrected me with his eyes meeting mine.

"We spent all that time answering questions for them to basically say; why didn't you call us when it happened and that they don't believe someone broke in Farrah's house just to drink vodka." I shake my head disagreeing.

"At least it's now documented somewhere so if something happens again, they'll know it's serious." Ali shrugs offering a brighter perspective as Sophie lets a yawn loose. "We should get you to bed, you have school in eight hours." Ali turns to her.

"Can I just skip?" Sophie yawns to which Allison shakes her head no.

"Let's get you guys home then." Levi puts a hand on Allison's back as I watch suspiciously. He removed his hand when he looked over and saw my face. I pursed my lips in thought and then walked over to Ali who had just closed the back door of the truck behind Sophie.

"Ali, I'm not gonna get all mushy on you seeing as you've had an emotional...few months...but I feel like something still needs to be said. I'm not a believer in the something's are just better left unsaid concept." I shift my weight and look around the desolate police precinct parking lot.

"Okay." Allison nods, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"When you left for college I got left behind. I resented you and I know that reflected in our relationship. Then Levi came back home and took over the saloon and he and I became fast friends. I saw first hand how he still felt about you and made me more resentful...and I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that anger." I explain as I shove my hands in the pockets of my navy parka. Ali looks down at her feet and lets out an exhale like she was holding her breath. Her eyes meet mine again.

"I did deserve your anger. When I left for Seattle I was so hell bent on reinventing myself and being a different version of myself. It was just easier to let you go than to let you see the total poser I'd become. Easier for me...but you didn't deserve that. You were my best friend since diapers. I can't even explain how sorry I am Katie. I know this apology is a decade and a half late." Ali shook her head and glanced off in the distance, deep in thought.

"I'm still your best friend. Fifteen years is a long time but I've still always held onto that love for you. Farrah and I saw each other pretty frequently. She would always give me updates on you and the things you were doing. I feel like I still kinda got to be a part of your life from a distance." I continue. Ali looks back over at me and pulls me into a hug.

"I hope you can forgive me." Ali whispers as we embrace. "I won't leave you again."

"I do forgive you." I say as we pull apart. "However the least surprising thing Farrah told me was you coming out as bisexual. That I knew all along." I chuckle. A smile forms on her face and then Ali laughs.

"Yeah it really wasn't a surprise to anyone." She nods.

"Well, I'm working tomorrow but come by the saloon. Let's start planning our pumpkin patch trip and Halloween costumes." I say as I start walking to my car.

"It's a plan." Ali waves goodbye before climbing into the passenger side of Levi's truck. I get in my car and watch them leave before driving back to the house.

When I pulled up to the house all was quiet and dark except after putting my car into park I notice a small light was on in the attic. I thought hard for a moment. I did not recall leaving a light on in my bedroom. I reasoned Amanda must've been going through my things again and left a light on. If I was gonna pillage my older sister's bedroom without her knowledge I think I would be more stealthy about it, but smarts were never Amanda's strong suit. When I got inside the front door I carefully shut it behind me. I set my purse on a peg of the coat rack and suddenly the lamp next to the couch in the living room flicked on, startling me as I was taking my coat off. Grandma sat in her nightgown and slippers with a serious look on her face and a cup of steaming tea in right hand.

"Geez you scared me." I chuckle.

"Kathryn, what are you doing out so late? You know I always told you nothing good comes from any deed done past midnight." She asks as she turns slightly and sets the mug on the side table next to her.

"I'm aware. I was helping Ali with something." I shrug trying to act as casual as possible.

"Truly? Because if I didn't know you better Kathryn Leanne Aberdeen, I'd say you were up to something." Grandma eyes me and gestures at me with the crochet hook.

"We finally had the talk about our falling out though. I think we can move forward at last." I smile, changing the topic.

"Well good. You two were thick as thieves. I'm glad you're moving forward." Grandma nods. "But I have my eye on you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less. Goodnight Grandma." I wave to her before climbing the flights of stairs leading up to the attic. I collapsed on my bed and drifted off to sleep finally.