Bold Interests (sequel of Subtle Changes)

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Annabel

I plastered on the fake smile I knew I needed to get the other three off my back as I walked in. I plopped onto a cushy chair, reminding me of my back pain from being in a casket for who knows long. I leaned as far into it as I could and gave a happy sigh. Closing my eyes, I cleared my mind of all the conflicting thoughts fighting for attention.

Just for one, minuscule moment I felt truly pleased with my life. Then my eyes opened. The girl named Kara stood opposite of me and was starring intently at my features. I gave her a quick frown, letting her continue to register my face.

Memories of her began to trickle in, little clicks of moments I had spent with her. That was a whole different life, though. And really, as long as I knew she was a friend I didn't want to remember any more. That other life was gone and dwelling on the past could really hurt.

All this applied to the other man, Emory, too. He was a friend of Shan and of me. I looked over to him, watching him tug the shades closed. I was definately in denial, that was for sure. Because no matter how hard the gears in my head turned I could only catch that he was my teacher. What subject and in what school he taught at was totally blank, though.

Shan, on the other hand, had left a flaming mark in my mind. Professing his love for me wasn't exactly something to easily forget. Yet I knew he wanted to believe my amnesia included that moment, and so did I. It wasn't the time nor the place for such things.

My shock from all of it had began to fade, bringing feeling back into me. I stood up and walked to the bathroom, passing the kitchen where Shan was making some yummy smelling soup. I walked in and did my business then moved to the sink tucked in the corner across from the shower.

I kept my head down as I turned the faucet on. Cool water slithered through my opened hands. Feeling a little groggy, I closed my eyes and splashed the refreshing water on my face. I did it four more times before turning around and reaching for a towel.

As I rubbed my face with the large rough towel I swept my hair back. A thought bombarded my mind and reminded of my now short hair. The question that stood out was if I needed to cut the singed tips, just a few snips at the bottom. I was about to turn and face the mirror when there was a quick knock at the door.

"You okay, Annabel?" Kara's voice floated to me through the door. I shifted away from the corner the toilet was tucked in and to the door. I didn't wish to see my scrappy hair without my mind being totally focused on it, so I smiled and unlocked the door.

"Just using the toilet, no big deal," I laughed as I opened the door. I blanched when I saw all three of my companions waiting by the door, starring at me with dubious eyes.

"Gosh, it was nothing, guys, stop being so protective!" I waved them away and hopped past them to where the TV was.

If I had total amnesia I would have thought I had been kidnapped! I flicked on the television set and watched some random daytime show airing, talking about the Thanksgiving feasts needed to be prepared soon.

I could feel them boring holes into the back of my head as they squinted at me, until one by one they slipped away to their individual jobs. I was glad they had left, I swore, if they had stayed a moment longer I would have burst into tears and sob until my guts fell out.

Shan

"Where the Hell is she?" I hissed to Emory who had just told me she was not in the living room. Hearing the hushed commotion, Kara walked in from the basement where she had been browsing his hefty amount of novels. She glanced at Emory's calm face and then at mine, probably deep crimson.

I was getting way to worked up over Annabel lately. I couldn't sleep the few nights before our attempt to break her out. It didn't help she almost was burned to death, now I couldn't let her out of my sight without freaking out.

"Shan, Emory, what's up. By the way, where'd Annabel go?" she asked calmly, emphasizing with a flick of her wrist.

"We don't know, she's not in the living room starring out the window," the middle aged man shrugged. How were they not buzzing with worry and doubt?

"I knew someone should have stayed within sight of her, I just knew it!" I breathed.

The teenage drop out rolled her eyes and walked into the living room. I followed close behind but couldn't help and give her a smirk when her face dropped. She had spotted the empty seat where Annabel had been mere moments ago.

The smile almost instantly slipped off my face as I was once again filled with a grinding panic. I saw that the window was tightly locked, along with the door on the other side of the door. I jumped when Emory gently tapped my shoulder. I spun around and glared at him for catching me off guard.

"Yeah?" I hissed.

"She's just in the bathroom, see the light's on in there," he pointed to the door we had passed when leaving the kitchen. It was true, a shining light slipped from the crack at the bottom of the door.

"There's a window in there though!"

Kara again rolled her eyes and lightly knocked on the door. I was right behind her along with Emory as we awaited a response.

"You okay, Annabel?" she asked through the door.

It took no time at all for her to reply back, "Just using the toilet, no big deal." She was laughing as she cracked open the door. She instantly froze when she saw us gazing steadily at her. I watched her smile awkwardly and sit at the chair in front of the TV.

As soon as her back was to me I hunched over and stumbled into the kitchen once more. I drew my head to the cold surface of the marble counter and let out a tight breath.

That was probably the creepiest thing I had ever done. What was I thinking when I just stood there eyeing her like that? And not only that, I had convinced the others to be creepy with me! I picked up my head when he stepped in, his brown loafers smacking on the alabaster tiles.

"You know she will freak when she gets a chance to look at herself in the mirror, right?" he mused.

I gave him a light chuckle and whispered back, "The girl's beautiful, she might be a little weirded out, but she will adjust."

He just gave me a little smile and shook his head, going back to work cutting carrots for the soup. I too grinned and picked up the short knife I used to cut the celery. Why should I spend my time worrying? Annabel was safe, not too worse for wear, and she looks even more beautiful.

All would turn out fine, that was for sure.