Triple Life (#Wattys2015)

Ch 22

Allison looked at me for a full minute before she scrunched up her nose. "You don't really know the meaning of staying away do you?"

"What do you mean?" I asked her, confused.

"Well, I told you that day to stay away from Adrian if you wanted no trouble but it seems like you are  not heeding my advice." Allison glared at me.

"Excuse me? Advice? Was that an advice?" I asked, finding her choice of words amusing.

"Well, what else did you think it was, Miss. Sweet Freak?" Allison smirked at me.

"Oh, so I am Miss. Sweet Freak again, am I?" I asked humorlessly. "You see, Allison, honestly you can't tell me to shut my mouth when I am working on a play with Adrian. How am I supposed to correct him or help him with no contact whatsoever? All this was done on a professional basis with no friendship or feelings, get it?" I asked in a stern tone.

"Oh yeah? So, now you are trying to justify your actions?" Allison was seething in anger.

I, however managed to remain calm, to my surprise. "I am not justifying anything. I am just telling the truth and being honest. You know, for a girlfriend,  you do seem very insecure."

"What?" Allison took a step closer and gave me a death glare. "Dare to say it again?"

"Of course, I will. Are you a little hard of hearing? I said YOU-SEEM-VERY-INSECURE-" I was cut off when Allison grabbed my dress.

"What the hell?" Michelle screamed.

I held my hand out to keep my friends away. I will deal with Allison alone because this is a problem between Allison and I.

"Allison, by grabbing my dress don't you think that I will get scared of you. If beating me up using your cronies is all you can do, it just shows me how cowardly you are. If you really want to fight with me, come forward yourself and try to be civilized." I all but spat at her face.

"You think I am pathetic, don't you? Oh, Annabelle Wingley, you are so going to regret your words soon." Allison said evilly.

"Allison Grey, let time decide that." I replied back, confidently,

Allison gritted her teeth and stomped away.

I was a little bit shaken but I didn't dare show it outside.

"Belle, are you okay?" Hayley asked me, concernedly.

"Yeah, I am fine guys. Don't worry." I told them, nonchalantly.

"Belle, why did you ever say those stuff? You know you just dug your own grave?" Roxy asked me, looking worried.

"Roxy, if I am scared of Allison, nothing will work. I should stand up for myself. I should let Allison know that it's not so easy to intimidate me though I may seem like that." I told her.

The others just shook their heads. I know that they were thinking, whether I was crazy but I know that everything happens for a reason, whether for good or for bad.

"Let's forget all this and go see the play." I said cheerfully, changing the subject.

*************

The whole cast bowed down to the audience, signalling the end of the play.

I ran up towards the dressing rooms to welcome the cast. The whole crew were in with a cake to surprise the cast.

"Turn the lights off." Stacey whisper-yelled at us.

We hid behind the furniture and curtains. We heard footsteps coming towards the room. Suddenly, the door opened and there were murmurs.