The Ghost In My Apartment

Ch. 12 Gone

Zoey's POV

"So, why didn't you want to come home?" Ali asked as she shut the door.

"I saw you and Colby at the mall. I didn't feel like being the third wheel. Plus, Nikoda seems cool."

"What? Is she like your girlfriend now?" Ali laid down on her bed and rubbed her face.

"Are you jealous?" May as well ask. I didn't see much of a reaction earlier.

Her eyes shot open. "W-what? No! Why would I be?" Damn, well... maybe she's lying?

"So, you wouldn't care if I asked her out?" I looked down, praying she'd care.

"N-no..." She whispered.

"And if I asked you? You'd say no?"

There was dead silence. I looked at her to find her already looking at me. My heart was pounding. Her mouth opened and closed. I desperately wanted to kiss her, but her silence gave me the answer I needed. I stood up and she grabbed my arm preventing me from leaving. Her grip was tight.

"Sleep here tonight? Please?" She spoke shyly.

I looked at her again and nodded. I wordlessly laid next to her. I kept my gaze at the ceiling. This is some new kind of torture.

"Don't be afraid to say no. At least tell me, so I can try to move on. I just want the truth."

Alison reached over and turned my head to face her. "I didn't say no for a reason..... I'm just....not so sure I'd say yes either.... I have a lot on my mind..."

She placed a soft kiss on my lips. I felt myself melt. Before she got a chance to move away, I pulled her back in. I climbed on top of her not breaking the kiss. I was trying my hardest to hold myself back from going any further, but this was painful. I trailed kisses down and back up her neck, knowing this made her weak last time. Sure enough, she moaned ever so slightly. I stopped myself before getting carried away.

"I'm... not sure I can control myself.... sleeping in the same bed as you. Especially, when you keep giving me mixed signals." I said breathlessly.

She stayed silent. I got off of her and went to the guest room, which was technically my room. It wasn't the same at all. It was cold. Lonely.

Around 4 am I heard a knock at the front door. I didn't want Alison to wake up, so I snuck my way over.

"Nikoda? What're you doing here?" I said after opening the door.

"Sorry.... I don't know why I'm here." She was soaked. It was raining pretty heavily outside.

"Are you okay?"

"My parents came home early from their trip. We had a fight. I don't know why I came here. Sorry I woke you." She said about to leave.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. "No, come in. I'll make you some hot chocolate."

"Thanks." She said setting the mug down.

"No problem. Here I have a few clothes you could use." I said walking over to my closet.

"Oh, no you don't have to."

"I insist."

After she changed I prepared myself a pillow and blanket.

"You can sleep here, I'll go to the couch."

"What? No, I could take the couch. I've slept on them many times before anyway."

"Even more of a reason for you to sleep here." I said.

"Well.... I don't mind if you sleep with me..... as long as you don't mind either."

"I don't mind."

We both got into bed and stared at eachother for a while. Suddenly, she ended up kissing me. I immediately pushed her away.

"Sorry, I know I'm out of line." Nikoda sighed. "I've just been having such a shitty life recently. You are actually the first person to make me smile and feel happy in a long time."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure you'll find someone, but my hearts already taken."

She gave me a small smile. "I know. You two are meant to be. I'm sure my brother knows that as well. I hope we can still be friends though."

"Of course." I smiled.

I woke up to a note instead of Nikoda.

Thanks for letting me stay for the night. I left before Alison woke up ;) I may have overstepped my boundaries but I'm glad we resolved things. You should call me! I expect updates. ;)
-Koda

"Zoe?" I heard Alison's voice.

I don't know why, it's not like me liking Alison is a secret, but I still hid the note.

"Yeah?"

"We should-." As she sat down she heard the crumple of the paper.

"What's this?" She asked as I tried to snatch it away. She moved it out of my reach.

"N-nothing!" How embarrassing.

"It sure looks like something! Was Nikoda here last night?" I don't know why her voice was rising.

"Yeah, her parents kicked her out. I didn't think you'd mind."

"What did you to do?"

"Noth-."

"Don't say nothing! That's bullshit. Why are there winky faces and a mention of 'overstepping boundaries'?" She yelled.

"S-She kissed me, but I pushed her away I swear! You're reading the situation all wrong! Why do you even care! You clearly don't like me!"

Tears were in her eyes. "Zoey. I'm dealing with so much confusion right now! The fact that I kiss Colby and feel nothing compared to when I kiss you! I feel uncomfortable every time he touches me because he's not you! And here you are making out with someone you barely even met! You're the one who clearly doesn't like me!" She tried yelling through her cries.

"Alison, it's not like that! We didn't make out! I don't like her I like you!" I was on the verge of crying as well.

She shook her head. "You know what? I give up. I hate you! How could you do this to me?!  Make me fall for you?! Make me question everything for you?! Only for you to-!" She cut her self off. "Go! I hate you!"

"No, no! Ali, please listen to me! You don't know what you're doing!" I tried to reach out to her, but she shoved me away.

"Go! I never want to see you again!"

"Alison, please!" I begged, drowning in my own tears. "If you say things things, I-."

"Just go! You were never even real to begin with!" She screamed.

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Alison's POV

After not hearing a response from Zoey for over a minute, not even her cries, I looked up. She was nowhere in sight.

"Z-Zoey?" Nothing but silence. Who am I kidding? It's probably best for us to be alone right now. I can't help but feel like this is my fault for not confessing sooner. She wasn't going to wait for me forever... and now.... she's gone.