Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone from the WWE.
Author's Ramble: I dont know why I'm updating soo fast, but I just had the urge. I have to say, this doesn't showcase the best of my writing abilities but I think this is what you've all been waiting for? Ha. Just read and review!

John's POV

Dating? Since when was dating in Allison's vocabulary? The answer didn't matter because I lived to know first hand. Cody and her were indeed dating. The holding hands, the going on dates, the texting, and even the kissing. They did it all but I stood beside her and hated every minute of it. It was only the second day, and I was almost convinced I'd die at any moment.

"Best friend!" she called me from the bathroom.

I looked up as if she were right across from me. "What?"

"I don't know what to wear," she whined. "He said casual. Does that automatically mean I cant wear a dress?"

I banged my closed fist against my forehead continuously, acting oblivious to the question she had just asked. This was driving me crazy. How can she be so close but feel a thousand miles away?

"Best friend!" she called again. "A dress or no dress?"

"Nothing," I said.

"What?" she peeked her head into the main room. "You want me to wear nothing?"

"Huh?"

She frowned. "You're not even paying attention."

I chuckled. Seeing her cute face washed out every single worry in my head. I didn't care if it was temporary, at least she still made it possible. We're still possible.

"Come here," I said, patting the empty side of the bed. "You're too far to talk to when you're in the bathroom."

"But-" she started to protest then stopped. "I'm just warning you, I'm only in my bra and shorts."

The grin on my face grew into a smile. Only in her bra and shorts? Ha, even better.

Keeping my eyes fixed at the most beautiful figure known to man kind, she made her way onto the bed. I didn't care if she noticed, she should've expected this anyway.

"I don't know what to wear," she repeated, this time putting a hand on my arm to shake it.

Failing to help, I changed the subject. "You're hanging out with me tomorrow, alright? Alright."

"If I live till tomorrow, I can't even get passed today," she expressed. "Seriously best friend. I. Don't. Know. What. To. Wear."

I frowned. I've been trying so hard to dodge any form of conversation that had anything to do with Cody but I couldn't see a way out of this one. She needed my help. "Since when was that an issue? You look good in anything, Al."

She threw her head back on the pillow and groaned. "He told me to wear something casual, but I know he likes dresses. But I don't have casual dresses! It's so stressful. I don't know best friend."

I laughed. She always had that tendency to ramble in order to tame her frustration. Usually, I'd just pull her into a bear hug and she'd be good. But I couldn't do that anymore, she belonged in someone else's arms.

"Just wear jeans and a tee," I suggested. I didn't hear her voice and so I looked over at her. I could tell she was running a million different things through her head. She looked so concentrated, it made me question whether it was truly just about what to wear. Can a person really over analyze an outfit that much? I know she's a girl, but this looked too overdone. Plus, Allison had this thinking face and she almost never listened to a single word anyone said meanwhile. "Al!"

She frowned. "I don't know best friend. I don't know. Am I going too fast with him?"

Bingo. I knew it. I knew there was more depth to her frustration.

"What?" I asked as if I didn't know what she was talking about.

"It's scary," she confessed. "I don't know. It seems so sudden, I didn't even expect going on this trip would lead to me dating. Like seriously? Dating? And especially with Cody."

And especially with Cody? What is that supposed to mean?

"I'm scared best friend," she revealed, looking over at me.

"Don't be scared," I told her. "If he hurts you, I'll protect you."

She blinked without saying a single word. Instead, she sighed and moved herself closer towards me. Taking my arm, she wrapped it comfortably around herself. "That's not really what I'm scared of."

"Then what?" I asked.

She looked up at me as if she had the exact answer to say, as if every single fiber of her body was screaming at her to tell me. But she didn't. She was fighting with herself and it didn't take a lot for me to read that in her face.

"I don't know," she lied and I knew it. "I'm just scared of…I don't know."

Hugging her tighter, I said, "Whatever it is, at the end of the day, you'll always have me."

She nodded her head against my chest and I held her as if it were the only way I'd stay alive. It kind of was. Seeing and hearing her with Cody broke my heart over and over again, but having my times with her like these, gave me the strength stay sane.

"Jeans and a tee," I said softly.

"What?" she looked up at me again.

I smiled. "Just wear jeans and a tee. I'm sure you'll look good."

"Are you sure? You promise?"

"Yeah, you always look good Al, I promise."

Later that day

"Open up!" I heard someone call out as they simultaneously banged on the closed door. I knew that voice and I didn't expect to hear it so soon.

"Surprise, surprise!"

"You guys are back already?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

In front of me stood Randy and Tiffany; I laughed as their smile fell off their faces.

"Geez, way to make us feel missed," Tiffany scorned. "We meant to surprise Allison, not you. Where is she anyway?"

"She's out," I said plainly.

"Out where and with who?" Randy asked.

"Cody," I shrugged.

"What the fuck. Hell nah. Cody?" Randy asked.

I didn't know who was more against that fact but I'm sure we each had our reasons.

Allison's POV

"Allie why don't you relax? You seem a little tense right now," Cody noticed.

"I uh-" I formed a fake smile as my eyes trailed across his face. He was right, I was tense and I didn't do a very good job at hiding it. "Umm-"

My stutter-speech was saved as my phone started vibrating. "Excuse me, I have to get this."

Walking away, I pressed the talk button and answered, "Hello?"

"What do you think you're doing?" Randy asked me angrily through the phone.

"What are you talking about?" I asked back. Why did he sound so angry? What did I ever do to him?

"I heard you're on a date with Cody," he stated, and the sense to all this still failed to come.

"Yeah and your problem is?"

"You can't go on dates with him," he informed.

I laughed. Was he being serious right now?

"He's a bastard Allie, he's as good of a boyfriend a little kid is with driving. I suggest you break it to him NOW," he warned.

"Randy I appreciate you looking out for me but you cant-" I started to say until a new voice came up through the phone. It was Tiffany.

"Allie stay away from him. He can go wreck someone else's life, but not ours."

Not ours? What are they talking about? Why was the faith of my relationship with Cody suddenly a group decision?

"Tiff, I don't understand," I said softly. There I go again, being the submissive and over-understanding best friend.

"He's done stuff to me Allie. When Randy was away, and he took care of me I- I don't wanna go into detail but he's not a good guy," she confessed.

"What?! Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this?" I asked.

"Because you were going through a lot too. But we're telling you, just leave right now, before it's too late."

Sighing, I hung up the phone and looked over at the man accused. He looked too nice to do such a thing, none of this made any sense.

Noticing my stare, he looked back at me and smiled. Ugh, nothing from here looked like it'd go easy.

John's POV

It's been three hours since I last heard from Allison. She had texted me complaining about the situation being too complicated and I texted back telling her to come back so I can make everything okay.

The first few minutes of waiting for her reply felt like forever and the minutes after that didn't go by any quicker. I went from frantically pacing, to working out, to lifelessly watching TV, and now I was on the verge of falling asleep. I've been fighting to stay awake, desperate to feel the vibration of my phone in the very second it happened; I couldn't fight it any longer. My eyelids dropped and I gave up my control.

The next thing I know, I felt movement on the bed and the smell of Allison's hair ran through my nostrils. Was I really hugging her or was this all a dream? Too sleepy to find out, I tightened my grip on whatever I was holding, whether it was really her or a pillow, and enjoyed the simple thought of her in my arms.

The Next Morning

"Wake up," I heard someone say as they rocked my arm back and forth. Usually, I'd throw a pillow and a few cuss words whenever this happened but not this time. Not to Allison.

"Do I get my good morning kiss?" I asked innocently, my eyes firmly closed and lips formed into a smile.

"Yeah go ask Randy for it," she said in a chuckle.

Disturbed, my eyes opened up and a form of relaxation quickly washed over me as I caught her stare. She was sitting on her calves with both hands on the bed and in nothing but a tee. It wasn't just any regular tee either, it was mine.

"You wear that shirt so much better than I do," I complimented with a smile.

"Oh yeah," she agreed, nodding her head.

"So," I said lowly. I gave her this look and she instantly knew what I wanted.

"You want me to tell you about yesterday don't you?" she asked and I nodded. "Well, I went on the date even after the Ortons told me not to. I mean, Cody deserved the chance to explain. He didn't deny what he did, but he wouldn't let that ruin us either."

"So are you two are still dating?" I asked and she shrugged.

"I told him I needed time to think," she said. "We shouldn't rush into a relationship anyway."

Before I had the chance to speak, there were continuous knocks on the door and I groaned. It was too early in the morning for visitors. Especially ones that were probably ready to attack Allison for going on her date.

"I'll get it," she said. Not long after, she appeared back in sight with the married couple behind her. "The Ortons are here."

"So you're not seeing Cody anymore right?" Randy asked firmly.

Allison shot him this look and said, "I still don't know, Randy."

"You still don't know? What else is there to know? He tried fucking my wife, he doesn't belong in our circle," he said.

"Whoever I date is between me and him. I'm sorry for what happened between you guys but that shouldn't affect me."

"How could you say that? How could you consider going out with a guy that did something horrible to me?" Tiffany questioned.

"How could you turn this into being about you?" Allison snapped. "Oh wait, I know how. Exactly the way you made me drive all the way to Randy, because you couldn't fly by yourself. If that wasn't enough, I then drove all the way to Las Vegas. It always has to be about you two doesn't it?"

"Al," I cut in and took her arm. There was a whole lot of truth in what she was saying but I knew she'd regret letting it out like this.

She only looked at me before continuing to speak, "Too damn bad the guy I'm seeing did something horrible in your past. But if you were really my best friend, you'd learn to get over that and respect what I want. This could be the guy I'll marry for all I know! And you're not letting me even try to find out."

Before anyone could talk, Allison grabbed a pair of jeans and stormed out of the room. A long silence followed and the two pairs of eyes fell upon me.

"The guy I'll marry? Since when was she concerned about marriage?" Tiffany ranted. "And what does she mean I make everything about me? I'm always there giving her advice! And was it just me or did Allison overreact? That was a little too dramatic."

"She's just overwhelmed right now," I excused. "She's been confused whether dating Cody was right or not."

"Shouldn't knowing what he did to her best friend the answer?" Randy asked.

"Maybe that's not where her anger's coming from. Maybe it's because she felt abandoned by you two."

Later That Night

'Hey best friend. Are Randy and Tiffany still in our room?' I read the text.

'No, just me. Where are you? I'm worried,' I texted back.

'I'm okay best friend, don't worry. I'm coming back there to pack my shit. I needa go home, I don't wanna be here anymore.' she replied.

Mentally making up my plead for her to stay, I waited anxiously. She couldn't leave now, I still need her, and I'm sure she needs me.

"Al don't go," I blurted as soon as I heard the door open.

"I have to," she said walking into the room. "I don't wanna deal with Randy and Tiffany's bullshit right now."

What about me? What about us? Didn't that matter? No, I can't turn this into about me. That's the reason she's mad at the other two in the first place. Fuck, fuck, fuck. What do I say now?

"It's not all bullshit Al," I said. "I mean, they have a point."

She shot me this angry look before she carelessly slammed her clothes into her bag.

"No, hear me out," I pleaded. "They're just overprotective. They-they know how Cody could be…and so…they don't, they don't want him to fuck up with you too."

She rolled her eyes and spat, "Who do they think they are? Barging into my room in the morning to tell me again that I can't see Cody? Damn, I heard them the first time and telling me a second time doesn't change my mind."

"They have good intentions Al."

"For themselves," she snapped. "Just for themselves. That's all they ever care about."

"That's not true," I defended. "Those two care about you more than you realize. They're just trying to protect you Al. You shouldn't be so against their orders without understanding their reasons."

"Yeah says the one who's been against Cody all along," she said. "Damn, I'm getting sick of people pushing their opinions onto me. Why can't you guys just let me be? Just let me fuckin breathe for once. Let me find my own reasons not to date Cody."

Cody, Cody, Cody. Why does she keep using him as an excuse, as if he were the way out of all her problems?

"If Cody's who you want then just let me know," I said, my voice rising. "I wont stand in the way, I won't put anymore shit on you. Just tell me. Because up until you do, you haven't given me one good reason why you belong with him. You question his intentions, you change into this different person when you're around him, you don't seem all that happy-"

"John," she said my name firmly.

I snapped out of it and it shot me back. Whoa, did I really just turn this into a completely different conversation?

Walking towards me, I struggled to keep my eyes fixed with hers. I could feel my face flushed and there was no hiding it. She cupped my cheeks and laughed softly.

"Best friend, are you jealous?" she asked. "You like me that much don't you?"

I shook my head against her hand.

She raised an eyebrow and questioned, "You don't?"

"I don't just like you Al, I love you."

She smiled. "I know you do."

"No, no, it's not just the friendly type of love. It's more than that. You're all I ever think about. Yeah I admit, I went on for a year of pure ignorance. You never once crossed my mind after we stopped talking, and I never realized what I lost. You know that cliché you never realize what you have until it's gone we all do. But it was different for me. It didn't take loosing you for me to realize what I lost, it took gaining you back."

Her eyebrow raised even more. "What?"

"I never even knew a part of me was missing until you took that spot and made me feel whole. You changed my definition of my everything. Now that you're here, it makes me wonder how I ever survived without you."

There. There it was, my confession that's been burning to leave my tongue ever since I stopped denying to myself.

Breathing hard, she swallowed before allowing her stare to fall to the ground. She couldn't look at me and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Lifting her chin with my fingertips, I stared into her eyes like I've never before.

"Al, I can't keep it to myself anymore. I cant pretend to be your best friend when I know I wanna be more."

She stood there stunned and speechless. I knew it'd take awhile for her to talk but that expectation didn't make the waiting process any easier. I tried to study her eyes and it looked too overwhelmed for me to distinguish whether this was going good or not.

"John," she started to say. Her voice was barely there but it rang into my ears louder than anything. "You know how I felt about you, and you probably could tell how I still feel…"

She trailed off, and it put me in a state of confusion. I could probably tell how she still feels? She's been dating Cody, that's telling me she feels nothing. Is that what she's trying to say?

"I love you too John, I never really stopped," and she paused. "But I haven't been ready to re-explore my feelings for you. That's why-"

I instantly took my eyes off her because this rejection she trying to pull, whatever this was, I couldn't take it.

She put her fingers towards my cheek to re-locate my eyes back to her. "That's why I haven't really admitted to you I still feel the same. Hell, I haven't even admitted it to myself."

"Stop denying it Al, just stop."

"It's not that easy. Just because now you decide you love me too, it doesn't mean we can just get together. It doesn't work like that," she said.

"I didn't decide to love you Al, it just happened. But I did decide to fight for you now, and that's what I'm doing." I then took her both of her hands and placed them into mine. "You may not be ready but that doesn't have to stop you from fighting for me too."

And with that, it didn't take long for me to find out her decision. Parting her hand from mine, she grabbed my face and crashed her lips against mine. Momentum came gradually but we didn't care. Suddenly, nothing in the entire world meant more to me than this kiss.

Author's Note: So are you guys satisfied now? John and Allison! Hehe. Reviews? Thanks beautifuls!

May 10 2010