When I open my eyes again, my prep team is standing over me. I immediately jump up, and jump out of bed. Still half in the arena I guess. Then I realize the pain in my foot and fall to the ground.
"What happened to your foot?" Jasmine squeals. "We can't put you in high heels now!"
Then they go on and on about how I let my eyebrows grow out. I didn't really care too much to keep up with them. They set up a chair and start waxing all the hair off my body. My body is stinging, but they rub some lotion on that soothes my skin.
Then they wash, dry, and style my hair. They simply straighten my hair and fasten a white flower in it. My makeup is all natural tones, except my lips which are painted a deep red. They put on the finishing touches, when amber walks in.
I jump out of the chair and hug her.
"Amber! It's so good to see you again!" I say.
She pats me on the back.
"Good to see you too! How's Marcus?" She asks.
"He's great. He moved up here and bought a house next to mine." I say.
She smiles.
"He's a keeper." She says, nudging my arm with her elbow.
"So what will I be wearing today?"
"Just something simple." She says. She pulls a pair of black pants out of a bag and a white shirt, a white furry coat, and some black flats.
"Looks comfy." I say. I step carefully into the pants, holding onto Amber for support, and slip on the shirt. She puts the coat on me, and it stops at my waist. She slips on my locket form Jane and Becca, and she starts to put the shoes on my feet, but only puts it on my good foot.
"So what did you do to your foot?" She asks.
"Marcus and I were washing dishes and… long story short, I stepped on some broken dishes. How do you think my outfit will look with crutches?" I ask, jokingly.
She laughs. "I think you can pull them off."
I grab them and start the trek to the living room, where a camera crew is waiting. I sit down on the top of the steps and slowly slide down. Amber is laughing the entire time. I reach the bottom of the steps and stand back up. I go to the living room, where DeAnne and two cameramen are waiting.
"Annelise! What happened to you?" DeAnne says.
"Long story. But it really hurts to walk on my foot." I reply.
She starts to rub the sides of her head, like my father does when he starts to get a headache.
"I guess we can work with it. But as soon as possible, we need you to start walking on it." She says. I just nod my head. The cameraman starts filming, and we head outside to meet Marcus. He is already in my front yard with another camera crew and his stylist. I hobble over to him as fast as I can and wrap my arms around him. He holds on to me and I drop my crutches. He gives me a kiss.
"Is your foot feeling any better?" He asks.
"Eh. It doesn't hurt as much but I still can't walk on it." I say.
"Well I think I can help you." He says. He turns around and grabs my hands, pulling me onto his back.
"Here you go." He says, holding my legs. I wrap my arms around his shoulders, laughing.
"Thanks. This is fun." I say.
He carries me to the car and sets me in the seat. I slide over and he climbs in next to me. The car looks exactly like the one that took us to the arena. DeAnne, Father, and the camera crew are in a car behind us.
"How long do you think it will take to get to Louisiana?" I ask.
"Probably less than a day. Those planes are really fast." He says. I nod my head. Our route is going to be scattered all over the place.
I open the locket and study the pictures. I never noticed how similar Marcus looks to his father. Same hair, eyes, skin. I don't see his father that often, because he is always in his room. He got injured working, and he broke some things in his back. He is in pain all the time, and can barely stand for more than a few minutes.
Marcus had to take on the task of providing for them when he was only 15. His mother died when he was only six, leaving his father to care for him and a baby. His dad picked up two jobs, and relied on friends and family to take care of them while he worked. When Marcus turned 11, they thought he was old enough to watch Jane on his own, so he did. Then his dad broke his back, and Marcus started working, doing everything he could to make money for them. His dad got disability checks every month, but it wasn't enough to keep them going.
I admire Marcus for this. He never gave up. You would never guess he has been so through much by just talking to him. He is always happy and smiling. Though he seems intimidating, once you get to know him he isn't.
I grab his hand and kiss his cheek, leaning my head on his shoulder. We sit like this for the rest of the ride, until we finally reach the airport.
A/N: Hey guys! So kind of short chapter, but it will get better.
But im going to need ten reviews to get the next chapter.
I think we can make that happen, right?
Just dont hate me D:
XOXO ~Alexis2259