Death of a Fantasy

Chapter 3

(Annette's POV)

David finally explained why he hadn't asked me to be his girlfriend. It took him a while but he spilled the beans as soon as I confronted him about it. The revelation didn't change anything between us though, it seemed we couldn't stay away from each other. It was the day before Christmas break and I walked into school with a green elf shirt, laughing with Tammy about something Patrick had said to us. The three of us headed to lunch and my heart sped up at the idea of seeing David. We walked in and I sat beside him, feeling his arm relax on the back of my seat. Patrick and Tammy took a seat in front of us and entered their own conversation. I looked up at David and grinned, speaking in a small voice, "I'm a elf!"

He chuckled and put his finger under my chin, "An adorable one."

I giggled and blushed, grinning up at him. He ran a hand through his hair and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. We stared into each other's eyes until Tammy cleared her throat, pulling us out of each other's gazes. We looked at her simultaneously and she laughed at my frown and David's scowl. Patrick joined in with her laughing, making me sigh and cross my arms. David and I looked at each other again and started talking about the couple across from us.

"They're such rude people, aren't they Annette?"

"Yes, they truly are, David. They should take a class on being nice."

We laughed at each other and the four of us laughed together, letting the love in the group take over the atmosphere of sadness from the thought of being apart for two weeks. As the laughing died down, I gave my attention to my hands, wringing them in my lap. David grabbed them in his own and kissed my fingers, smiling down at me. He launched into the details of the trip he was taking to Wisconsin to visit his dad and sisters, never letting go of my hands.

The bell rang and we both looked up at the ceiling as the sound filled the large room. We looked at each other and stood, keeping one hand attached as we walked as slow as possible, not wanting to have to let go early.

"So you really have to leave school early today?"

He moved a hair behind my ear and nodded slowly, "I have to finish packing before my flight tonight."

I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes and trying to hold in my tears. He kissed my eyelids softly and pulled me into his arms, letting me inhale his scent of cologne and mint. I pulled back after a few seconds and smiled sadly at him, "I'll see you in two weeks."

He nodded and smiled back, "I'll call you as much as I can, I promise."

I nodded and hugged him again before running down the hallway, towards my class and away from the man I had fallen in love with.

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The first week of Winter break was uneventful. David called me most nights and texted me during the day. I tried to hide my sadness from my family but let some of it slip out. Christmas came and went, only a morning text passing between us. Then came New Years.

It was New Year's eve and my mom decided to throw a party. We had music playing, I was wearing a knee length black dress with red heels, my hair up in a bun and my phone constantly in my hand. My mom had told me that I was now old enough to start drinking in the house so I constantly had a drink in my hand, the fuzziness flowing through my mind with every sip. It curbed the sadness for a while until David decided to go to bed early. I didn't fight him on staying awake, knowing he had a 5 o'clock flight to catch to get back home. I drank glass after glass, the fuzziness growing and growing. Suddenly my phone start vibrating. David's name crossed the screen and I stood quickly, throwing my shoes beside the wall and walking into a empty room before picking up.

"Hey sleepy head!" I giggled and hiccupped, hearing him chuckle into the phone.

"Have you been drinking, little lady?"

I nodded and then realized he couldn't see me, "I nodded, just so you know," he laughed harder and I heard a thud through the phone, "I think you have too."

We giggled at each other until he suddenly got serious, "That's not why I called you. Is there anyone around you? There's something I need to tell you."

I glanced around, "No it's just me. What's going on, hun?"

"I know I should say this in person but I can't wait any longer. I'm in love with you, Annette. I realized the day after Thanksgiving break, while you talked about Christmas. I want you to have my babies and marry me and grow old. I love you, Annette."

I was rendered speechless, I had waited so long for this, "You stole my heart the day you told me I could sit in the empty seat in front of you. I love you, David. I'd love to have your babies."

I hiccupped which reminded both of us that we were drunk, "You'll remember this in the morning, right?"

I giggled and nodded quickly, even though he couldn't see me, "Yes. Of course I will."

Suddenly the count down began and we listened to my family screaming all the numbers down to 1. As soon as we heard the horns and noise pick up, we knew that a new year had started.

"Happy New Years, little lady. I love you."

"Happy New Years to you too. I love you more."

We hung up shortly after so he could sleep and I could return to my family. I stumbled into the room and hugged everyone, saying 'Happy New Year' over and over again, my drunk mind still never leaving the man I had just admitted to loving.

I headed to bed shortly after, waking up to numerous texts about the night before and David landing safely in between flights. I took the Moltrin beside my bed and texted back, slipping back to sleep.