Allison
I slipped into my room, closing the door softly behind me. I lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as my mind replayed the events of the past hour. A sly smile crept onto my face, and my body trembled with excitement. I curled up, wrapping my arms around myself, and let out a contented sigh. Before I knew it, exhaustion caught up with me, and I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. I went through my morning routine, brushing my teeth and washing my face. As I headed downstairs, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted up, making my stomach growl with hunger. Just as I reached the bottom step, my phone chimed, signaling an incoming message. I pulled it out to see a text from Colby.
“Are you going to talk about what happened yesterday?” his message read. “I’m still at home, so meet up with me before I leave.”
I typed out a quick response. “Where are you off to?”
Colby replied within seconds. “I’m meeting up with some friends for drinks. They’re stoked I’m back.”
I typed out a response, “Alright, I’ll be right out.”
He replied, “Can you come to the window?”
I went back upstairs to my room, walked over to the window, and pushed aside the curtain. “I’m there, where are you?” I asked.
Colby replied, “I can see you, actually.” I scanned the window, but he wasn’t there.
“Colby! You just made me waste my time,” I sent, rolling my eyes.
He replied, alongside a laughing emoji. “I’m waiting for you in my place. Don’t make me wait.”
I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit annoyed. “How dare you?” I messaged him, but he just sent another laughing emoji.
I checked my dressing, making sure I was presentable, and headed downstairs. My mom was already arranging breakfast at the dining table.
“Hey, where are you off to?” she asked.
“I’ll be right back. I want to go see Colby,” I replied.
Mom raised an eyebrow. “Colby, huh?” She paused for a moment, then added, “Come here, let me ask you something.”
I walked over to her, curiosity piqued. “What is it, Mom?” I asked.
“What’s going on with you and Colby?” she asked, her face serious.
“What do you mean?” I replied, irritation creeping into my voice. “There’s nothing going on between me and that guy.”
“Hmm… Are you serious?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Ugh! Yes, Mom, I’m serious. Nothing is going on between me and Colby,” I insisted. “He’s just a friend… a friend, that’s all.”
Mom shot me a skeptical look. “Oh, please. Stop kidding me. I know you like him.”
“Ugh, I don’t like him, Mom!” I said, exasperated.
“Does he like you, though? Has he ever asked you out?” she pressed.
“How do you even know that, Mom?” I asked, shaking my head. “Anyway, I don’t care if he asked me out or not. I just don’t like him.”
Mom’s expression turned playful. “So, he has asked you out, then? I knew it! I knew that handsome young man had guts.”
“Mom, please,” I groaned, rubbing my forehead in frustration. “You’re killing me here.”
“Allison, I think you should accept him before some other girl snatches him up.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t even care if a girl snatches him. I don’t like him, Mom. Don’t you get it?”
“Well, why don’t you just… you know, give him a chance?” she asked, awkwardly smiling.
“Never,” I snarled, glaring at her. “Actually, there is a girl who’s going to snatch him anyway.”
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What? Who?”
Her expression turned dramatic. “I’ll have to yank her eyes out or snap her legs so she won’t stare or chase after him.”
“Mom!” I chuckled. “Seriously, stop being so dramatic.”
“So, the girl-who is she?” Mom asked softly, now looking serious.
“You know her, Mom,” I replied.
“I know her?” She looked so confused. “Can you give me a clue? Anything?”
“She’s your daughter,” I said flatly.
“My daughter?” she whispered, her eyes widening as realization hit her. “You?!”
“Not me,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “Have you forgotten you have a daughter named Sally? And I already told you I don’t even like Colby. How could you still not get it?”
Silence only hung in the air. No words from my mom like she had just lost the ability to speak. I continued further since I couldn’t even control this damn anger!
“You don’t remember you have a daughter called Sally, or what? Do you think I’m your only daughter now?” I asked, confusion etched on my face.
She looked away, her eyes avoiding mine. She fidgeted with her hands, and I sensed a hint of nervousness.
“Mom, is there anything you’re hiding from me? Is there something you want to tell me? I don’t understand your behavior towards Sally lately. What happened?” I pressed, my curiosity piqued.
Mom’s gaze met mine, and I saw a flicker of uncertainty. “Do you trust her?” she asked, her voice low.
“Who? Sally?” I replied, my brow furrowing.
“Yes, Sally, your sister,” she nodded. “Should I even call her that?” she muttered, her eyes clouding over.
“Yes because, why not? And what’s the nonsense you keep saying. I don’t understand you. Are you saying I shouldn’t call her my sister now?*
Mom’s expression turned grave. “Sally is hiding something from us.”
“What is it?” I asked, tilting my head a bit, my eyes almost widening out of curiosity.
She hesitated, her lips trembling. “I… I don’t think I can say. It scares me. When I found out… You know what? I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Just go to Colby. He wants to see you, right? Go to him already.”
A surge of frustration hit me. “Mom, please, you can tell me anything.”
But she shook her head. “No, I won’t. You should go now.”
I sighed, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions: confusion, anxiety, and curiosity. As I left the room, my mind raced, What the hell could she have to make me feel this anxious and curious for no reason?