Quarter High Chronicles: Fight for the Spotlight

Third Wheeling in a Camero

Third day of Winter Break

Annabelle's POV
It is the twenty second of December. That means it is almost Christmas! Holidays bring family together so my sisters are being forced to be in the same room for more than fifteen minutes at a time. We are eating lunch right now. My mom, dad, Aspen, Spencer, Paige and me all sitting around a table. At first it was weird no one exactly new what to talk about until my mom asked Paige how school was going. Paige enlightened us and saying she dropped out. My dad dropped his sandwich in mid bite. "Paige Abigail Shepard, why in the world would you drop out of college?" My mom said calmly but it was understood she was shouting and cursing in her mind.
"I was like, not feeling it." Paige replied with a shrug. Suddenly Spencer was sprayed with water from Aspen not able to control her surprise at Paige's answer and the unfortunate moment of Aspen taking a sip from her glass. Spencer started yelling at Aspen for getting her all wet. My mom was starting to raise her voice as Spencer and Aspens argument escalated. Soon my dad joined in on yelling at Paige. I am silently watching as the rest of my family got louder and louder. Over all of the dissonance, Paige's voice shouts, "Annabelle has a boyfriend!". Why did she do this? Of all the things why that? Could she have not told them that I was the one that nocked over great aunt Eddie's vase or even that I lied about going to Emily's house more then once? No. She had to go and drag Dylan into this. He isn't even my boyfriend. I don't know what he is but he is not my boyfriend. Everyone stopped in mid scream and in uniform turned toward who they were most interested in the person's reaction. My dad looks me strait in the eyes. My mom is glaring at Paige as if to say that she knows what Paige did and the conversation is not over. Paige looks at me with pleading eyes as if to say sorry for using me as a scapegoat. My other sisters were holding there breath staring at my dad seeing what he would do. He did not take it well when they started dating so everyone was concerned how he would act when it was my turn. This all happened in a matter of seconds but it feels like an eternity.
"Who is he?" My dad asked.
"Well, he really isn't my boyfriend." I say carefully.
"Well you obviously like him why else would your sisters believe he is your boyfriend?" I like Dylan but I don't know if I want him to be my boyfriend. I need to know him more before I can say he is my boyfriend. I do know that when I see him my heart flutters. I just want to run up to him and get all of his attention. When I'm not beside him I think of reasons I could be. In fact I much rather be with him right now. Honestly I would rather be anywhere but here. Awkwardly avoiding questions from my dad is not a pastime I tend to enjoy.
"I want to meet him." My dad says.
"No, you don't." I blurt but immediately realizing that it was the wrong thing to say.
"Why don't I want to meet him?" My dad says starting to get even more agitated. I know he is doing this because he cares but I really don't want Dylan to get scared away. Okay, I don't think he would get scared away per say but I would rather not have to hide our relationship before it has even started.
"I mean- well- it's just-" I stumble.
"I think what Annabelle is trying to say is that you will probably scare her not boyfriend away before she can actually go out with the guy." Spencer says not at all making things better.
"That's exactly what I want to do!" My dad raises his voice.
"Ralph! You can't do this! She is 17!" My mom chimes in.
"Aspen didn't date until she was twenty! The way it should be!" My dad loudly retorts. At this Paige starts laughing like crazy then is suddenly interrupted by an exclamation, "Ow!". Spencer starts to laugh because Aspen just kicked Paige under the table. Just like five minutes ago the dinning room is full of screaming and fault throwing. Thankfully no has called me out, again, so I take out my phone and text the first person I see and send, "Save me!".
"What's wrong?" Emily immediately texts me.
"They are insane." I text back not daring to look at my phone while I type.
"Tell them I need a ride for rehearsals."
"You are amazing! I love you so much right now!" I reply.
I slide from in between the dinning room table and chair easily and gracefully. I carefully walk to the front door as everyone is screaming at each other.
"Emily needs a ride from rehearsals! See y'all tonight! Love you!" I scream loudly then run out of the door before I could hear any objections.
"You don't really need a ride do you?" I text Emily just to make sure after I get into my car.
"Nope. Have fun with your freedom." She replies.
Suddenly the passengers side opens and Paige hops in and says, "Drive!". I pull out of the driveway and start aimlessly driving.
"Where are we going?" She asks after a minute.
"Emily's rehearsal." I say even though it is a lie.
"Please, I know that's a lie. I knew you were about to get yourself in trouble the second you snuck out of the lunch conversation. It was pretty genius so I had to tag along. Plus mom was being annoying and dad was about to have a conniption."
"I really have no where to go. Brenda said she needed to be alone and Emily is freaking about being Wendy." I reply.
"What about Dylan?" Paige says with a waggle of her eyebrows.
"Gosh. What is with our family and Dylan?" I ask.
"I don't know. I just have a good feeling about you guys." She replies.
"Haha fine." I say as I pull into an empty parking lot. I pull out my phone and text Dylan. About twenty minutes later he pulls up in a really nice black 69 Camaro. Now I am not really into cars but I know this car.
"Oh my god! That is the most bad ass car I have ever seen!" Paige squeals as she jumps out of my car and runs up to Dylan's. I laugh turn off my car and go up to Dylan as well. Paige is freaking out and like running around excited about every observation she makes.
"Sweet ride." I say walking up to Dylan's rolled down window. I'm pretending to be all cool. I can tell that he knows I am freaking out in my mind. "What happened to the bike?"
"My grandma bought me this car as a Christmas present." He says with a shrug.
"What?! Tell Grandma to get me on this action!" I say not able to contain my enthusiasm any more. "Why did she buy you this?" I ask still flabbergasted. The most expensive gift I got for Christmas was tickets to one direction. They were pretty expensive but nothing compared to a freaking car! Let alone this car!
"I think it's a low key bribe. She wants us to go California for Christmas. She told me I could drive this over there." Dylan explains.
"You need a bribe to go to California?"
"If I'm in California I can't see you."
"Oh shut up." I say with a laugh. That was too cheesy.
"Oh my freaking! The inside is even better!" Paige squeals as she climbs into the back seat.
"How fast can this thing go?" I ask.
"I don't know. Wanna find out?" Dylan replies.
"Hell yeah!" Paige exclaims from the back seat. I get in the passengers side and we speed off in the coolest car I have ever been in.
☃❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄❄️️❄️❄️❄❄️️❄️❄️❄️❄️⛄️
Emily POV
Omg! Dress rehearsals are tomorrow! I am not ready! Sure I know the songs by heart and I have treated this play like it was a baby. It is my baby! I am like a new mom about to give birth. Not ready! Save me! Anyone! Please! Nancy can be- nope. Not that scared. I am fine. I got this. Nancy will not be Wendy. I feel it in my bones. I am suppose to play this part. I don't know why but. I need this. I have to be Wendy. I will be Wendy. No one will take my baby from me!
☃❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄❄️️❄️❄️❄️❄️⛄️
Brenda POV
I have run out of art supplies, well not really all of it, I have a ton. I'm just out of paper and canvas. I still have paint, pencils and things like that.  A pen is useless without paper so as of right now I am sitting on the stool in front of my empty easel. The only light that I allow in here is the cloud covered sky. It hasn't snowed yet but the sky is gray and the window is freezing so I'm assuming it won't be long until we have a freeze. I really wish that I had something to paint on. It's the only thing that I want to do. I'm kinda becoming obsessed. It's like an addiction. I have to paint. It's the only thing that is keeping me here right now. I would just go down stairs and tell my parents that I need more canvas and they with out a doubt would get me some more but I am not able to go out of my room. Every time I muster the energy I decide its not worth it. I haven't eaten for a couple days but I'm not hungry. My bathroom is attached to my room so thankfully that's not a problem. Yesterday I ended up taking a shower hoping it would help, it didn't. I wish I could get out of this rut I'm in but I feel like every time I begin to build myself up I only dig myself deeper. My parents are worried about me but I can't really assure them that I'm okay, because I'm really not. I want to be able to fake a smile but I just can't. I want to hold back the tears but no matter how hard I try I fail. I am broken and I can't pull myself together. I am frustrated with myself. I am angry at Carter and lost without my canvas.