Hunter was speechless. They had all been told she went to live with her dad for a while, and that she didn't wish to see any of them, they never questioned it , it was typical Allison.
Noah , Connor and Aliyah had drove out to her dads a few times but she had refused to see them on each occasion and her father had told them she wasn't doing well and that seeing them would only make it worse for her. She needed some time to herself.
She had told Connor she was on some kind of a retreat that will help her feel better but she didn't want to talk more about it and he respected that but he had thought it was this, turned out he was right but he said nothing.
- Well Hunter, because I wasn't doing well after the accident and I did what I thought was best. Well, what my parents thought was best.
- But why not tell us? We would have been there.
- I knew you would. But I didn't want you to.
- Why ?
- Because I wanted to do it on my own.
- We would have stayed away just as we did, you could just have let us know instead of keeping it from us.
- I thought that was the best for all of us I needed time away.
- Who knew about it?
- You wanna know if Rose knew. Yes. She did. She does.
- So that's why she stayed away too?
- As I said before, I asked her not to see you. Not forced. Not demanded. Asked. You'll have to ask her why she accepted or why she didn't talk to any of you.
- Is that all? You weren't feeling okay so you decided to go to the hospital and she respected your wish not to see me?
Noah chimed in
- Yeah, I guess so.
- Are you done with your treatment? Are you feeling okay now?
- Well, I got out earlier because I wanted to be here, but yes, I am much better.
- Then that's why Rose is back too?
Hunter felt confused. Was that really all? He too felt like something was off.
- We weren't in contact until , well until Mr.P.
- If you are feeling better then why did you accuse her of not keeping her word when she came back?
- God Hunter, whatever I say will never be good will it?
- I just am a little confused
- Well since we weren't in contact, she wasn't aware I was doing better so I just wanted to know what changed her mind
- Well don't you think Anne might have told her
- She didn't say but yeah most probably. Anymore questions Hunter?
- Actually yeah, what happened the day of the accident?
- What do you mean?
- Were you two fighting?
- Well, let's just say I was upset
- So you drove you and her right into an intersection on purpose?
- What? No, Hunter! I did not. It was an accident
- Was it? Because since we're being open and honest. It didn't seem like an accident to me.
- So what? I tried to kill her is that what you're saying?
- Not exactly. You tried to kill both of you.
- Why would I do that?
- That's what I want to know..
- I didn't. I was upset , yes. But I didn't want to hurt either one of us.
- Maybe, this is why I kept it to myself about the hospital, see? You just found out and you immediately think me capable of murder.
- No, that's not what I said. I don't think you are capable of murder I'm just saying it wasn't all just an accident
- Well it was Hunter. I didn't want to hurt her or anyone.
- But you did.
Noah thought the same thing, he knew it wasn't an accident. He was in the car right behind them, he had seen it all.
Not just Rose. you hurt us all. Maybe you didn't mean to but you did.
- Goddamn it Noah, I really am trying to talk to you guys here but nothing I say will change your mind will it?
- No, I'm just saying I haven't heard you apologize to anyone
- Has Rose?
- She didn't crash the car and almost kill you.
Hunter couldn't keep himself. It made him fill with rage whenever she kept comparing herself to Rose about everything.
- I told you I didn't mean to Hunter and that is between me and her
- So there is more we don't know?
- You too Connor?
- I'm just trying to make sense of all this.
He said.
He was sure there was more to the story, but he didn't want to cause another argument, besides he knew the boys could tell too.
Aliyah helped Rose change into her sweats.
- Do you feel better?
- I'm okay Aliyah, don't worry. Its nothing I won't die.
- I know you can overcome anything I just worry sometimes
- Hah, yeah right.
- Do you want anything else
- I want to go downstairs
- Why?
- They're probably grilling Allison about the whole deal, I should be there too
- Maybe sit this one out, rest okay?
- No. I'm fine don't worry
- I don't want you to get any more upset tonight
- I know and I won't trust me
- Did uhm…did your grandma do something to you? Give you something or…
- What? No. No Aliyah this…its just it's a little complicated.. but it doesn't have to do with her. I'm okay don't worry.
Aliyah didn't look convinced.
- Aliyah.. c'mon. I solemnly swear I wasn't injected with anything against my will
Rose smiled and hugged her.
- Why didn't you tell me she made you promise to stay away from us?
- Who?
- You know who.
- She didn't make me. That's why I want to talk this out.
Lets just go downstairs, okay?
Aliyah nodded.
They walked downstairs.
They could hear the others talk.
Then Hunter saw them.
- What are you doing up?
- I am okay Hunter.
- I know you are but you still need to get some sleep.
- No , we said we'll talk so we'll talk
There was a knock on the door.
- That must be dad, I'll get it
Noah ran to the front door.
Jack rushed in.
- Where's she?
- I'm here
Rose shouted from the living room
He rushed to her and hugged her.
- You okay kid?
- Yeah I'm fine
- You sure? I wanted to bring a doctor over but Hunter said
- No!
She replied without letting him finish his sentence
- No need. I am okay.
- Here's your purse, and Mr.P's car is parked out front. Hunter you get it into the garage
- I will dad don't worry.
Jack saw Allison
- Hey Al.
He said and smiled hugging her.
- Its nice to have you back
- Thanks Jack, its nice to see you.
- Now this I call a reunion
They all looked at each other
- Anyhow, I'm happy to see you're doing okay kid, I will leave you guys alone now but I'll be staying in Pine Hills tonight, just in case you need me. And I would love to have coffee tomorrow with you Rose
- Sure, me too.
- Okay then.. I'll be around here
He hugged them again and left.
Noah walked him out and came back to the living room
- So…Al was admitted to a hospital and you were with your grandma?
Hunter didn't want to waste any more time.
- Irene! Yeah, pretty much.
- What? What hospital?
Aliyah was the last one to hear the news.
- Long story short, I had a hard time after the accident so my parents thought I should get professional help
- What? Why didn't you tell us?
- I wanted to handle it on my own.
- But we could've been there, we should've been there.
- I know you would. It just felt better that way.
Aliyah went over and hugged Al.
- I'm sorry for earlier, I stand by what I said I just could have said it in a less angry way.
- I know.
- What about you Ro? Anything you wanna say?
Hunter didn't know how to ask about tonight's events.
- You mean tonight?
- He means we know about high school
Connor wanted it all to be over already, he wanted them to talk openly about everything.
Rose looked at Aliyah. She had told them. Nobody else could have.
- Well, it wasn't that bad, I didn't die.
- Rose!
- What Hunter? It really wasn't nothing I couldn't handle. Didn't think it was necessary for anyone to know.
- I should have known.
- I handled it my own way
- We know they locked you in the basement for hours
- It wasn't hours and as I said I didn't die it was just ..
- Bullying Rose! It was bullying!
Noah felt his chest tighten, they had both been through so much and they never knew a thing. He felt like the world's worst friend.
- That's awful! I didn't know.
Allison felt bad, but she didn't think she was to blame for any of it.
- Its okay , there wasn't anything to know. Just usual high school stuff.
- What happened tonight?
Connor asked.
- She collapsed in her grandma…in Irene's office
Aliyah said and Rose looked at her in discomfort
- Why?
- They somehow got trapped in there
- Trapped? So this is some kind of PTSD then?
Rose started stroking her arm. She felt the sharp pain again.
- I'm okay I don't want to talk about that.
- But you have to.
- No, Connor I don't and I don't want to can we just not?