Young Annabelle Series: Young Annabelle, The Truth About James, What My Heart Wants

by Sarah Tork

  Jenna: Oh my God! What the hell happened with you guys?

  I texted her back.

  Annabelle: We had an argument and he left with Donna.

  Jenna: Humph! Douchebag. Well boy wonder is not looking happy right now. He’s pissed.

  Annabelle: Really?

  Jenna didn’t text back for a few seconds and I left the bathroom. Once I was in the hallway my phone beeped again.

  Jenna: Oh shit, oh shit, a fight!

  Annabelle: With who?

  Jenna: James!

  James!

  How could that be?

  Annabelle: How! What happened?

  Jenna: He came back inside looking pissed when Johnny from the Soccer team accidently bumped into him. James shoved him back swearing, two seconds later they’re punching each other, and their boys were pulling them back! What you say to him?

  Annabelle: That we were finished. Then Donna came and took him, he let her take him away right in front of me.

  Jenna: That asshole! I’m glad Johnny got a few good punches in, serves him right.

  Annabelle: I’m coming back!

  I hurried down the hall towards the cafeteria. Once I was through the doors, it was chaos. Everyone was screaming and the Soccer team and Baseball team were yelling threats to one another. The shop teacher, the one supervising the lunch room was in between them threatening both sides to quiet down and calm down or else there would be a big problem. Johnny was sitting at his table with their version of a second rate Donna, Becky Sloaner. She was caressing the side of his face with an ice pack. My eyes trailed away towards the Baseball teams table, where the boys were huddled around James, puffing out their chests casting death glares at the Soccer team. James was sitting hunched, with his head in his hands. Donna was sitting by his side obviously shaken. She was caressing his back, speaking to him closely.

  Get your hands off of him! I scowled at her, but quickly turned away, making my way back to Jenna. Jenna and her friends were shaking with excitement, laughing loudly.

  “Hey!” I said, sliding down onto the bench beside her, facing the entire room.

  “Oh Anna!” Jenna laughed. “You totally missed out!”

  “I’m not sure I did.” I murmured taking in the chaos of the room again.

  “Of course the stars of athletics won’t actually get into any trouble, they can’t be suspended.” Jenna sneered, shaking her head to her friends. “What a fair world, they get into a fight, freaking pummel each other and get off with just a warning.”

  As Jenna and her friends continued to make fun of the situation, James looked up. His eyes in an instant found mine. He straightened in an instant, giving me the angriest scowl I had ever seen from him. He was practically exhaling fire. He looked at Donna and then smirked back at me.

  I shook my head at him. What do you think you’re doing?

  He shrugged and turned away, talking to Donna, pretending like I didn’t exist anymore.

  “Well he moved on quickly.” Jenna whispered.

  “Yes he did.” I said back, not looking away.

  “Well good luck to her, she’s gonna need it, the way that guy operates.” Jenna sneered.

  “Yeah.” I muttered, and then exhaled.

  What a day.

  CHAPTER 27

  One week later….

  Jenna: And make sure to wear something….sexy!

  Annabelle: Why?

  Jenna: Because…you need to make a statement to that asshole! He’s going to have slutty slut Donna hanging off of him at every second, trying to make you jealous, Pulease!

  Annabelle: It’s been a week Jenna, I’m over him. He can do whatever he wants. I don’t want to interact with him, at ALL!

  It’s been a week since my ‘break up’ with James. I hadn’t spoken to him or texted him since that day. After I came back to the cafeteria, he pretended like I didn’t exist, paying Donna extra attention instead.

  Not that I cared.

  I’m a liar, I cared. I cared so much that it killed every time his arm circled her shoulders. Every time he spoke closely to her like they were sharing a secret. Unfortunately for me, their sudden closeness repeated daily and I suspected that it wouldn’t be too long before they became official.

  Not that I cared.

  Totally lying again!

  But it was what it was and I gave up the chance to be with him because I wasn’t okay with having a secret relationship. Having girls constantly hurl themselves at him without worrying was too much. I had to move on.

  Totally moving on.

  Jenna: Anna, put on that the cute violet dress your mom got you with the denim jacket. It’ll be fab and he’ll be hitting his head with all those balls at the diamond today wishing he never treated you like crap.

  Really?

  The idea of making him jealous and regretful was kind of appealing. He certainly didn’t waiver from making me jealous all week. Actually he happily did it, flaunting his new closeness with Donna anytime I was around.

  Like I’d missed out.

  But now that I really think about our month long ‘relationship’, that new closeness with Donna wasn’t really all that new. He did all the things before too. I was just too blind to acknowledge his actions for what they were. Which were wrong.

  Annabelle: Okay, see you in half an hour!

  Jenna: AWESOME, luv u!

  Annabelle: Luv u 2!

  I threw my phone on to my bed and went to my closet to pull out the violet dress and denim jacket mom bought me a week ago. I had just gotten home from school, it was Thursday and Jenna just texted me that she and her swim team mates were going to a friendly Baseball game between our school and Pleasant View High. Their first official game wasn’t till February so this was like an important practice that everyone was excited to watch.

  I didn’t normally go to these things. Watching Jenna’s swim meets were special because they involved her and it was fun to cheer her on. But watching Baseball, meant watching James, which also meant watching Donna scream for her ‘man’ and that was something I really didn’t want to do. That is until Jenna convinced me via text of how much of good idea it actually was.

  And did I mention I lost another two pounds. That’s right, yours truly was now officially less than 150lbs.

  I was now 148lbs.

  Mom certainly took it well yesterday when I decided to weigh in anyways despite our new plan at weighing in monthly. I couldn’t wait a few more weeks to see how much I’d lost.

  Mom was ecstatic to say the least, telling me she couldn’t wait either. I remembered stepping onto the scale and the number pad blinking 148lbs. Let’s just say I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts with the way mom was screaming.

  Hurray for me, I finally did it. I was now a comfortable size six, a perfect weight for my 5’7 height according to my new BMI and according to mom’s nutrition pamphlets. She had so many she could probably make something big using layers upon layers of them.

  I slid on the violet sundress for the first time. When I saw it for the first time last week, it looked like it was going to be a tight fit. But it practically floated over me, clinging to my body in spots that only accentuated my new figure. I stared at myself in the mirror in awe. I hadn’t worn a dress in a long, long time.

  I fixed my hair into a messy side French braid. Then I put on some mascara. I finished the look with the new denim jacket that went to my waist. It was loose in all the right places, not making me feel like a sausage.

  I looked cool.

  I grabbed my wallet and phone, putting them in my jacket pocket. Once I was downstairs, I slipped on my black converse.

  “Anna?” Mom called from the kitchen.

  “Yeah?” I called back.

  “Are you going out?” Mom walked out of the kitchen, but stopped all of sudden.

  “Sweetheart, you look lovely.” Mom gushed, quickly walking up and inspecting me close up. “The dress looks fabulous on you!”

  “Yeah,” I looked down at th
e dress, it really was beautiful. The fabric was light and flowy, covering my thighs, stopping just above my knees. “You picked well mom.”

  Mom smiled, obviously pleased with herself. “Thank you, I knew you’d look good in it.”

  “I’m going back to school, there’s a friendly Baseball game going on between our school and Pleasant View High.” I explained.

  “Alright, but don’t be back too late, you still have school tomorrow.” Mom said.

  I paused at the door knob. Mom didn’t tell me to monitor my calories. I turned back to her. “Mom you didn’t tell me to not eat anything bad.”

  “Darling, we’re passed that. After everything that you’ve accomplished, I don’t need to go all psycho mom on you anymore. God don’t remind me, I know I’ve been a pain. But on the bright side, you look fabulous, so in a way it was kind of worth it, don’t you think?” Mom asked, timidly.

  Taking a deep breath, I reflected through the last few months. “I guess so.”

  “Go have fun, knock all the boys dead.” Mom giggled pushing me forward, straightening the back of my jacket.

  “Mom!” I exclaimed, shocked. I laughed shaking my head at her little speech. “I’m going.”

  I exited, walking into the bright sunshine and warm air, inhaling the fresh air.

  I felt brand new.

  Life felt different right now. And even though all this stuff happened with James these last couple of months, I was a new person right now. If anything I’d learned from the situation. I’d make sure the next guy I was with actually wanted to hang around me in public. He definitely wouldn’t be scared of what his friends thought or if he was going to be ridiculed for not following some sort of strange hot guy code.

  I was worth it. I just needed to remind myself of that if I ever should see myself in a similar situation.

  But honestly, with my slow transformation who wouldn’t want to show me off?

  I laughed at my cocky attitude and walked to school.

  *~*~*

  Annabelle: Where are you guys?

  Jenna: We’re sitting on the hill, look up I’m waving.

  On the left side of the Baseball diamond, there was a hill that expanded well past the Baseball field. It was our version of cheap seats if you couldn’t find a seat behind the pitchers mount in the stands. The whole school must have shown up or at least a good chunk of it. I gazed at the packed stands, there wasn’t an inch available. I looked up at the hill which was also packed and saw Jenna’s flailing arm. I waved back.

  My phone beeped.

  Jenna: Dude, even from up here, you look AWESOME! Now walk slowly and sway your hips. Douche boy is with the rest of his team listening to their coach give a speech.

  I laughed reading her message.

  God!

  Like I knew how to sway my hips.

  I may have transformed into a better version of myself, but that didn’t mean I knew how to act like a sexy vixen. And attention from James was not something I wanted.

  So I walked behind the stands, not wanting any awkward moments to arise. Meaning I didn’t want to run into James. If I ran into him, chances were high that Donna would be there too, plastering herself on to him while squealing loudly at something stupid he’s said.

  I jogged up the hill, going around my classmates.

  “Hey!” I called out, approaching Jenna and two of her swim team mates sitting on the grass. I take a seat next to her, telling her friends/teammates hello.

  “What took you so long?” Jenna exclaimed. “You’ve missed more than half the game already.”

  “Really, I’m sorry. I was getting ready and then my mom wanted to talk to me about the way I looked and my diet.” I explained watching the field. The game was starting again and our team was batting.

  “Oh really, did she give you a hard time again?” Jenna asked.

  “No, she was happy with my transformation. She also apologized for being a psycho these last few months.” I told her.

  “That’s good right?” Jenna asked.

  “I think so, at least she knows where she went wrong.” I gazed around the field, Pleasant View High’s team was breaking out of their huddle and making their way out on to the field. I stared at the pitcher as he took his spot.

  I knew him.

  “Um Anna, isn’t that Dean?” Jenna asked, not sounding sure herself.

  Dean!

  Yes, he was Pleasant Views star pitcher.

  I remembered he told me that at the party. He wore the school’s Baseball uniform nicely. His dirty blond hair covered by the cap, making it hard to see his face. He looked lean and built, filling out his uniform.

  Like a man would.

  “Yeah that is him.” I smiled.

  “He hasn’t tried calling or texting since that night.” Jenna asked.

  I shook my head. “No, he hasn’t.”

  “Why? It’s not like he knew about you and James.” Jenna asked.

  “I don’t know, maybe I scared him off. That night ended badly for him.” I explained, remembering the fight between James and Joe.

  “Well maybe you guys can talk after the game.” Jenna suggested slyly.

  “Yeah okay.” I chuckled, shaking my head. She needed to work on her love life not mine. “What about you?”

  “What about me?” Jenna asked.

  “Well you’re all concerned about my love life, how about yours?” I asked her playfully, shoving my shoulder into hers.

  “I already have that under control.” Jenna answered.

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

  “Yep!” Jenna said.

  “How then?” I smirked.

  “Easy, I’m a swimmer and I’m focusing on getting that scholarship to Florida State. You think I have time for boys?” Jenna asked.

  I rolled my eyes. Whatever.

  “So it’s all work with you?”

  “I’ve got a goal, I don’t need a boy ruining everything. Especially after seeing your disastrous run, I think I’m good the way things are.”

  I chuckled. “Alright, well then I’m glad I showed you the error of my ways.”

  “Not only that but I learned a few things too.”

  “Like?”

  “Like never let a hottie try and convince you to be his side piece while he flirts with slutty sluts at school ignoring you!” Jenna grinned.

  “Damn, hit me right in the jugular!” I breathed hard, wincing in faux pain as I held a hand over my heart.

  “Calling it like I see it Anna.” Jenna explained. “I told you from the beginning, that boy wanted that extra slice of cake and you gladly gave it to him.”

  “No really, please tell me what you really think!” I ‘joked’. She was hitting it where it hurt, showing no mercy. But I guess I had it coming with the many times I went back and forth with James. She stood by my side through all of it, yes mouthing off telling me how she felt but nevertheless she was always there.

  “Oh I’ve got plenty more material. Should go through some more good one liners in the next half an hour.” Jenna smirked.

  “Well how about if I said, lesson learned.” I offered.

  “Girl please!” Jenna exclaimed, blowing a strand of hair off her face. “You still have a ways to go. Watch that fool James flash his sparkly eyes at you again and then we’ll see if you’re really DONE!”

  “Trust me, I’m done!” I promised sternly.

  “Well, you’re on the right track. That’s what I want to hear!” Jenna said.

  “Good.” I smiled.

  “But I still don’t believe you.” Jenna laughed.

  I gasped looking away. “Just watch me. I’m going to ignore him for the rest of my life! He did me wrong!”

  “I know that, you know that, but your heart. That’s still going to need some convincing!” Jenna sang playfully. “Speaking of boy wonder, look who’s flexing, with his lucky bat I presume.”

  My eyes snapped down to the field, finding James in an instant. He stood beside our
teams bench (whatever you call them I don’t know anything about Baseball), swinging his bat.

  Behind the fence I could see a few girls jumping up and down excitedly. I could hear them screech loudly even over the high volume of the entire area.

  “Well look who it is!” Jenna smirked. “His number one fan, jumping up and down, juggling her slutty slut boobs. Someone should really tell her that she’s not the pitcher for the Royal Heights Baseball team.”

  Jenna’s swim team mates laughed loudly. I chuckled, shaking my head. Jenna did not like Donna. Even more than me.

  “What the hell did Donna do to you?” I asked, confused.

  “She messed with my best friend.” Jenna explained, turning to look at me. “And that made it personal.”

  “Well gee, I don’t know what to say to that.” I laughed. “I guess, I love you too!”

  “Bitch, don’t get sentimental with me now. I’m in bitch mode, I need to feel rage if I’m going to make fun of all those idiots down there.” Jenna informed, full of attitude.

  I continued to laugh as Jenna made snarky comment after snarky comment, ripping apart the entire Baseball team from both schools, and especially James. He had no shield against Jenna’s angry bitter mouth, he was getting a beating like no other.

  And I was not going to stop it. Not anymore. Even if he looked really cute in his Baseball uniform.

  Gulp!

  *~*~*

  Surprisingly, I got really into the game, shocking myself. The score was tied and it was down to James to make a good hit so that his team mates on second base and on third base could cross to home plate.

  I think that’s what you called it.

  Donna and her hot girl crew were screaming loudly, chanting ‘Go James’. I wanted to plug my ears. I didn’t look at Jenna. I knew what her reaction to that horrible display of affection was without needing to look, disgusted.