Chapter Sixteen

Isnatch the towel off the hook by the shower and run it over my hair, shaking my head as I go. Water gets all over the mirror in front of me. I quickly grab the towel and wipe the water and steam off it.

I laugh at the grin looking back at me. I'm pretty sure it's going to be permanently glued to my face for awhile. I'm still riding the high of performing tonight.

My thoughts wander back to Alison. She looked like she loved being on the stage so much. Like it is seriously part of who she is inside. Performing for her seems like literal food for her soul.

Although, I can't help but think about the sadness that was deep in her eyes. It seems something she tries really hard to hide. From what I've gathered, she is definitely not one who easily lets others in. Believe me, I understand that all too well. Dad basically has to pry my words out of me with a crane when I'm really upset. It usually involves food as a bribe. Wait a minute. That's it!

I quickly run to my suitcase and grab a pair of jeans. I try to throw them on, hobbling on one foot, as I start digging in the pile of clothes with my other hand, looking for a shirt to wear. I spot Alison's face grinning up at me from the leaning tower of clothes that I've made at this point. I grab the shirt and hold it up in front of me. It's the Alison Quick Enchanted Tour shirt Dad gave me as a joke. Perfect! I throw it on, grab my phone, and head out the door without allowing for a second thought.

A little while later, I'm standing at Alison's door holding a pizza, a bag of takeout food, and a 12 pack of Pepsi. I take a deep breath and silently pray this goes well and that I'm not making a colossal mistake.

I quietly knock at the door, part of me hoping she doesn't answer. Kind of like when you have to make a phone call and silently pray that you get their voicemail.

Suck it up, man! Why are you so afraid of her?

I wait a few more seconds and then start to turn to leave. Before I take even one step away from the door, the lock makes a clicking noise as someone unlatches it from the inside. I spin back towards the door and plaster a smile on my face. Alison's blue eyes peek out through the crack in the slightly ajar door.

"Yeah?" she asks. Her voice sounds so small. Weak. Is that just from singing the show?

"Do you mind if I come in?" I respond. "I brought provisions." I hold up the items in my hands.

I small smile appears on Alison's face. It makes my heart leap for a second, but then I realize the smile doesn't reach her eyes. Clearly, something is wrong. She nervously looks back behind her.

"Sure," she whispers as she pulls the door open and gestures for me to come in.

"Everything okay?" I ask, stepping through the doorway.

"Yeah, fine," she answers as she quickly turns away from me and pushes her hair back behind her shoulders. She starts heading towards the couch, so I follow.

"Are you sure?" I push.

Alison takes a seat on the couch, so I decide to sit next to her, leaving some space in between us. I set the food down on the small coffee table in front of us and wait for her to make the first move.

I know trying to dig for information when it comes to Alison can severely backfire on me, but I can feel something's off. It seems like she's hurting and I want to help. Even though, I haven't known her for very long, she's clearly not her normal self right now. I'm not sure if it's entirely my place to get involved, but I can't help it. It's what I do. Fix people. Probably stems from the fact that I can't fix myself most days.

"Archer, I'm fine," she responds, this time clear annoyance taking over her voice.

I pause for a second and look at her face. She's staring right back at me. Her under eyes are puffy and the white of her eyes are red. I can't tell if it's from crying or exhaustion. I'm sure if I asked, she'd say exhaustion from the tour, but she just looks so sad and fragile.

Without thinking, I reach up to push a blond curl off of her face. She holds my gaze for a minute, her face starting to relax. I give her a small smile. Then just as quickly, she pulls her head back and that serious look replaces her soft eyes.

"Nice choice in shirt by the way," Alison says as she points at my chest, clearly trying to break the ice and change the subject.

"Hey, Alison Quick is insanely talented. Don't make fun," I respond.

"Oh, I know how amazing she is. Believe me," Alison giggles. She pauses for a second before she clears her throat. "Why did you come here, Archer?"

"Oh, um," I start as I shake my head trying to clear it. "I brought dinner." I lift the pizza box up into the air and the case of pop and smile at her. "One of your favorites, right?"

Alison laughs as she nods her head. She smiles as she takes in a deep breath. "Possibly the best smell in the whole world. The only thing that could've made this better was an order of chicken fingers to go with it."

"What do you think is in the bag?" I wink.

"Are you serious?" Alison jumps up off the couch and grabs the bag from the table. She rips the plastic, grabs the styrofoam container, and throws the lid open. A smile starts to grow on her face. She grabs one of the chicken fingers off the top and quickly takes a bite. "Food from the heavens." She does a little dance as she takes another bite.

I start laughing. "Would you like me to grab some plates and napkins or are you just going to dance the entire time you eat and drop crumbs all over the floor?"

She pauses for a second as if seriously contemplating her answer. I raise my eyebrows up at her. "Okay, fine go grab some plates from the cabinet."

I nod and head to the small kitchenette area.

"Grab some ranch from the fridge while you're at it,"Alison shouts.

"Check the bag," I shout back.

I hear her rummaging through the plastic again. "Mmmmmm. Nectar of the gods."

I laugh again as I grab the plates and walk back to the couch. "Has anyone ever told you that you have a way with words?" I ask as I open the pizza box and throw a couple of slices on a plate.

"Yeah, I feel like I've heard that one or two times," she answers as she grabs a piece of pizza straight from the box and takes a bite. She balances what's left of her chicken finger on top of the piece of pizza and then grabs a can of Pepsi, attempting to crack it open with one hand.

"Here," I say as I reach out for the can. She passes it to me, and I open it for her. She all but snatches it out of my hands before she begins chugging it. A few drops of ranch fall off of her chicken and lands on the table in the process.

"Plate," I say as I grab one and hold it under the food in her hand.

She clicks her tongue, but then sets the handful of food onto the outstretched plate. As she reaches to take it from me, her hand grazes mine. I feel what I can only describe as a bolt of electricity pass through my hand and up my arm. I look at her face to see if she felt it too, but her eyes are glued to the food on her plate.

"Only have eyes for one thing then?" I ask, letting out a small chuckle. I'm still thrown by what I just felt, but I don't want to let on to anything being off since she clearly didn't feel it herself.

"Hmmm?" she questions through a mouth full of food.

"Nothing," I smile as I take a bite of my own slice.