Seven Mistakes {Completed}

Mistake One

How do you know when you’ve gone too far? Is there a sign, visible proof of your crossing of a line? Do people come up to you and tell you that what you’ve done is too much, too fast, too far? Or do you just know instinctively?

I asked myself all these questions and more as I stared at myself in the mirror. I had no idea what I was thinking when I called Diana. She had made me look like someone I knew I wasn’t – a fake. A phony. A poseur.

I stared at my reflection. I sensed I had gone too far with a micro mini skirt and a shirt which showed more than I pleased by far … and yet I didn’t want to go back to my old self, my old style (if it could even be called “style”).

“Annabelle – What the hell are you wearing?”

I looked over at my doorway, the direction of the noise, and saw Seven standing there. “What are you doing here?” I asked, shocked and slightly mortified to be seen in little more than scraps.

He leaned on my door post. “Heaven asked me to take you to school today, because she had things to do this morning,” he muttered, staring at me oddly.

“What?”  I asked defensively.

“N-nothing. How about you get changed and we can head off to school?” He juggled his keys in his hands, avoiding my eyes.

“I don’t need to change; I’m wearing this.” I said haughtily. As awkward as it had first felt wearing my outfit in front of Seven, I knew I had the strength to face my school in these clothes. It was worth it…. Seven, meanwhile, rolled his eyes and sighed.

“No, you’re not. Get changed or no ride.”

“Why can’t I wear this?” I questioned.

Seven glared. “You look like a hooker,” Seven stated bluntly.

“Well, I’m sorry you think that.” I grabbed my purse and tried to walk past him, but he blocked the doorway. “Move,” I insisted. “I need to get to school, and since you refuse to take me, I have to walk.”

“You’re like … like a sister to me. I’m not going to let you go to school looking like that. Even if I have to pick you up, carry you to your closet and change you myself,” he replied, just as stubborn.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You wouldn’t,” I challenged. That turned out to be a mistake because upon hearing my words, he shrugged casually, picked me up over his shoulders, and carried me to my closet. “Seven, put me down!” I raged, punching him rapidly on the back.

“Are you going to change your clothes by yourself, or do I need to help?” The nerve of that boy! I growled at him, then realized it was futile. With a sigh, I stopped beating his back.

“Yes,” I said sourly.

“What was that?” Seven asked innocently.

“I said okay! I’ll change back into my stupid, ugly clothes!” I yelled. He released me and patted me on the head.

“What a good, little girl! Now, get dressed and meet me downstairs in five minutes.” He cooed patronizingly. I narrowed my eyes and growled at him once more. Seven simply laughed and walked out of my room.

****

“I hate you.” I said to him later, as we pulled out of my driveway.

“And why is that?”

“You made me change. For once, I wanted to look different, for people to notice me. But you had to screw it up. Now I look ugly.” All of a sudden, Seven stomped on the brakes, whipping me forward in my seat. The car behind us honked.

“What the hell, Seven?”

“Don’t you ever – and I mean ever – say that you look ugly! Do you hear me?” Seven fumed.

I had never seen him look this irritated before; it scared me. I nodded, speechless, and he tightened his lips. Shaking his head to himself, he resumed driving. After a few moments of silence, he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry; it just angers me that you think that way,” He admitted lowly.

I hesitated, before deciding to nod once more. ‘How could I respond to that?’

No more words were spoken, and, a few minutes later, we pulled into the school’s parking lot. For the first time that day, I took a good look at Seven. What I saw made me suck in a quick breath appreciatively. I hadn’t noticed earlier how damn cute he was today. His hair was a mess, yet it was perfect at the same time. He was dressed to impress in dark jeans, with a white hoodie and a leather jacket. Overall? Well, I was speechless all over again, and he hadn’t said a single word.

“I think I’ll buy you a camera,” Seven mused randomly. Huh? “That way, when I’m not around, you can still stare at me,” he finished with a smile, parking the car.

“I don’t think it would do your look justice.”

Seven raised an eyebrow at me. ‘Wait, did I just say that out loud? Crap!’ I looked away as I blushed. Seven laughed and turned off the car. We stepped out and I started to walk away, mortified by what I’d admitted.

“Hey, Annabelle!” I spun around to see Seven walking after me. Once he reached me, he stopped and smiled. “Touché.” With that, he walked away.

‘Touché…?’ I wondered.

“Annabelle! What the hell are you wearing?” Diana screeched, marching my way. I sighed. Great, now I have to deal with her too.

“I’m sorry, but … I had to change,” was all I said. There was no way I was going to tell her I had, quite literally, been forced into changing.

She gave me the evil eye, which suddenly evolved into a radiant smile. “I have a change of clothes in my car; come on!” She crowed, and began to drag me to her car. I stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“You know … I think I like the way I look, for now.” I walked away, a small smile curling on my lips.