Political Love

The necklace Chapter 4

Alison POV:

My birthday party wrapped up about an hour ago. I'm in my bathroom, twisting my hair into curls while FaceTiming my sister. It's 8 PM here, which means it's late at night on her end, but we both seem to be caught up in our night routines. Her face, framed by the soft light of her room, looks a bit blurry as she fiddles with her hair.

"So he kissed you?" She asks again, her voice tinged with both curiosity and concern as she carefully wraps her hair with a comb.

"Yes, he kissed me," I repeat, feeling a mix of emotions stir inside me. It's been a confusing day, and I'm still processing the events from the party.

"Did it feel... nice?" she inquires, her tone wavering between hesitant and intrigued. I can sense she's grappling with whether to be supportive or appalled by the situation.

"I think I'm being used here," I say, my voice heavy with frustration. "Daniel and Lucas are at it—deeply. They're playing mind games, and I'm stuck in the middle, pretending I don't understand what's happening."

I watch her face on my phone, her expression shifting as she processes my words. She chuckles lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "I take that as a yes," she says with a small, knowing smile.

"But Daniel is like an older brother to you," she continues, trying to reassure me. "He adores you. Look at that necklace he gave you. He's a spectacular man. Daniel wouldn't try to play games with you."

Her words offer a bit of comfort, but they don't entirely alleviate my unease. I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, the curls of my hair framing my face, and think about the way Lucas's kiss felt—strange and electrifying all at once. Despite the tension and the rivalry between Lucas and Daniel, there was something about that kiss that stirred something inside me.

"Maybe," I reply, my voice softening. "But it feels like I'm just a pawn in their game. I don't even know where I stand anymore."

My sister's expression softens with concern. "Just be careful, Alison. You're caught between two strong personalities, and it's not fair to you."

I nod, even though she can't see me clearly. "I know. Thanks for listening. I just needed to talk it out."

As I end the call, I sit on the edge of the bathtub, staring at the steam rising from the hot water. The day's events replay in my mind, each moment tangled with confusion and unease. I reach for the small bottle of curl cream on the counter, trying to focus on the simple task of perfecting my curls. But my thoughts keep drifting back to the kiss, the competition between Daniel and Lucas, and the growing realization that my life might be more complicated than I ever imagined.

I take in my sister's words as I start pinning back my curls. There's a part of me that knows she doesn't fully grasp what I'm dealing with. Daniel as a protective older brother? Her idea of him as a hero feels almost like a fairytale, but it doesn't align with my reality.

"Was Daniel ever... too possessive with you?" I ask, trying to understand her perspective, hoping for some clarity.

She hums thoughtfully, her face lighting up with a nostalgic smile. "Yeah, he was. I actually enjoyed it. I guess it's coming in clutch for you now, him being that big brother figure, protecting you from Lucas."

I roll my eyes at her romanticized view of Daniel, finding it hard to see him in such a heroic light. "I don't need protection from Lucas," I mumble, more to myself as I start to put my hair into my silk bonnet.

"So..." My sister trails off, her tone shifting as she seems to consider something deeply. Her eyes lock with mine through the FaceTime screen. "Did he... talk about me?"