I'm Fine

Chapter 4

I shoved my phone in my drawer and walked downstairs. I started the movie and squished myself up into the cushions. Annette was to my left and Lee was to my right and I was stuck right in the middle.

"Who was that?" Annette asked. I debated over telling her.

"Wrong number."

Lee shut her eyes at all the scary bits, but laughed when the clown started dancing. "Pennywise is so stupid!" she exclaimed, laughing stupidly. Annette was dozing off by the time the movie was over, but Lee was still as hyper as ever.

"That was so amazing!"

"You didn't find it scary?"

"No."

"Then do you wanna watch Annabelle?" I suggested.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Clowns are hilarious. Dolls are creepy," she replied. She stared at me.

"What?" I say, as she looks up at me with her dazzling brown eyes.

"It's just that, I..." Her cheeks flamed crimson. "Nevermind," she continued, looking away.

"C'mon, what's up?" I press, lifting my hand to put on hers.

"It's about...no, I can't say."

"Is something wrong?"

"Not exactly. I just, I just don't want to upset you, that's all," she replied quietly, lowering her head.

"I won't get upset with you, I promise." I smiled at her. She tried to grin back.

"Okay." She took a large gulp of air. "No one ever explained to me anything." She looked up at me, then back down. "Cole just, disappeared..." she said. She didn't look me in the eye. Of course this would be about Cole. Everything seems to be about him now. My heart burned up. She never really knew him. She was only 6 when he...

"I...I..." I never finished my sentence. The doorbell rang. Annette's eyes jolted open, and she drowsily fought her way through the cushions to answer the door.

"Hello?" she said, stiffling a yawn.

"Hello, my name is Patricia and we're doing a_"

"Good grief, why now?"

"I'm sorry ma'am_" Patricia tried to say.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm not interested," said Annette bluntly.

"But_"

"No buts, leave," Annette cried impatiently. "And don't come back!" she yelled for effect, and slammed the door in Patricia's face.

"That was mean Annette," said Lee, frowning.

"Those people deserve it," she replied, rubbing her forehead. "It's nearly 6:00!"

"That's not that late," Lee replied.

Annette shoulders sagged. "You're right Lee, I'm just a bit stressed out, that's all. I don't want to do anything else today."

"I'll look after Lee, you wash up and sleep," I said to her.

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course."

"Thank you," she whispered. Annette groggily walked up the stairs and washed herself up.

"Now, what shall we do with the rest of our night...?" I said out loud.

"Another movie?" Lee suggested.

"Hmm. Something else."

"Board games?"

"We don't have any."

"Right."

"We could_" Lee was cut off with the sudden ringing of the landline. I walked over the the kitchen bench and picked it up.

"Hello? This is Imogen Green," I started to say.

"Imogen, honey?" replied my mum's voice.

"Mum?"

"Imogen. Tell Annette and Lee, we're bringing guests over tonight. We need to clean the house and get yourselves dressed up! They're arriving at eight on the dot, we'll be home soon," Mum said urgently.

"Okay, I'll tell them."

"Thank you, hun."

"Who are they?"

"Hmm?"

"Who are the people coming over?"

"Portia Hamilton's family, from back th_"

"_You mean Damian!?"

"Yes, I do believe that was her sons name..."

Damian's coming over? Damian's coming over? Damian's coming over?

I gulped.

Shay's coming over.