Behind Her Smiling Face

Chapter 2: Annalisia

Annalisa POV

It killed me how everyone always told me how jealous of my life they were. I wanted to shout at them if you only knew how hard it was. However they of course didn’t know that my parents hardly knew I existed, and hardly talked to me, which caused the pain in my heart to grow and throb.

My life to others seemed perfect, rich girl, nice family, a big brother, and anything we want ours, If they only-

“Li-Li are you okay?” My brother Gabriel asked from his chair in front of me, I looked up at him shocked at his voice, I almost forgot he was here.

I smile brightly, “Of course I’m Okay Gaby.” I use the nickname that I had made for him when I was a little girl and a warm expression takes over his face, making his grey eyes sparkle tenderly.

Then an annoyed expression comes over it, “I told you not to call me that.” He says with fake irritation in his voice.

I giggle; He loved that nickname, but acted as if he didn’t because to him it wasn’t ‘manly’. My brother was huge, he stood at 6.0 and was very muscular, which was good for his football career. He had black hair that I and he inherited from our dad, but his eyes were bluer than my gray/blue ones.

“Sorry.” -I apologies, letting him hear the sincerity in my tone. Then I finish-“Gaby.” I burst out laughing as he scoffs, but a smile lights his face in amusement.

“You know sometimes I forget that your 16.” He chuckles while taking a bite of our spaghetti that Hazier our chef had made. I take a bite of mine as well, almost sighing at how good it taste.

“ I’m about to turn 17 thank you very much. And I forget some-wait! All the time that, you’re almost eighteen.” I reply back and take another bite of my spaghetti. He smirks but decides to change the subject.

“I hear there is a new girl coming to school tomorrow?” he says and takes another huge bite of spaghetti.

I turn away from his unpleaseant eating, but reply enthusiastically “Yeah. I really am excited! I want to show her around the whole school, and then eat lunch with her and I just know that were going to be good friends.” I say smiling, he smiles at me while rolling his eyes. “Maybe I’ll be her friend too.” He smirks and I frown.

Ha! Good luck being her friend now, once she gets a look at Gabe she wont have anything to do with you. My subconsious taunts me.

No, she could be…different. i reply back hesitantly.

Hello! Wake up Annalisia!

You know she’s going to either fall in love with your brother or think you’re a freak, and if she acts like your friend its only to get closer to Gabriel. Just like the others.

I frown at my subconscious, No. I have a feeling that she’s not like the other girls here.

Oh Lord… just like the other times you had a ‘feeling’ a girl wasn’t like the others?

Look, Annalisia I’m just trying to protect you from getting more hurt than you are. People aren’t friends with you, you’re not as important as your brother, so don’t get your hopes up okay?

My heart throbs a little and I whisper a small okay in my head.

“Li-Li?” I look up at the concern green eyes of my brother; I push back those feelings and smile assuredly.

“I just remembered the chemistry assignment I had due tomorrow. So I need to go finish it.” I say picking up my plate and getting up from the big table that only ever had me and my brother.