Caught Up // Jimmy Butler

Chapter 11

Allison woke up the next morning in a haze. Not a drunken haze like she was used to, it was more of a 'rested' haze. She turned over and felt a strange déjà vu as she saw Jimmy's face sound asleep on the pillow next to her.

"Oh my god!" She let out, startling Jimmy who suddenly was woken up.

"What?" He asked, confusion falling over him.

"Oh my god."

"Allison!" Jimmy exclaimed, "What is goin on?"

"I shouldn't have let this happen." She mumbled, hiding her face in her hands.

"Look," Jimmy began taking a deep breath, "It's gonna be okay, just tell me what you want?" He asked sincerely.

"Wait, wait?" Allison said, "Jimmy, I don't want you to do anything, this was my own doing." She breathed, "It's just this wasn't a part of the plan".

"What?" He questioned, "What plan?"

"My plan," Allison said, "This wasn't supposed to be the way that things were gonna get better."

"Why does there have to be plan at all?" Jimmy wondered.

"Because there's supposed to be a specific way this was supposed to go so that when we got back together it was gonna work and this just messes everything up." She said frantically, thinking of answers to the mess she created.

"Hey," Jimmy said calmly, putting his hand on her back in a comforting way, 'Maybe this is just... our way."

"No!" She said breathing heavily, "This isn't-I'm so stupid." She let out, rapidly grabbing her things trying to make a quick exit.

"Wait!" Jimmy called to her, as she began walking towards the door, "C'mon stay, what's the big deal?"

"I just..." she said, calming down slightly, putting one of her hands on his chest and the other on the door handle, "I'm sorry." She whispered before letting her hand drop from him and swinging the door open.

Jimmy didn't even bother this time. He wondered why he even tried anymore, it was always the same damn thing. Maybe he should just quit.

He sighed as he closed the door fully and turned back towards his empty home. It sure did feel empty.

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Allison fidgeted with her keys for a minute before finally unlocking the door to Xander's apartment to see his sprawled out on the couch.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed with a mischievous smile, "what happened with you?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows.

"Oh shut up!" She said, slightly seriously, as she made her way inside.

"Look sorry, I'm just messing around. You okay?" He asked seriously this time.

"I'm fine." She brushed it off with a shrug, "what about you, how's your mom?" She questioned, changing the subject.

"She's...stable...kinda." He breathed, "I don't know, she's awake but not really in the best shape. Ya know she's obviously...not the same yet."

"Aw,  Xan." She frowned, rubbing his back, "it's gonna be okay, at least she's up now you know? It's gonna take her some time."

"Yeah." He sighed, resting his head on her shoulder, "I know. It's just hard to see her like that. But the doctors said she'll be more coherent in a couple weeks so maybe you can come with and see her."

"You got it." She smiled, "you guys know you're like my family?"

"Oh shut it."

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It'd been a couple weeks since her stint with Jimmy and Allison was back at work.

As she was yelling out some drills to her new college team, she felt a little sick.

"Aw c'mon coach you not gonna run with us today?" One of the players asked. She was actually really liking her new job. Working with players at the college level was a lot different.

"Nah, sorry guys." She said with her hand on her stomach, " I'm not feeling too good, I think I just ate something bad." She nodded, handing over the rest of practice to her assistant. She was leaving a little early today anyways to go to the hospital with Xander to visit his mom, and she'd be lying if she wasn't a little worried.

She wasn't sure how his mom would be and she didn't want Xander torn up about it.

"Hey Xan, you ready?" She called as she walked into his apartment.

"Yeah I'm coming!" He called from his room.

Waiting patiently, he finally came out and they walked with each other to his car.

"What?" She asked as she saw he had a weird look on his face.

"Nothing," he shook his head as they made their way there, " just don't know what to expect."

"Don't worry, I mean it's gonna take time. Just gotta hope for the best." She assured as they made their way up to her room.

"Hey mom." Xander greeted, "it's me and Alli."

"Oh my sweethearts." His mother swooned, but Allison saw her; she looked so weak and defeated.

"Hey!" Allison said enthusiastically, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek, making his mother smile.

"You know," she said quietly, "I always wished you two would end up together."

"Mom!" Xander shook his head.

"What?!"

"You know we're just friends." He said seriously.

"I know," she sighed, "I'm just saying." She said weakly, "Allison, tell me, how are you doin sweetie?"

They went on like this for a little, small talk. Allison wasn't going to lie, she was feeling really sick she couldn't really focus on the conversation anymore. That chicken she had last not must not be agreeing with her. Taking a deep breath she shakily took a seat, causing the conversation to stop abruptly.

"Hey, you okay?" Xander asked her

"Oh,yeah." She waved it off, "I think I just ate something bad."

"Xander, why don't you get her some water huh?" His mother suggested as Xander just nodded and headed off to the vending machine.

"You're sick?" She asked

"Who knows," Allison shrugged, "I think I just ate something that didn't agree with me."

"Allison, honey." His mother whispered, looking at the door, "Are you pregnant?"

"Whoa, um, what?"