Jc Caylen's Little Sister

5

when i finally had the courage to go downstairs, all eyes were on me. i sunk into the couch, wishing i could just disappear.

jc grabbed my hand, pulling me onto the porch. i sighed knowing exactly where this conversation was going to go.

"kian told me what happened. alli, why did you do that to yourself? let him beat up on you like that?" he asked. i shrugged.

"i don't deserve better. it was my fault anyways. i always made him mad, and i knew he had a short temper," i replied. he shook his head.

"no. allison danielle, don't you ever say that. ever again. nobody should hit you, ever," he reprimanded me. i nodded.

he pulled me into a tight hug, not letting me go. it was kind of weird having someone to lean on this much. i could never confide in my parents or dylan this much. it was a nice change.

as we headed inside, everyone tried not to stare. but i knew how hard it was. they all wanted to ask if i was okay and about what happened, but it was just too soon.

i sat inbetween kian and jc, my knees hugged tightly to my chest. so much was happening and in such a small amount of time. i wish everything would just slow down.

but nothing would ever slow down. life is moving at a speed ill never be able to catch up to. so i had two options. to keep walking or to start running.

//

i went to bed around nine o'clock that night. i really couldn't be bothered. i just wanted to be alone, and sleep away all the pain i had encountered today.

i didn't sleep that long, until i woke up. i was dreaming, but it was awful. the whole situation with dylan kept replaying over and over.

when i finally woke up, i thought i would cry. but i just sat there, my head between my knees and my breathing heavy.

i got out of bed to go to jc's room, but his light was out. i didn't want to bother him. i knew he woke up early this morning.

kian's room was right next door, and i could see the light shining from under the door. i knocked lightly, waiting only a few seconds before a shirtless kian opened the door.

"hey alli," he smiled, opening his door further. i just wrapped my arms around his torso, hugging him tightly. his arms wrapped around me tightly, almost protectively.

"i never really got to say thank you. i was so shocked and overwhelmed, that i never said it. i should have said it immediately. you saved me, kian," i whispered.

"what was i gonna do? leave you there? no. alli, we haven't known eachother long, but i feel so close with you. i was so scared. i kept calling your name, but you wouldn't answer. you wouldn't move," he replied, his hands rubbing my back as they had earlier today.

"i was screaming before you came in. i didn't know you were home. i was hoping the neighbors would hear, but i'm really glad you were home."

"i beat him up. i don't know if that was right, but seeing him on top of you like that. i had to." i nodded in response.

he led me to his bed, where he laid down. i rested my back against his headboard. he looked up at me.

"i want to know more about you," he told me. i nodded, smiling a bit.

"okay, then ask whatever you want. but i expext an answer from you as well." he nodded.

"what's your favorite plant?" he asked. i laughed.

"i know it's expected that i say daisies or sunflowers, but i really like snow plants. i love the irony of them. they're these red plants that grow in yosemite. not the most attractive, but beautiful in their irony," i replied. he smiled.

"i like roses. i like the fact that something so beautiful can also be so dangerous," he added.

we continued for a while, asking really random questions and somehow finding a deeper meaning within them. it was actually really fun.

"what do you want to do when you get older? like career wise?" i smiled.

"i'm starting classes in the fall to earn my bachelors in early childhood education. i want to teach kindergarten. i wish i was going to actual school, but this is okay," i shrugged.

"well why don't you? go to regular school that is," he continued. i sighed.

"i had a full soccer scholarship to ucla, but they took away my scholarship when i tore my acl during summer league right before senior year. it took me until march to fully recover and it was too late at that point. the schools i like had full rosters."

"well maybe this is better? you can get through things quicker, and in the end, get a job faster." i nodded.

"yeah i was thinking the same thing. maybe its a hidden blessing, who knows," i smiled.

"kind of like you," he whispered. i raised my eyebrows, but he shook his head.

"what do you mean?" i asked. he smiled, his fingers tracing patterns on my knee.

"you were missing for like fifteen years. nobody expected you to come back, nobody was prepared for it. but it just happened, and now everyone is so much happier. especially jc, me, and your mom." i smiled.

"i'm happy. i can honestly say i'm happier now than i've ever been. happier than i thought was possible at my parents house. nancy and dave's house, sorry. i feel like i have endless opportunities here. my options are endless," i smiled, and so did kian.

"they are. the world is in the palm of your hand. its your world and we're only living in it. everything is up to you."

kian was right. i need to take advantage of all the opportunities i had now. even if they were moving too quickly. i had to remember that i chose to start running.