Chapter 33 Two versions of Allan
Chapter 33: Two versions of Allan
Golden stopped by Chinatown so Alex could pack her bags.
She didn't pack so much because she already had some clothes back at the estate as a result of sleeping over so many times.
She packed a small box of clothes and some shoes.
She didn't bother with her bags because Golden had more than enough bags in her closet.
When they got to the Estate, Florence came and helped with the bags while the girls went to the living room to join Varney.
“Welcome back stranger. We missed you during the holiday, although Gigi did have a swell time” Varney said with a lopsided smile.
“Well I'm here now and would be staying for two months to make up for it” Alex said with a proud smile.
“Fantastic! I'll have Florence fix up a room for you.
You can pick any room you like and I would have it remodeled to your taste.” Varney said.
“And if I want your room?” Alex asked jokingly.
“Well that's a tough one, but we can work something out.
But we will have to share it, I've lived there almost my whole life”
“Gosh that was a joke! You are unbelievable man.” Alex rolled her eyes at Varney.
“Thanks but I will be living in Gigi's room.” Alex said suddenly hugging Golden.
“Nice try V, trying to steal my friend right under my nose.” Golden said giving her brother the side eye.
As the girls settled in for the night, Golden's phone dinged. She was in the bathroom brushing her teeth.
“Hey girl, you have a message”. Alex shouted from the room.
“Who's it from?” Golden called back.
“Its from Allan?” Alex said with a raised brow as she brought the phone to Golden.
Allan: Hey Golden, what's up?
Golden finished up and walked back to the room typing on her phone.
Golden: I'm good. You?
Allan: I'm okay. Still at the parlor.
Golden saw he was still typing so she waited.
Allan: You looked really good today.
Golden was shocked. He had ignored her all day today.
Golden: (Confused face emoji)
Allan: What? I didn't lie. Nice one standing up to Linda. I'm so proud of you.
Golden: Thanks
Allan: Anyways, I just wanted to check on you, will pass by the estate tomorrow. Have a good night rest.
Golden: Goodnight.
“Okay spill. Why is Allan texting you at night.” Alex asked, sitting crossed legged on the bed.
“Is he the reason for your glow up? Does he have anything to do with what Varney talked about?” Alex asked as if realizing something.
“Which do you want me to answer?” Golden knew there was no getting out of this talk.
Besides, she wanted to share what she was feeling with someone because she was confused.
“Answer everything” Alex said.
Golden went on and told Alex everything, well almost everything. She left out the hospital part and the money she sent Allan.
But she told her about the almost kiss at the lounge, the kiss by the fountain, the moments by the kio pond, the visit to the park—Octavia's question and Allans deflection. Everything.
Alex listened attentively, not interrupting as she took in everything Golden said with serious attention.
“So what seems to be the problem?”Alex asked after Golden was done talking. Although she had an idea, she didn't want to make any assumptions.
“Well today in school he totally ignored me, like I didn't exist.
Then tonight he sent me messages” Golden then shows Alex the messages.
Alex sighed upon seeing the messages.
“So we have two Allan. School Allan—Estate Allan. What are you afraid of Gigi?” she asked woth a knowing look.
“What if what we had was just a bubble and wasn't real? We didn't define what we had.
What if it fades away?” Golden asked.
“Are you in love with Allan?” Alex asked?
“I...I” Golden stuttered.
“I don't know if I'm in love with him. But I do know I care for him deeply and whatever he does affects me.”
“Oh come here baby” Alex pulled Golden in for a hug. “just let time take it's course. Everything will reveal itself in due course.
The next morning at school Allan was at it again.
He was cold, quiet, withdrawn. Allan in full “Don’t talk to me” mode.
Alex leaned toward Golden.
“Estate Allan and School Allan are not the same person. I’m taking notes.”
Golden tried to smile, but her chest felt tight.
At lunch, Golden decided to try.
She walked up to Allan's table slowly, hands clasped nervously.
“Allan, can we talk?”
He didn’t look up immediately. When he finally did, his expression was unreadable.
“We’re in school,” he said quietly. “I’ve got things to do.”
It wasn’t rude. But it wasn’t warm either.
Golden nodded, swallowing her disappointment.
That night, as she lay in her room at the estate, her phone buzzed.
Allan: Did you get home safe?
Golden blinked.
The switch was always so fast.
School Allan.
Estate Allan.
Two different versions of the same boy.
Golden: Yeah. You?
Allan: Home. Tired. Sorry I didn't drop by today again. Was caught up with work
I’ll pass by the estate tomorrow.
Golden: Okay.
She exhaled.
He may not talk in school, but he still reached out.
Still chose her in the quiet moments.
And that was confusing.
The next day he came to the estate. No hoodie this time. No walls. Just Allan, soft around the edges, gentle with his words, sitting on the porch with her like he didn’t spend the last two days acting like she didn’t exist.
Golden watched him for a long moment before gathering her courage.
“Allan,” she said softly, “why are you different in school?”
He tensed instantly.
“I’m not different.”
“You are. You barely talk to me there, but here you act like…” She paused. “Like the break never ended.”
Allan sighed, rubbing his palm against his jeans.
“School is… different. People talk. People assume.”
“So?” Golden asked. “Shouldn’t that make you want to be clear?”
He instantly shut down.
“Golden, don’t overthink it.”
It wasn’t an explanation. It wasn’t enough. But he stood and left before she could ask more.
Alex appeared as soon as Allan left. She had been close by just in case Golden needed her.
She sat and held Golden in a hug.
“I know a guy, if you need a body bag”.
Golden smiled away her tears. “Please don't tell V about this. He might actually get a body bag”
“Great minds think alike.” They both laughed and stood up to go inside the house.