Chapter Seven
"It seems as if we have a guest." Prasant commented dryly.
"Allison!" Will gasped. "I've come to rescue you!"
"Will . . ." Allison's heart caught in her throat, but she made no movement.
"Rescue her from what?" Prasant spat, stepping in front of Allison. "Did you honestly think I would harm her?"
"Can't you see she does not love you?" Will took a step towards Prasant, whom he was several inches taller then and proved quite intimidating. "You dragged her down here against her will, you monster! Whatever horrible deed it is you plan to do, I cannot allow!"
Prasant gazed up at Will with fury in his eyes. "Oh? And do you believe she loves you? Is it now your responsibility to be her savior?"
"Yes!" Will shouted, taking another step forward. "She requested it of me! I gave my word to protect her from you!"
"She came to me willingly!" Now Prasant took a stride towards Will until each could feel the other's hot breath on their face.
"Impossible! She's frightened by your sheer lunacy!"
"She admires my genius, you ignorant oaf!"
"She admires my body, you puny little scab!"
"She detested your body with all it's foreign stench!"
"Your mom!"
"How dare you curse my mother! I ought to kill you right now!"
"I'd like to see you try, weakling!"
"With great pleasure!"
Their hands shot simultaneously towards each other's neck when Allison suddenly thrust herself between them.
"Stop this!" She yelled with such authority that the two dropped their hands immediately.
"You're behaving like children! How can either of you presume to know what I want?"
With chests heaving in anger, the two glared at each other over Allison's head.
"You've already told me what you want." Will grabbed Allison by the arm and pulled her towards him, keeping his hateful stare on Prasant.
"No, Will . . ." Allison felt smothered in his embrace.
Prasant took a step back and watched with shock. "Allison . . ."
"I-I-" Allison stammered, once again unable to trust her emotions.
Prasant took another step back, his hand on his chest. "But Allison, what about the fitting rooms? The music?" His voice was weak with heartbreak.
"Don't fool yourself into thinking she could ever love something as pathetic and warped as you!" Will spat coldly.
As Will turned Allison towards the exit, she saw Prasant reach out towards her, but say nothing.
"Come, I'll take you back to where you really want to be." Will led her slowly through the doorway and into the small boat.
As he rowed across the lake, Allison could see Prasant fall to his knees in his now empty apartment.
"Allison," He cried, his voice full of heart-wrenching despair. "I love you!"
Allison caught her breath and buried her face in her hands. What could she possibly blame her unfeeling actions on now? Her stomach twisted in a knot as she realized she would be forced to choose between the two people she cared most about.
"Will," Her voice shook as he pulled her from the boat. "I-I can't do this."
"What do you mean?" He asked, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders.
Allison looked down at her feet, unable to meet his penetrating gaze.
"I can't be with you."
Will was silent for a long moment until Allison was forced to look into his face. When she saw his brow furrowed deep, struggling to accept what she said, she continued.
"You're friendship has truly been a blessing. There is not, and will never be a day when I'm not thankful for you, but you must understand-I cannot be with you."
"You-you do not love me?" Will's voice was broken and panicked.
Allison gently placed her hands on either side of Will's face and kissed him lightly on the forehead. When she pulled away, she looked deep into his tear-filled eyes and smiled sadly. "You have been one of my dearest of friends. I shall never forget you."
With that, she turned and stepped into the boat. As she began to paddle away, she saw Will standing helplessly on the shore.
"But Allison . . . You were my number one . . ." He uttered in the most sad and desperate tone he had ever managed.
Allison watched his figure until it faded away into the darkness.
When the nose of her boat made contact with the stairs, she bit her lip and stood. Glancing up at the doorway, still illuminated with the comforting, yellow light, she resolutely ascended the staircase. There was no turning back now. She had caused too much pain before finding her own heart, and now she was sure of where it was leading her.
Peering around the doorway, she saw Prasant sitting miserably on the floor in the middle of the room. His head was cradled in his arms, which were resting on his knees.
Allison stepped into the room, breaking the cold silence. Prasant raised his head.
"Allison?" He asked, half-heartedly. He looked over his shoulder, and upon seeing her, leapt to his feet. "Allison!"
The two stared at each other for an awkward period, unsure of what their next movement would be.
"You've come back?" Prasant said at last, his voice hopeful.
Allison could not longer contain herself. She rushed towards him with tears of joy running freely down her cheeks.
"Oh Prasant!" She breathed, falling into his arms. "It's you I love, no one else!"
Prasant stood stiff with surprise in her embrace.
Allison looked him directly in the face, her heart swelling with happiness. There was no mistaking her feelings now. Slowly, she pressed herself close to his body. Their noses touched, their cheeks caressed. Her lips moved ever closer to his until at last they met in a passionate kiss that locked all the world between them. All doubts and fears were instantly wiped away in their loving embrace that knew no mortal limits.
"How could I have been so blind," Allison whispered into Prasant's ear as they drew apart.
They existed now in a universe made solely for them. Nothing could ever interfere with their love.
"Come away with me, Allison."
"To where?" She asked, though she wondered if it even mattered.
"MTSU." Prasant replied soundly. "It's everything you could desire in a college . . . And we'll be together there."
"Just you and I . . ." Allison repeated dreamily.
Prasant smiled and brushed her cheek lightly with the back of his hand. "Yes, just you and I."
Swooning in the sheer ecstasy of each others being, they walked unhindered by earthly concerns into the light. They were together, at last, in a world of their own.
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