Annabelle's locket

Chapter 4

chapter 4: 

When I arrived home, my dads car wasn't there so I assumed he was still at work, at the truck stop. I parked and walked slowly inside, looking up at my new home. I inhaled the fresh scent of evergreen needles and sighed. It wasn't all bad. But I knew I would never come to like this better than sunny California. I pushed open the front door and dropped my bag on the floor. The silence was unnerving. I was used to my mom always humming songs no matter what mood she was in. I slumped onto the couch and turned the tv on. 

I could feel a ritual in the making. Suddenly I heard the phone ring. 

"Hello?" I asked after getting up to answer it. "Is Fred there?" a deep country voice boomed. "No he's not sorry." I replied. "Who is this?" he blurted. I paused. "Uh, who is this?" I wanted to know first." A beer belly laugh came from the other line. "A buddy of his, I wanted to know if he wanted to go fishing later, could you tell him?" he asked. "Yeah sure." I replied and he hung up. Not the politest friends my dad had. I gave a hollow laugh and placed the phone down. A half hour later my cell phone vibrated. I forgot I even had a cell phone and fished it out of my school bag. "Hello." I stated. "Hey..Anna." a tense, soft voice spoke. My boyfriend Zack. "Oh, Zack hi." I replied biting my lip. "How are you?" he asked. I sighed. "Look I know what you want. My answer is I dont know, I just need time." I said rubbing my temples. I could feel his scowl. "Anna-I know you're going through a rough time and all but let's be real. I'm still in California and you're in Maine...I can't really work.."he said.  

There was a long silence. 

"Friends?" 

my lips trembled. " Of course. I'll always be here for you." he said. "Okay." was all I managed to say, I was on the verge of a breakdown. "Anna I got to go, I'll talk to you later."he said with abruptness and hung up. My fingers dug in my scalp. I shut my phone off and started crying. Sobbing into my knees. I cried about Zack who I'd been with since the eighth grade, about mom, my new life, and the fact I had no one to lean on. I cried until my eyes drained. There was no one around, I didn't have to be strong. I went up to my room to do something productive. I did my little homework and then put headphones in my ear and listened to my ipod. I must have fallen asleep because it was getting dark when I woke up. I brushed my fingers through my hair and got up. Downstairs, Fred had left a note that he had gone fishing and would return late. I sighed and picked up my purse. I had some money so I decided to head out and eat something. Driving into town, it was dark and foggy. I spotted a little cafe. It looked like an old fashioned cafe. Vines crawled up the bricks and a bell chimmed as I walked in. Heads shot up, a familiar action and I looked for a seat there was one left. "Are you Annabelle Sage?" the jolly old man behind the counter asked. "Yes." I smiled politely. "It's good to have you! Anything's on the house tonight." he said. "Thank you." I smiled warmly and took my seat by the window. Everyone watched me as I scanned the menu. Coffee and a chicken salad seemed good. I ordered and drank up the coffee, starting on the salad. Someone walked in. I glanced briefly at the chime of the bell. It was the girl, April Duke I had met. I smiled at her and she quickly shuffled over, sitting across from me. "Annabelle! It's good to see you." she said taking her coat off. "Hey April." I smiled and took a bite of lettuce. "So what brings you here?" I asked. "Just grabbing some coffee." she said and ordered. She came back with a latee and smiled with warmth at it. "Ah, these are my favorite." she took a long sip, leaving a mustache. I laughed. "You got something right there." I teased and she wiped it off with her sleeve. "Listen, there's a movie premiere tonight. You want to come with me and a couple friends? There will be boys." she wiggled her eyebrows. "Um, sorry I have plans." I fibbed and knew i wasn't convincing  

her. She raised an eyebrow. "Come on! it'll be fun." she beamed. "I can't." I replied. Her lips curved down. "Oh, well some other time?" she asked. "Yeah no doubt." though I thought it was highly unlikely though. I was still in the push-everyone-away mode and I was sticking to it. "Great. Well I'll see you tomorow at school." she said and got up, throwing her coffee away. "See you." I smiled and she left. I breathed out and got up a few minutes later. I was going to go home and get some sleep.