Who?

Jake Stalling?

Allison Billson:

2 weeks and I haven’t gotten a call from anyone at all. I had gotten my X-Box and I played it, drew, or hung out with Jayden and his friends. I was helping Jordyn with his summer school too. I explained things using examples he knew of like football or swimming.

I was sitting on the beach drawing with the guys all talking about 10 feet away when my phone went off. It scared me so I made an unwanted mark on my drawing. The guys all looked at me while I crumpled up the piece of paper in frustration and chucked it away. I checked the text message.

It was from Jake, ‘Call me ASAP! This is urgent!’

I sighed and dialed his number ignoring the guys that were now looking at the screwed up drawing.

Jake: Hello?

Ally: Hey, you asked me to call ASAP!

Jake: Yeah, but uh…how is it there?

Ally: Good, I miss home but other than that I am having fun. I got a new X-Box too!

Jake: Cool! I was surprised you gave your old one to Ethan but I suppose it makes sense now.

Ally: Yep, so how are you?

Jake: I’m fine. (I knew something was wrong)

Ally: How’s Ethan?

Jake: Okay. (Yep, something is definitely wrong.)

I sat up quickly and looked at my phone hoping it held the answers. I put it back to my ear.

Ally: What’s wrong, Jake?

Jake: Nothing, I’m glad you are having fun, Allison.

Ally: Bull shit! You never use my actual name and you are giving me one word responses. Tell me what is wrong, Jacob!

Jake: (Sigh) Fine, I just didn’t want you to worry.

Ally: Why would I?

Jake: Just…well, the reason neither Ethan nor I have called you in a couple weeks is because…(He was drown out by Sam asking me something.)

I turned to Sam, “Sam, shut up! I am trying to talk to Jacob.” I put the phone back to my ear.

Ally: Sorry, can you please repeat that, Sam interrupted.

Jake: (Deep breath) we haven’t called you because dad’s cancer came back.

And just like that, my world came crashing down. I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

Jake: He is getting treatment but they don’t know if it is going to work this time, Ally-cat.

Ally: No, it will! He has to be okay!

Sam asked, “What’s wrong, Ally?”

Jake: We didn’t want to worry you, Ally. I shouldn’t have told you.

Ally: What? (I was getting angry) You shouldn’t have told me? You should have fucking told me earlier! This has been going on for 2 weeks? Why wouldn’t mom tell me? Oh wait, never mind, I know.

Jake: She doesn’t hate you, Ally.

Ally: Shut up Jake, you know you are lying. I would not be over 1000 miles away if she didn’t fucking hate me. (I felt a few tears slip)

Jake: You know that isn’t true.

Ally: Jake, for once, can you not try to make me feel better? Just this once because all it does is make me feel worse about myself and think about how screwed up I am.

Jake: Ally…

Ally: No, think about it, if I wasn’t so screwed up I would be there, going through this with you. I would be there for him instead of not even knowing about it until now!

Jake: Allison, did you take your meds today?

Ally: Fuck! I forgot! (I slapped my head) Oh well, I am sure I will regret saying this later but I hate you guys.

I hung up and dropped the phone. I pulled my knees to my chest rocking slightly while letting the tears fall. Someone cleared their throat and I remembered that I was with the guys.

I mumbled, “Fuck!” I looked up and they were all staring at me.

Sam asked, "What happened?" I just shook my head standing up and running down the path and up to my room. I sat on the floor against my closed door and just let the tears come. Half an hour later I got an idea.

 It is short, but it holds an important conversation in the story between Jake and ally.