Politico

Jealousy

Emily's POV

It's been a week since I opened my stupid mouth. Alison bidding me farewell were the last words she's spoken to me since then. She refuses the answer my calls and texts. My apologies and attempts to explain myself have fallen on deaf ears.

The reality of what I've done to the situation is beginning to set in. I'm beginning to think that I may have lost her for good this time.

This makes me want to drink. This makes me want to numb my soul to the whirlwind of emotions I'm feeling right now. This makes me feel like the black hole isn't as far away from me as it once was.

As I stare down at my phone, hoping, wishing, hell even praying that Alison will answer one of my texts, I'm quickly redirected to the current situation unfolding in my room.

"Em, stop glaring at your fucking phone. It's time to get ready for tonight" Spencer says forcefully before roughly smacking the back of my head.

"God damnit Spencer you better watch it" I spit back angrily as I rub the back of my head.

"Geez someone's being a grump. Actually" Aria says pausing for a moment, "You've been a grump for a solid week now. All dark and enigmatic. What's that all about?".

"Nothing" I mumble under my breath as I sit down in my makeup chair.

"I'm not letting you off that easily" Spencer warns as she grabs a section of my hair and wraps it around the curling iron.

"She's right" Aria agrees as she lifts up my chin to expose my face to better lighting.

"I just" I say groaning to myself, "I just wish I could live on my own for once. Live for me and no one else".

Aria and Spencer pause for a moment and look at one another, unsure of how to handle the conversation from here.

"Exactly" I snip in response to their facial expressions. "Now can we just get ready so this night can be over with already" I ask sighing heavily.

"We meet again" I whisper to myself as I gaze upon an all to familiar sight looking back at me.

"I should've known that I couldn't keep you at bay for long" I chuckle to myself as I firmly place my hands on the bathroom counter and resume my staring contest with the soulless, dark, and cold figure staring back at me.

It's almost too creepy for words. Once again, I'm dressed in black, glammed up, and dripping in diamonds. If Alison never came into my life, looking at this horrid reflection, feeling this emptiness, and being in this circumstance would feel like any other day. The feeling of feeling nothing in the core of my chest would be my norm.

But now.... now I've tasted the sweetness of being happy.... I know what it feels like to have a steady fire burning in my chest.

And now I know what it feels like to have something wonderful... only to watch it slip right through my fingers.

"Em, baby... Are you ready" Jacob asks from the other side of the bathroom door.

"Yea Em, we're ready to see the final look" Aria says excitedly.

"And your limo is here" Spencer adds in an attempt to hurry me.

"Okay, fine, I'm ready" I groan as I swing open the door to three people instantly letting their jaws hit the floor.

"What? You all hurried me and now I'm ready so let's go" I add feeling even more annoyed.

Jacob, Aria, and Spencer continue to gawk at me in silence, completely entranced, and thoroughly enthralled in the final product.