Crazy Over You

📚 Chapter 31 📚

"Oh," I spot at my tracks when I see Alison outside by herself. She looks at me for a second to see who was there but then looks the other way to wipe her tears. "I, um, sorry," I take a step back and turn around. I didn't mean to walk on her crying. It's just, the surprise birthday party for James was getting a little too much for me that I needed to step out for a few minutes to recharge.

I was going to go back in and find Emma to let her know that I saw her cousin go outside by herself and don't know if she's okay. That way, Emma can go check up on her. They're close after all. If Alison needs anyone to ask how she's doing, it's going to be Emma.

"What do you want?" Alison ask. I can tell by her tone that she's trying to sound normal but it's hard to hide the fact that you were crying.

"Um, to get some fresh air. It was getting a little much for me inside." I confess.

"If you're uncomfortable inside, you can just stay here." Alison offers. She still does no effort to look at me.

"No, that's okay. I can--" I shut my mouth for a second to think about it. She may not be okay but doesn't mean she doesn't want to be alone. "Thanks. You saved me the trouble of finding another place." I try to lighten the mood which does nothing as the only sound is the music inside the house that belongs to Kevin.

About a week passed since my conversations with my brothers in the kitchen. They have been keeping an eye out, or so they've told me. I keep having fights with my own mind but the war is between my heart and mind. I am just stuck in the crossfire, trying to survive what they throw at each other.

I take a seat next to Alison. She's wearing a Santa hat, an ugly sweater as that was the theme for James's surprise birthday party. Black legging with matching shoes. Her ember hair is in a beautiful braid with some pins that are Christmas related.

I look away, not wanting to be caught staring or make her feel uncomfortable. Compare to her, I'm also in an ugly sweater that's matching James's because I was able to trick him into wanting to get one for the party without him getting suspicious. I'm wearing high waist jeans with black shoes. My hair is into two braids while also wearing a Christmas hat. It's kind of funny because not much is different but many could point out many different things about us.

It quiet between us but I hear her and chose to pretend I don't until she exhales. "Cally?"

"Hm?"

"How do we pronounce your name?" It's random but I don't mind answering if it's to distract her from what she's going through.

"Ca-lis-ta. Callista. But I prefer Cally." I confess.

"Callista?" Alison finally looks at me. I give her a nod to let her know she said it right. "If you prefer Cally, why is it that James is the only person I have ever heard say your actual name?"

"I ask myself the same question." I admit.

"... You and your brothers all have weird names." I couldn't help but laugh at her comment.

"I know but there are kids that have it worst than us so we're grateful." I shrugged as there isn't much to say about it.

"Can I ask a question?" Alison looks up at the sky that are slowly getting hidden behind clouds.

"Yeah, go for it." I assure softly, also looking up.

"How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Win James over?" I'm surprised by her question. Did she like James? When I looked at her, I found her already starring at me but her eyes told me that she's curious while being in pain. "Wasn't he in love with Emma? Weren't they a thing?"