Note: This, like I said in the summary, is the third book in the Allie series. The sequel to Butterfly Wings, which is the sequel to Butterfly Underwear. I just fell in love withAllie and her "leading man" Justin and couldn't stick to just one story! The chapters are short, I know, but I've found that I appreciate shorter chapters myself when I read stories.
Also, this one is romantic. It was hard to avoid...I needed an awesome ending! And with Justin adn Allie avoiding each other yet again, well, you know that wouldn't be a 'happy ending'. Allie deserves a happily ever after after all she's been through. Justin too.
If you reviewed for any of the Allie stories, you'll find my response to you in either The Dare chapters or in one of my latest poems' author's notes. Sorry if that's a problem, I was trying to write two stories at once, and uploadign them and separating the reviews for teh two were getting too complicated! Thanks for bearing with me.
Chapter One
Allie walked into church, took a bulletin and gave the greeter a hug. This was the first week back from college, and she was finally done. But as she came through the big double doors, the music coming from the stage up front didn't soothe her like it used to. Her hands were shaking, and she couldn't get her last conversation with Justin out of her mind. The words that had been spoken had been for the best, and her resolve had not been punctured the entire two years she'd had remaining of college.
But she hadn't forgotten him.
Justin wasn't forgettable.
She was nervous and excited to see him at the same time. Would she be able to return his comments with an equal comeback? Would she be able to be friendly like she once was with him?
A few steps into the wide room gave her the answer she needed. No.
No, she would not because of the pretty brunette he had his arm around in the third to last row ahead of her. Because of her perfectly curled hair that scrunched underneath his arm as he held her tight and whispered and laughed about some private thing. Because the one person she'd thought she could come to love and share her life with didn't even notice as she sat down on the pew in the last row, didn't even greet her like he usually did. Because he walked out with his new girlfriend right after the sermon ended, chatting closely and putting his arm around her waist and opening her car door for her.
Allie did the one thing that she always did when she was distressed. Well, first she cried and then she did the one thing that she always did when she was distressed. She called Tia Christie.
"Oh, Tia, he has a new girlfriend," Allie whimpered into the phone. "And I sound like a jealous, lovesick teenager!"
"Ah,that you do, Bella," Christie said sadly. "But you have a reason! I would eat Oreo's and milk with you, but I am many miles away."
"Too late, Christie, I'm already eating them," sighed Allie, dunking the black and white cookie into her tall glass of milk and letting it disintegrate in her mouth.
Tia Christie laughed softly on the other end of the line. "So he has a girlfriend now."
Allie was about to nod but realized that the conversation was over the phone, so she said, "Yeah."
"Well, did it ever occur to you that maybe God doesn't want you to be with Justin?" the words weren't angry or impatient; Christie had a way of making her point gently even though her words could be described as frank or harsh.
Allie grimaced and shut her eyes. "Yeah, you're probably right." She sighed. "But what if I really am meant to be with him?"
Again Tia Christie chuckled. "Well, then, it's obviously supposed to happen some time in the future. Be patient, my niece. I think you came home from college thinking that Justin would welcome you back with open arms and a kiss. Did you expect him to wait for you, to stall his life just because you went away to college?" She softened her voice. "Don't you think that's kid of selfish on your part?"
She sighed at her aunt dramatically. "Again, you're right, as always. I was expecting a little too much of him. But it was kind of a blow to walk in and see his arm around that girl. And I thought he liked me."
"I think it's okay if his feelings for you change over the course of two years."
This caused Allie to laugh. "Yeah, I think so too. Now, at least… Christie, you realize that every time I see Justin I'm going to be overwhelmed with jealousy all over again. I want to let go of my 'crush' on him, but I don't know if I can."
"Did you ever consider talking to God about this? About your feelings for Justin?"
"I sort of did talk to Him…" Allie sighed. "But nothing's come to me. Nothing like the last time my feelings suddenly disappeared."
A few hours later Allie sat down on her bed and let herself fall back with her eyes closed, trying to concentrate on one thing: her conversation with God. She always felt as if it was a one-sided conversation, but she could feel His presence. She knew she wasn't talking to somebody who didn't exist; it was just that sometimes she didn't get an answer she could understand… or an answer at all.
Lord, I don't understand why I come home and find that this thing I was sure of is gone. I was positive that You wanted me to wait until I was out of college to get serious with anybody. And the only someone I could ever start a relationship with is Justin. Allie opened her eyes and studied the pattern on her ceiling as she thought. I know Your reasons for making that change in me when I was in high school… but now I don't get any of it. I have waited this long time, and now there are no barriers in my path that would affect any emotional ties I've made. But I do, however, understand if You don't want me to be with Justin.
She thought she was being a bit too dramatic about the situation, but she felt like being theatrical. To her, this love story was the only one she'd experienced, and if it did turn out to be a love story, it would be the most important one in her life. Dramatics would do it justice.
Allie took a deep breath and continued her prayer. I am willing to give my feelings for Justin to You, Lord. But if you could please help me with that part, I have a feeling it's going to be harder than I realize…
