Young Annabelle Series: Young Annabelle, the Truth About James, What My Heart Wants (27 page)

“And there’s only one new, really cute guy on the
Baseball team!” Jenna scowled.

“James.” I answered.

“But that’s hearsay. You don’t know if he actually did hook up with her.” Jenna informed.

I looked at her incredulously. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“Anna, do you hear yourself right now? How do you know if he did any of that stuff?” Jenna asked.

Shit, I didn’t know if actually kissed her.

“Well I talked to him before coming here, he said he did go to that thing at the Baseball field, and she was there.” I informed her, replaying my last conversation with James in my head. It gave me a bad taste in my mouth.

Jenna’s eyes bulged. “Oh really!”

“Yep, and he lied about going to it. That’s the second party he hasn’t told me about.” I explained, adding to his list of infractions.

“That’s true!” Jenna agreed.

“So in my eyes, there was a reason he didn’t tell me he was going to either of them, because he doesn’t want to stand beside me. I bet he just wanted to keep me his little secret, to have fun with on his time off from his crew.” I said bitterly.

Jenna shook her head, grabbing my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Anna, don’t say that.”

“Why, its true isn’t it!” I snapped, jerking my shoulder out of her grasp.

I didn’t want to be touched,
my entire body felt irritated.

“Stop thinking about yourself like that. He’d be stupid to think that you’re not good enough to stand beside him in front of his idiot friends.” Jenna said.

“I wish I could believe that, but the facts are the facts, and he’s already proven himself twice as a liar.” I sighed.

Jenna nodded. “I don’t like him, every time you’ve been with him you’ve been too ashamed to come and tell me about it. I always have to find out afterwards when shit hits the fan!”

“Well trust me now, it’s never going to happen again!” I vowed.

Silence

“Anna, why is that guy waving at us?” Jenna asked, worriedly.

I glanced up, squinting through the sunshine as the person coming towards us began to run.

Familiar frame, blonde hair, cute face, he wore a Baseball jersey and a Baseball cap.

Was that Dean?

“Hey Anna!” Dean called almost in reach. “Thought that was you.”

“Hey Dean.” I called back, shocked. “Um, this is my best friend Jenna.”

“Hey Jenna, I’m Dean.” He said, slowing down to a walk. He stretched out his hand to her.

“Nice to meet you.” Jenna shook his hand. “You’re from Peter’s party right?”

“Yeah, but I kind of screwed up there with Anna in the end.” Dean confessed breathily, taking a seat beside me on the bench.

What was going on? I felt my face beginning to heat up. I hoped I wasn’t turning red!

“Why, what did you do to my friend?” Jenna accused, jokingly. She got up and began walking backwards down the field. “I’m going to get a drink of water. Dean you have until that time to fix this!”

Dean laughed. “Got it chief!”

I couldn’t believe this was happening!

There was silence as we watched Jenna stalk across the field to the water fountain. She’s an amazing friend. That’s because there was a water fountain right beside us.

“Anna?” Dean murmured. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” I asked, looking at the grass.

“For the way I left things at the party.” He explained softly.

I looked up from the grass, facing him. “Why did you just get up and leave like that? I thought we were having a good time?”

“We were, but then you kept calling me nice, and I drank a few too many cups of that punch and it was kicking in. You kept calling me nice and it was rubbing me the wrong way.” Dean confessed, kicking at the grass.

“What’s wrong with nice?” I asked, confused.

“Anna, a guy doesn’t want hear he’s being really ‘nice’ with the girl he likes.” Dean laughed bitterly.

I froze.

“You like me?” I murmured in disbelief.

He didn’t look up from the grass. “Couldn’t you tell, I practically followed you to the couch.”

I leaned closer. “Really?”

He looked up from the grass and our eyes met. “Yeah, I think you’re funny, cute, amazing!” He exclaimed.

“That’s so…..not nice!” I told him, stopping myself in the end.

Almost blew it again!

Dean laughed. “Hilarious!”

I heard Dean’s name being called from down the field. I followed the sounds to a group of guys with
Baseball bats and catchers mitts. They were waving, trying to get Dean’s attention.

“I think that’s for you.” Jerking my chin at them.

“Yeah, came here with some friends to play some ball, the field here is nice.” Dean explained, getting off the bench. He turned and faced down at me. “Anna, can we start over?”

But….what about James?

Screw James, he was busy lying his ass off and kissing Donna, doing things with her behind my back.

I nodded. “I’d like that.”

“Can I put my number in your phone?” He asked, looking hopeful.

“Okay.” I handed him my phone and he quickly tapped at the screen before handing it back to me. 

“You’ll be hearing from me!” He laughed, walking backwards back to his friends.

“You’d better!” I yelled back. He gave me one last smile before turning around and running back to his buddies.

Wow, I couldn’t believe that just happened.

Goodbye James, hello Dean.

Again!

“Well?” Jenna called from a distance. I shot out two thumbs up and a huge smile broke across her face as she ran the rest of the way.

“Tell me exactly what happened!” She screeched excitedly, plopping breathlessly next to me.

In a matter of minutes, I had gone from miserable and scorned to happy and carefree. These boys had power and it was going to be up to me to learn how to not let them use it over me, whether it was good or bad.

CHAPTER 21

After telling Jenna every single detail about my conversation with Dean, we headed home. My phone beeped as I strolled home peacefully, a far cry from earlier.

My eyes bulged, shocked when I saw who it was that texted me.

James!

I couldn’t believe it, the nerve of him thinking he could text me after what he had pulled. I should have blocked his number for life.

I was a glutton for punishment, because I read it anyways.

Tiger:
Have you cooled off? We need to talk.

We need to talk……how about no!

The damage was done.

I tucked my phone back in my pocket as another text came through. Sighing, I took out my phone and checked who it was.

It was James, again.

Tiger:
So now you aren’t going to answer my texts. Real nice. We need to talk.

I ignored his plea with pleasure. But then after a few minutes, there were no more new messages. Right when I thought he wasn’t going to text me anymore, my phone rang.

Damn!

He’s calling me now.

I pressed ignore.

After a few seconds, he called again and I happily ignored that call too. Now incredibly nervous I picked up the pace. I was ten minutes away from my house and I needed to get inside as fast as possible. I didn’t want to take the chance of him driving by and noticing me, thinking that it was the perfect time to have
another beautiful conversation
.

Screw that and screw him.

Speed walking turned into a jog. After a few minutes, I had to stop from being breathless. As I regained my breathing, my phone rang again.

Will he just quit it now!
I stared bewilderedly at my phone’s screen. Couldn’t he take a hint? I wanted nothing to do with him anymore.

I was a block and half away from my house, in the home stretch when I noticed a black SUV racing down the street, coming towards me.

Oh no!
I stalled, glued to the sidewalk as the car came closer and closer. Thankfully it drove past me. I breathed a sigh of relief.

My phone beeped. I got another message. It was probably from James again.

But it wasn’t, surprisingly.

Dean:
Hi, what are you doing now?

That was quick. I’d just left him half an hour ago.

I texted him back.

Annabelle:
I’m walking home, u playing Baseball now?

Dean:
Taking a break….thinking about you.

I felt my face heat up reading that. He was thinking about me.

I texted him back.

Annabelle:
Really?

Really?
I pondered again as another text beeped through.

Dean:
Yeah, I can’t stop thinking about your cute face.

A huge smile broke across my face.

Annabelle:
Thanks…..

Dean:
Anna, you want to go out tonight?

Tonight?

It was a school night.

I texted him back.

Annabelle:
Okay, where, what time?

Dean:
I’ll pick you up at 6pm, is that good?

Annabelle:
I’ll text my address.

Dean:
Can’t wait.

Annabelle:
Me too!

I rushed home. I had a date to get ready for, an official proper date.

But what would mom say? Could I tell her? Would she even let me go?

I had to lie and come up with a story. I would tell her I was going to Jenna’s, that she had all my homework and notes from today. And I’d emphasize that I’d make sure to eat within my calories.

“Annabelle!” Mom called from the kitchen.

“I’m home!”

She walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel. “How do you feel?”

“Yeah, I just needed to walk, the exercise really helped.”

Mom’s eyes brightened happily as if it were the best news she’d heard in a while. “Really! I’m so happy. You see Anna, treat your body right and everything will be okay. No more stomachache right?”

“Yep, it’s all gone!” I chirped.

“Great!” Mom chirped back.

“But um, can I go to Jenna’s at 6pm? She has all my homework and notes from today.” I explained.

Mom thought about it for a minute before replying. “What about dinner?”

“I’ll eat at her house and I’ll make sure it’s within my calories.” I promised.

Mom thought about it again for a few seconds before replying. She nodded. “Alright, but be home before ten, it’s a school night.”

“Yeah, for sure.” I responded excitedly. I rushed up the stairs to my room, skipping steps along the way.

I checked the time on my phone and it was 4:30pm. I had to get ready!

My phone beeped. I got a new message.

I hoped it was Dean.

It wasn’t, it was James.

Tiger:
Fine, have it your way. I’m tired of these games. Last time you’re going to be hearing from me!

I laughed out bitterly. He thought I was the one playing the games. I’d been upfront with him this entire time. I deleted the message and gave his spirit the finger.

Casting all thoughts of douchebag James out of my mind, I had other things to worry about, like what I was going to wear for my date tonight. 

*~*~*

I have literally no clothes!
I thought as I waited on the curb a block away from my house. I gave Dean my address, sort of.

And none of my pants were fitting me. The waist line all of a sudden was too loose, which was a great thing. I think I just passed the size ten mark.

Who would have thought this whole diet thing would work. Since summer began it didn’t seem like I was really losing weight where it counted, meaning my waistline. Now all of a sudden it’d finally hit me, my body was changing.

Did I mention I went on the scale before leaving the house, yours truly was now 162 pounds.

I couldn’t believe it. I had lost weight, even with the junk food binge last Friday. But now that I think about it, I barely ate anything this weekend and today I just had a bowl of soup.

But still a 162 pounds. Amazing!

A horn honked behind me, I turned and Dean drove to the curb in black Honda car.

I got in the car and faced him. “Nice car.”

“Thanks, I saved up to buy it.” He informed happily, and then quickly scanned me before meeting my eyes again. “You look nice.”

Oh yeah my outfit. I scoured my closet, settling on a pair of flared black jeans and a dark purple tank top that I had hidden somewhere from two years ago. It hadn’t fit for the last two years, and somehow today after sliding it on I didn’t look like sausage.

Success!

“Thanks….umm…you look good too.” I told him slowly, eyeing his fitted blue shirt which showcased his broad chest.

When I met his eyes again, Dean was staring at me seriously. Did I mention there was a little bit of cleavage poking out? Maybe that’s why he looked all serious. I was out for the kill, there was going to be no more self-pitying going on anymore. I was a woman and I was going use what I had to make my point.

James, screw you! You totally missed out.
I thought as I stared at Dean. “So, where are we going?”

“Do you like frozen yogurt?” He smiled.

Oh yeah, I knew I liked him for a reason!

*~*~*

Dean took us to a Yogurty’s in a plaza twenty minutes from my house. We joked about the selection we chose for our own individual bowls. He picked the craziest combo’s that I didn’t think would work, but he laughed it off saying I didn’t know what I was missing.

Then he did something really nice after our bowls were weighed. He paid for mine.

“Thanks.” I gushed as he took the receipt from the cashier.

He turned back and smiled. “No problem.”

We took our frozen yogurts to the top floor where there was a balcony. We chose a table close to the railing, overlooking the parking lot.

This is so nice!
I thought as I took my first spoonful. I just had to make sure I didn’t tell him that, just in case he wasn’t over the whole being called ‘Nice’ thing. 

“You’ve got really nice skin.” Dean said all of a sudden, taking the spoon from his mouth. I gave him a shy smile.

“Thanks.” I replied softly.

I should give him a compliment now. Anything but ‘nice’ though. I was going to remind myself of that a million times if I had to. I couldn’t screw this up like last time at Peter’s party. I needed to call him something sexy and manly.

But I couldn’t call him a wild beast.

“You’re cool.” I said slowly, as if I didn’t know if it made sense or not. My breathing stalled as I awaited a response from him.

“Duh!” He responded, amusedly. I sighed in relief that my compliment was accepted and laughed at his funny facial expression. I jerked slightly when I felt his fingers intertwining with my fingers. I wished my reaction was less panicky, but it had caught me off guard. I didn’t say anything. I just stared at our fingers, or rather his fingers playing with mine.

OH
GOD!

“Is that okay?” He asked quietly, unsure. “I can’t help but want to touch you.”

“It’s okay.” I replied softly, slightly nervous. My heart was pounding at a mile a second.

James who?

“James!” a screeching voice screamed out, making me jump.

What!

I peeked over the railing and gasped quietly. My jaw dropped a little when I noticed a large black SUV pulling to a stop in a parking spot. The windows were all the way down and I could see that the entire car was full of people. As the car doors opened, people spilled out. More noticeably from the passenger side a certain auburn haired vixen rolling her hips and poking her chest out as she got out.

“James!” She screamed out again, jogging up to him, pretending to try and slap him on the shoulder as he laughed and ducked.

“You almost killed us!” She squealed, pouting her lips, putting her hands to her hips, pumping her boobs out some more.

“Those guys go to your school right?” Dean asked out of nowhere. I faced him and nodded.

“Yeah.” I answered, not wanting to look back out to the parking lot.

“Loud aren’t they?” Dean joked, making a funny face that screamed ‘They’re annoying’.

“Yeah, they’re a loud bunch. You should see them before class starts in the mornings, they shout at the top of their lungs.” I explained, slumping into my seat and picking up my bowl.

Dean laughed. “The
y’re attention seekers.”

“You said it.” I mumbled, putting a spoonful of frozen yogurt in my mouth.

“What about him?” Dean asked, eying me seriously, all joking gone.

Did he notice me staring at James?

“Who?” I pretended like I didn’t know who he was talking about, but I knew who he meant.

“The driver, what’s his name?” Dean asked. “I recognize him from Peter’s party.”

I reluctantly glanced back out to the parking lot and eyed the loud crowd painfully. Taking a nervous breath, I faced Dean again. “Why would you think I would know his name?”

“Because I saw you talk to him after we slow danced.” Dean confessed, looking away for a few seconds.

Damn…Cat’s out of the bag.

“His name is James. We used to work together at the country club, Royal Heights.” I explained, nonchalantly.

Dean looked relieved all of a sudden. “So you guys just worked together?”

“Yeah, why? Did you think that there was something between us?” I asked, trying not to gulp.

Just act normal. Deny, deny, deny.

“Yeah, I saw him grab your arm for a second, but you pulled back.” Dean said, swirling his spoon inside his bowl.

“Yeah, he was just saying hi, but I think he was a little drunk.” I explained, fake laughing, trying to make it sound like not a big deal.

“I want frozen yogurt!” A girl’s voice pleaded loudly from the bottom. My heartbeat picked up in speed. They could not walk in here, not that I was ashamed of being with Dean, but I didn’t want a confrontation with James.