Remember

I can cut the tension with a knife

___
ALLIE MOORE

"Why was Lisa late?" Derek asked, leaning forward his chair.

"Don't know, she never told me and I never asked." I sighed, I just want to go home. "Uhm- Derek, can I ask you something?"

He seemed to smile at the fact I called him by his name before responding.

"Anything, ms Moore."

"Why did you re-open this case? And why are you involved? I mean, a faulty battery car explosion isn't a top priority for the Director, is it?"

He stares at Ethan who's glaring back at him.

"We think that Lisa's death, was more than an accident, and we've suspected things for a while. Things that have no proof. Yet."

"You don't think it was an accident?" I can feel my lungs twist as I fiddle with my sleeve. "It was there. I mean it was? I saw her-"

I turn to look at Ethan who's already looking at me.

"It was an accident? No one would hurt her, right?" I can feel the tears welling in my eyes, but I blink them away.

"Ms Moore, If you told us, in detail, what happend that night it would help us greatly" Director Johnson, urges. "I know it's a touchy subject but-"

"I already told you. I told them everything I knew."

"But you didn't."

"What?"

"That's enough." Ethan stands up and grabs my hand, forcing me up as well."You're not forcing this out of her. Not yet."

"Ethan." Derek warns.

Ethan turns his attention to me and grabs my face in his hand. "Allie, you don't have to talk about it yet, okay?"

All I can manage is a barely audible, "okay."

"Ethan, sit down." Derek demands.

Ethan sits down, and I follow.

He takes a deep breath before continuing.

"Now that we're all calm Allison, you can wait here while Ethan and I have a quick chat in the interrogation room."

I nod and adjust myself on the seat, as Ethan and Director Johnson make their way into the room.

The door opens swiftly, as detective Monroe exists, gives me a quick smile and leaves the office.

The doors slams closed, and I'm left to my own thoughts.

I'm alone for a minute or two when I hear something from the interrogation room.

"You're weak, Ethan! You have to get over this! Over her!" The voice I recognise is Derek's.
"I thought you could handle this!"

"I can't, okay? I can't"
Ethan.

"Yes you can Ethan! Prove it to me that I made the right choice, taking in that boy from California!"

California? Ethan's not from California.

Is he?

After that, I can't hear the rest of the conversation, and I don't think I want to.

"Ma'am you can't just go in-"

the office door bursts open, revealing Veronica and a secretary running behind her.

"Hey Allie!

"Ma'am you can't be in here!"

"But my friend's in here!" She rushes in and elopes me in a big hug.

"Hi, Ronnie." I mumble while hugging her back.

"Miss, I'm afraid you will have to wait outside while you get permission from Director Johnson to go in!" the secretary stands in the door way with her hands on her hips.

"Don't worry, Charlotte" Derek appears at the now opened interrogation room with Ethan standing cowardly behind him. "Miss Veronica Cheng is allowed in."

The secretary's cheeks turn pink as she gives him a slight smile before leaving.

Director Johnson claps his hands together before speaking, "right! Well thank you Miss Moore for coming in!"

I smile weakly and Ethan pops out from behind Derek and looks awkwardly at the ground.

Veronica leans her mouth towards my ear, "what the hell happened? Seriously I can cut the tension with a knife."

I shoot her a look before replying, "you don't wanna know."

"Oh." Her voice changes to a hushed tone, "Ethan drama?"

"you would not believe."
At that, she giggles and I can't help but join her.

Veronica has a way about her that can change the vibe of the whole room. She's our sunshine friend, and when all that stuff hit the fan, she was the one there for me.

"Do you uhm- want a ride?" Ethan asks, scratching his neck.

I nod and mumble a small thank you to Derek as he smiles at me.

Ethan and I head towards the door but before we leave, Derek yells, "and we will be continuing this conversation."

great.
—

"What were you and Derek talking about?"

Ethan and I are back in the SUV when I ask the long awaited question.

He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, "nothing."

"Right." I mumble for turning my attention back to the window.

"why do you straighten your hair?"

the question catches me off guard. "Sorry?"

"Every time I see you now, your hair is straightened and not wavy like it's normally is."

I scoff. "What's your deal?"

This time my question catches him off guard. "What?"

"why do you care?"

He starts to say something but hesitates. "I don't. I dont care."

"Well, good! Because I don't care either."

"Perfect! So we both don't care."

"Seems so!"

a couple minutes pass and we're parked outside my dorm complex, once again.

This time I don't say bye, and close the car door behind me.

"Allie! Wait! I'm sorry!" I hear him call after me.

I keep walking.

"He told me to untangle myself from this!"

At that, I slowly turn around. "What are you talking about?"

"What Johnson asked me in his office. He told me to untangle myself from all this, and I should find another case."

"Maybe that'd be for the best."

"Allie why do you have to make this so hard?"

"Me?" I let out a forced laugh, "I'm making this hard?"

"Thats not what I meant i-"

I scoff and turn back towards my building "See ya, Ethan!"
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