A/N: This chapter is a lot shorter than the others, it is the first half of a much longer chapter but I decided to split it into two. I am almost done with the second half and it should be out in the next few days.
Also, does anyone know what SUE is short for? Someone left a rather scathing review (the first out of 901 reviews!) but didn't explain what it meant. If someone could tell me I would appreciate it :)
Please review!
ciao. JJ:)
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Chapter Forty-One
I awoke to the sound of crashing thunder outside my bedroom window. The wind was blowing violently outside as bolts of lightning danced wildly through the dark morning sky. I rolled over, glancing at the clock. I had about five minutes before my alarm was going to go off. I sighed, sitting in an upright position. I switched the alarm from on to off, swinging my legs off of the bed. I absolutely despised Monday mornings.
I yawned and stretched out my tired, heavy limbs. I walked to my bathroom, flipping on the light. Like clockwork, Alice had already picked out my day's uniform; it hung neatly behind the bathroom door. After my hot shower, I wrapped a towel around my fully drenched figure and began to get ready for the day. I changed into my uniform, brushed my hair and applied my makeup. After I gave myself a full once over, I was ready to face the day – the only thing I wasn't ready to face was Alex.
Her words still haunted me, echoing in the back of my mind – it was like I couldn't get away from them. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about – and my suspicion of what it could be scared me most of all. If she knew our secret it would be extremely disastrous to our family. Every single thing that we worked for would have been completely in vain. I didn't know whether or not I should tell anyone about it – I didn't want to worry my family if it was simply nothing. So, for now – it was going to be my battle.
I skipped down the stairs, smelling breakfast – but it didn't appeal to me whatsoever. I was too scared about what Alex meant to even have the slightest bit of an appetite. I could hear Moe and my brothers arguing about something sports related. Just knowing Moe was here made me feel so much better.
"Morning, Ana!" My mom embraced me into a hug. "I made your favorite, Belgian waffles with strawberries!"
"Thanks Mom, but I'm not really hungry. I think I'm going to skip on breakfast today." I grabbed bottle of water from the fridge.
"Are you sick, honey?" She felt my head. "You're never not hungry."
"I'm fine – just not hungry." I lied to her, trying to be the best actress I could be.
"If you say so"
"I do." I plopped down on the seat next to Moe. He wrapped his arm comfortingly around my shoulder.
"Morning." He kissed my cheek chastely. "You feeling okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. I didn't sleep well." I forced a very fake smile. "So, what are your plans today?"
"I'm heading over to Bowdoin with Carlisle to take a tour of the school and to see the admissions counselor. It's going to be so much fun."
"Sounds like it." I replied absent-mindedly.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Hmm? Sorry. Really, I'm fine."
"'Kay…but you don't look fine to me." He shoveled a forkful of waffle into his mouth and chewed. "Would you like a ride to school today?"
"Sure!" My mood instantly lightened. "Could you pick me up at Chelsea's tonight? We're going to practice for the show and she wants my opinion on her makeup for the dance. After all, it is on Friday."
"No problem. I'd be happy to." Moe stood, handing Mom his plate. "Well, we should get going, I'm supposed to meet Carlisle in an hour. Don't wanna keep the good doctor waiting."
"Bye, Mom. Tell Dad I'll be at Chels' tonight."
"Okay, bye sweetie. I'll see you at school." She waved.
"Bye," I headed out the door.
****
I walked through the heavy double-doors that entered into my school. Inside, everything was completely decked out for the dance and everyone's attitudes were excited. With my keen sense of hearing, I could hear every girl describing their dresses and whom they were going with.
I quickly heard Alex's voice approaching. Crap. I quickly hurried away from the sound of her voice in an effort to get away. I did not need a run-in with her at the moment and definitely not in front of the entire student body.
I crept inside the empty and dark chemistry room, peeking out the door for her. I watched as she walked by, flipping her hair annoyingly over her shoulder. Chelsea was behind her looking distraught. Her sister affected her beyond belief. I would hate having to live with her too.
Once Alex was completely out of sight, I walked out, pulling her to the side. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," she sighed, throwing her heavy backpack over her shoulder. "I just can't stand my sister. I swear, I think I was switched at birth. I don't belong in my family."
"If you were, it would definitely explain a few things." I laughed, trying to lighten her glum mood. "Let's change the subject, shall we? We still on for tonight?"
"Yeah, my dad is going to pick us up after school. Do you need a ride home?"
"No, Moe's gonna come get me from your house."
"Okay, perfect." She smiled. "See ya at lunch!"
****
The first few periods went by quickly – way too quickly for my liking. Normally, I would've loved for the day to rush by but not today. It was most likely because I was dreading lunch. Lunch meant that Alex would be there and I wasn't ready for a confrontation and apparently she didn't care about opening her mouth.
I glanced at my clock on my cell phone. Two minutes until the bell – two minutes until who knew what would happen. I tapped my foot anxiously, causing Mom to take note of my abnormal behavior.
'What's wrong with you today?" She whispered to me when the teacher turned his back.
"Nothing, just really hungry." I lied for the umpteenth time today. It made me feel sneaky and awful.
"You and your food." She laughed, turning her full attention back to the teacher. Seriously, why did she feel the need to listen to him? She could practically teach this class – as could I.
I was pulled out of my thoughts as the bell rang. "Crap." I muttered to myself. Lunchtime.
Mom, Chels and I sat at our usual table together. I couldn't stop fidgeting in my seat – anxiously waiting. It's not that I wanted to see her, but more like, I wanted to know what was coming my way. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have Alice's or even Grandpa's gift right about now.
"So, are you excited about the dance, Chelsea?" Mom asked her as she took a bite of her food. Meanwhile, I was scanning the room in search of Alex, she was nowhere in sight.
"I can't wait! I want it to be perfect, a night to remember." She said dreamily, as if she was picturing it playing out in her imagination.
"Ana," I heard a voice come from behind me. I jumped—startled—at the sound of it.
"Why are you so jumpy today?" Mom eyed me suspiciously. She had to know by now that something was up. "Its just Annika."
"I heard about the incident at the mall," she went on, sitting down next to me.
"What incident. Is this what you're hiding from me, Aiyana?" She looked at me with bold eyes.
"Nessie, nothing happened. There was no incident – I think Annika just heard it all wrong. Nothing happened." I assured her while looking at Annika with pleading eyes, begging her to not say one more word.
"You're right, it must've been a misunderstanding," She got up from the table. "Do you mind helping me with something, Ana, Chelsea? Dance stuff, you know…Friday's coming up real soon."
"Sure, no problem." We both got up from our seats, "I'll see you later M-Nessie."
"Mmm-hmm." She replied, arms across her chest. Ugh, she could see right through me.
Once we were far enough from the table, Annika spoke up. "You totally owe me. What was up with your sister? She totally got all mom-like on you."
I laughed nervously. "Uh, ha ha. Yeah, she totally does that sometimes. Um, thanks, for that. I prefer to keep my business to myself. Not everyone in the world needs to know everything."
"Well, just in case you haven't heard, Alex is saying that you're going absolutely crazy and you're jealous of her relationship with Nick."
"What? Why would she say that? It's so not true." That little brat was trying to destroy everything. She really was evil, as Chelsea had once put it.
"Yeah, she said that she ran into her at the mall and totally flipped your shit and was going on and on about you should be with Nick and not her. I just thought you might like to know what she's saying and to watch your back. You too, Chelsea. Since you're Ana's BFF, she's bound to use you someway." She warned us.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Chelsea said as Annika turned on her heel and walked off.
"What incident was she talking about, Ana? I was with you the whole time…except for the few minutes I went to get tickets. What happened?" Chelsea looked at me. I couldn't lie to her, she looked so sad. She needed to know. So, I told her. I told her what her sister had said—I told her everything.
"I can't believe you kept this from me! Why? Don't you trust me??"
"Of course I trust you! I didn't tell you because, I didn't want you to worry – especially if it was unnecessary." I explained, "Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad, Ana." She placed her hand on my shoulder. "I just would've liked to know, that's all. This concerns all of us and even thought I'm just a human—I want to do all I can."
"I know, and I'm sorry." I apologized to her, embracing her in a hug.
"What do you think she meant, anyway?"
"I don't know. But I'm really eager to find out."
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