The Three-Month Rule

Chapter 24 - The Best Protection

Allegra walked through the hall of her best friend's rented apartment for the last time – it's grey walls making her feel even more depressed instead of offering her the usual feeling of protection.

"Ready to go?" she called, taking in the layout for the final time as she walked through into the living room where she could hear Lucy shuffling about. Lucy was lounged on the sofa reading a magazine, her feet up on the coffee table. "Lucy, why haven't you packed?" she asked.

Lucy rested the magazine on her lap and responded without turning around.

"I'm staying," she said.

"What?" Allegra gasped, dropping her bag in shock.

"You know my aunt and uncle that live in London?" she began to read the magazine again. "They've offered me their spare room."

"Permanently?"

"If I pay rent, yes," Lucy replied, making sure it looked like she was reading the magazine the whole time. She had been dreading this conversation all day and had gone over it at least a hundred times in her head. She couldn't bear to say goodbye to her best friend.

"So you're not coming back with me?" Allegra asked shakily, tears welling up.

"I'm sorry. I know you hate travelling alone," Lucy said, finally turning around to face Allegra. "I'll still come and see you at every chance I get."

"Are you serious?"

"The first draft of the book is finished and..." Lucy trailed off, her eyes falling to the wine stain on the carpet. "I've been offered work here in London."

Allegra tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat and took a few deep breaths to try and untie the knot in her stomach.

"I don't know what to say," she told Lucy, her voice a shaky mess. "Well, congratulations."

"What's happening with you and Tom?" Lucy asked suddenly, turning around quickly to look at Allegra again.

"I don't know," Allegra shrugged. "I'm yet to face the music. He says we can still make it work, but..." she sighed and laughed to herself without amusement. "You know how that tends to go." Allegra shook her head, desperately wanting to smooth out the mess that had formed in her brain.

"I'm sure you'll both find a way," Lucy said sadly, offering reassurance through tears.

They stood there for a few moments, Lucy staring at Allegra the whole time, trying to remember every aspect of her- her perfect long blonde hair; her sky-blue eyes; her pale skin; her curvy figure; and the mole on the top of her right thigh that Lucy had come to adore. Allegra stood on the spot where they had once sat up until four in the morning drinking one glass of wine; discussing ideas for the book; swooning over Tom Hiddleston. She smiled sadly to herself. Tom.

"I need to go to Tom's and say... Say goodbye."

"Okay..." Lucy whispered, beginning to cry more.

"Thank you for everything, Lucy."

"I'm sorry Allie. I feel like I'm neglecting you."

"Don't be silly. This is a fantastic opportunity for you."

"I love you, Allie," Lucy sobbed.

"I love you, Luce," Allegra replied, the tears ruining her makeup.

Lucy ran up to Allegra and threw herself into her arms, crying deeply into Allegra's shoulder as her hair tickled her face.

"I'll see you soon," she said.

"See you soon. Good luck."

***

She knocked twice, for she couldn't bear to knock a third time.

The door opened slowly, Tom's pale handsome face appearing in front of her for the last time. He had bags under his eyes and his skin looked tired, a fearful frown tattooed on his face like permanent ink.

"My train is in half an hour, so I want to make this quick because it will hurt..." Allegra said, growing quieter with every word. She daren't look at Tom again as it would only cause her more pain.

Suddenly Tom took her bags from her and put them on the other side of the front door where she couldn't access them. She looked up at him automatically.

"What are you doing?" she asked weakly, too tired to fight.

"You can't go," was all he said, his jaw and fists clenched.

"Tom, I have to," she cried.

"Tell me one thing," he began quietly. "What is there for you in Carlisle?"

"My mum and dad," she scoffed.

"What's happening to Naomi?"

"She lives in London. But I can't stay with her, otherwise I would."

"I don't want you to."

"What am I supposed to do, Tom?" she grew weaker, every nerve in her body screaming at her to leave her bags and just go, but her feet were glued to the spot, eager to hear Tom's answer.

"...Live here," he said eventually with a shrug.

"What?" she gasped.

He looked up at her. The wind had blown her hair across her face in a beautiful mess; her mascara had run wild down her cheeks; she was wearing one of Tom's shirts, which had fallen open on one of her shoulders, exposing her perfect, smooth shoulder to the cold November air.

"I want you to move in with me, Allegra," he told her plainly, trying to keep his voice smooth.

"Are you mad?" she scoffed.

"Apparently," he shrugged. "What do you say?" he looked in her eyes, biting his lip to prepare for her response.

"I can't just leave my parents," she cried harder.

"But you can leave me?"

Allegra's arms became heavy as she processed the words, knocked into disbelief at his statement.

"Are you trying to guilt-trip me?" she breathed.

"No," he said, the strength and assertiveness draining from his face as he stepped forwards into the last of the daylight, grabbing her hands and resting his forehead against hers. "No, not at all. It didn't come out right. I'm sorry." He tangled his fingers in her hair, her sweet minty breath light on his face. "Allegra Mullins, I..."

"I need to go," she sobbed, pulling away from him and grabbing her bags.

"Please, wait –"

"I'll miss my train –"

"Allie, please –"

"I'm sorry, Tom. Bye," Allegra wept, running down the path to his gates.

"I love you."

"What?" she asked, turning on her heel, desperate to hear him say those words again.

"I love you," he said.