Speak |h.s. a.u.|

Chapter One

                 Picking up his phone and sliding it in his back pocket of his black skinny jeans, he ran out of the door and met his mom and sister in their car. Apparently his mum has a surprise for them.

His twenty-two-year-old sister, Gemma sat in the front (like always, I mean she always gets the front seat because she is older, it just isn't fair), and his mother drove, while he sat alone in the back seat.

"So, where are we going?" Gemma asked, twirling a strand of her long, lilac-colored hair between her fingers.

"I told you, it is a surprise." His mom answered, stopping at a red-light.

"But mum," he began. "We're already on our way there. We'll find out sooner or later, so you might as well just tell us." She sighed.

"Okay, we're going to a friend's house." His mom has friends?

"Who?" Gemma asked before he could say anything.

"Her name is Julie. She has worked with me for many years, but we've been close friends for only a couple of months. She invited us over for dinner." Gemma 'ooh'ed'.

"Why were you keeping this a surprise?" Harry wondered out loud.

"Well," his mom shrugged. "You guys don't really have interesting lives. I guess I thought this would be fun for you two." He laughed along with Gemma. His mom is right, not a lot goes on in their lives.

"Okay, now I want to warn you guys..." Anne started. Harry looked around, seeing they were parked in front of a small, two-story, White House. "Julie has a daughter, eighteen-years-old." Oh, she's only two years younger than Harry is.

"And?" Gemma asked.

"Well-" the front door of the house opened, revealing a woman with short brown, wavy hair. She was kind of short and a bit plump, probably around fourty-five.

"Never-mind, just be nice and remember your manners." Gemma and Harry nodded, unbuckling and opening their doors. The air was warm, considering it is summer. June to be exact.

They walked up the small, cement porch and was greeted by Julie giving them all a small hug and telling them to make ourselves at home. When they entered the house, Harry saw a man, around Julie's age, sitting on the sofa and watching television. He had salt and pepper colored hair, and was also a bit plump. His black-rimmed glasses were pushed up on his nose. Their living room was nice, and made Harry feel comfortable. The walls were a light brown color, the sofa a cream color. There were many primitive decorations, such as Raggedy-Anne dolls and little kick-knacks that just made the house seem homey and warm. It also smelt nice, like vanilla and cinnamon.

"Hello, you must be the Styles family." The man stood up, shaking their hands.

"I'm Anne. This is Gemma, and this is Harry." They all shook his hand as he took in their appearances.

"I'm Dave, nice to meet you guys. Make yourselves at home." He motioned to the sofa and small love-seat. They nodded, sitting down in different places. Julie entered the room, taking a seat beside Dave.

"Dinner should be ready soon, but in the mean time-" she stopped talking, looking around the room. Her eyes landed on an empty, wooden rocking chair in the far corner.

"Where's Annabelle?" She asked, looking at Dave.

Annabelle. That's a pretty name, Harry thought.

"Oh, I don't know." Dave answered.

"She must be upstairs in her room." Julie said, standing up and walking to the staircase. "Annabelle!" She shouted. The sound of a door opening and closing sounded, before the sound of feet slowly walking down the wooden stairs was heard. That's when he laid eyes on her. Annabelle. The most beautiful girl he has ever seen. She took his breath away.