Crying Wolf

Chapter 20 June 24th

They got the phone number for their Dad before their mother decided she was done with this. Dad was very reluctant, but he left anyway without a fight. After a quick goodbye, they were on their way to wherever they came from. Annie looked a little sad to see him leave so soon, but she showed minimal emotions. Noah went into the kitchen and began to prepare dinner.

"What are you making?" Annie calls out.

"Well, I figured I would make my signature food. Bacon mac and cheese." He yells back. "I think you'll like it."

"Do you wanna go out to the bench outside?" Meredith smiles weakly. "You used to love going on that swing with me."

Annie nods so they both walk out towards the backyard, hand in hand. She climbed her way up onto the bench swing, leaning over to look at her sister. Her sister's auburn brown hair shone in the light of the sun, exaggerating her features.

"I used to push you on this swing as a kid. You would giggle so loud that the neighbors were always checking on us!"

Meredith nods, "I remember that. I wonder how they are."

"I'm going to go over there real fast, I'm just going to knock on the door, see if they're allergic to anything. If not, then we could bake them something." Annie smiles all cheerily.

Annie walked off towards the neighbors yard, so she settled into the bench. She had her phone pulled out in an instant, checking on late news and on her trial. She regretted that almost instantly, when 90% of the comments were negative or blaming Meredith for what happened. She kept scrolling, not realizing that Annie came back and was reading with her.

"Mer, stop reading them. This won't make you feel any better." Annie pleads with her.

She looked over at her sister with beady eyes, "do they really believe this?"

"Some people are awful, you can't take them seriously. That will do more bad than good." She wraps her arms around Meredith.

Defeated, she sighs, "is the food done you think?"

Annie shrugs before getting up, looping her hand in Meredith's. They head back into the house, her phone tucked into her pocket. They went towards the kitchen to check on how the food was going, before walking towards the living room to sit down. Annie was so close to her it felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Remember how I used to push you on the swing so high, and Robbie would get nervous?" Annie laughs.

Meredith giggles and nods, "You would give him so much attitude! 'She won't fall off, Uncle! She's fine!' And then, next thing you know, I'm flying off the bench and Robbie damn near pissed himself!"

Annie burst out laughing, "Robbie was so mad at me that he took your toys away! He was fuming! I am surprised he bought us ice cream that night."

"I wonder if he thought we would learn if he treated us to ice cream? Like, that's completely opposite of what would happen." She giggles again.

Annie's face almost instantly pouted, "I miss Spike. I miss having a little buddy in the house. We should go to a shelter, see if we can find a new lovebug."

Meredith nods, "I would like that. I miss my friend. It's lonely without a dog."

"Yeah, yeah it is."

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After Dinner, Noah insisted on us watching a movie. Not just any movie, his favorite movie, which he wouldn't tell us what it was. He insisted that we change into pajamas first, because comfort was key to this movie he wanted. Meredith chose a cute tank top that had stitch on it, paired with some black PJ shorts. Noah gave her the eyes of approval almost instantly.

"You look hot." He exclaims. "Damn, girl!"

She ducks her head, "I do not look that good. I definitely could look-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence. You are beautiful the way you are, scars and all." He grabs her hand and kisses it. "Don't think badly about yourself."

Annie walks into the living room, a bowl of popcorn and some drinks in her hands. Annie was wearing a cookie monster top and some blue booty shorts. Noah was wearing gray sweatpants and a black tank top. Something went off in Meredith's head, maybe it was insecurities, but why was Annie wearing that? Booty shorts? She never wore them around Meredith, she didn't even know that Annie owned any.

The movie was interesting, definitely not something Meredith would willingly want to watch again. The whole time, Noah hardly touched her, which made her feel odd. He used to be all over her, but she could notice that he was growing in his pants. She went to bed the second the movie was over, didn't say goodnight or wait around, she just went to her own bedroom and locked it.