It's Complicated

Chapter 7: Time

A few weeks have passed & I haven't heard much from Daniel. I've seen him a couple of times, but not as often as I'd like. I've just been so busy with homeschool & training, it's literally like Coach Mary doesn't want me to have a life outside school & gym. I don't even remember the last time I spoke to Liv & Katie outside of the gym. To be honest, the last time was probably during the week that I met Daniel. Ugh, why did I bring him up again? He's blowing me off & giving me the cold shoulder, why do I miss him!?

You know that really cliche song from Grease when Sandy says, "My head is saying fool forget him, my heart is saying don't let go." Well that's EXACTLY how I felt. I almost felt kind of dumb for wanting him around, I seriously couldn't resist him. I needed to see him! I had to!

I text:
Hey stranger. Sorry I haven't text in a while, I've been super busy with gym & school. Hope you understand. I wanna see you soon! Let me know something! Miss ya!

The anticipation is killing me, I want to know his response. I know it'll be a while but I wish time would just fly by so he could reply back. Why are guys so freaking confusing? I'll never understand. I need to occupy myself so I can stop thinking about Daniel.

I walk downstairs to see what Hayley is up to, I see her sitting down playing some sports game on the TV with Sydney. Nothing was out of the norm for him, this is what she did daily instead of homeschool. Mom loved when Syd was over but hated when Hayley wouldn't do her schoolwork. After a few years of not going to public school she got over homeschool & wanted to go back to a regular school but mom didn't want her to because we travel so much. It's seriously a normal fight that occurs every single summer.

"You know I can see you, right? What do you want? What's up?"

I knew she'd seen me. Even if she hadn't seen me, dhe still knew I was there. I was too upset to respond back to her. It's like a wave of Daniel hit me & I wasn't ready for it. Why was I so captivated by someone I still hardly knew? My heart was beating so fast, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I just ran back up the stairs & went to lay in my moms bed.

I have so many questions, I'm so confused. I don't know what I'm even doing still hung up on this guy. Why am I doing this to myself? I close my eyes shut, take a deep breath in, jump on the bed & cuddle my mom. I feel safe. I feel alright for a moment. I just need my mom, even if she isn't saying anything.

I can hear Sydney calling my name out, I don't want to talk. I'm sure she knows why I'm upset, which is why I don't want her to come in here. I can't not talk about it but I also don't want to talk about it either.

"You know Sydney is looking for you, right?"

Thanks mom, way to be captain obvious.

"Yeah, I'm just not in the mood to talk right now."

"Why? What's going on? Is everything okay? Did something happen at gym?"

THIS is why I didn't want my mom to know about any of this. I wasn't prepared for the 101 questions I'd get.

I hear footsteps near my moms room, a soft knock. I knew who it was, I was hoping my mom wouldn't let her in, but she did. Syd climbed into the bed & laid down next to me.

"What's wrong Annie? You walked downstairs & then left. Is it because I'm here?"

It wasn't. I just wanted to see or hear from Daniel, but I hadn't.

"No, other things have just been on my mind. I thought I knew someone but apparently I don't."

I'd felt like I knew Daniel but my judgement of character must be off.

"Is it that one person you & I talked about a few weeks back?"

She knew. My mom is sitting there "editing" a video, she isn't doing a good job at eavesdropping, she didn't even have her headphones plugged in but she had them on.

"Um, well sure. I guess. I don't know. I'm confused."

I see my mom take off her headphones & put her laptop away. Breathe Annie, breathe.

"Who are you two talking about?"

"This boy Annie met at gymnastics meet! His name is Daniel & he lives in Lancaster!"

I couldn't believe her.

"Are you kidding me Sydney? Why would you just blurt that out so freely? You know how long I kept YOUR secrets? A really long time! I didn't tell anyone until YOU decided to say something!"

I got annoyed & upset. It wasn't any of Sydney's business to say. I run out & go to my room. I put on shoes, a jacket & grab my purse. I need to leave this house before I get even more upset with Sydney. I call Daniel. I don't know why I did that, but I needed someone to get me.

"Daniel, it's Annie. Please come get me. I'm having a bad day. I need to leave this house & forget about things! Please, I need you more than ever."

I don't know if he'll even get my text. But I sent it. I can't believe her. I can't believe Sydney would do that to me. I walk around the neighborhood trying to calm down, but I can't. Everything I see reminds me of Sydney & she's the last person I want on my mind right now! I start making my way back home, I can see that someone is at my house. It's a vehicle I've never seen before, it looks like my dads old sports car but it wasn't him. My stomach turns, I'm nervous.

As I approach the car I can't help but think of how mad Sydney made me. I can't believe she'd do that to me! I'm furious with her & I don't even care if I didn't speak to her for 5 months! She broke my trust! I get closer to the car, I can see that the window tint is darker than usual. I tap on the window, it begins to roll down, there he was my knight in shining armor, Daniel.

"Thank gosh you're here, I'm ready to leave this place immediately!"