Tongues Twisted

01 - Crystal

I roll around in my sleep as Abby tries to wake me up.

"You better get up right now or you're gonna be late for work"
She threatens me. I open my eyes to see her crossing her arms and standing at the end of my bed.

"Right"
I mumble, half asleep.

"Yeah, and also..."
She starts as I sit up and she sits down beside me.

"Also?"
I ask, turning to her.

"Alan came back"
She says, a knowing smirk on her face.

Ahh finally, he's back from Florence. He's been gone for two weeks already. He said he'd be gone for two days, which turned into a week and then into two weeks.

I smile wide at her before getting off the bed.

"I have an idea"
She says, also getting off the bed.

"I'm all ears"
I reply as I start to make my bed.

"Since it's your birthday soon"
I finish making my bed. I tie my hair into a ponytail.

"Yeah?"
I say, taking a sip of water.

"I think you should confess to him"
She says a bit hesitantly.

I almost choke on my water. I put the bottle down and look at her. I walk up to her and hug her.

"We both know that's not going to happen."
I say, letting go of her.

"Come on, you've been keeping it to yourself for what, two years now?"
She groans in annoyance and sits down on the bed again.

I sit beside her.

"Yeah, two years"
I say, looking down and fidgeting with my nails.

I've been in love with him for two years by now. And I haven't told him. Because, well it would be awkward if I told him and he didn't feel the same.

I really can't risk that

"I know you've told me why you don't want to tell him. But don't you think he at least needs to know? Or how about th-"

I cut her off

"We've been through this, Abby"
I sigh

"Just hear me out, alright?"

She places a hand under my chin and tilts my head upwards to meet her eyes. I nod, telling her to continue.

"Since it's your birthday, he can't say no to you. Even if he does, which I'm a hundred percent sure he isn't going to do, the least he can do is not make it awkward"
She says, all in one breath

"Well, you are kinda right but still"
I say, fidgeting with my nails again

"But still?"
She tilts my head upwards again

"I don't want Chase to know. When he rejects me, obviously Chase will also find out. And he'll definitely be mad at me for being in love with Alan" I say, kinda hesitantly as I stand up.

"He can't be mad at you for being in love with someone" She frowns

I'm about to answer when I hear someone clear their throat behind us. I turn to the door to see Chase. My eyes slightly widen as I realise that he's overheard our conversation.