The Smile Always Fades

14. The Plan

"Anna, are you sure you like Shane?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Anna said with stars in her eyes. "I know it's weird since I've known him for like, all my life, but I don't know what it is, Cassy! He's just so sweet and smart and nice and...cute." Anna blushed as she said that last word. Thinking of him always put her into a dazed mood.

Cassy gave her a bleak stare. Her nose wrinkled and she looked to her left, down at Anna's purple carpet floor. "I don't know if Shane is such a great guy, Anna," she said reluctantly. "I know you really like him, but..."

"But what?" Anna said defensively.

"Well, he's just been getting a lot of attention from girls; he flirts endlessly. Just yesterday I saw him at school making a pass at Jenny Babcock. You know how she's super shy, and he acted like he was doing her a favor by talking to her! He just has a really big ego, Anna. You don't want a guy who's a player."

Anna was quite for while, soaking it all in, but she broke the awkward silence after a few minutes. "Well, maybe he'd change once he knew I liked him," Anna replied softly. "He might change and only want me."

"Maybe," Cassy said slowly. "But, Anna, I think you could do way better. Shane just isn't worth it, in my opinion."

Anna hadn't wanted to say anything else, she didn't want to talk about it anymore. No one asked for your opinion, Anna heatedly thought. Why couldn't Cassy just be supportive and tease Anna about her crush like they always did with each other? It hurt Anna to know that Cassy didn't believe her crush was a good one; that he wasn't worthy of Anna's thoughts and attention....

But Cassy was right, Shane hadn't been worth it.

The drive from the theater to Anna's house was silent and awkward to say the least. Anna didn't say anything and she was thankful that Shane didn't try to say anything to her either.

Rain started to pour down from the heavens and Anna kept her face looking out the window and watching the new droplets collect and link together, running faster and faster down the glass with their increased momentum.

Anna had noticed that Shane was driving about 20 miles over the speed limit. Usually, she would take the role as the backseat driver and tell him to slow down but a.) she didn't want to speak to him and b.) she wanted to get home as soon as possible too. The sooner she could get away from this jerk, the better. He's probably thinking the same about me, Anna bitterly thought. He just wants to get over to the restaurant so that he can kick it with Lucy.

Shane suddenly moved his arm to switch on the windshield wipers and turn on the heat. His movements irritated Anna; she didn't want him to talk, look at her, or even move, when just a few hours ago, it was practically all she could think about.

Finally, they arrived to her house. Shane pulled his truck up near the curb and killed the engine. He didn't even wait, he just turned to face Anna and began, "You have no idea--"

Slam. Anna wasn't going to sit on that bench seat and listen to him apologize, or cover up, or whatever he was about to do. She was done. Ambling through the wet grass, Anna ran through the rain and pulled out her keys from her purse. She unlocked and opened the front door, slamming and locking it once she was safely inside. She didn't even look back to see if Shane was still there, parked on the road. Inwardly, she knew he was though. His engine hadn't started rumbling to life yet. It upset Anna that she noticed this and instantly rolled her eyes and mentally chastised herself for it. She just wanted him gone and out of her life.

Just then, Jason liesurely walked into the entryway and stopped abruptly in front of Anna, who was still standing by the front door. "Hey. How was the date?" he asked, winking.

Rage was all Anna felt, she could definitely feel an outburst at the tip of her tongue. "Your best friend is a man whore! And he wouldn't let me get butter on my popcorn!!" Jason's expression turned from teasing to puzzled, but Anna pushed past, she wasn't going to elaborate, Shane could admit to it himself.

Once Anna was in her room and under the comfort and protection of her blankets, she pulled out her phone from her pant's pocket about to turn it off when she found a text from Jordan.

U okay?

Anna hit reply and texted her back. Not really.

Within seconds Anna's phone beeped. She pondered over how long it would take Jordan to reply, but Anna didn't think it'd be that quick.

Bentley has calmed down some...I think u should talk 2 him though. He's really hurt.

Anna's eyes filled with hot, angry and ashamed tears. Bentley was hurt, probably even disappointed, and it was all because of her. All of the regret hit Anna like a huge wave. It was all too much to bear. Anna felt like an idiot, she was so naive to play into Shane trick like that. She remembered the text that Jordan had sent her earlier at the theater. She could have gone to the movies with Jordan and Bentley. They had probably gone to see Captain America too.

Anna's phone beeped again. It was another message from Jordan. Do u wanna talk about Shane?

No, Anna wrote back. I don't ever want 2 utter his name again. I'm so stupid. I feel horrible for hurting Bentley :( I need 2 find some way 2 make it up 2 him and explain.

Well, whatever u decide 2 do, make sure it's in person. I wouldn't text him right now, he's still pretty heated, Jordan replied.

Anna groaned. Bentley would never forgive her...she didn't really expect him to, she wasn't even sure that she could forgive herself.

She composed one last text message to Jordan. I'll think it through. Bentley knows me, he understands when I talk 2 him, I'll make sure he knows how I feel...whether he likes it or not.

Anna had come up with a plan. She wasn't sure how good of a plan it was, but at least she had one. She'd explain everything, everything said, every emotion, every regret, every locked away memory; beginning to end. Bentley would know how Anna felt...and not just about what happened with Shane, but even about the living, breathing passion she had stuffed deep inside her heart.

Anna took out a canvas and her paints, she wasn't going to be able to fall asleep for a long time, and began her most important and crucial work of art yet.