Turning pages ~ Charlie Jones (stereo kicks)

Chapter 19

Annabelle's P.O.V

Holding my books tighter to my body, I ducked my head down as I headed to English. I knew I'd have to face Charlie again and it wasn't something I was looking forward too. I hoped I'd be able to get through it though, Cole would help me. Yesterday, I'd told Cole what had happened with Charlie and he came round with a couple of Disney movies. I didn't know if I could work happily though. Plus, Mr Jones did say that we'd be working with our project partners today; that means I'd have to be near Charlie. I hadn't had time to try to push away what he'd said to me.

Pushing away all thoughts of negativity, I pulled open the door, wincing as I used the wrist I had sprained to open it. It was healing, but it wasn't fully healed and me opening doors using that hand probably didn't help. The door shut behind me and I saw that I was the first student in class. Mr Jones gave me a smile.

"Good-morning, Annabelle," He greeted, checking the pile of papers on his desk. I sent him a smile back and tucked a strand of my wavy light-brown hair behind my ear.

"Morning, Sir," I replied, sitting down in my seat and placing my backpack on the floor. I placed my books on the table and let out a sigh. My eyelids kept attempting to close but I fought the urge to fall asleep. I hadn't gotten much sleep last night. It was strange, I could usually get to sleep quite easily, but last night I was so restless it was unbelievable.

I flipped through the paragraphs I'd written on the story of Romeo and Juliet and stopped on one page. I read through what Charlie had written about love and my heart almost stopped. His writing was so beautiful. The way he worded everything was magnificent.

'Love is a beautiful thing. People have many different opinions on love, but to me it's beautiful....'

I stared at what he'd written in disbelief. His feelings on love were beautiful themselves. I continued to read and felt a small smile forming on my face.

But slowly, the smile drifted off my face as the events of last night came flooding back to me. My bottom lip quivered and I shut the little booklet of paper I had made. I looked up and saw that most of the class had entered. I must have been extremely early then. Mr Jones then stood up from his desk and smiled to the class.

"Today you'll be working with your- Why are you late Mister jones?" Mr Jones scowled at the boy that had just entered the classroom. I hastily glanced down at the desk. I didn't want to make eye-contact just yet. But not looking at him didn't really help, I could feel his voice in my mind, going over and over again; like a broken record.

"Why are you such a slut?"

"You're worse than Kerene, you're a disgrace."

"Who are you going to move onto next, huh? Casey? Nolan? No, you can't get me though Annabelle. I wont be one of your stupid little toys who get caught in your web."

It was the way he'd said it too, he'd said it with so much anger. He didn't even look like he regretted it until he saw I was crying. Why wouldn't he believe me in the first place? I told him I hadn't done anything but he didn't believe me.

The door swung open again and Cole stumbled in. He had a distressed look on his face and a bruise seemed to be forming on his face, near his eye. "Cole Brett, where have you been?" Mr Jones asked, "What happened to your face?" His stern attitude suddenly changing to concerned. Although Mr Jones seemed like he didn't like him, he always did have a soft spot for Cole.

Cole shook his head and shrugged. "I'm fine, just walked into a lamp-post." He answered, I narrowed my eyes not believing him. I watched as he walked over and sat down in the the chair next to me. He avoided my gaze and I chewed on my bottom lip nervously.

Mr Jones had started speaking again and I zoned out; knowing he was just giving us the same speech he gave us yesterday about the projects. I nudged Cole with my elbow, he looked at me this time. "What really happened with your eye, Cole?" I whispered, raising my eyebrows at him.

"I just got into a little disagreement with Sir Pompous behind you," Cole replied. My eyes widened.

"You got into a fight with who?" I hissed. Cole rolled his eyes.

"The dick that you're working with," He whispered, his gaze flashing angrily over to a seat behind me somewhere. He glowered for a second before looking back at me.

"That was incredibly stupid," I said, furrowing my eyebrows. "You obviously came off worse."

"I know that, don't bring it up," Cole snapped, not necessarily at me, he just seemed frustrated. "But what he said to you was uncalled for and he is just a natural dick."

"Cole!"

"What?" Cole shrugged his shoulders. "He is. So don't fret little one, it's not you."

Rolling my eyes at his childish behavior, I turned back to see Mr Jones telling everyone to move to their partners. I watched unhappily as Cole got up and trudged away. Knowing full well that Charlie wouldn't move, I stood up reluctantly and picked up the project work. Then, I made my way over to Charlie's desk. Casey was sat down with his partner, I think his name was Sam, except Reece had moved to sit with Leoni.

As I sat down, I felt Charlie's eyes following me. I moved the project book towards him and watched as he flipped through the pages. "Oh! Hello Annabelle!" Casey exclaimed, giving me a grin. I gave him the best smile I could muster, knowing it would be rude to influence his happy mood with my gloomy one.

"Morning Casey," I mumbled.

"How are you and Charlie getting on with the project?" Casey inquired. I ran my tongue nervously over my bottom lip, but I didn't have to answer.

"Annabelle is really good when it comes to this sort of stuff," Sam had said. I furrowed my eyebrows until he turned around.

I'd completely forgotten.

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