The Otherside: Alice: Tough Decisions (Book 6)

Out of nowhere I heard a knock on my door. I slowly got up and answered the door; it was Trey with a bowl of stew. I was guessing it was dinner from tonight. I looked back at my clock and noticed the time was 8PM.

“Are you okay?” Trey asked inviting himself in. He set the stew on my desk. I think he caught a glimpse of the book on it.

“I’m fine. Just been doing some reading... and thinking.”

“I see that. I thought you might be hungry and check on you.... seeing how you were... uh, last night...” he looked down and then back up. “Are you and Duncan really a thing?”

“As of right now?” I paused to think. Christina gave me the book to read, but it is not my choice if he wants to take the risks or not. “It’s up to Duncan.”

“I take it Christina gave you ‘Humans’ to read. Please take it to heart.”

“Trey, I am going to have him read it and decide. It is his choice not mine.”

“But with all the risks, if you really loved him at this point, you would let him go.”

“Are you saying my grandfather doesn’t really love my grandmother? They are still together. She even fought a war back home with my mother.”

He shook his head. “No, they are special case.”

“No, she knew what she was getting into and made a choice.” I shook my head. “Why am I explaining this to you? From what you said yesterday, I only have to talk to Ace about it.” I started to walk out of the room.

“Why are you in so much denial about why this relationship you have is so flawed?!” Trey yelled continuing our conversation into the hall.

“Because it’s not.” I said as I knocked on the door.

“Yes it is.” Trey started off again while Ace opened the door. “You can’t date a human! You have to go home eventually.” I invited myself in to get rid of Trey’s lecturing but he followed me in.

“Go away Trey. You told me to talk to Ace about it, so that is what I am trying to do!”

“But this is my room too!”

Ace wacked Trey over the back of the head to shut him up.

“I can already tell where this is going.” Ace said upset.

“Which is why I said she can’t date...” Trey started off again, but Ace cut him off.

“Let’s be honest, do you really love him? The only reason you want to be with Duncan is that you are living in a dream land where you actually believe you have a shot at living a human life. But Alice, let’s face it you are not human!”

“I know I am not human.” I said feeling like a little girl being lectured.

“Alice, when are you going to realize that Duncan does not love you? He loves the thought of you. He loves the adventure you bring, not you yourself. He wouldn’t have cheated on you if that was the case.”

“He’s got a point.” Trey said agreeing with Ace.

“Just leave me alone you two.” I said walking away. “You don’t understand, nor do you care!” I said slamming the door behind me.

I heard a loud smack after I slammed the door.

“You idiot! I told you to stay out of it! I told you to let her come to me, on her own when she was ready. And now thanks to you our relationship is worse than before!” I heard Ace yelling.

I pressed my ear to the door.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted what’s best for you.”

“I’ve seen your past and I heard the rumor that you kissed her! Why are you really doing this?”

“I want what’s best for her! I am protecting her.”

“If you really are protecting her, then swear an oath to her; stay by her side. If you really cared about her, you would.”

“I-I can’t!”

“Then you don’t care!”

I heard a thud, like something fell. “I love her more than you know. That is why I can’t stay forever!” his anger turned into a saddened tone. “She deserves better than me; someone like you.”

I realized I was hearing too much. On that note, I left and went back to my room. I reheated my stew with magic and ate it. I wondered about what I had just heard. Both of them love me? Trey who doesn’t know me well and a little while back was trying to kill me and Ace who won’t admit it to my face. They both love me? I eventually pushed that thought out of my mind. It was too hard to comprehend right now. I pushed it out of my mind because I had decided to focus on the relationship at hand. How will I talk to Duncan about all this? I had another day to decide. After I finished eating, I went to sleep.