Chapter 3- Counting Down:
Annabelle:
I glared at Mason. How can he be so freaking cheery in the morning? I growled when he took my blanket away. He just laughed and ran as I chased after him. Auntie stopped us,
"Dearie, you should be go getting ready."
I growled, yanked my blanket from Mason's hands, and headed to go get ready. Though Mason was already dressed and ready- damn. I took a quick shower and brushed my green hair. I think I'm beginning to like the green. After brushing my hair and teeth, I got dressed. I decided to go with my black clothes to match my mood that morning. Because honestly, I am not in a good mood today. It'll be a miracle if I can make it without killing someone.
I decided for a black and red checkered skirt and a black criss-cross crop top. Then, I headed back to the living room. I didn't have time to grab breakfast because the second I entered the room, Mason grabbed my wrist and dragged me out the front door- insisting that we would be late. And I do mean dragging- I was not going to willingly go to school. My feet dragged across the sidewalk as Mason dragged me to the school. It wasn't until we were halfway there that I finally managed to yank my wrist out of his hand and actually walk on my own. Mason walked happily beside me and I scowled,
"How can you be so damn cheery?"
He frowned at my language but then smiled again.
"Easily, Mom and Dad wouldn't want us to be sad."
I stared at him as he then continued to walk ahead of me. Is he serious? Is…is he right though? Mom and Dad would want us to continue on but it's hard. I clenched my fists, Damn it! Why can't I just be like him! Why can't I act all happy and cheery. Damn it.
When we finally did get to the school, there was this lady there that greeted us.
"Oh you must be the new students! Annabelle and Mason Vandal. Welcome to Sweet Amoris, but you have to see Nathaniel in the Student Council Room."
"Whatever," I mumbled but Mason gave a chipper 'thanks!'
I decided to let Mason go deal with the Nathaniel guy. He sounded like a goody-too-shoes and I get enough of that from Mason. Either way, I just headed towards the courtyard. Not only would it be a good place to take a smoke before class, but it was also far from my brother. Sort of. Besides, smoking was the only thing that was keeping me mildly normal, sane, and happy. I wasn't worried about being caught. So what if they took away the cigarettes or expelled me?
I stood under the tree, trying to light the cigarette. Damn, it's not working. I frowned and put the cigarettes back.
"Someone's not happy."
I turned to see a redheaded guy. He looked at me mildly amused and I crossed my arms,
"Well hello to you too."
He scoffed,
"You must be the new student."
"Annabelle," I answered.
It took a minute- but he did finally give me his name back. Castiel, huh? Suits him.
"So…have a lighter," I asked- at this point I was pretty desperate for a smoke.
"Little girl want to try some cigarettes," he mocked as he held up his lighter. I snatched it from him and took out my box,
"Little girl has her own."
He looked at me amused.
Mason:
I gave Nathaniel a sheepish look,
"Uh, I have to do the work for my sister too."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. I kind of felt sorry for the guy- he was a pretty cool guy for the most part, but then there were people like my sister that probably made his job as Student Council President very hard.
"Why can't she come herself," he asked, slightly annoyed.
"Because I would have to force her here," I pointed out, "and I don't want a kick to the shin again. So…"
He sighed but still handed me the paperwork. Oh she so owes me for this. I grabbed a pen and started filling in the forms- both mine and hers.
Name: Mason Vandal
Age: 17
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Likes: shopping, fashion, school,
Dislikes: the dark,
Okay, these questions are really personal. Then I realized that maybe the files just wanted to be thorough.
Name: Annabelle 'Annie' Vandal
Age: 17
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
I thought for a moment what my sister's likes and dislikes would be and then finished filling it out.
Likes: Fashion, guitars,
Dislikes: Taking orders, thunder,
I handed the papers to Nathaniel- who looked over them nodding.
"Thank you, you both need to get your student ID and 25 fee."
I handed over fifty dollars for both me and my sister. Now, all that was left was to get Sissy to take a picture for her student ID. That was going to be a challenge. I said my thanks and goodbyes to Nathaniel and I headed out to find my twin. That was when I ran into someone. He had blue hair and pink eyes. He was also very good looking.
"Dude," I said, "I love your hair."
He smiled,
"Thanks! You must be the new student, Michael?"
"Mason," I corrected.
"Right," he laughed, "name's Alexy."
I smiled.
Annabelle:
By the end of the day, I apparently not managed to piss off some blonde guy- who I later learned was Nathaniel, but I also managed to piss off his bitchy sister.
"Stay away from Nathaniel and Castiel," she snapped.
I rolled my eyes,
"I'll hang out with who I want, Blondie."
She looked vivid and I crossed my arms as she got angry,
"Throw a little tantrum, like I care."
That got her more angry and she left with her face red. It was only later did I realize just how pathetic she was. She somehow managed to get my profile picture (which honestly Mason had to force me to get), and she had it all around the school with marker marks all over it- in other words, she just gave out a picture of me with a mustache and doodles on my face. Honestly, it really was pathetic. This is the best she can do- pfft, I can do so much worse. Though I would prefer just a fist fight.
I scowled.
"Nice picture, princess."
I turned to see Castiel smirking and holding up a picture of me.
"Do you think it captured my good side?"
He chuckled. I then sighed,
"Honestly, Blondie is just pathetic."
"Which one? Goody-Nathaniel or his sister?"
"….Both," I answered honestly, "but this time I'm talking about his sister- she's the one responsible for the makeover, by the way," I gestured to the picture.
I leaned against the wall and Castiel watched me curiously.
"You aren't mad," he asked.
"'Course not," I scoffed, "it's a pretty pathetic thing to do. 'Sides I'll get my revenge…or just join her in a fist fight.
"What, porcelain doll like you? In a fist fight?"
I froze. Porcelain doll…'Be good…my porcelain doll.' The thing Mom called me. The last thing she called me. Porcelain doll… I scowled, I couldn't allow myself to show my sadness. Not now.
"This porcelain doll can kick ass," I retorted, "….and don't call me that," I snapped.
"Sure thing, China doll," Castiel snapped back. Damn it- Damn him. Damn the nicknames.
0000
That night, I locked myself in my room- again. Mason kept knocking on my door, but I wouldn't answer. I honestly just didn't feel like dealing with anyone. After Castiel calling me porcelain doll, I was reminded just how much I missed it. I missed them and I hated it. I hated that I was weak enough to sit her crying into my pillow. Using my arms as my pillow, I saw my watch. I glared at it. It was still counting down and I hated it. I hated that it dare tell me what to do. I hated that I was going to be 'happy' and 'find my soul mate' while my parents…my parents wouldn't be there for it. Even if I didn't like the watch or think it was right, if I did end up actually falling in love with someone, marry someone, I would want them there with me and now…now they can't be.
It was almost like the counting down of the watch, that tick-tock…was mocking me.