Chapter 3-Why Should I?

I sank to the floor, crying. I wasn't worth anything now! The damn Popuri just ruined everything! I stood up, ashamed, and looked at my reflection. I didn't even know that distorted person with the funny lines running up and down her face.

"Annie, you're gonna hafta stay here in the Clinic for a few days, but I'm going to come here every day, I swear it too the Goddess." Lee whispered to me, rubbing my back. Mother had done that to me when I was little, and that was all I had remembered of her. This just made me cry more.

"It's alright Annie." Elli said soothingly. She was biting her lip.

"Oh Annie!" Elli burst, crying too. "I'm the one who got you into this! Why? Why did this happen to you! I don't know what to say anymore!" And Elli sat down next to me, and we cried together for a while. And I felt a new best friendship in bloom. I couldn't help but smile.

My heart was content calling Elli my best girlfriend. I wouldn't even mind having her over instead of Popuri. I think the loss of Popuri had finally left me, I guess I realized that I didn't need her, and that I was better off without her. All when I smiled.

"I'm sorry, Annie." Was all Doc offered.

"It s'okay." I said. "There was nothing I could do." I could tell that I impressed Lee.

Cha-ching. The bell on the front door chimed, and Elli went out to check it out.

"Hey guys," Elli said when she returned, pale, "Let's let Annie and her visitor talk alone." Elli silently led Doc and Lee out, avoiding my eyes. But she was effective in conveying my visitor's identity to me-Popuri. And I was right.

"Hi." Popuri said, her voice quiet and unemotional.

"What do you want?" I asked her snottily, I was simply sick of being her shoulder to cry on and her girl to gush secrets to when she couldn't return the favor to me.

"I wanted to know your answer. From the other day." She said, her voice the same. Who would I choose? Lee or Popuri?

When I opened my mouth to speak, my voice cracked. I was at a loss of words. For the second time in 3 days.

Meanwhile, Doc, Elli, and Lee were discussing my visitor.

"I can't believe she came, especially after all that!" Elli remarked quietly. Lee nodded.

"She wants her answer." Doc replied, and Elli nodded, and both turned to face the clueless Lee.

"What do you mean by answer?" Lee asked curiously. And Elli and Doc alternately took turns explaining exactly what was happening.

"Well, who did you choose?" Popuri repeated. "I need to know."

"Go away!" I croaked. "I don't want you to know my choice." I coughed.

"That means it's not me!" Popuri growled furiously. And she grabbed my wrist. "Pick me, or I snap your wrist!" She announced triumphantly.

"I'm not giving in to you, you childish freak!" I snapped, attempting to pull my wrist away, but Popuri kept her word, snapping my wrist perfectly. I knew from the cracking noise that she had broken it.

"Damn you Popuri!" I shrieked, more from the pain then anger at that point.

"Next time I won't snap a wrist, I'll snap something much more." She grinned evilly, and she hopped out the window.

Doc, Elli, and Lee came rushing into the room

"What happened?" They all yelled at once. I had barely enough time to explain before Lee got up and left. Elli looked after him with a strange look in her eyes.

"Feel bad for Lee. You're breaking his heart, Annie, to get hurt by Popuri so much."

"Its almost as though that's what she wants." I said quietly.

"You're right." Doc said. "That's exactly what she wants." Elli nodded. I looked away. This was my best friend, ex, that wanted me dead. So much has changed in 3 days.

I looked from Doc to Elli to Lee, who was standing weakly against the doorframe. These were my people, my friends, and my not related family.

These were the people I hoped to die being friends to.

I smiled. I guess I'm worth more than I ever thought.

And for once, I got up, and I half-hugged each one of them, surprised as they were.

"Thank you." Was all I offered as an explanation before heading to my bed and falling asleep.

A/N: It's 3 days because Popuri threw the picture frame at her and she was unconscious until the next morning. (It was already midday.) This chapter was really dramatic! R&R! KLS