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Stops & Sisters

Alternative
Chapter 11

I didn't waste another second before I took off for the first floor, I didn't want to have to worry about food so I planned on going to the cafeteria to get some prepackaged food.

I waited in the elevator for a few seconds, I kept pressing the close button but for some reason it would not close.

I stepped forward to press it one last time when a hand gripped the side of the elevator to keep it from not shutting.

I didn't even bother looking up, but instead I stepped back into the corner and kept my head down.

"Where are you going, dear?"

My stomach sank, it took me a couple seconds to realize what was happening.

Alan was still here.

I lifted my head slowly to look at him slightly smiling, like he was proud of himself for catching me before I ran off.

"On the way to the cafeteria," I shrugged, to be honest I was still kind of mad at him. He had lied to me about something, I just don't know what yet.

"Hm.." He hummed, stepping into the elevator and towards me, "so you wouldn't mind if I looked in your bag?"

At this point he knew he had won, so I just stared blankly at him. I'll let him have his fun.

Alan leaned up against me and started to pick through my bag, "I always bring my joggers to the cafeteria, all three of them." He chuckled.

I walked away from him and went to the other side of the elevator, resting up against the opposite wall.

There was an awkward silence and I actually enjoyed it for a bit, that is, before Alan started to talk again.

"Tell me what's wrong, I can't help if I don't know." He reminded me.

"I think you've helped enough, I'm going to go get help somewhere else," I sassed, the elevator door opened and I walked out and made a b-line to the cafeteria.

"Where are you going? Another hospital?" Alan trailed behind, trying to get me to slow down.

I hurried and grabbed a few granola bars and mini boxes of cereal, 3 bananas, and an apple.

I managed to stuff it all in my bag, "I don't know yet, I'll figure it out once I get out of here."

"Why are you being so short with me?" He was beginning to get frustrated with my answering, he's in for it now.

"You lied! That's why!" I shouted, "I trusted you, I really did. But I try to go find you, and you just disappeared!"

Each of my words fueled him to fight back, he was so confused that he didn't know where to start. After I shouted he just stood there, staring back at me.

"What are you talking about, Aspen! I'm right here, I came to find you-"

"I know you're not even checked in here, I went to the third floor." I cut him off.

That seemed to shut him up, he shifted his weight and pulled me aside to the wall in the lobby.

"Please, just listen to me for a minute," Alan pleaded, he placed my smaller hand in between his own, "I don't need to be here anymore, I was staying here for you."