The Act of Withering

Chapter 1

The Act of Withering

Chapter 1

Annalisa Marks never really fit in, but, with her beautiful chestnut brown that gently fell into curls just past her shoulders and bright, crystal blue eyes some people actually thought she was popular. It all started 4 years ago in 7th grade, Spring Night turned her life into hell, turned everyone against Annalisa. Except for one person, Jackson, Annalisa's boyfriend. Annalisa had depression, anxiety, was emotional and suicidal, but when Jackson came into her life it all changed she did her best not to cut and not to be suicidal just for Jackson. She didn't feel so depressed, and she had fewer anxiety attacks. Until Spring took all that away from her.

At the beginning of 7th grade, on the very first day of school Annalisa didn't see anyone she liked till 4th period in history. Annalisa had to sit in the front because she needed glasses but refused to wear them in public. As soon as she sat down Jackson walked in, it was love at first sight and he sat down right next to her. Jackson was downright gorgeous everything a girl would want. Brown hair the fell just beneath his ears, and his eyes were unbelievably beautiful they were almost like a sea of blue, green, and turquoise swirled but not mixed. Annalisa fell in love and Jackson smiled because he knew.

Every day after that Annalisa felt that during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period the clocks were in slow motion and that during 4th period time was in fast forward. About a month after school started Annalisa gave Jackson her number, when she got home she sat down and waited anxiously to receive a text from Jackson. Then finally her phone buzzed. Annalisa sprinted over to her phone and saw a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hey it's Jackson

Annalisa: hey! What's up?

Jackson: nothing just doing homework, tomorrows Friday right???

Annalisa: yea why?

Jackson: isn't it your birthday tomorrow?!?

Annalisa: oh yea!!! I completely forgot, lol

Jackson: tomorrow morning when you get to school meet me by the ping pong tables in the cafeteria, I have a present for you.

Annalisa: ok definitely but you didn't have to get me anything lol

Jackson: I wanted to and I know you'll love it well I gtg I have football practice bye.

Annalisa: WAIT...one quick question well statement, you play football???

Jackson: yes im the quarterback on the varsity team

Annalisa: oh cool I didn't know well have fun bye!!

Annalisa knew she would never have a chance with this boy. With her hopes destroyed she went on with her night, ate dinner with her dad, took a shower and went to bed. In the morning Annalisa woke up, washed her face, put on some foundation, mascara, and a light pink eye shadow. She put on her light green short sleeve crop top that had an infinity sign on it with a light blue under shirt, her favorite jeans which were light blue boot cut, flare jeans. She put on her white vans grabbed her bookbag and woke up her dad to drive her to school. When she got there she did what Jackson said to do, Annalisa went straight to the ping pong tables in the cafeteria and saw Jackson standing there withhis 2nd jersey in his hand, talking to his football friends.

*that jerseys probably for his girlfriend* was the only thing that Annalisa thought, but she walked over there anyways.

"Hey, Anna happy birthday, here" Jackson handed her his second jersey.

"I thought you girlfriend was supposed to wear it not a friend"

"That's not your surprise, Annalisa will you go out with me"

"As like your girlfriend?!"

"Yea."

"OMG, yes"

They dated for 2 years and had their first kiss on the last day of 8th grade. Because of Jackson being a football player Annalisa grew popular, but she didn't pick on kids. She helped them. That's when Spring started to get jealous, so your keep your friends close and your enemies closer right? Spring became one of Annalisa's best friends. So one night Spring spent the night at Annalisa's house, while Annalisa's dad had to stay at work for 1 whole week and couldn't come home. After eating, watching movies, and all of that. They started talking

"We should play a game" Spring suggested.

"Okay whats it called"

"Secrets, you tell me your secrets that would kill you if anyone found out and ill tell you mine"

"Umm. I don't know if I want to play that"

"Oh, come on im your best friend I would never tell any one any of your secrets. I promise"

"Ok. I guess ill play"

"Yay! Okay so you go first."

"Ok. I've never told anyone this before, so here it goes. I use to cut myself, and not eat, and I tried to commit suicide by overdosing. But I stopped for Jackson so I don't do it anymore but I use to and if me and Jackson ever broke up ide probably go back to it, I guess you could say he keeps me sane."

"Oh...yours is way worse than mine. Im an orphan my real mom didn't want me so she gave me away for drugs."

"I'm so sorry"

"Maybe we should go to bed."

"Maybe we should, I'll take you to my room."

Then they went to bed. Nothing else really happened that summer, or the beginning of the school year other than the fact that Jackson and Annalisa had every single class together but one. While Annalisa was in choir, Jackson was in band. The eventfulness went on until Christmas break of freshman year. Spring and Annalisa took their friend Angel to the park with some guys, there was Springs boyfriend Daniel, Angel's boyfriend Sam, and then there was Michael. They all wanted to feel like kids again so they played tag, Annalisa was running on top of the playground and fell off to an 8 foot drop were she broke her left wrist and her right ankle. She tried to walk home, but Michael carried her, she didn't want him to but the pain was unbearable. Michael kept insisting that they kissed but Annalisa refused, but a boy being a boy did it anyway. Annalisa jumped out of his arms and ran she wasn't even thinking about the pain she hid in a bush, when she looked back they were all laughing and high fiving Michael. Annalisa hid and called Jackson crying.