Chapter 9

**So basically, you guys deserve an apology. I am so sorry for not posting this chapter after a really REALLY long time. I honestly feel so bad :(! But I got slammed with school work and the joy of moving houses (how fun. not)! Also writers block (UGH)! But now I am back and I plan to continue this story with plenty more flashbacks and things of that nature :) Annnd I have NEW STORY ideas for future Emison SO SO much for staying tuned and reading! Tell me what you think below? :D**

-FLASHBACK-

"Mom? Dad? Jason? Anybody?" Alison's voice echoed abroad the empty house. Except for slight movement upstairs. "Yup, that seems about right."

"What was that bumping noise?" Emily's eyes averted to the lonely staircase. "I think your brothers home."

"It's nobody." Alison's voice dissipated into the kitchen. "Hey, do you want some lemonade? I made it myself."

"I'd love some." Emily hummed. Stepping foot in a large, hand crafted kitchen. "Wooow."

"Wow is right." Alison sipped on her cup of lemonade and leaned on the island. "I always admired this house because it's so gorgeous. But sometimes if you stay here too long, it gets boring. Like a jail cell."

"Yeah." Emily grabbed what she assumed was her cup and sniffed the concoction.

"Hey, I'll uh meet you in my room." Alison proceeded to fill another cup of lemonade. "Just go up the stairs, hang a left, and my doors the pink one. Not the blue one. That's my brother's room."

"Gotcha." Emily chugged the rest and trotted to the wooden staircase.

"Emily." Alison's voice stopped the brunette in her tracks. "It's the pink door, okay? Don't go near the blue door."

"I got it, alright?" Emily chuckled and shook her head. Sensing a pair of eyes watching her every move.

Slowly, Emily trudged up the steps. Creaking with every move. Once she hit the top, the brunette heard a muffled thump. Since Alison shrugged it off as nothing, so did Emily. Though it was apparent someone was home.

THUMP
Curiously, Emily investigated the source. Facing a total of five doors. Three white ones, a lighter blue, and a hot pink door. The fourth one, Emily assumed as the bathroom. The fifth one a spare room. Then the other three were obviously Alison's, Jason's, and her parents. But Jason wasn't home at the moment. Emily saw him after school hanging with a group of boys. Most likely smoking weed.

THUMP
There it was again, but more defined. Softly tip-toeing past the bathroom and spare room, Emily followed the noise.

THUMP THUMP
It seemed as though the sound grew louder when Emily shuffled towards Jason's room. So she pressed an ear to the light blue door and listened for any type of noise. Gradually slowing her breathing. The large house now silent.

THUMP
The noise sounded definitive and shook the door. Causing Emily to jump back. But still, the brunette remained. Focused on what was behind that door. Or better yet, who.

THUMP THUMP THUMP
Emily's brow creased. Baffled by what was making that noise and why she couldn't go in there. But if no one was home, and Alison was downstairs, no one would witness Emily sneak a peek. Or at least eyeball what was making that bumping noise that resembled knocks or pacing.

THUMP
Now Emily was a bit excited. Cracking the case was sorta fun, she felt like a detective. But like a true detective navigates, they almost always answer their questions. So Emily touched the knob, turning it very very slowly. Making sure to not startle what was behind that door.

Now the constant thumping ceased as though it knew someone approached the door. Waiting for a figure to pop in at any second. Dead silent. House included.

"Hey!" A figure grabbed Emily's shoulder violently. Spinning the brunette around in one motion.

"Ahhh!" Emily screamed at the top of her lungs due to adrenaline pulsating throughout her veins.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? I strictly told you not to go near the blue door, Emily!" Alison sneered at the brunette viciously, yanking the brunettes arm away. "Stay out!"

"I-Im sorry, Alison! I-I didn't mean to, I was just looking for the bathroom!" Emily stumbled backwards, spacing herself from the raging blonde. "I swear!"

"Oh yeah? Well the bathrooms that way." Alison pointed to one of the three white doors. "Don't get caught up."

"Okay." Emily paused to look at Alison glaring down the hallway. "Hey, I'm sorry. I really am."

"It's okay, Emily." Alison sighed. "I just don't want you to get in trouble. Jason will crucify me if his room gets touched."

"I understand." Emily's finger caressed the doorknob to the bathroom.

"I knew you would." Alison grinned sweetly. "Meet me in my room when you're finished, 'kay? We really gotta hit the books."

"Uh huh." Emily lunged into the bathroom, though she didn't have to go.

After a brief two minutes or so of regaining her composure, Emily heard the doorknob jiggle. Then, judging by the heaviness and consistency, a large object scraping against wooden floors. Perching abroad, what seemed like, the bathroom door.

"What the hell?" Emily then heard hard rock blasting amongst the vacant house. Blocking out a voice that sounded quite like Alison. It was almost like a mirror effect between the two, but the other voice seemed intimidated, a trait that Alison lacks. Glueing an ear to the door, Emily attempted to identify the second human being, but failed to do so. Whoever started the music didn't want Emily to hear a single word.

SLAM
The music suddenly stopped. The voices instantly subdued. And a figure lingered outside the door.

"Damn Em, did you fall in the toilet or somethin'?" Alison called out from the opposite side.

"Nope. Just finished." Emily swung the door open and pursued her lips. "I know its none of my business or anything but, um, what was all that noise? I mean, are you okay? Your lip is busted, Alison!"

"Oh that? It-it was nothing. Jason came home and found his door slightly creaked and freaked. But don't worry, I took care of it."Alison licked her lips and winced, flashing a small grin. "Ready to study?"

"Y-yeah." Emily followed Alison sauntering and entered a pretty in pink bedroom. If the brunette didn't know any better, she'd guess that it's twice the size of her room. It's gotta be.

"You like it?" Alison stepped in the middle and struck a pose. "I designed it myself."

"It's gorgeous." Emily whispered softly. Captivated not only by size, but by furniture, decorations, and her queen size mattress. "Oh my god. Is that a queen size?"

"You betcha." Alison smirked mischievously. "Ya' wanna bounce on it?"

"You don't have to ask me twice!" Emily zipped to the bed and flung on it, bouncing up and down wildly.

"Geronimo!" Alison belly flopped on fluffy pink sheets that matched the curtains. Crushing math homework, french homework, and notes from various classes.

"Your room seriously rocks, Ali." Emily breathlessly came to a halt and laid at the bottom vertically.

"Tell me about it." Alison scooted towards Emily and panted, momentarily reaching to grab a mug full of lemonade.

"Tired already?" Emily giggled at Alison chugging the zesty liquid in a matter of seconds.

"What the fu-" Alison groaned, slamming the cup on a random flat surface. "What is this crap? God damn lemonade?"

"Uh, yeah! You made it yourself!" Emily shot up, barely catching the cup before it slid off the edge.

"Of course I did!" Alison desperately fanned her face in attempt to stop the sizzling pain of pure lemon. "I just forgot and no-now it really really burns! Ahh, son of a bitch!"

"Oh my gosh! Um, water! I can go get some water real quick, that's the only thing that'll stop the burning?" Emily urgently offered, cringing at Alison practically spewing out tears. "Alison, ar-are you crying?"

"No." Alison whispered softly, choking back tears that held more meaning than Emily knew. "It's fine now, Em. It feels much better."

"Stop!" Emily blurted aloud, swatting Alison's hand that carried the scent of excess lemon juice. "Don't touch it, Alison! It'll only make it worse! Let me take a look."

"Okay." Alison's voice wavered slightly, placing her hands in her lap.

"Yeah, your lips pretty sliced." Emily scrunched her face in disgust, cocking Alison's chin up to get a better look. "But it's not too bad, just a measly cut about three or four inches."

"Four inches?!" Alison yelped, pointing her chin downwards to meet Emily's gaze. "What's that supposed to mean? English, Emily."

"It means," Emily chuckled, wiping away dried up blood that sat on Alison's top lip. "that your fine."

"Promise?" Alison kept her lips steady so Emily could continue. "Doctor Fields?"

"Yes." Emily moved to Alison's bottom lip and rubbed it carefully with her thumb.

"Ow." Alison squeezed her eyes shut and gasped.

"Sorry. Did that hurt?" Emily's tender voice rung throughout Alison's enormous bedroom.

"N-no." Alison squinted, cracking both eyes open. "K-kinda."

"Alison, did Jason do this to you?" Emily turned to look at Alison, gesturing to her gash that pierced the side of her top lip . "Did he?"

"Emily, stop. You can't tell anyone about this, okay? Especially my parents." Alison whipped her head to the right, guarding her mouth whilst she wiped it with the back of her hand. "Please, Emily. Promise me you won't tell anyone."

"Of course I won't tell anyone." Emily watched Alison wheeze and exhale. "I just think that you shou-"

"No!" Alison harshly snapped at Emily, clasping a hand over her lips. "I can't!"

"Alison." Emily carefully touched the blondes knee, mustering the most soothing voice possible. "You don't have to be scared anymore. Im here for you. And if you need a house to run to, my doors always open. Always."

"Thanks." Alison croaked out flatly. Though the blondes head didn't crack an inch, Emily could sense that Alison understood the importance of their friendship. Emily was a keeper, a true friend. Whenever Alison needed a shoulder to cry on, a blanket to keep warm, or a late night conversation, Emily was available. Alison never had such closure, especially from her own family. They were always busy with work or dealing pot. Ignoring Alison every second of the day. Too engulfed in their own little worlds that obviously didn't include Alison. "But I don't need you feeling sorry for me. So don't pull the petty card crap on me, all right? I've heard it one too many times. Lets just get to studying. That's the only reason I called you over."

"R-Right. Um, yeah, okay." Emily scrambled to find Alison's paperwork, not even paying attention to what papers she ruffled through. The only thing that stuck on Emily's mind was Alison. She constantly tried to play " " and it irked the brunette. One day Alison may go insane over her habit to bottle her feelings up."So, uh, which subject do you wanna start with?"

-END OF FLASHBACK-