Unconventional Solution

(Alison P.O.V)

I have told Mom that I would think of something to get us out of this problem, but how will I arrange such a significant amount of money in such a short time?

“Ali,...Ali,” I feel someone shaking my shoulders.

“huh,” I said and looked up to see the twins looking worriedly at me.

“W...what?” I said and ran a hand over my face.

“Is everything alright? We have been calling you for a long time, but you didn’t respond to us,” Ella said to me. THE BELL RINGS before I can reply to them, signalling that the first class will start soon.

“I will tell you guys later,” I said to them. They nodded their head at me, and we rushed to our homeroom class. I couldn’t concentrate on any of my classes due to today’s incident, and I think my friends noticed that too because they were nagging me to tell them what was bothering me at lunchtime.

“I will tell you, after school, because it’s not the place where I can share this problem with you,” I said to them while grabbing the tray and getting in the line for the lunch. They nodded their heads at me and changed the topic. The rest of the classes also go like a blur, and right now, we are going to the twin’s house. I called my mother and informed them that I would have a sleepover at the twin’s home.

“You guys, go ahead. I will park the car and join you guys soon,” Ethan said to us. We nodded at him and got out of the car.

“Mom, we are home,” Ella said while entering the living room.

“Welcome home, sweety, oh Alison, it’s so good to see you after a long time,” Aunt Milley said and engulfed me in a tight hug.

“It’s good to see you too, Aunt Milley,” I said while returning the hug. Aunt Milley is like a second mom to me. She had looked after me and my brother Lucas when mom had gone to grandma’s house to look after her when she had fallen sick, and dad was out of the country for business purposes.

“How are your parents doing? I didn’t get the time to see them after your mother started to work,” she asks me.

“They were fine, just busy with work,” I said with an awkward smile, I think she noticed it and was about to ask about it, but Ella saved me.

“Mom, I am hungry. Can you send some snacks for us to my room?” Ella asks her.

“Sure, what would you guys like to eat?” Milley asks us.

“Sandwiches and muffins please,” Ella said while smiling at her.

“Sure,” Milley said, smiling at us and walking inside the kitchen. Ella grabbed my hand and dragged me towards her room.

“Split it out,” she ordered after closing the door of her room.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“You had been spacing out all day. You didn’t even make any snarky remark or fight back when that slut Shally purposely took her leg out to make you fall on the floor; that is not like you at all, Alison.” Ella said to me.

“Something is bothering you, and we want to know what that is,” Ella said to me.

“You know you can share anything with us, and we will be there to help you, right?” Ethan asks while entering the room with a tray of food and closing the door after him. I sigh and tell them what happened this morning.

“Oh god, that is a huge amount of money. How are you going to pay it in such a short amount of time?” Ella asks, looking worried.

“That's what I have been thinking about the whole day but didn’t able to come up with anything?” I said to them.

“How about a part-time job?” Ella suggested.

“Who would hire a high school girl? Besides, when I got my salary, it would be too late, and it wouldn’t be enough to pay the debt,” I said to her.

“I have an idea, but I don’t think you are going to like it,” Ethan said while looking deep in his thoughts.

“What’s going on inside your mind, Ethan?” I said while narrowing my eyes at him. I swear that if he suggests any indecent ideas, then I am going to kill him.

“Hey, don’t look at me like this. I will not suggest any of that kind of ideas,” Ethan said, and I sighed in relief.

“You have learned boxing and martial arts, right, and you still visit your coach to help as his assistant, right?” he asks me.

“Yes, so?” I ask him.

“So, how about using this talent of yours to earn money while fighting in the street fight? It is the quickest and easiest way to earn money, and the reward money is also high.” Ethan suggested to me.

“No way, don’t even think about that, Alison. It is too dangerous, and many gangsters go to that place. What if you go there and gather unrequired attention,” Ella asks me.

“It’s not like she is going to participate with her real identity; we will disguise her and use a fake name over there,” Etan countered.

“But I still think it is too dangerous for her. What if someone stalks her to get information or dirt over her,” Ella asks him.

“Do you have any better idea than this?” Ethan asks her, and she shakes her head at him while fidgeting with her fingers.

“So, what do you think?” Ethan asks me.

“It’s not a bad idea, but how did I enter there? Do you know someone who can help me to enter inside the street fighting?” I ask him.

“I know a person who can help you with all this,” Etan said to me, and Ella gave him a look that says I didn’t know that you are into this type of stuff.

“Hey, don’t give me that look. I know that person because he is a regular customer in a subway, so we become good friends,” Ethan said while lifting his hand in surrender.

“So, when do you want to meet him?” Ethan asks me.

“How about today? The sooner, the better, I guess,” I said with a shrug.

“Okay, then I will go and call him,” with that said, Ethan walks out from there.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Alison?” Ella asks while looking worried. I just nodded my head at her and poured some more juice into my glass to calm my nerves.