The harsh winter wind bit into the laughing friends as they remembered the great times that they had shared. “We were some crazy kids!” Liam exclaimed happily.
“You got that right!” Annabelle laughed. The wind made Annabelle shiver uncontrollably, and Liam took off his jacket to give it to her. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said, enjoying its warmth.
Liam shrugged and said indifferently “It’s ok. I don’t need it. I’m like a space heater!” Annabelle laughed and became grateful for having him back in her life. After much more laughing and reminiscing, a rare awkward silence made itself apparent. Just as she was about to say something humorous, she felt a warm pressure on her hand that had been resting on the park bench between them. She looked over to see his hand lying on top of hers.
Annabelle’s eyes grew wide as she moved them to his face and asked “Really?”
Liam nodded and said “Truly.” And with that, Annabelle rested her head on his shoulder.
Annabelle woke slowly, trying to savor the remaining bits of her dream. But like dust in the wind, the vision of wonder and fantasy scattered. She stretched, got off of her couch, and began to get ready. This evening marked three months. Her catnap had left her fully refreshed, and the sky outside was now a gentle sunset orange. When she was finally ready, she went and grabbed her keys out of the bowl by the front door. As she opened the door, she caught someone mid-knock. It was her friend Zeke Masterson. Zeke had been very supportive over the past three months, and helped her every Friday night. “That was fast,” she commented as she locked the front door behind them.
“Do you really want to do this again? It’s been three months.” Zeke replied.
“I need to.” Annabelle said quickly. “I have to find him.”
“I understand that, but I don’t like seeing you so disappointed every time we do this. If he left completely without warning... I’m sorry but I honestly don’t think he’s going to come back.”
“I need to have hope. Without him, it’s all I have.” Annabelle countered simply. Zeke could see that she was on the verge of tears, so he acquiesced. They made their way along the familiar streets into their hometown while talking about the times that she had shared with Liam before he mysteriously disappeared. When they reached Main Street, Annabelle became extremely attentive to every detail. This is where he would be if he were to return.
“Let’s split up.” Zeke suggested.
“Okay.” Annabelle agreed distractedly. Her eyes were still sweeping the sidewalk ahead as Zeke began walking in the opposite direction. Soon she found one of Liam’s closest friends. “Any word?” Annabelle asked as she noticed the orangey sky fading into a dark purple night.
“None.” Said Jack blandly. Jack had been just as worried for a long time. Now, he was simply numb. Losing a close friend did that to someone. Annabelle looked at him sorrowfully. If Liam never returned, the two of them would be shredded on the inside. The only thing that kept them alive was a small piece of hope. Annabelle walked away to continue searching every darkened corner where a seventeen-year-old boy could hide. The purple faded to black and the lights of the small town began to flick out one by one.
Annabelle saw the figure of a guy about her age sitting on the curb in the shadow of a nearby building. She kicked at a rock, thinking he was just a normal kid, not the person who had captivated her for over seven months. Carefully, she walked around the boy. Interest flared inside her, beginning a mini war. She was here to search for Liam, not make small talk with a random kid on the sidewalk. Unable to suppress the curiosity that was now burning a hole within her, she sat down on the curb next to him. She whispered a ‘hi’, and he raised his eyes to meet hers. She quickly looked away, fighting back the urge to cry. His eyes were exactly the same shade as Liam’s. He uttered a ‘hi’ back, loud and proud. She gasped and looked to his eyes again, recognizing his voice. Those weren’t just similar eyes; they were his. His pools of mercury stared into her own chocolate colored eyes, hypnotizing her and reminding her of the day they first met.
7 MONTHS EARLIER
Minutes left in the class period, and everyone was anxious. Supposedly, there was going to be a new kid in the class. The first period Literature class was completely silent for once, anticipating the opportunity to befriend the new kid. The door opened, and in walked an average looking guy. The only thing that seemed to stand out at the time were his beautiful steely grey eyes. The students of the class sighed, and returned to their end-of-class work. Everyone had been expecting someone spectacular. The poor kid looked around the class nervously and made his way back to the teacher’s desk. She pointed out a seat, and he went to it. Annabelle looked up from her book as the kid sat in the seat next to her. “Hey, I’m Annabelle.” She said warmly. She didn’t care about appearance so much as she did personality.
“Liam.” He said quietly. The bell rang and the students rushed to get out of the classroom before each other. Annabelle was a little slow and dropped some of her books in the rush. Liam walked over, crouched down, and helped her to gather the dropped books. “Here you go,” he said, handing her the last one. She stood and found herself nose to nose with him.
“Thank you,” she managed to utter as his almost silver eyes bore into her.
Slightly shaken from first period, Annabelle walked into her gym class. She found her not-so-normal group of friends and began to tell them about the new kid. “You mean him?” Sahari asked, pointing behind Annabelle. Annabelle turned and saw Liam walk into the gymnasium.
“Yeah that’s him.” Annabelle said, wondering why no one else seemed to care that for once, someone else came to the small school.
Liam walked up to the familiar face, Annabelle. Her chocolate eyes had searched his earlier, something that no one else took the time to do. Why are her friends looking at me like that? He wondered. Annabelle was pretty, no doubt. Her long rusty hair accented her brown eyes perfectly.
“Sahari, Ian, Zeke, Tailor, I want you to meet Liam. He just moved here. Today is his first day.” Annabelle said, introducing him to her friends. Annabelle may have been pretty, but Tailor looked like a girl that he could make a reputation off of. He decided that though Annabelle was nicer and far prettier, Tailor would be the first girl that he would make a move on. Tailor’s greasy blonde hair hung limp beside her sallow cheeks. Her tight fitting clothes showed every bulge on the bigger-than-average girl. Yes, this would be easy. Or so he thought.
The guys and girls split up to change, and in the locker room Liam was all Annabelle could think about. She wanted to know so much about him that she became dizzy. She remembered her previous relationship with Ian, and realized that she had never really wanted to know about him. This feeling was completely new to her. She exited the small and overcrowded locker room to find the stuff for volleyball set up. Liam walked over to her and began asking questions about the school. Annabelle answered them the best she could until the game started.
When the gym teacher blew his whistle, everybody scampered into his or her usual positions for the game. Annabelle watched as Liam walked to the bleachers and sat down to watch the game. “I don’t think so!” The gym teacher yelled. “Go stand beside Annabelle and make your self useful!” Liam already seemed to fear the teacher as he stood beside Annabelle. When the teams rotated, Liam ended up behind Annabelle. She watched the ball fly across the court a couple times, and then it flew towards her. Annabelle jumped to hit the ball, but missed because she was so short.
Someone yelled, “I’ve got it!” and Annabelle turned to see what was going on.
Liam cringed as his hand hit Annabelle square in the center of her face. If the stupid guy next to him hadn’t tried to show off, Liam would’ve hit the ball. Instead, now Annabelle was glaring at him and rubbing her nose. Great, Liam thought, my only friend in this tiny school now hates me because of someone else. “I’m so sorry!” He exclaimed.
“It’s ok.” Annabelle said as the game continued as if nothing had happened. “It’s not the first time, and somehow I don’t think it will be the last.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m sorry.” Liam muttered as her eyes studied his again. Those big brown eyes made him feel as if she were actually searching his soul.
“It’s fine.” Annabelle said tenderly. “It was just a mistake. Just be careful. Not everybody in here is as quick to forgive as I am.”
THE PRESENT
Zeke looked at his phone. Annabelle was supposed to update him every half hour so that he would know that she was ok. He never actually searched for Liam when he came with Annabelle. He usually just sat and watched people walk by. Zeke had seen Liam several times on these little outings, but had never told Annabelle, or Jack for that matter. Annabelle needed to get over that jerk and open her eyes. Zeke was the one that was always there for her, not Liam. Zeke was the one who actually cared. Zeke was the one who loved her more than he loved his life. He could be with any girl right now; he had the looks and the charm. But he had set his sights on Annabelle. He wasn’t going to settle for some lesser girl just because they had hit a minor roadblock. Zeke just wouldn’t tell Annabelle that he had seen Liam. Yes, that would fix everything. If Liam didn’t return, Annabelle would be forced to get over him. Therefore, in a short time, Annabelle would be Zeke’s.
Liam looked into Annabelle’s eyes. They were still the same gorgeous shade of brown, but now they held fear and loss. It pained him to know that it was because of him. He couldn’t show that he was hurt though. If he did, she would surely know. She would know that he loved her; that he always had. He had hurt her so many times. How could she be so pained when he had crushed her so often? He had known that she liked him and that she had wanted to be more than his friend for a long time. She had made it very clear. But he still had dated around; he had still willingly hurt her. “I’m so sorry.” He whispered for the millionth time since they had met. A silent tear slid down her cheek as her gaze drifted to the dark street in front of them. Pain seized his heart and he resisted the urge to follow her example. He was the one who needed to be strong right now, unlike so many other times when he had hid and left her to fend for herself.
6 MONTHS AGO
He just doesn’t know when to stop! Can’t he see that I’m right here? Surely he can, I’ve even told him. And yet he keeps dating these girls that break his heart. Why won’t he just give me a chance? I know I’m not the prettiest, but really? Tailor? She’s already taken! Ian’s going to throw a fit. I better stay out of this. Annabelle thought as she watched Liam and Tailor walk around, hand in hand. The pain clenched her heart, but she was learning to ignore it. She had seen him with other people before; it shouldn’t be a big deal anymore. But it was. Annabelle knew that this sight would haunt her until they broke up. Ian saw them and threatened to beat Liam to death. Now Annabelle had to get involved. She didn’t care that it would probably get her kicked out of the group. All she cared about was protecting Liam.
Liam listened to the idle threats with mock interest. He really didn’t care that Ian would beat him to death if he didn’t get away from Tailor. He was watching Annabelle walk towards them with a mocking smile directed at Ian. “Tailor’s mine and no one else’s!” She yelled, mocking Ian’s over protectiveness and wrapping her arms around Tailor’s girth. Liam took the chance and wrapped his own arms around Annabelle’s waist and lifted her away from the ground.
“If Tailor is yours,” he yelled, “then you are mine!”
“Put me down!” Annabelle cried playfully. Liam obliged when he saw the gym teacher’s disapproving glare. He could also see the lusty looks being exchanged between Tailor and Ian.
“It’s obvious that you still like Ian, Tailor. I think we should just be friends.” Liam said slowly.
“I agree,” said Tailor. And with that he and Tailor were no more. Liam and Annabelle walked over to a corner and began talking.
“Why did you do that?” Annabelle asked him.
“I realized that I like someone else.” Liam replied.
“Who? You know you can tell me anything.”
“I like… Suzy.” He lied. Truthfully, he liked Annabelle. But he could never admit that to her face.
“Oh.” Annabelle said as her playful smile floated away. “I have something to tell you then…” Liam braced himself for a confession of love, but instead she said, “She likes you too. I can set you guys up if you want.”
“Sure,” he said, trying to keep his spirits up.
The Next Day
“Thank you for setting us up!” Suzy cried as she hugged Annabelle tightly before school started. “I just know that this is going to be perfect.”
“Yeah, perfect.” Annabelle agreed half-heartedly as Liam walked by. He came up and hugged Suzy.
“Hey girls, talking about me?” He asked.
“You must be a mind reader.” Annabelle said bitterly, and then turned to walk away. Liam looked from Suzy to Annabelle, then ran after Annabelle to see what was wrong.
Suzy watched Liam run away and laughed. “Jay! Come here!” She said, calling to her second boyfriend down the hall. “That weirdo Liam is gone,” she said playfully.
Jay kissed her and muttered, “Thank goodness. I don’t like sharing you.”
“I don’t like being shared, but I don’t want to break his heart. Give me a couple days to think, and then I will end it.” Suzy replied.
Annabelle and Liam walked slowly around the track, deep in conversation. Sahari watched them with an adoring eye. They would make such a cute couple! It pained her to see them so far apart. She knew exactly what to do. It was time to play matchmaker.
Annabelle turned when she heard footsteps behind them. For several minutes, her hand had been itching to be entwined with Liam’s. She couldn’t hurt Suzy like that though. Her fingers twitched, imagining the feel of his between them. Sahari appeared on Annabelle’s right. “You should totally hold hands with him!” She urged quietly.
“Believe me, I would.” Annabelle said sadly.
“Then why don’t you?” Sahari asked.
“He’s dating my best friend, that’s why.” Annabelle answered bitterly.
“What were you girls talking about?” Liam asked as Sahari fell behind, an astonished look on her face.
“She wanted me to hold your hand…” Annabelle said with a faked light laugh.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind. Other than the fact that I can’t hurt Suzy like that of course.” Liam said.
Annabelle sighed and said, “I know.”
THE PRESENT
Suzy walked slowly, enjoying the feel of Jay’s fingers between hers. Making their way down Main Street, they hardly even noticed when they passed the people sitting on the sidewalk. Suzy looked and saw Annabelle and Liam sitting together. She motioned for Annabelle to come talk to her. “Wait here Jay. I’ll be right back.” Suzy said as she took Annabelle off a little way. “Why are you still mooning over him?” Suzy asked.
“You wouldn’t understand. You never got to know him. You just broke his heart.” Annabelle retorted.
“It wasn’t like that! I love Jay and always have!”
“Then why did you tell me you liked Liam? So that you could feel the pleasure of hurting someone? Don’t bother talking to me anymore. I know what actually happened.” Annabelle said angrily.
“Fine! Come on Jay! We obviously aren’t wanted here.” Suzy said, stomping away.
Liam watched the scene unfold with rapt interest. He had never seen Annabelle so angry. True, it hadn’t worked out between him and Suzy, but he didn’t think that it had affected Annabelle so strongly. Annabelle sat down where Suzy had left her and put her head in her hands. “Annabelle,” he said, approaching her. “I have something to tell you.” Annabelle looked up, a tear making its way down her face. “I never truly liked Suzy… don’t be upset with her. We both lied…” He said, sitting next to her. Annabelle’s head tilted upward towards him, the pained look in her eyes growing stronger. The last time he had seen that pain in her had been months ago, a moment that he had hoped never to relive.
FIVE MONTHS EARLIER
Annabelle walked into the gymnasium, clearly distraught and trying to hide her pain. Liam ran up to her and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Distract me.” She said, eyes looking straight into his.
“Why?” He asked, trying to figure out what was going on.
“I don’t want to talk about it. Just distract me please.” She pleaded, her eyes clouding over in pain. Her mouth turned down, her bottom lip trembling. How he wished he could just take her face in his hands and make her see that everything would be okay, but obviously this was not the correct time to do so.
“Letting out your feelings will help more than bottling them up.” He said, hoping that she would see past his hypocritical moment. There had been so many times in the past months when he had asked her to act happy, even if she wasn’t.
“My grandmother died!” She snapped. “Now will you please just distract me?” Surprised by the outburst, Liam stumbled over his words, trying to think of something that would take her mind off of it. An idea hit him as lightning struck a tree, bright and instantly, during a storm. He sat down on the floor and began to meow. Annabelle looked at him dubiously. Eyes glanced over at him from yards away, judgmental looks of disbelief and curiosity.
“What are you doing? Stand up.” She commanded.
“Not until you pet me!” He said, hoping to get her into a playful mood, if only just a little. “Meow!”
“Liam, this isn’t the time. Class is about to start!”
“I don’t care. You asked me to distract you, so I am. Meow!”
“Stand up Liam. This is just foolish.”
“Not until you pet me. I demand to be petted! Do I need to switch to my hot chocolate defense mode?” He asked, referring to a time when she had tried to take his hot cocoa, and he had ended up barking at her like a guard dog. A small smile crossed her lips. “Pet me now!” He demanded. “Jose ze cat wants to be petted!”
“You have to be clinically insane…”
“Pet me! Meow! Woof! Hola! Whatever greeting floats your boat!” Her small smiled slowly grew larger as she stretched her arm out and tapped him lightly on his head. “Now was that really so hard?” He asked, standing up and brushing off his clothes.
“Nah, I guess not.” She replied. Though there was still a cloud of pain in her brown eyes, he could see that it had at least been lessened a bit. Liam realized then that he would do anything to keep her happy.
THE PRESENT
Zeke decided that it was far too late for Annabelle to be out alone. He stood up from his place on the sidewalk and started towards the middle of town. After a bit, he noticed some people on the sidewalk in front of him. He could hear a muted conversation and occasionally a sob. The person closest to him looked up, and his face grew pale. Zeke moved in for a closer look. It was Liam. Who was the girl with him though? Oh, Annabelle would be upset now. He pulled out his phone and took a picture. When he zoomed in on the picture, he realized that it was Annabelle. Liam got up slowly, and then took off running. Zeke went and sat next to Annabelle. “Coward,” he muttered. “He can’t even face the past.
“What do you mean?” Annabelle asked quietly, silent tears sliding down her cheeks. Zeke considered telling her the truth for about half a second. She could never know that he was the reason she was in so much pain though.
“Uhhh…. He can’t face the memories that you two share…” Zeke said, quite unsure of himself. He looked up to the stars, and remembered what had driven Liam away. The day stood out clearly in his mind. He doubted he would ever forget that fateful day.
THREE MONTHS EARLIER
Zeke looked over at Annabelle while she watched the performance intently. Why couldn’t she ever look at him like that? He knew she was watching Liam march around out there on the field, playing his trumpet. Her light brown eyes flicked to his face for a moment, and she smiled at him. Zeke grinned back, thinking about how goofy her smile made him feel. “Hot chocolate?” He asked.
“Sure, why not?” Annabelle shrugged. On his way to the concession stand, Zeke passed Liam walking off of the field with the rest of the band. Zeke shot him a glare and kept walking. At the concession stand, Zeke grinned at the silly flirt who thought she could win his heart.
“Maybe some other time, darlin’,” Zeke whispered across the counter, taking his cocoa. “I have my eyes on somebody else.”
“Well, she is a lucky girl. Have fun.” The girl said, winking and handing over the change. Zeke hurried back to the bench where he had left his best friend. As he approached, he struggled to pick out her rusty hair. Instead he saw the straw coloured hair that he had come to resent.
“Where’s Anna?” Zeke said, striding up to Liam, who had his back to him. When Liam didn’t turn, Zeke marched around to face him. Zeke’s playfully angry attitude faded when he found Annabelle, too close to Liam’s face for comfort. Neither of the two had heard Zeke, they were lost in each other’s eyes. Then, before he could utter another word, Liam pulled the ruddy haired girl with the deep brown eyes into a lingering embrace that made Zeke seethe. The Styrofoam cups slipped from his hands, splashing around the feet of the three. Zeke watched the soulful brown eyes slip shut, saw the lips meet, but never quite believed it. Then Anna was limp, passed out from nerves. Liam turned to Zeke, distraught.
“What do I do?” He asked fearfully.
“Leave her here with me.” Zeke responded scornfully. “I’ll clean up your mess. Again.”
“Listen, Zeke, I’m sorry that she’s in love with me, not you. I can’t help that.” The statement left Liam’s mouth. Zeke heard it, but didn’t listen. He knew in that moment that he hated Liam.
“You need to leave. Disappear.” Zeke said angrily.
“Zeke…” The condescending tone in Liam’s voice was enough. It was enough to push Zeke over the edge. Zeke grabbed Liam by the collar of his shirt.
“Leave. Take yourself and all the drama, and all of the pain that you carry around with you and leave. Not a one of us need that now. Especially not Anna. Not my Anna.” Zeke whispered menacingly, his eyes never leaving Annabelle.
“Zeke, really, if you would just listen, she wouldn’t want you to do this!” Liam shouted.
“And you’re one to say what she wants. You never sat up all night talking to her, listening to her voice as she began to fall asleep. You’ve probably never heard her secrets, hopes, or dreams. You ran around with all of the others, leaving her in my care. And now you’re telling me what she wants. You have no idea.” Zeke pushed Liam to the ground, glaring down at the pathetic piece of trash. Liam crawled backwards, fearful. “Leave, Liam. Just do us all a favor and leave.” Liam glanced back at Annabelle, now flinching fitfully in her sleep-like state.
“Liam,” she moaned, obviously pained. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.
“You mean I caused that?” Liam asked.
“Yes. You caused most of the pain that she has tried to keep hidden, most of the tears that I have seen. You, none other than the all mighty Liam. Feel proud.” The boy got up and hovered over her, pondering life without her.
Liam stood staring at the poor girl, torn whether to stay or leave. He bent down beside her writhing body and whispered, “Anna-bear. You’ve seen tonight that I care. When it seems that you have no one, think of me. I will try to be with you always, but forces are separating us now,” he paused, “I’m so sorry for all of the pain that I have inflicted in your life. I hope that when you awake, you will remember that last moment, remember that I love you. Remember that no matter where I may be, I will think of you. No other will ever out-shine you, my Anna-bear. Continue on without me. I will be near, but you will not see me. Nobody will see me. I will be gone for a long time. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I will be back as soon as possible. Until then, carry on, and remember me. That’s all I really ask of you now, is to remember me. Goodbye,” he finished, kissing her forehead. Liam turned to Zeke. “Take care of her,” he said genuinely, and then headed out into the night.
Zeke stared, mouth agape, at the guy who had just given the very convincing monologue. Before he could give it a second thought, Anna stirred on the bench. She opened her large brown eyes and gazed innocently at Zeke. How could anyone ever hurt that face? He sat down beside her, and moved her into a sitting position, resting her head on his shoulder. She sighed and whispered, “Where’d he go?” Zeke hesitated.
“Who?” He asked.
“Liam, wasn’t he just here?”
“No, he walked by, but didn’t stop.”
“Oh.”
“Why?”
“I must have just had the best dream in the world, then.” She whispered again, closing her eyes. “Why can’t dreams like that come true?” Zeke felt the overwhelming guilt, but remained silent. She could never know.
