Annabella the Hero (Book Three Of Defiance)

Chapter 9

I wake up the next morning with a hangover. Fred has been kind enough to set some potion on the bedside table. He had to open the shop today.
After taking the potion I have some foggy reminders of what happened last night and feel my face turn red. What was I thinking?
I have to be at work in about an hour so I start to get ready. I turn my looks into that of Ava and put on my uniform. I apparate to the shop early. The children just started Christmas holiday and the shop is most likely packed.
The store is actually empty when I get there besides Fred and George behind the counter. Fred sees me and I'm sure he knows I remember what happened by the look on my face.
He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively at me and I punch him on the arm. He laughs and pats my head. "It's alright Bel-Ava, we all make drunk mistakes."
I pretend not to notice his slip up but George definitely does. His head whips over towards Fred and gives him a dirty look. They're still a bit upset with each other I'm guessing.
It's about noon when Angelina walks in, a very familiar girl trailing behind her. It's Alicia. I hear Fred take a sharp breath behind me.
"If you act happy for me I'll buy you a puppy," he whispers into my ear as he slips his arms around my waist. I laugh and lean back into him. "I don't want a puppy," I say quietly.
The two girls walk up to the counter with a smile. When Alicia sees me, her smile falls off her face. "Hey guys," she says quietly.
"Alicia? I thought you moved," George says. She blushes a bit. "I did but I just missed it so much here," she says with a pointed look at Fred.
"Are you staying?" He asked. Angelina answers for the both of them. "We're sharing a flat in muggle London," she says.
She leans over the counter and hugs George. Fred must feel me tense up because he whispers in my ear. "Don't worry about it Bells, he doesn't like her that much anyway," he says.
"He shagged her!" I whisper back, turning around. I can tell Fred's trying to stifle a laugh with his next words. "Yeah but how many times has he shagged you?" I roll my eyes and hit his arm.
"You know I'll be okay if you want Alicia back right?" I ask him. He smiles at me and glances over at Alicia. "I know, but I don't want her back."
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
The next time Angelina stays over in George's room it's known to all of us because George tells us not to bother him. Fred puts a silencing charm on his room and let's me sob into his chest.
It's awful. Angelina always hated me when I was Bella but she loves Ava. She sits by me at breakfast while she's wearing George's shirt. I should be wearing that shirt!
I think Fred knows how much I hate it because he always tries to make an excuse to get me away from her. I mean it's bad enough knowing she's shagging George but then she acts as if we're best friends.
One day she invites me to go shopping with her. She's smiling and looks so hopeful that I can't tell her no. I needed some clothes anyway. I also need to buy Fred a Christmas present. I can't afford much but I'll try and get him something nice.
Angelina has a car and a muggle license. I don't really like cars but hers is nice and has a radio. She's listening to something called The Spice Girls. I don't like them as much as the Weird Sisters but they're pretty good.
We go around to a few different clothing shops and try on some things. I absolutely hate to say it but I'm having fun with Angelina.
We head to a thrift shop later and it has some of the ugliest clothes I've ever seen. If Ginny were here then she'd be making fun of them. Oh, Ginny. I miss her.
We take an armful of the clothes and go back to the dressing rooms. Angelina walks out modeling a positively hideous dress. It's bright pink and covered in feathers.
I burst into laughter and grab one of the outfits. "Okay that's horrible but I think I have you beat," I tell her. I put on the dress and walk out of the fitting room in it.
It's a bright yellow color and has 3-D flowers made of cotton all over it. Angelina laughs but doesn't seem fazed until I turn around and show her the ginormous purple flower on the butt.
She starts laughing hysterically and we make different poses in front of a mirror. In our stack of dresses is one that looks semi-okay. I put it on and look in the mirror.
It's short and black. It has triangle shapes cut out at the waist and the neckline dips down. It's backless and I actually kind of love it.
I step outside and Angelina's jaw drops. "That is the hottest thing I have ever seen!" She exclaims. "You have to buy it! We'll hit up a club some time!" So I do.
We're eating lunch a bit later and the subject comes onto boys. "I don't love George," she says. "I feel awful saying it but he's just something to do. He's good at it too," she laughs. "He's kind of rough but not really. What's Fred like?"
I have to try to not laugh because in what universe would I shag Fred? I remember we're supposed to be dating and shrug. "He's really gentle and sweet," I tell her, describing Fred's personality.
It's this conversation that makes me remember why I don't like Angelina. She may be friends with Ava but she always hated Bella. I can't believe I'm starting to like her. This friendship, like my entire life now, is a lie.