Emison: Promises

Chapter 29: Happy Ending (Lake house pt2)

Alison's POV

'' You know as in...'' he trails off

'' Aria. I don't know why I didn't figure it out earlier! I'm so sorry! I'm a terrible friend!'' I exclaim

'' Hey no, Alison, that's not true. You aren't a terrible friend. Its not your fault. I didn't tell you.'' He reassured me

'' This isn't what matters right now'' I realise '' so you have feelings for Aria, huh?'' he just nods and walks to his bed and slumps down on it.

'' Hey it's ok...'' I say sitting next to him patting his back softly

He rolls over and stares at me '' It's not ok Al... she's with someone else... someone who clearly makes her happy, someone I clearly can't compete with. And I hate myself so much for letting her just slip away. She's right there, Al. I had her at the tip of my fingers and I lost her and I kept fighting to win her back but to no use...'' his voice breaks as he sits up, his back against the headrest

I have nothing to say. I mean she's dating my brother, who is turning out to be a good guy. I can't argue with Noel.

'' I'm sorry Noel and don't hate yourself. You did everything you could. You tried. That's more than most'' I finally say moving up next to him on the bed'' I wish I could help... But there's loads of girls out there and we're still young, this isn't the end of your life! Trust me'' I attempt

'' I know but it just hurts so much Al...'' he lays his head on my shoulder

'' I know sweetie... But it'll get better. It doesn't seem like it right now but in time the hurt will diminish until its disappeared.'' I reassure him. 

We sit in silence holding hands as I try to soothe him.

'' Alison?''

'' Yeah Noel?''

'' Is this how it felt when Emily said no the first time?''

'' Well, it definitely felt like my heart had been tossed out, like it was me who had failed her, like it was my fault, which it kinda was though let's be honest... It hurt to even just think of her. I felt like a broken record. My heart just breaking over and over and over and over again'' I sigh the memories of the pain hitting me

'' How did you get past it?''

'' I never did...'' I admit '' For those first weeks I was back I cried myself to sleep most nights or I would go to the Kissing Rock and imagine life if I had never been so mean. I would imagine her and I going out on dates, watching the sunset, how it would feel to wake up in her arms. I blamed myself, I knew and know now that I am the reason we weren't together and back then thought we never would be''

'' Wow... I didn't know''

'' That's cause I never told you'' I smile down at him

We keep talking all night. Some times we say stupid things, we look back and laugh. Sometimes we have deep conversations, both of us on the verge of tears or crying ( yes I cried OK? deal with it! I'm a changed person). And sometimes we just sit there cuddling and enjoying each other's presence.

It was nice. He's my best friend and I can't stand to see him hurt. He's tried so hard to change, just like me. But so far to no avail. No one has really noticed and a lot of people still throw him shade for his past. And I don't get it. They've forgiven me and I used to be way meaner than him.

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Emily's POV