Chapter 5 – The Final Frontier

Alison sat on her bed, looking at her secret photo album, full of pictures of Teddy and her together. At her 7th birthday party, his 7th birthday party, crashing Teddy's first date, the movies, at the park….

'Why is he so angry with me? What did I do wrong? Is it because Jack asked me to the dance? I don't see any reason for him to be mad, he should be at least happy for me!'

Working up a temper, Alison slammed the album closed with a bang and threw it across the room. She laid back on her bed and let her thoughts come together.

'Or maybe he likes me back?' Alison pondered, her fantasy crashing with reality, 'And he just doesn't want to say it because he might lose me as a friend?'

Alison shook her head, "He already said he doesn't want to be my best friend. Maybe I'll go to him right now and demand what the hell's wrong with him.

Alison grabbed her jacket and walked out of her room.

Her Aunt and Uncle was waiting for her downstairs, "Going somewhere Alison?" Alison looked away, "I'm just going out for a while, I'll be back soon."

Her aunt tensed, "You're not going with that Thaur boy are you?"

Alison continued to look away, "No aunty, I'm going to Groovy Smoothies with Lay and Elena." Alison was afraid that if she looked at her aunt, she could see how red she was turning from lying.

Aunt Madison smiled, "Alright, don't be too long, you don't want to be late for that dance of yours."

Alison slapped her forehead. The dance! She forgot it was tonight! "Yeah Aunty, if Jack comes around just tell him to wait here." And she was out the door.

(meanwhile)

Teddy was pacing around his room. He made a mess of things, and he doesn't know what to do. 'Alison has been great to me. She's listened to all those embarrassing love poems to Lay, she comes over and tends to me every time I was sick, we spent nearly all our time together, how come I only feel this now? How come when I realize that I love her more than anything, I just make everything worse? WHY AM I ONLY FEELING THIS NOW??'

Inside Teddy knew. It was embarrassing and clichéd if a guy falls in love with his girl best friend, he sees it all the time. 'If I told Alison back when we were just kids, she would have just laughed at me and rejected me, because it was just that funny and clichéd. What about now? What about today? Will she still accept me and love me? I have to find out.'

Teddy grabbed his jacket and was out the door, running towards Alison's house. Shortly after that, Alison had just arrived. She rang the doorbell. No answer. She sighed, why now? She couldn't go home and face Jack waiting for her. So she just sat down on Teddy's step and waited.

(later)

Teddy has just arrived at Alison's house. He was about to enter when he heard Jack's voice in the house, "Yes Mrs and Mr Hoover, Alison's crazy about me. She was head over heels when I asked her to the dance. When she comes back, you'll see it in her eyes."

Teddy gasped. He could hear Aunt Madison's sickly voice, "Yes Jack, better you than that Thaur boy she's always with. I tell her that constantly! I'm sure you both would be happy together."

Teddy weakly gulped and sank on to the floor. 'So she does love him. That's why she asked me to be happy for her. And I pushed her away. Jack is the kind of guy her aunt always wanted. Smart, doesn't talk back……' Teddy just sank down and cried.

(meanwhile)

Alison herself was crying. 'Teddy, where are you? I just want to talk to you, is that so hard?' Joanna came back. She saw Alison crying on their doorstep, "Alison? Why are you here?"

Alison stop crying at once, "Um… I wanted to talk to Teddy, if you don't mind."

Joanna looked stunned, "But I saw him at your house as I was driving home. Do you want a lift home?"

Alison sniffed, "Sure Mrs. Thaur."

(later)

Teddy was still crying on Alison's step. He could still here Jack talking to Alison's Aunt and Uncle about how madly in love Alison was with him. Teddy was heartbroken. Till he heard his mother's car pull up at Alison's driveway. Alison came running out. Teddy cracked a smile and the two embraced in a hug.

Teddy sniffed, "Alison, I was such an idiot, can you forgive me?"

Alison smiled, "Next time, tell me what pissed you off, before shouting at me."

"Alison? Teddy? What are you doing out there?"

Aunt Madison looked out the window, her face pale and cold, "Teddy Thaur, you are not welcome here."

Teddy went red and let go of Alison at once. Jack looked out the window, "Alison? Come on, the dance is in 20 minutes!"

Alison looked at Teddy and walked back towards her house, Teddy following suit.

(later)

"Wow."

"Absolutely stunning."

"She looks beautiful."

Jack and Alison walked into the gym, hand in hand. Teddy following closely behind. He had promised to be a DJ, for Alison's sake. But he couldn't help but noticed how beautiful she looked under the disco ball, reflecting every sequin on her dress, and how her eyes shone. Everyone cheered and started dancing. Teddy had fun, like Alison promised, but his heart was still in two. He had saved the slow dances for last, because he didn't want to see Alison in Jack's arms.

(later)

Alison sighed, sweating a little. Avery took Teddy's place as a DJ and so he joined Alison for a drink. Alison took a swig of coke and Teddy smiled, "You really look beautiful tonight."

Alison smiled, her face lighting up, "Thanks, this dress was my mother's. She made it herself, I just added this strap here," Alison said, pointing at the light blue silk strap around her waist.

Teddy grinned, "That's my favourite part about it. It looks absolutely stunning on you. Enjoying the dance so far?"

Alison's grinned back, "Yeah, and it's great that you're here."

Teddy's smile dropped, "Walk with me?

Alison smile dropped too and both of them walked away from the gym.

(later)

"Where are you going with this Teddy?"

"You'll see."

Teddy and Alison walked close to each other outside the gym. The moon was bright and lit the whole garden. Alison was resting on his arm and Teddy had one arm around her waist. He had to stop beating around the bush and tell her.

"When I was at your house, I heard Jack saying how much you loved him. I mean, I wouldn't think that a girl like you would fall for him but if you are and you love him, I shouldn't say anything." Teddy said, not meeting Alison's eyes.

Alison dropped his arm like a hot iron, "You thought I was in love with JACK? What were you thinking?"

"Then who do you like then?"

Alison opened her mouth to say that she loved him but instead she said, "No one. Teddy, don't you think if I like anyone, I would first tell you of all people?" 'Unless the person I love is you,' she thought, 'why couldn't I tell him I love him?'

Teddy looked straight into her eyes and Alison felt her heart melt. Why didn't she say the truth? Teddy sighed, "Look Alison, I haven't been completely honest, I…."

A slow song blared from the gym. Alison and Teddy looked at each other. If they didn't dance now, will they get other moment like this? Teddy moved his arm to hug her and Alison gently placed her arms around Teddy's neck. And then the two swayed to the music.

"What was it you were going to tell me Teddy?"

"Nothing Ali. Just that you'll always be my best friend."

Alison reached up and kissed Teddy on the lips. Teddy smiled and the two swayed to the beat for the rest of the night.

The End

Next 'Episode'

Road Trip! Alison, Teddy, Zick , Elena and Lay get ready for their all summer biking trip. But when there stumble across an old abandoned house, Alison begins to question her aunt's story on how her parents really died….