Tearing Apart

FAMILY GATHERING

Ally arrived late as usual to the infamous annual family gathering her mom's side of the family organized every fucking year. She hated it. It was a constant parade of egos. A nauseating dick contest wrapped up into an open bar and awful karaoke music. But she loved her mom, so she always ended up going anyway.

She hadn't told Gus about the party. Mainly because it was something she despised, and also, because she was wary he'd run to the hills if he got to meet her crazy family. But a part of her was feeling weird and uncomfortable, like something else was wrong with her conscious decision of leaving him out of this.

-Cousin! – Her annoying cousin Diane rushed to her with a fake smile plastered on her face and her two devilish kids in tow – It's been ages! How are you?

She kissed her cheek leaving a big smudge of red lipstick on Ally's face, which she immediately proceeded to rub away.

-Good Diane, thanks! I hope you are too– she forced herself to smile – And if you excuse me, it was a long drive and I'm very thirsty, so I'm going to raid the bar.

She patted each of her brats on the head and made her way to the bartender and ordered herself a double tequila shot.

She sat on a stool and started looking around while sipping slowly. She noticed her parents and the rest of her family talking eagerly around. She hadn't even greeted them.

She knew she'd have to soon, along with most of the big crowd around. But she needed her liquid confidence first, so she ordered herself another one, hoping it would talk her into just going there, shaking some hands, giving out some kisses and side hugs.... and getting done with it already.

-Having fun as always, Ally? – Serge, one of the few cousins she genuinely liked, leaned on the counter beside her, sipping a beer.

He was wearing his long golden hair down with a simple black shirt and black pants. He got the looks from his father, Ally's uncle. Ally would've maybe liked to have inherited her mother's side golden hair, but hers was simply light brown. She'd dyed it red or black several times, but when she got tired of it, she just went back to her normal shade.

-You know me- she grinned at him- When it comes to fake affection, there's only so much I can take... Have you already greeted everyone?

-Nope... I was doing exactly the same as you are

-Wanna go together? – she offered- It will be easier... they won't ask that many questions if we are both there to split their attention.

-Look at us!- he smiled- The black sheep of the family teaming up again! Well thought! Let's do it.

He offered her his arm and Ally took it, along with the last swig of her shot, and they walked up to the crowd.

Three hours later, she was cozily tipsy back in the bar, chatting nonsense with Serge and her siblings Adam, Amy and Anna... Yes, her parents had a weird fetish or something with all of their children's names starting with the same first letter.

They were having a blast, now that almost all the crowd had dissipated, until Diane came lurking from behind Serge.

-Hey cousins! What are you up to?- She plopped her ass on a stool and turned around smiling

-Not much... - Adam started talking about his engineering internship and Ally looked at him beaming, she was so proud of her baby brother!

He went like that for a while, explaining a little about everything he was doing and working at

-Well, boring- Diane interrupted at some point. Yawning and turning her attention to Ally

-So Ally, you're still single, right?

Ally rolled her eyes – Right, so?

She knew why she was doing this though, ever since she got herself pregnant at seventeen and had to marry Rick, she'd been constantly trying to belittle anyone who was just not as miserable as her.

-Poor thing- she cooed- Aren't you at least dating someone?

-Nope- Ally answered and she turned to the floor feeling suddenly very guilty about denying Gus's existence. But also determined to not indulge the nosy bitch

She excused herself and went to the bathroom, feeling suddenly homesick. And by homesick she meant Gus's arms. Standing in front of the sink, she fought the urge to call him.

Thankfully when she got out everyone was saying their last goodbyes, including Diane.

That night at her parent's place as they prepared to go to bed, Amy turned to look at her

-Ally?- She started, making Anna perk up too from her bed

-Yeah? What is it?

Amy bit her lip thoughtfully – You told Diane you weren't dating anyone... but you also said before there was this guy... So, why would you lie?

Ally breathed deeply. After a few months she'd finally told her family about her breakup with Marvin and a bit later, when they'd asked, she'd told them simply she was dating someone and that was it. She hadn't even told them his name. For some reason she still wanted to keep it a secret, at least for now.

-Cause I hate Diane and she needs to mind her own business, I don't want her intruding in my private life – Ally sighed

-But Ally! When are we going to meet your mysterious guy? - Anna clapped eagerly from her bed.

-I don't know... – she hesitated. After what had happened with Marvin she was unsure she'd ever want to bring home anyone else- When I'm certain he's the one... I guess

-Is there any reason that indicates he might not be THE ONE?- Amy inquired with her eyebrow raised

-I don't know- she murmured lost in her thoughts

But there was a little something that had started bothering her for a while now.