PRETTY Little LOVE (emison fanfic)

Chapter 7: @The_Bedroom

Alison's pov

I shouldn't be here.

I sure talked myself out of opening that car's door, but here I am at Emily's porch debating with myself whether I trespass and try to open the door or not. Heck!...I'm on the damn porch, I'm already trespassing.

"Alison?!"

I turned to see Hanna call out from her car. Great! I got caught creeping in Emily's porch. Before I make myself look even more desperate than I already appear, I inhaled a deep breath and walked towards Hanna.

"Lurk much at Emily's front door?" Hanna teased.

"Shut up... where are you off to?"

"At Aria's studio... I'm the first to book it for a photoshoot... You? Don't tell me you'll spend your day snooping at Fort Fields..."

"I am not snooping..." I said a little defensively. I just hate it when I'm being grilled on the spot. "I was on my way to get some supplies in the gallery when I kinda saw someone in there,"

"Uh-huh...it's obviously unoccupied for ages, it's probably just some kids loitering... hop in and I'll drive you in the gallery... before you end up climbing Emily's balcony,"

"Hanna,..."

She can really be so annoying, but I stepped in her car anyway. I just hope she'll zip her big mouth already, I kinda feel embarrassed talking about my little excursion.

"So how's the painting going on...sell any art lately?" Hanna asked as she took a turn driving away from Emily's street.

"It's good...and yes, I get to sell my artwork...who knows I get to save and open my own gallery,"

"Don't you have a cushy trust fund to do that already?"

"Not anymore... Jason needed both of our trust fund to save the company from bankruptcy, and he's still struggling with dad... Its the only way I know I can help, because I really have no idea how to run a multi million realty and property development business..."

"Well, it won't be hard for you to earn all that money back, you're a gifted artist,"

"How do you know?... you're never a big fan of my paintings and drawings," my eyebrow shot up in a curve at Hanna's remark of me being a gifted artist.

"Yeah, true...they're crappy and I don't get them... but you're my friend and I believe in you, so..."

"Wow... thanks for the vote of confidence there, Han" that made me shook my head in amusement.

"You're welcome!"

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Emily's pov

You're welcome... Thank you... Happy anniversary... Happy birthday...

I read as I dug in a dusty, boxful of notes, cards and letters. I found myself inside this house that used to be my home minutes after I had a conversation with Toby. I'm sure I caught him by surprise in twisting his arm, I didn't mean to hurt him...guess, I just got used to anticipating attack and being ready to defend myself.

I found this box lying around on the floor of what used to be the living room. There are a few furniture covered in cloth, other things are just lying scattered, tumbled around. The place is really dusty and full of cobwebs. Two windows on either side are broken, a few empty beer cans and emptybbags of chips also lie on the floor, and numerous holes on the wall.

I found nothing else interesting in the box so I just left it there, and rounded up the dining area then onto the kitchen. As I walked around, a feeling of nostalgia crept in my chest, but nothing seems to pop in my head when it comes to an actual detailed memory. Just a feeling...

There were about three boxes in the kitchen, it appears to be filled with mugs, some chinaware, rusting spoons and forks. If there's a place my parents would keep something, the most logical one would be the bedroom. I honestly think it wouldn't be here, because surely interested parties have already searched this place.

Discreetly...

But a few took a chance on me to find it, trusts me to look not only with eyes, but with my guts, my instincts...my heart. They count on me despite my serious mental block. It's a constant puzzle for me how my parents got involved in all of this...

A cat leaped in front of me that made me step back, crouch and my hand quickly touching the hilt of my switchblade tucked in my left boot. I really need to tone down my caffeine intake, it's making me more jumpy than I already am. The cat was fat and has bicolor eyes, one's blue, the other was brown. I wondered if it's one of them...

I left the cat alone, since it did just the same thing, and went upstairs. The steps creaked as I moved up. I found three doors, and I walked towards the slightly open one on the right. I still don't remember anything specific, but the nostalgia felt even more strong, so damn strong I think I'm hearing voices. Giggling, squealing, whispering indiscernible words, and laugh... uncontrollable, joyful laugh.

My eyes caught a sight of a slight bulge just under the bed foam. I stooped low to see what it was and found an antique snow globe with a little crack at the center. It's not broken, but sure looks fragile. I picked it up to check it out.

The instant I touched it, I saw a flash quick as a snap of the fingers. For a split second, I saw someone blonde wearing a yellow top, standing before me. I can't clearly see the face, only I know it was a girl.

Then, I started to feel a throb from the back of my head crawling it's way to my temples, I knew right here, right now, I'm about to feel nauseous...I found myself sitting on the floor, my back to the bed.

This is the first time since I set foot in this town that something triggered something in my head. I held the snow globe to my chest, closed my eyes and took in steadying breath as I try to gather back at least my senses...if not actual sanity, if there's anything left in this crazy world...

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