Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk (Williams and Shawn)

Allison shook her head. "I'm not hungry yet. You go ahead-I'll eat later."

Across the table, John was happily slurping his noodles, making those loud, satisfied sounds. "Wow, this is really good!"

Joshua glanced at Allison, a little concerned.

Allison gave him a small, tired smile. "I just woke up. My stomach's not ready for food yet. You eat."

Only then did Joshua finally pick up his chopsticks and start to eat.

It had been ages since he'd had noodles made by Allison. He'd missed this. The taste was exactly like he remembered.

When Joshua and John arrived, they each had a suitcase and a backpack. The car could only make it as far as the end of the paved road-after that, it was muddy and impossible to drive. John picked out a couple of changes of clothes, tossed them in his backpack, and carried it the rest of the way.

After dinner, they all took showers, changed into clean clothes, and finally got some sleep.

The rescue team came by, handing out emergency supplies and clearing away the mud, rocks, and debris that had blocked off the roads. The power lines in the village got fixed, too.

Joshua woke up to find it was already four in the afternoon.

The weather was perfect sunlight streaming through the windows, warm and golden.

From the second-floor window, he spotted Allison in the yard, eyes closed, face turned up to the sun, looking so at peace.

He couldn't help but smile. For some reason, seeing Allie soaking up the sun made him think of a little turtle basking on a rock, stretching its neck out, completely content.

Honestly, it was kind of adorable.

vel

Ever since coming back from Havenbrook, things between Allison and Joshua had shifted, even if neither of them said it out loud. Mostly it was Allison who'd changed. She wasn't so cold anymore, and the way she talked to him had lost that sharp, sarcastic edge. They weren't exactly back to how they used to be, but there was something new between them-something warm, almost flirty.

Even Carolyn had noticed.

That afternoon, Carolyn stopped by the law office to see Allison.

Inside, Olivia was making herself tea and couldn't resist teasing. "Alright, spill. What's going on with you and Joshua? You used to treat him like he didn't exist, and now you two keep giving each other those looks."

Allison rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help smiling. "What looks? Stop making stuff up."

"Hmph, I've seen it more than once,"

Carolyn grumbled. "You used to glare at him like he was a pile of paperwork. Now your eyes get all sparkly like you just saw a puppy. Are you guys getting back together or what?" noveldrama

Allison dodged, grinning. “I'm just going to pretend you're complimenting my beautiful eyes."

"Hey, don't change the subject! Come on, tell us did something happen between the two of you?" Carolyn suddenly gasped, covering her mouth. "Wait, don't tell me you guys... you know?"

Allison stared at her, exasperated. "Luna, did you forget we're supposed to be rivals? What kind of interrogation is this? 'That'? What are you even talking about? What goes on in your brain all day?"

"Of course I'm thinking about Joshua. What else would I be thinking about?" Carolyn muttered under her breath.

Allison couldn't help laughing. “So am I your rival or your friend? The way you're grilling me, it's like we're best friends, not enemies."

"What's the word for it?" Carolyn tilted her head, thinking. "Frenemy, that's it! We're frenemies-half rival, half bestie."

Allison laughed out loud. "Luna, that's not exactly what 'frenemy' means."

"I don't care," Carolyn huffed. "I want to be with Joshua-he's my number one.

But I also want to be your best friend. Number two's not so bad."

Allison grinned. "Luna, you can't have it all. How can you have both?"

Carolyn lifted her chin, looking totally unbothered. "Hey, you said I'm a princess. What's wrong with wanting a little bit of everything?"