Chapter 6: Allison’s P.O.V.
I waved bye to Carson as I pulled out of her driveway and headed down the path back to my house. Snowflakes were falling from the cloudy night sky. When I pushed in the button to turn on the radio, “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter was playing. I couldn’t help but to turn it up and sing along.
I pulled into the gravel driveway in front of my house. All the windows were dark except one that was illuminated by the dim, changing lights of a TV. After slidding out of the car, I inhaled sharply as the cold air settled on my bare skin. Dresses suck ass.
I hastily walked across my yard and went up the stairs onto my porch, pausing and taking a deep breath before opening my front door and entering my pleasantly heated kitchen. Closing the door as quickly and quietly as I could, I carefully headed over to the stairs, trying to make as little noise as possible.
My foot settled on the first step, and then I brought the other one to the second, so far so good. When I put my weight on the third step, it creaked. I quietly groaned.
“Ally?”
“Yeah Dad, it’s me.” I walked back down the steps and into my small living room. The one couch was brown, stained, and held my father.
“Where did you come back from?” His eyes were bloodshot and fixed on the TV. He had a beer bottle, identical to the several empty ones on the coffee table, in his hands.
“I went out,” my words were hard, “Where’s Kelsey?”
“She left too,” he said. That’s a relief. It always makes me nervous when my twelve-year old sister is alone here.
“I’m going to bed,” I stated, turning back to the stairs.
“Wait,” he looked over at me, scowling. “Why are you always out being someone’s whore?” His speech was slightly slurred.
I narrowed my eyes, “I’m not a whore.”
He was standing now. “You sure do act like it,” he looked me up and down, “and dress like it. And what’s that?” He snatched my jacket from where it was slung over my arms and held it up so he could see it. “Is that a wine stain?”
I sent all the hatred I could into my expression and looked him straight in the eye.
“Is it?” His voice was getting louder now.
“I didn’t drink any if that’s what you’re asking,” I said through my teeth.
“Oh, well it’s nice to know that you don’t need to be drunk to do your prostituting.” He said with venom in his voice.
“Hey, at least if I’m a whore I’d have a fucking job unlike you!” I snapped. I turned and started walking away but he roughly grabbed my arm. “Don’t touch me!” I screamed.
“Don’t talk to me like that!" He growled. "You’re such a little bitch!” His grip on my arm got tighter. I tried to twist out of his grasp.
“You’re the one who raised me, Dad!” I yelled in his face. He let go of my arm and slapped me; it made an audible sound. I stepped back and put my hand up to the stinging pain on my cheek; my eyes wide.
As fast as I could, I crossed the room to the kitchen and wrentched the door open as fast as I could with my father on my heels
“Don’t run away from me!” he yelled.
Speeding up my pace, I ran to the car; the faster I could get away from him, the better. With tears rolling down my face, I pulled out of my driveway as quick as I could and drove down the road onto the freeway.
Where should I go? I ran through some names in my head. Jennifer? No, I only hang out with her at parties. Britney? She’s probably out with her new boyfriend. Eric? Things have been kind of wierd with him lately. Its nine o’clock on a Saturday night, every one of my friends are most likely out right now.
Wait, what about Carson? Perfect! I don’t want to bother her, but I think she’ll understand.
My car rolled into her driveway for the second time today. There was another car parked in front of the house, probably her mom.
Before I got out, I looked in the mirror. My mascara had run down my face from when I was crying. I did my best to fix it and slid out of the car. I crossed my arms because of the cold. Why did he have to take my jacket?
I knocked on the door and waited. When there was no reply, I started freaking out. Where is she? My phone was in my jacket pocket, so I couldn’t call her. I can’t go back to my house, my dad would kill me, literally kill me. He was so drunk. My breathing became uneven.
Wait, Carson used to have a spare key, but I haven’t been here in three years. She probably changed her hiding spot. Well, there’s no harm in looking. I checked the little nook behind her mailbox. It was there! I unlocked the door with numb fingers. I hate winter.
When I opened the door, I saw Ryan Ross on the carpeted floor of Carson’s living room with Carson on top of him. They both looked over at me. Carson muttered a curse, looking mortified.
My eyes went wide and I tried to keep from bursting out laughing. “Whoa. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to walk in on you. I didn’t know you guys were intimate.”
Carson jumped up, her eyes huge and her face bright red. “What? No! We weren’t…we’re not…”
I laughed, partially because I was relieved to have something to laugh about, and was joined by Ryan. “Calm down. I was only teasing.”
She relaxed, but still looked a little embarrassed. “Oh. Right.”
My weight shifted from one foot, to the other one.
"So...um, Allison, I'm sorry, but...Why are you here?" Carson asked me breaking the silence that just settled in.
I looked at Ryan, who was staring intently at me, waiting for my answer; maybe they were doing something...
Anyway, I can't tell Ryan what happened, I'm not even sure if I want to tell Carson.
"I, um, didn't want to be sitting at home on a Saturday night," I told them. Carson looked at me skeptically, so I gave her a forced smile which must of been pretty convincing because she let it go.
"Well, we were about to make some hot chocolate," Ryan said.
"Yeah, do you want some?" Carson asked me over her shoulder as she was slowly heading toward the kitchen.
Hot chocolate actually sounds really good right now, considering how cold I was from being outside without pants or a jacket. "Sure," I followed her to the kitchen.
"I'm ganna stay back and make a phone call if you guys don't mind," Ryan said.
"No, go ahead." Carson still sounded a bit uncomfortable.
He went back to the living room. When he was out of sight, I smiled hugely at Carson.
"What?" she asked me, confused by my expression.
"Don't 'what' me, what were you guys doing?" I raised my eyebrows suggestively.
Her face turned a bit pink. "Nothing. We weren't doing anything," she mumbled avoiding my eyes.
"Sure...Then why is he here?" I questioned.
"He wanted to go on a walk," she stated.
I narrowed my eyes playfully. "Likely story. Why would Ryan Ross go out of his way to come over here just to go on a walk? In the middle of winter?"
"Ok, first of all it's the beginning of winter," she corrected me.
I rolled my eyes, "Stop beating around the bush. Why is he here?"
"What is this, twenty questions? I already told you he wanted to go on a walk."
"And no one else would go with him so he came over here." she added when I didn't avert my gaze.
"Whatever, don't tell me," I said holding up my hands in defeat.
It was her turn to roll her eyes. Then, she looked down at what I was wearing. "Shoot, you're still wearing your dress. Don't you want to change?"
I looked down too, "Yeah, kinda." My head shot right back up, "If that's okay with you."
She smiled, "Of course it's okay! Go ahead to my room and take whatever you need." She gestured down the hallway.
Returning her smile, I gave her my thanks and went in the direction of her hand. Carson's room was the exact same as the last time I saw it. Same white day bed with blue sheets. Same off-white walls. Same 'Glee' posters.
I walked over to her dresser and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. Hell, she even kept her clothes in the same places! Looking down at the clothes I thought about how skinny Carson was. I hope I look good in these.
After putting them on and checking my hair in the mirror, I walked over to her bookshelf. Then saw it; the Panic scrapbook me and Carson made the summer before ninth grade. I picked it up. The picture on the front was one with Carson and I at a concert, clad in our matching Panic t-shirts and braces. I smiled at the memory and my dorky young self and then flipped it open.
There were pages and pages of pictures with us and the band in it with 'Mrs. Allison Urie' written on practically every page. I was such a virgin back then.
I shut the book and exited the room, smiling to myself. Before I walked another two steps I heard someone yell from the living room.
"Ow!"
I ran over to see what happened. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" a beet-red Carson was saying.
The rest of the band had come. Jon was standing there with hot chocolate spilled all over his shirt. Carson was desperately trying to help him, while Spencer, Ryan, and Brendon were tearing up from laughing so hard.
"What happened?" I asked kind of already knowing.
"Carson came in to give Ryan hot chocolate and then freaked out when she saw the rest of us and spilled it all over Jon!" Spencer managed to get out in between bursts of laughter.
I chuckled. "Classic Carson."
"Not funny guys!" she yelled at us.
"Yeah, especially when you're the victim," Jon agreed.
"I'm sorry, Jon!" Carson said sincerely. "Do you want to go to the bathroom to wash it off?"
"It's fine, but yeah, I do," He told her.
"Okay, I'm sorry, It's right down the hall," She pointed behind her.
"Thanks," he left.
"Ah, Carson, you've got to stop doing that," Brendon said while wiping his eyes.
"Doing what?" She was cleaning the hot chocolate that she spilled on the floor.
"Cracking me up! I'm ganna pull something," he answered.
"You can't pull something from laughing, stupid," Ryan told him.
"Whatever, man," Brendon looked over at me and saw my pajamas. "Are you sleeping over?" I nodded. He brought his hands to his face, "Oh my god, slumber party!"
I laughed.
"Sure, you guys can stay. Thanks for asking," Carson said sarcasticly.
"This is going to be awesome!" Jon was back with a huge stain on the front of his white t-shirt. I hid my smile behind my hand.
"Dude, it looks like you threw up all over your shirt." Spencer told him with a wide grin.
"Did I ask for your opinion? Whatever," He took off his shirt, revealing a skinny and gleaming white torso. "Is that better?"
"Ahh!" Brendon used his hands to cover his eyes. "Damnit, Jon! Put that away!"
"What? Can't take my golden god-like body?" Jon said a little too cockily.
Brendon put his hands down and blinked hard a couple times like he couldn't see. "No, you’re so pastey it hurts to look at you!"
I burst out in laughter, I couldn't help it, these guys were too good.
Jon's smug face fell, "Shut up, Bden. You're not funny,"
"They apparently think I am," he waved his hand to gesture towards me and Carson; we were both shaking from silent laughter.
"No, they're laughing at how ugly your face is!"
"Whoa. That's where I draw the line,” Spencer stepped in between them and faced Jon. “Brendon's face is beautiful!"
"Don't gang up on Jon!"
"I can fight my own battles, Ryan!"
While they continued to bicker, Carson was struggling to pick up the mugs that she dropped. Laughing a bit at the boys’ expense, I went over to help her and picked up a few, "Here, I'll take a couple."
"Thanks," she said smiling a bit. I followed her to the kitchen and put the mugs in the sink. She followed suit, but her eyebrows were furrowed and she looked a little nervous.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
Carson’s blinked and she came back to earth. “Nothing, I was just thinking.”
“You do that too much.”
“I know,” she said solemnly.
My thoughts reeled as I was searching for my reply. “Well, hey, be happy! There are four talented, funny, cool, super nice, completely gorgeous…” I trailed off.
She laughed. “Hey, weren’t you just telling me not to zone out?”
I rolled my eyes; at least I cheered her up. “Who cares, this is going to be awesome!”
“Yeah, it is isn’t it?” She started walking towards the living room with me behind her, but at the doorway, she stopped and looked me in the eye. “Just try not to drool…Mrs. Urie.”
She turned again, so I couldn’t glare at her or say anything back, instead I slapped the back of her head playfully…sort of.
“Ouch. What did I say?” She looked at me innocently.
I looked her dead in the eyes. “Never. Again.”
After a short death-stare I relaxed my expression and walked in front of Carson to enter the living room.
“Where’d they go?” she addressed the emptiness of the room from behind me in a confused tone.
“I don’t know…I didn’t hear them leave, did you?”
She shook her head.
BOOM! A huge thump erupted from the door. Hurrying to see what happened I opened it with Carson right behind me and saw the four boys in an intense snow ball fight. The ground was hidden under a sheet of the stuff and more snowflakes were falling heavily from the sky. It’s amazing how much can come in a few hours.
“Sorry!” Spencer yelled, probably due to the fact that he was the one who hit the door. The small window that he was unfocused was taken advantage of: Jon, who was still shirtless and as white as the snow, threw a huge snowball straight at him and it hit. After recovering, Spencer threw one back in retaliation that hit his chest causing Jon to throw his arms over his torso and yell out. “So…COLD!”
After laughing with Carson at Jon and Spencer’s expense, I looked over and saw Ryan sling his arm forward aiming for Brendon, who dodged it at the last second. Suddenly a freezing cold snowball broke on the exposed skin on my upper arm. Reacting to it, I screamed and brushed the remaining bits of snow off hastily.
“What the Hell, man! You just hit a girl!” Brendon ran over and tackled the shocked looking Ryan into the snow.
When they arose and Carson and I avoided peeing our pants from laughing so hard, Brendon ran over with an overly concerned expression. “Are you alright?” his eyes were wide, “I sure hope Ryan didn’t maim you too badly.” He pointedly glared at Ryan.
I looked over at my slightly pink right arm making sure to pause dramatically. “It might take a few days to heal, but I think I’ll be alright.”
He handed me his jacket. “Here, you’ll need this.” His concerned expression turned into a mockingly angry one as he turned to Ryan. “You see what you do! She’s emotionally scarred!”
Jon and Spencer were back now. “He’s right,” Spencer said, “You need shelter.” He put his hands on my shoulders and steered me back into the house with everyone else behind us.
After Spencer let go, I sat down on the couch. Brendon sat next to me.
Ryan stood in front of me. “I’m sorry for hitting you, Allison,” he said with sincerity, but looked a little uncomfortable.
I smiled at him. “It’s ok, Ryan. I forgive you.”
Brendon leaned towards me. “Are you sure you’re okay? Because I could totally kick his ass for you.”
Ryan rolled his eyes, “Yeah, right.”
Before Brendon could strike back, Carson interrupted, “Hey, do you guys want to play a game?”
When no one else answered I spoke, “Sure! What did you have in mind?”
“Never have I ever?”
“Oh, I know that game!” Spencer said. Since the other band members looked confused he explained. “You start out with five fingers and someone says something like ‘Never have I ever…’” he thought for a moment, “’eaten fish.’ And if you’ve eaten fish before, you put down a finger. You can ask whatever you want.”
“Sounds really high school, but let’s do it!” Jon said.
“Wait, let me put on some music.” Carson said. She got up and turned on a radio, ‘Blackout’ by Breathe Carolina was on.
We sat in a circle. “You go first Carson.” I said.
“Oh boy,” she said sarcastically. “Um, never have I ever…stolen anything.” Everyone but her put down a finger.
“Come on, never?” I asked her.
“No,” she muttered looking embarrassed.
“Aw, Carson’s so pure. That’s cute.” Ryan said causing her to blush.
“I’ve got one!” Spencer said. “Never have I ever hot-tubbed in the middle of winter.” Brendon, Spencer, Jon and Ryan put down a finger.
“You guys never did that?” Spencer said looking shocked.
“We’ll have to take you sometime,” Jon said.
Thinking of Brendon in a bathing suit made me smile. “That would be nice,” I told him.
He smiled back. “Yeah, let’s do it.”
“My turn,” Ryan said. “Never have I ever…had sex with a man.” I put down a finger.
“Damnit!” Brendon said. “You definitely set that one up for me!”
Carson and I laughed. "Monster" by Paramore came on.
“Ok, enough kidding around. I have one.” Jon said. “Never have I ever streaked.” Carson and I kept up our fingers.
I laughed. “Did you all streak together?”
“Maybe…We grew up in Vegas, we deserve some justice.” Brendon said. I thought about them all naked. God, his jacket smelled so good.
“Ok fine then.” I put down my finger making Brendon smirk. “I go to a lot of parties, okay?”
“Great excuse.” He looked too smug, so I flicked his nose. He leaned back, surprised, but the smile quickly returned to his face. “Your turn,” Brendon told me.
“Um,” I thought for a moment. “Never have I ever…wanted anyone in this room.”
“Uh, does Brendon count?” Jon asked me. I nodded. Everyone put down a finger.
“You would put one down for yourself.” I told Brendon.
“How do you know it’s for me?” He smirked again. If he weren’t right there I would have squealed.
I slapped my forehead with my hand. “Duh! I totally forgot about Ryden!” I joked so he wouldn’t see the blush I was trying so hard to keep back.
Brendon and Ryan sighed. Goal achieved.
I leaned towards Brendon. “Your next.” It was my turn to smirk.
He thought for a moment and then looked right at me I couldn’t help but notice how full his lips were. “Never have I ever…eaten…’
“Whoa. Brendon, I think it’s time to stop.” Jon interrupted him.
“What? I was going to cheese cake!”
“Sure…”
An awkward silence settled in.
“Um, let’s watch a movie.” Carson got up and chose one out of the cabinet on her TV stand and then after turning off the music put it in her DVD player. She sat down on the 'L' shaped couch and I got up off the floor and sat next to her. Brendon came over and sat next to me again.
After the movie started, I was overcome by fatigue and slowly slipped out of consciousness.
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When I woke up, I was leaning against something warm. It smelled familiar; a cologne with a clean, but musty man scent to it. Wait, man? I opened my eyes to find that I was still on the couch but lying down now, and the thing I was leaning against was Brendon. I smiled to myself and wanted to stay there forever, but then I saw the time on a clock on one of the walls. It was 9:25. I have work at 12.
After enjoying his warmth for a few more seconds, I carefully got up, so I wouldn’t wake up Brendon and hoped this wouldn’t be the last time I woke up with him. When I was on my feet, I noticed that Carson had fallen asleep on the couch too; her head was on Ryan’s chest. They actually looked very cute together.
I went to the bathroom to freshen up before anyone else awoke. Once the door was shut I smiled to myself; I had completely forgot about the encounter with my father. It was a pretty successful night.
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This is the longest chapter ever! I think it deserves a vote. :) Blackout by Breathe Carolina is the song today. The lyrics don't relate to this part at all, but I love it! If you like it, I think it's free on itunes... Thanks for reading! Love you guys! :D