Annabelle's locket

Chapter 7

chapter 7: 

**Be sure to check out my new romance  

Double Take..thanks!!

The affect Noah had on me was astounding. I felt dizzy as I opened the car door, got in and drove. It wasnt until I was parked by my house that I started processing things. I got out and went up to my room. I did some homework, took a shower, and then a long nap, the incident on the road still stuck in my head. I woke up around seven and realized I was going to Denise's. I combed my hair and thought of what I was going to say to her. The truth? No. I wasnt ready to tell anyone yet. The fact that my mother was gone hadn't completely processed in my mind, so I decided to tell her it was divroce. I drove a minute over to her grand house and noticed there was now an SUV and a mercedes in the driveway. Her parents. I approached the door and knocked. I heard some commotion and then the door swung open, and two firgures stood before me. I could see the resemblance from kids to parents already. The man was tall, built, with graying hair and the same green eyes as Noah. The woman was shorter, with black wavy hair, rosy cheeks, and brown eyes. "You must be Annabelle." The man said huskily. "Yeah." I smiled, not knowing what to say. "Well you can call me Joe." he said and we shook hands. "I'm Marie." she laughed. "Mom, dad youre probably freaking her out." I saw Denise push through them.  

"No were not." Joe scoffed. 

Denise and I went up the stairs to her room. Her room was cozy, very tidy, with lots of windows. "Nice room." I said and sat on a bean bag on the floor. She sat next to me on another bag next to me. Her expression immediately changed and I felt tension hanging above us. "So. What really happened?" she fiddled with her fingers. Divorce. That's what I would tell her. I felt bad but.. 

" Well my mom and dad..divorced." I sighed, ashamed of my lie. "Oh I'm so sorry." she put a hand on my shoulder. "Yeah I've been pretty upset about it." I murmured. "That's normal. Anna it's nothing to be ashamed of." she said. "Yeah I guess." I smiled. She seemed to notice I didn't want to talk about it. "Want to go downstairs, watch a movie?" she suggested. "Yeah, sure." I could go for a relaxed evening. We got down to the living room, and I took a seat on an ultra plush chair and she laid out on the couch. "Count of Monte Cristo?" she asked flipping through the channels. "Yeah I love that one." I got situated in my seat. It was quiet the whole time, unlike a lot of teenagers who would talk through the whole movie. I enjoyed the silence and didn't find it awkward. An hour in, the front door opened. I craned my neck and saw Noah was here. He didn't notice us until Denise had to break the ice.  

"Count of Monte Cristo?" she asked him. His eyes flickered to me, as he considered. "I'll pass. I have things to do." he said and was gone. I felt a wave of guilt spread through me. Was he mad at me? I hoped not. I decided to go up to him and tell him what I told Denise. "I have to go to the bathroom." I said. She nodded and pointed upstairs. I ascended the staircase and remembered Denise told me his room was across from hers. I wavered, waiting outside his door. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I knocked on the door. The door opened, and there stood Noah. Striking and shirtless, with jeans and dogtags hanging over his neck. His hair was wet, he had come from a shower. He looked confused, and didnt seem to mind he was half naked. "Yeah?" he asked staring at me. "I owe you an explantion." I sighed. He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah come in." he waved me in. I couldn't help but stare at his perfectly chiseled abs. I bit my lip and sat on the edge of his bed. "So, what happened?" he asked pulling a gray teeshirt on. "I thought I saw my mom. It's been hard since the..divorce." I said as convincing as possible. He stood above me, processing his thoughts. "Ah. Sorry about that." his eyebrows knit together. "It's okay." I looked at him. "Is that it?" he asked. He knew. He knew that wasn't my story. But I just squeaked "Yes." He gave a small sigh and I stood up. "Suppose I should get back to the movie then.." I eyed the door. "I suppose you should." he replied. I was walking to the door when he called me. I turned around. "yeah?" I asked. "You don't have to hide." he said in a husky voice that made my hair stick up. I just stared back at him. What was that supposed to mean? I left. His question was in my mind all night.  

I woke up on the comfy chair. It was light out and U could hear the singsong melody of the birds outside. Denise was awake, drinking coffee and watching tv. "Morning." she said and got me coffee and bacon. "Thank you." I smiled as we watched some talk show. "Where's Noah?" I blurted and she looked at me funny. "He went for a run. He does every morning. It's insane." she rolled her eyes. "Runs? How long?" I asked and took a sip of coffee that tasted much better than my dad's. She shrugged. "It varies. He been gone two hours." she whistled. I could never do that, let alone in the morning. Right on que, Noah burst through the front door, sweat dripping from his angelic face. "Nice run?" Denise asked watching tv. "Yeah ran in the woods. Saw a moose."'he said, walking up the stairs, avoiding eye contact with me. His question still bugged me. After breakfast, we went outside. She had a big old barn by the pond that we went in. It was very rustic and had a rustic appeal. "This is where Noah works." she said as we reached the second floor of the barn. "What do you mean?" I asked but my question was answered. There was paintings everywhere of the forests and other things. "These are incredible!" I exclaimed as I examined each one. One particularly grabbed my attention. It was a wolf crying to the blue moon with mountains in the background. "Does he sell these?" I asked brushing my finger against them. "He dosent think he's good enough. Of course he is, but its more of a hobby to him." Then Noah appeared. "What are you doing up here?" he asked angrily. Denise looked amused. "I was just showing her your paintings." she said. "You know how I feel about that, get out." he glared at her. "Fine." she threw her arms up.