Chapter 5- Final Conditions
I lay on the hard mattress in my little room in the Clinic, eyes red and puffy. For the past hour I had laid there, reminding myself about how horrible my life was. I sat up, arms sore. There was a small pool of tears on the sheet where I had lain moments before.
I looked into the mirror on the wall. My orange hair was rumpled and frizzy, and my classic overalls were wrinkly and stained from the past few days' events. The sad, puffy-faced reflection in the mirror didn't resemble me at all! But yet, that person was I.
"Annie?" Elli poked her head into the room, looking distressed. "Oh, Annie. I'm sorry." Elli had puffy bags under her brown eyes.
"Look, Elli, go to bed. I shouldn't go turning on every light in here at three a.m."
"No, Annie, you're upset! You lost Popuri, the one thing, person, you once held dear. You deserve awhile to cry." She softly petted my shoulder.
I stared at Elli, in her blue-green bathrobe and pink bunny slippers. Her hair was knotty, and she yawned.
"Go to bed. I can be miserable by myself." I said quietly.
"You're so sweet Annie." Elli left me to my thoughts. She really was more compassionate than I ever gave her credit for. And that was a big mistake.
The light clicked off, and as I watched Elli's retreating back, I saw a mother-like figure emerging from her. I smiled weakly.
I cracked open the window above the cot, letting the cool breeze calm me. The oak trees in back rustled, and I found the noise strangely comforting. The crescent moon glowed brightly, in harmony with the twinkling white stars.
Popuri and I would never harmoniously get along again. Her love for Lee had overpowered her, and the good girl I had come to love, as a friend, was gone, and even I couldn't resurrect her. I had wasted the past fifteen years of my life.
I vaguely remembered that when Popuri had sprained my wrist, I hadn't yelled out in pain. I had felt the wave of tears welling against the back of my eyes, but I had refused to let Popuri see she had power over me. I was glad. Maybe that's why I had managed to worm that confession out of her earlier.
Popuri and I both loved Lee. Even at the mention of his name, I felt my knees weaken. After all, Lee, perfect in every way, had chosen me, Ann, the tomboyish loner from the Inn, out of everyone from town. I felt tingly inside.
Just yesterday, he had told me about how his parents had drowned on a cruise when the boat had capsized. He had stayed home with the measles that day, and ironically, the same illness that had prevented him from cruising on that boat, had saved his life.
I could relate since I had lost my own mother years ago. I couldn't even remember her.
But Lee reminded me of Popuri, and my sadness overwhelmed me again. No matter how hard I tried, I always lost everything.
My mother, then Popuri, now what? Was I going to lose Lee, too? I sighed.
Popuri really loved Lee, and she wouldn't back down. She'd mentioned me being stubborn and how she'd bend to avoid my wrath. What if that was true, and all I'd ever done was kept people away? I was slightly stubborn, and Popuri had always listened. But had I ever listened to her? I didn't remember, and I was supposed to be the one to reminisce with, since I had a photographic memory. Guess that meant I hadn't. No wonder Popuri hated my guts.
I stood up, and clenched my fists. I had lost the girl I used to know, so why should I be nice to the person who snubbed me and hated me?
Lee had feelings for me, and he would care if I suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth, unlike Popuri. She would actually be glad!
That was it! I stared at my reflection again. That scrawny girl had made her own decision! I smiled.
The small clock chimed six. Footsteps clambered around, and Elli, dressed and ready for work, came into my room, to see me sleeping on the floor by the mirror.
Elli smiled. "How cute." She chortled, before reporting for duty.
I woke up with the sun streaming into my eyes. The small white room was literally glowing. I stretched, my muscles relaxing.
"Elli," I began. She looked up, surprised, "I've chosen Lee." I said proudly.
Jumping up from her desk, Elli cried, "Oh Annie! Wonderful! You definitely made the right decision! You go tell that snot-faced Popuri that she loses!" Elli cackled evilly. I laughed. She sat on the wooden desk.
"You're sounding, um, evil this morning."
"Well, just a little hyper." Elli admitted, jumping back off. "Now go tell Popuri!" She cried, pushing me towards the door.
"Wish me luck." I said brightly.
"You'll need it." Elli said, raising an eyebrow.
Nodding, I walked out of the Clinic into the blinding light. Mineral Town was buzzing with activity. Sasha, Manna, and Anna were having their daily gossip fest in the square.
"Didja hear?" Sasha cried.
"What? What!" Manna called, her blue dress swishing.
"Mayor's heading to another village! To visit a mysterious girl." Sasha's eyes were aglow. Anna's eyes widened.
"Ohhh." Anna and Manna chorused, delighted.
I shook my head. They could be so ridiculous sometimes.
And as predicted, Popuri was flirting with Lee.
"Popuri, I have stuff to do!"
"Oh, Lee! Are those wonderful flowers for me?" Popuri purred, reaching for the bouquet of Pink Cat Mink flowers.
"No." Lee said crossly. "They're for Annie." Popuri gasped.
"I believe I heard my name." I said casually, walking up. Lee looked relieved.
"Annie!" Lee cried, running up to me and hugging me fiercely. Even though his outfit was wrinkly, he looked even more attractive. His blue baseball cap was balancing on his head in a wacky fashion. His overall strap looked like it was coming undone. I did it for him, much to his obvious delight.
"Oh, and Popuri, I've chosen Lee. C'mon Lee." I turned, slinging my arm over Lee's shoulder, and leaving a stunned Popuri in our wake. Tears began streaming down her face, colliding with strands of her wispy hair.
"Oh, Lee!" She yelled wistfully, outstretching her tanned arms, collapsing into the dirt.
"Can it, Popuri, 'cause there ain't nobody listening." I said honestly.
"I hate you!" she cried, pointing at me.
"Good. I don't care." And I didn't look back. I laughed, feeling as though a great weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was carefree again! The skies were blue and cloudless, the love of my life liked me, and I found a new best friend. And I didn't care what Popuri thought. She was part of my past, and not my future. She would never bother me again.
"Annie, I love you." Lee said abruptly, scanning the greenish ocean waves.
"Puh." I snorted. "I love you too."
Lee insisted that we went to the Beach, our favorite place.
"Then would you mind it if I gave you this." He pulled a Blue Feather out of his rucksack. I smiled, tears forming.
"No, I wouldn't mind it a bit." I laughed as tears rolled down my cheeks. This day got better and better by the minute! His proposal didn't bother me one bit. I had known it was coming.
"Then you say yes?" Lee asked quietly, face shining as bright as the midday sun.
I stood up, eyeing the ocean. I slowly turned to Lee. His ruffled hair, his messy clothes, and his wonderful personality, and he deserved someone like me. We had both been through horrible losses.
I dragged him to the water, and instructed him to take off his shoes.
"Please." I begged. Sighing, he obeyed. He dunked his ankles in from off the docks, the same ones that brought him here all that time ago.
"My answer, is…" I looked away. Lee looked anxious.
"Yes." I pushed him into the water, and he grabbed my arm in surprise. We plummeted in, laughing.
"I'm glad." He said, pulling me into his arms.
"I'm glad too." I leaned over and kissed him, passionately.
Smiling, Lee had hoisted us out, and had let me walk him home. I eyed the wooden house carefully. I'd be living there soon. The shutters were a dull red, and the mailbox was blue. The doghouse was red, too, and Ralph, his dog came out and rolled at my feet. I smiled again.
Walking home, I saw Popuri. She didn't even look up as I walked past.
All I get from her now is a passing glance.
EndA/N: I promised to recognize all my reviewers, and here they are: 1. LoZeldaFreak 2. April Days 3. Hammermaster Thanks for your undying support:) I'm thinking about maybe making a sequel…hmm… anyways hope you liked this story! R&R! KLS