Impressions

chapter twenty-five: first

johnnys pov:
annie came over after the game she said she wasn't staying long because she wanted to spend as much time as possible with paige.
which i completely understand.
i had just gotten out of the shower because i was all in the grass and had mud all over me, since it rained a few days before.
i had put on some nike short and walked out the bathroom.
a: hey.
she says putting her phone down.
j: hi, who are you texting.
a: hayden!
she says confused.
j: sorry i was just making conversation, i didn't mean to pry.
a: no it's fine.
she starts to laugh and plop on my bed.
j: come lay with me.
she then lays down next to me and wraps her arm around my neck and her legs over mine.
a: you never did tell me how you got into my phone.
j: i'm sorry for doing that, i know it's an invasion of privacy.
a: no no, it's fine. i don't care at all, you can have my password or put your face id on it doesn't matter.
j: do you want my password?
a: only if you want me to have it, i'm
not gonna force it out of you, it's not a big deal and i don't plan on going through your phone.
j: why isn't it?
a: because i trust you.
she says giggling.
j: really-
a: a relationship is built up of trust, i trust you and i hope you trust me.
j: of course i do, sorry i sound like an air head this is all so new to me.
a: we all start somewhere. i feel like your phone is filled with soccer tiktoks anyways.
j: pretty spot on and my family. what's yours?
a: definitely gymnastics tiktoks.
she says laughing.
a: also pictures of my dogs and my friends and hayley.
j: speaking of gymnastics how was your meet today.
a: not my best, i definitely wanted first, but i still medaled so i can't complain.
j: what place did you come in?
a: third.
j: annie that's still great.
i say smirking at her.
a: i like to win though.
j: yeah i know you're super competitive.
a: not even that i walk in their like i'm the best gymnast in the room. i tell myself that consistently and i start to believe it until i get scores like these.
j: why?
a: when i was super young i wasn't good at gymnastics at all where i'd question my abilities and allow everyone to think i was the back up because i sucked. then my coach told me that if i want to be the best i have to tell myself and believe i'm the best. it definitely made me more confident not only in gymnastics, but in all aspects of life. but now i know that to actually be the best i have to beat the best, so i'm just gonna work even harder to be first.
she says serious.
j: you are the best.
a: third best but that's okay for today, i didn't tell you but you were great tonight.
she says changing the subject.
j: thank you for making it. it means a lot to me. i'm sorry i keep missing your meets.
a: no it's fine, i'll always be there to support you and there are other meets.
j: i feel really bad about it. 
i say pulling out of her grip.
j: it's not fair for you to come to my games right after your meets, barely having enough time to shower in between and i shouldn't ask you to do that.
a: your schedule is busy, it happens to us all. if you want me there i'm there, and if you don't i'm there.
j: annie you're a junior next year is your senior year that i will barely be apart of.
a: what does that have to do with anything.
j: i'm just making a point that my busy schedule now shouldn't be an excuse because i'm leaving soon so i need everything to count now.
a: you can lighten up, i have a ton more meets. specifically one tomorrow around lunch time.
she says grinning at me.
j: i can't i have a team bonding, i'm so sorry.
a: no stop it's fine, why are you acting like that?
she says genuine.
j: i really don't know, i guess since everything is official now i'm so nervous about it.
a: well please stop, i don't like it.
j: i'm sorry you just make me nervous.
she sits up and looks at me weird.
a: i make you nervous?
j: yes.
a: that's so ridiculous no i don't.
j: you're a junior that is smarter and more athletic than me. you make me nervous.
a: none of that is true.
j: earth to annie, all of its true.
i say laughing.
a: i'm not smarter than you, you just don't care about school. and comparing soccer to gymnastics is like comparing apples to oranges.
j: a junior was tutoring me. enough said.
a: you didn't apply yourself.
j: doesn't matter you were intimidating.
a: i was not.
she says scoffing sarcastically.
j: do you remember the first time in the library.
a: yeah.
j: you were so organized, you knew you were the smarter of the two of us too. and i was being an ass and you said to me. "you need me not the other way around". that burned into my head, and i was nervous around you the rest of the time.
a: you didn't seem nervous.
j: because i'm johnny vincent orlando i can't be nervous.
i say making a face and she starts to laugh.
a: well i'm julianna grace leblanc, and i'm nervous about almost everything.
she says playing with my hand.
j: you're literally good at everything.
a: i really wish that was true.
j: everyone looks up to you.
a: i know sometimes it's too much though, i wish i could graduate this year and leave this city behind.
j: are you leaving la.
a: probably.
j: to go where?
a: i've had offers from some universities in maryland, gymnastics or not that's where i'll most likely end up. where are you going?
j: arizona state.
a: that's fairly close to here.
j: yeah i was gonna visit you often and maybe you could come down for some of my games.
a: of course.
j: we can't do that though if you're in maryland.
a: sometimes we have to make sacrifices.
j: of course, i'll be proud and happy for you no matter what.
i say while pulling her towards me.