Painting Annalise

38.Painting Annalise

I've decided to leave this line for comments on the motivational pictures <3

"You can't be serious" I giggle climbing the last step of my porch. I remember once I read a quote that said someone who truly loves you sees what a mess you can be, how moody you can get, and how hard you can be to handle, but still loves you.

He closes the moves closer to me slowly "Be honest did you like it?"

"We sat on a rooftop with the best view in town. I swear I loved every moment of it" I smile softly looking up at him. Brayden wraps his arm around my waist pulling me closer. "What?" I can't stop smiling my cheeks hurt so much.

Suddenly he leans down placing his lips on mine softly and I wish I met Brayden sooner. I don't know if I'm good at kissing, it's the smile on his face every time our lips meet that makes me happy. It's what clouds my overbearing thoughts. He pulls away gently still staring at my lips before looking at me.

"Are you real?" I laugh moving towards my front door "see you on Monday" he says.

The moment my door shuts I feel my smile fade away. "where did you go?" my mum asks sitting on the couch

"I told you, mum, I had a date with Brayden"

I see the battle in her eyes to believe me. That's the thing about trust, once you harm it repeatedly, it seizes to exist. "Dates don't end this late Annalise. It's almost midnight" she yells. I watch her walk into the kitchen and I know what's coming.

I follow her "You can call him" my voice breaking a bit

She scatters the cupboard with her mind made up "Why?" she stops to look at me "you think I let you date him because he's a good boy. You're wrong Annalise, I'm letting you stay with him because it's the best alternative."

"mum"

"what" she yells looking really nervous, "you think I like my seventeen-year-old coming home at almost midnight. I've tried Annalise. I don't know what else you want me to do. But I know, I have tried. And I swear on my life if this comes out positive. You're going to rehab first thing in the morning" I step back tears forming in my eyes

"mum"

She grabs my arm dragging me to the toilet, I follow trying to hide how sad this makes me. "let me go" all the yelling has brought Aaron down the stairs.

"What's going on?" he squeezes his eye obviously from tiredness

"Your sister is what's going on. Your curfew is ten, Annalise. Nine on a good day" she's really angry. It's painful only because I know I caused it. I caused this distrust, this need for regular drug tests. I'm to blame as usual.

Aaron looks at the clock before turning back to me "I went out with Brayden. I didn't go anywhere else, Aaron. I swear"

"You've sworn so many times, just take the test. So help me God it comes positive" A tear slides down my cheek at her words. I turn to Aaron but he's just standing a few tiles away staring quietly.

I take the test to enter the toilet but she follows me in. "You can't watch me pee mom." I really have been clean. Four days.

"You've lost the right to privacy in this house Annalise. Take the test" she turns around. I wait for the pee to come and once it does I place the cup there. I see how her shoulders shake and I know she's crying. I know she hates the way she speaks to me, but it's what she has to do. it's the box I put her in.

"Here" I place the cup on the table, I turn to wash my hand as she places the test into the cup.

"I'm clean mum. I swear" she finally looks up at me with tears in her eyes