If Not For Her

Chapter 41. Confessions

Annabeth sat in her geography class, it was yet another class she had with Emmalyn. She could see Emmalyn's blonde hair, three seats ahead. Today it was in a gish tail braid. Chris plopped herself down beside her with a thud. "How is it that this is only the fifth class of the day and I am utterly exhausted," she said, pulling out her notebooks. Their teacher Mr. Smith turned towards the board. She had to tell Chris. Christina deserved to know. "Chris?" She whispered. Chris hummed in response. Before she could speak. Mr. Smith's voice came. "Today we will have a pop quiz, take out your pens" and the moment was gone.

She was the first to hand her paper followed closely by Emmalyn. "Those who have finished are free to go" her eyes shot to Emmalyn. Their eyes met. They were the only ones who had completed. Did she have to talk to her? What would she talk about, Emmalyn solved her dilemma as she walked away first. She walked behind her, maintaining  a safe distance, and when she came out of the class she saw her walking the other way. Nick came out next. "Hey," he said. "Hi," she said. He opened a pocket searched for something in his bag and handed her a brown box. "I made cookies, and I think they are still warm," She smiled at the sweet smell, "let's see then," They sat beside each other in the bleachers, the ground was empty. "They still are," Annabeth said biting into one of the soft cookies, "You are good, Nick," she said.

He laughed a bit, "so, when are you two gonna tell her that you like her?" He asked out of the blue. She choked on her cookie. She just stared at him, "you were never interested in me were you?" he asked. "I was," she answered truthfully. He took a cookie out of the box and looked ahead while she looked at him. "I kind of always knew, there was something or would be something between both of you. All I remember you talking about was Emmalyn." She smiled, she did. "I saw the way you two look at each other, it's different," he said.

"I am sorry Nick," she said, looking at him. "You deserve to be happy Bethy and with the person you love and for me, I will surely find someone else, if you forgot I am extremely popular, and girls dig that" he said.
She laughed. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I will always love you Annabeth but it would be wrong for me to stop you from loving someone" he whispered. She nodded as he walked away. Nicolas knew he would get girls but none would compare to his Bethy. As people say, first loves normally end in heartbreak and today Nick realized that, as he turned to take one look at her, eating cookies. He smiled, a part of him will always love her with that thought he walked away.

Annabeth sat in her brother's car narrating everything that happened. "What could she possibly say?" She asked. "Maybe, here is a thought maybe she was going to tell you how she feels you, idiot, why did you walk away ?" "She just stepped back"
"And you are mad? Ollie, you have no right to be mad. Realize that she is not ready and neither are you, listen I am going to tell you something, clear communication is the key. She wanted to just talk, you were the one who was not willing."
"Whose side are you on?"
"I am just saying the thing as it is"
They reached home and Alex stopped his car. "All I am saying Annabeth is just talk to her once," she nodded. "At Nick's party, today just talk" "I will," she said. "Good" they got out of the car. Their normal routine continued.

Around 6o'clock Annabeth looked at herself in the mirror, she knew looked hot in her tight black dress. Christina skillfully helped her with her makeup while Annabeth did Chris's hair in a fishtail braid that went with her dark green dress. With glancing at the mirror once more they started to go downstairs. Annabeth had to tell her. It was now or never.

"Chris," she said. Christina stopped and looked at her face, immediately sensing something. "What's wrong, Annie?" she asked. Annabeth didn't know how to start. They heard noises from Nick's house, the party was starting. Christina closed the door and sat beside her. "You can tell me, you know," she said. Annabeth took a deep breath in, it suddenly felt real. "I like girls". Annabeth knew Chris was shocked, but even if she was, she was good at covering it up.

"It's fine, but goodness Adam and all the boys got some competition," she said. Annabeth let out a laugh, it was a relief. "Someone particular?" she asked. Annabeth nodded, "Emmalyn," she said. "Emmalyn Cole?" she asked, that seemed to shock her more. "You sure? I mean don't you two hate each other?" she asked. "The line between hate and love is very thin" Annabeth stood up. "Whatever you say sis" Chris followed her. "Let's get your girl"

They knocked on the door before Patrick, a boy in their grade who had a huge crush on Christina opened it. "Hi, Christina," he said. "Hi, Patrick" she replied politely. Alex walked right behind them and the moment he joined them, Patrick walked away. Annabeth shook her head as she walked in. Her eyes searched for Nicolas first, but instead, she was met with a pair of blue ones.

Emmalyn held a glass with a bored expression as Sofia talked to her boyfriend. She smiled when she saw Annabeth and walked towards her in her velvety maroon dress. She looked gorgeous. "Hello, sweetheart," she said. Annabeth felt the familiar red covering her cheeks. "Hello Em," she said. "Hello, ladies" Nick's voice came. "Hey, Nick," Emmalyn said. He glanced between them and before he could say anything, Emmalyn said, "I will leave you two lovebirds alone" her words came bitter as she walked away. Nick and Annabeth both cursed in unison.