Death of a Fantasy

Chapter 7

(Annette's POV)

    I woke up in David's house, a horn honking furiously from outside. I glanced at my phone to see four missed calls from my mom, immediately making me jump up and drop the blanket that was covering me. I picked it up and placed it over David, kissing his head and silently putting my jacket, hat, and gloves on before slipping out the front door. I gestured for my mom to stop honking and slipped into the passenger seat, sending David a text.

    (Me) Hi, hun. Sorry I had to slip out, you looked so peaceful and I didn't want to wake you. I'll see you in lunch!

    I smiled down at the picture of him on my phone before shoving it in my pocket and singing along to the songs on the radio with my mom.

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(David's POV)

    I glanced around the dark house, throwing the blanket to the other side of the couch and standing. I read my text from Annette, making sure to lock the door before heading into my bedroom and falling backwards onto the bed. I pulled my phone out and sent a text to Annette.

    (Me) You should've just woke me up. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye...L

    She texted back within seconds, obviously excited.

    (My Annette) Hi, sleepy head! Don't worry, you'll see me at school. And I'll come over again.

    (Me) Yay!

    My heart sped up at the thought of having her over again, smiling as ideas of what we could do filled my mind. I adjusted my pants slightly and sighed, standing and heading towards the bathroom, I see a lot of this in my future.

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(Annette's POV)

    I walked to the cafeteria alone, Tammy having skipped Latin again and smiled at the ground. Shawn had transferred schools and I could now relax throughout my third bell class without having to worry about unwanted hands on my body. I shook my head at the thought and practically skipped into the cafeteria, taking a seat in my usual chair. My smile quickly disappeared as I looked at David closely, grabbing his hand to get his attention.

    "Are you okay?"

    He nods and takes back his hand, looking down at his phone, signaling that he doesn't want to talk. We sat in silence for the full half hour, me waiting for him to speak and him acting mysterious. The bell rang and I shot up from my seat, running to the Latin classroom before anyone else. The minutes seem to linger as I continued to remind myself of the awaiting weekend. I stayed on my phone for the last hour and a half of school, taking my time when the bell rang to leave the class. I walked alone to the bus, placing my ear buds in my ears to ignore the world around me and slip into the music pouring from my phone.

    I spent the next day trying to give David space and the opportunity to tell me what had been bothering him, but by Saturday night I was ready to explode.

    (Me) David! Tell me what's wrong.

    He answered an hour and a half later.

    (David) Nothing's wrong.

    (Me) Obviously something is. Just tell me what's going on.

    I could envision him sighing and running his hands through his hair in frustration before sending his next text.

    (David) I can't date freshmen, I'm trying to save you the heartache now by no longer talking to you.

    A sharp pain flooded through my body as I read his words.

    (Me) I'm coming over, we're having this conversation in person.

    I didn't wait for a answer, I put my jacket and shoes on and set out, walking the entire distance there. I knocked on the door and waited for an answer, rubbing my hands together to fight the cold. The door opened and a shirtless David stood at the door, making me lose the breath that had just entered my system. He pulled me inside and hugged me tightly, obviously realizing how cold I was. I pushed away quickly, shaking my head, "No. We're not gonna wait this conversation out. We're gonna deal with it right now."

    He sighed and nodded, taking a seat on the couch, "Well you've heard my decision. What else do you want me to say?"

    "Why don't I get a say in this decision? I would rather be happier longer and hurt later instead of hurt right now for a stupid reason." I stated, trying to get him to understand what I was saying.

    "You don't get a say because I'm trying to do what's best for you. I love you, Annette, but your age will constantly be a reminder that I can't have you. I'm not the man you deserve."

    I gaped at him, "How do you get to decide what's best for me? You are everything I could ever want, need, or deserve."

    He stood in front of me and looked down into my eyes, "I don't want to do this but its for the best."

    I shook my head and fought back tears, not wanting to let him see me cry, "You obviously don't understand what best means. I love you so much, David, and I would do anything for you."

    He brushed his thumb against my cheek and looked at me sadly before I turned away from him, tears streaming down my cheeks, "I understand what you've decided and I'll stop fighting against it. Nothing seems to be able to change your mind now."

    I turned and walked out the door, refusing to look back in fear I would run into his arms without a second thought. I took three steps away from the door and cursed at myself: I dropped my phone inside. I breathed in deeply and turned around, wiping my cheeks and knocking again. He opened the door, hiding his hand behind him.

    "Can I help you?"

    I looked at him suspiciously and pushed past him, grabbing his arm and gasping at the vision of his bloody knuckles. I pulled him to the bathroom, pushing him to sit down and let me clean his wound.

    "What did you do?"

    "I let you walk out that door." he said sadly and then pointed towards the wall beside the front door, a bloody mark visible from afar.

    I wrapped his knuckles in gauze and avoided eye contact with him, afraid that if I looked at him clearly I would beg him to never let me go. As soon as I finished, I grabbed my phone and turned to go, only stopping when I felt his hand in mine.

    "Please don't leave."

    I felt the tears return and I turned to look into his eyes, immediately falling right into his arms and crying into his chest, "I'm not going anywhere."