Where Two Collide

Chapter Eighteen - Alice

Chapter Eighteen

Alice

"Are we done playing?" asked Tia, getting up from the sofa and plopping herself down in Ashton's lap. She swirled strands of her hair around her finger seemingly unaware of both Ashtons bafflement, and pleasure at this sudden turn of events.

I'm silent. I didn't even want to be here, but now here I am. Pissed at my boyfriends seemingly wild escapades with other girls, tired because I haven't slept in a week, and confused as to how Rachel thought this game was going to end. Me being here helped nobody in any way. I sighed to myself. I should have stayed home.

"Nah why stop," said Owen. "It just started getting interesting."

"Alright then," said Ashton grinning at Tia. "Never have I ever fake cried to get what I want."

Tia made a pfft noise. "You tell me how you get your way then, because I mean clearly that's the only way to melt a cold heart."

I leaned back against the sofa, watching their back and forth. Were me and Owen like that in the beginning? I couldn't remember. It hadn't even been that long ago, weren't we still supposed to be in the honeymoon period. I glanced up at him and could see something was brewing beneath the surface. My body tensed all over.

"Never have I ever farted in public and then pretended it wasn't me," Tia said, grinning right back at him.

"I'm feeling personally attacked right now," he said. "Never have I ever had to fake it."

"Huh," said Tia, turning in his lap to face him. "I might need more cocktail for that."

They both burst out laughing. Rachel stood and wandered out of the room, I wondered if I should follow, she was probably upset. Then again if she was angry drunk Rachel and not just upset Rachel, she was known to throw things and I didn't fancy another trip to the hospital.

"Hey Alice," Tia said, pulling me out of my reverie. "Are you coming back to school next week now that you're home?"

"That was the plan," I said. "My parents didn't say anything about keeping me at home. Besides, I haven't run in a week and I'm itching to get out on the track."

"Good, it's been really boring without you," Tia said and then frowned. "What about the amnesia though, won't it be difficult to go to class?"

Owen laughed out loud. "What amnesia?" he said looking at her as if she were stupid. "There's nothing wrong with her, she's completely fine."

Tia looked as confused as she had when she got me earlier. "She couldn't remember getting hit by the car though."

Owen's eyes flicked to mine and I could see a vein popping out at his temple.

"I remember now Tia, it's fine," I said, repeating, "I'm fine."

"Oh good," she said and turned to have a conversation with Ashton.

"Come with me," said Owen. He grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me forcefully from my seat.

"Let go Owen, I can walk myself," I squeaked at him as he continued to drag me from the room and into a nearby office.

It must have been Dan's dads. It was decorated in that dark mahogany wood furniture and the walls were plastered with photos of what I assumed were his college days. Lots of frat party and group shots. There sure was a lot for someone in their forties.

Owen let go of my wrist and shut the door behind us. He didn't bother to turn the light on, and with the door closed, his face was lit only by the orange glow of the streetlights shining through the windows.