This is in Annie's point of view.
We went back to my car to put the poster in it and then we went to the picnic tables to go enjoy the rest of the morning before biology.
We sat down and I said the first thing they came to my mind, "What was up yesterday, with the you have to meet me at the baseball field, but you don't show up?" Oh my God. I really just asked him that. What the actual fudge cakes are you doing Annie?
"I'm so so so sorry about that my coach wanted me to start getting ready to pitch for the game Saturday."
He turned bright red and rubbed his neck. He really sucks at lying.
"Tell me the truth. You are a terrible lier."
"Fine, I had to get home before my dad got mad."
Now, Matthew has never let me meet or talk to his dad so I'm guessing he's trying to play the big brother role and protect me from him, because he really seems to be scared of him.
"Oh, okay it's totally fine, but ummmmm," I stuttered I didn't know how to put this, "so I've heard some stuff about you like moving to Tennessee. Is it true Matthew?" I choked up. I wasn't ready for this. Breath, Annie, Breath!
"Well Annie, its true but I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you before your game. I know how important it is to you, but yes I'm moving right after my last baseball game on Saturday after prom." I can't do this. I can't cry in front of this boy.
"It's junior year, why don't you just finish the ye-" He cut me off, screaming.
"I just can't Annie!"
I can't do this I feel the tears flowing. I get up and run off to the gym. He doesn't follow me. Whatever. I get to the gym and I just sit there and cry for a while then I decide to do some serving from the balls still on the floor then I'll go to biology. I start to serve a couple but then out of nowhere Coach Tiff comes out of her office clapping. I guess my serves were pretty good when I imagined that they would all hit Matthew in the face for making me feel like this.
"Well Annie I think we need to get you this fired up before the big game if you'll serve like that." Oh no she must have seen me sprint in here crying.
"How much did you see?" I asked.
"For starters I've never seen my team captain curl up into a ball and cry for 10 minutes straight, and then I loved the passion you put into trying to kill the ball. It was great, but this can be our little secret." She said with a wink. This is why Coach Tiff is one of my favorite coaches of all time. She walked back into her office and closed the blinds after that.
I went back to my serving. Soon after, the door opened. I don't care who's here. I need to focus. Matthew slowly walked in. His eyes looked like he had been crying. He should be. You can't just scream at me and think that I'm going to be fine with it. He's lucky I didn't slap him before I ran off. I gave him a quick glance and ever so slightly shook my head. He stopped walking and looked like he was debating whether to walk right back out of here or not.
He walked up to me and said, "Annie, I'm sorry about what happened back there. You deserve to know why I have to leave." I stopped serving for a second but I decided to shake it off and go right back to what I was doing. FOCUS. FOCUS. FOCUS. I had to yell inside my head so I wouldn't lose my concentration. It's gone.
Matthew grabs my hand and runs me back to the picnic tables and starts to explain himself by saying, "Annie, I can't stay in Peachville much longer. It's not safe for me or my mother. My dad has been coming home drunk and he's been hitting me mom and more recently me." He lifted up his shirt so I could see the terrible bruises and scars on his lower back. I know he needed to leave and fast, but I just didn't want him to.
I'm in shock. All I can do is nod my head.
He continued, "Annie, the only reason I'm still here is because of you. I love you Annie May Williams." I felt selfish for this. He shouldn't put himself in danger for me.
I tried to be brave. "Matthew, don't do this to yourself because of me. Go to Tennessee. I'll be okay." I said in a sad soft voice.
"I can't I need to be with you for your last game and prom. Annie, I have a very important question for you." He paused "Will you be my girlfriend."
I leaned my head on his shoulder and whispered "Yes, I love you, Matthew." Into his ear. He was adorable when he was all lovey. We talked some more and decided that it was better for him go have everything packed for Tennessee and leave immediately after prom. And he was coming to the game to support me because half of the guys on the baseball team are dating girls on the volleyball team, so their practice got cancelled tomorrow. That was fine with me.
We talked and talked until it was time to leave
for biology so we got up and intertwined our fingers into the perfect shape for us.
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WOW GUYS! SUPERRRR LONG ACTION PACKED CHAPTER! Hope you like it because it's one of my personal favorites! So don't forget to add this to your reading list, vote, and comment what your favorite place to get chicken is! Thank you!
