Alison

She wasted nearly a full day's shoot just to pursue that....and why should Alison even care anymore what Belinda does or who she worships, anyway? Angry at herself because she knows she'll try calling Belinda again later, because she still can't stop herself from wondering how Justin could be doing that cross-country commute, Alison stomps into her apartment early, surprising Kelly in a study group. They all look up at Alison for a second, Kelly remarks that she's home very early, and this study session will be going on until very late, so can she please stay out of their way? Alison sighs: she's wasted a day's shoot & doesn't even know what to do with the time off. Unable to hang around the apartment, Alison heads out the door, with no particular place to go. After driving around with no purpose, wasting expensive gas for nothing, Alison stops at a convenience store to grab a drink & maybe a snack. The first thing she sees on entering the shop is the bored but gorgeous clerk.

Alice clearly doesn't feel any need to get to work, whatever that might entail, but carries on talking to Alison, asking her where she's from & what she does, and telling her all bout the time she was held up while working the late shift. "How long have you worked here?" Alison asks. "Oh, a couple of years, since I moved to L.A. They make me wear this stupid shirt, but otherwise it's okay," Alice answers. That's pretty sad, Alison thinks, but the girl is very cute and Alison thinks she *might* be flirting with her, so she hangs out & talks with her for much longer than would be considered normal. Several times Alison considers asking for the girl's number, but what would she do with it? I have a girlfriend, Alison reminds herself, then buys an iced tea, a bag of chips & a copy of Variety to read in her car while she eats her snack.

Alison goes back to the apt after the sun has gone down. The study group is munching on the remains of the pizza they ordered while they talk about the insides of animals. "There's a slice left if you want," Kelly offers. "No, thanks," Alison answers looking down at the greasy rubble in the box. Kelly gets up to make coffee, and Alison follows her into the kitchen. "We're going to be up studying pretty late, Alison," Kelly says, "I was expecting you'd be working pretty late yourself, as usual." Alison sighs, "Well, things are pretty weird on set right now, and I had something to deal with early in the day," Alison starts but doesn't other going on, she can see Kelly shutting her out. "I have a really important exam tomorrow, Ali," she says. Once again, Alison heads out the door. At least it's nighttime now & the bars are open.

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