Emison: Alison's Christmas Wish

Chapter 2

"Em, is everything okay? Did Alison say something to you?" Paige asks. Emily nods her head, "I'm fine." She says, trying to conceal her conflicting feelings. She walks over to the table and sits down. She takes a deep breath and isn't sure how to process what just happened. 'Alison just told me that she loved me, she was in love with me. Jesus, Alison. Am I supposed to believe you now?' Emily thinks to herself.

"Here." Paige says, scooting the box in Emily's direction. Despite staring right at the box, Emily didn't pick it up right away. "Em?" Paige says, snapping Emily out of her daze.

"What?" Emily says.

"What were you just thinking about?" Paige asks. Emily smiles, hoping Paige won't ask anymore questions.

"Nothing you have to worry about." She says, but even she's not confident about that. She picks up the box and takes the card and reads,

Merry Christmas, Em. Our first Christmas together and

I wanted to get you something special. I know we have had

our rough patches but I'm happy we have made it through it all.

I love you and can't wait to start the new year with you.

Love, Paige.

Emily tears open the wrapping paper and opens the box to find a gold locket. "I know we have the rest of the year but I just wanted to give you this so you know how much I love you, so when we're apart, you can look at this locket and think of me." Paige says, happily.

Emily smiles, but the feeling of guilt remains. She couldn't figure out how to be happy and accepting of such a nice gift when she knows that her heart isn't in this relationship, as much as she would like. She now knows where her heart lies but she is even more confused than she was before.

She gets up and hugs Paige, "Thank you." she says. Paige leans in for a kiss but Emily's face turns just in time for Paige to plant one on her cheek. They both smile, but the feeling of awkwardness that they both have remains.

Emily pulls away but her guilt begins to get the best of her, leaving her breathless. "I'm just going to go get some air." Emily says, a bit choked up, leaving Paige at the table.

"Are you okay?" Paige asks as Emily rushes away. Emily nods, hoping Paige won't follow her. She passes all the other girls and makes eye contact with all three confused faces. She doesn't stop to talk to them because she knows that if she is confused about Alison, they wouldn't know what to do. She felt truly alone in this moment and had to escape.

She makes her way out to the courtyard and breathes in the winter air. But it being Pennsylvania in the middle of December, her nervous high quickly went away as she stood out in the elements.

She takes another deep breath but her bare skin couldn't withstand the cold any longer. She hurries back inside to warm up. She walks to her locker and takes out Alison's gift. She put it in there before school let out, so she wouldn't be tempted to take it to Alison's house if the box just sat in her room. A feeling of frustration flushes over her, leaving her feeling helpless.

What is she supposed to do? She is with a great girl who is truth worthy and loving and she knows she loves her but there's nothing romantic there anymore. Alison is the worst possible choice but Emily's heart will always want her. Emily takes in another deep breath and puts the box back in her locker. She closes it and turns to see Alison waiting for her. "Em?"

Confused and flustered, Emily avoids Alison. "I can't do this, Alison" Emily says, walking away.

"Then when, Emily?"