Turning pages ~ Charlie Jones (stereo kicks)

Chapter 29

Charlie's P.O.V

Asking Annabelle to be my girlfriend was probably one of the most nerve-racking things I'd ever tried to do. Probably excluding playing drums at a gig when I was about thirteen. I guess I was afraid of rejection. Even though she'd admitted she'd wanted to be with me, I was still afraid it may have been an impulsive thought rather than an original and genuine. Hearing her say yes made my heart and body relax, she was mine.

"Charlie?" A voice called my name, drawing me out of my trailing thoughts. "What about the school?" I turned around to see Annabelle, leaning against the wooden desk, her moss-coloured eyes fixated on me.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I cocked my head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"The school, Charlie." She stated, rolling her eyes like it was obvious. It may have been to her but it wasn't to me. "You're the most popular guy in the school. If you walk out with me, people with talk. People already talk; do you want them to know that I'm your girlfriend?"

I gripped her shoulders gently and looked right into her eyes, so she would know I was telling the truth. "Let them talk, let them know. Hell, let the whole world know! Annabelle, I would give up being the most popular guy at school to be with you. I know that seems rash and unbelievable, but it's true. You've helped me see more than just the covers of books."

Annabelle moved closer to me, her eyes not leaving my own. "You're really planning to tell the whole school we're together?"

I nodded bluntly. "If they ask, then yes." Swiftly, I grabbed her hand, her smooth palm fitting with mine. "Now c'mon, I'm hungry."

Pulling Annabelle out of the classroom, we stepped out into the hallway. As it was lunch-time, most of the students were in the cafeteria, leaving the long hallways deserted and quiet. There were a couple of other pupils, but they weren't paying much attention to anything else other than their tongues lodged down each other's throats.

I took a glance at Annabelle, who gave me a disgusted look and made a gagging motion. My eyes widened slightly and I had to stifle a brewing laugh. That may have been something Casey would have done, although he spends most of his time trying to accomplish what the pair were engaged in (full-on making-out, I mean).

My hand found the small of Annabelle's back and I steered her carefully around the two, making my way towards the cafeteria. Annabelle moved closer to me, her hip touching my own. Just before we reached the door to the food-hall, Annabelle tensed and stopped. Her mossy eyes gazed up at me and she shook her head. "I don't think I can do this," She muttered to me, gently removing my hand from her back. "I'm not ready for everyone to notice me."

Sympathy flowing into me, I took a caressing hold of her cheeks. "Hey, hey," I cooed as she shook her head. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. You'll be fine. Trust me."

Annabelle placed her hands over mine and gave me a warm smile. "I trust you," She said, nodding her head. "And I'll do this, for you."

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I walked her into the cafeteria. As we set foot in, all movement seemed to stop. I could see Annabelle's distressed breathing and led her towards Casey and Reece, who were watching our every move. "Charlie, everyone's staring," Annabelle whispered, her voice full of anxiety.

"It's fine, you're fine," I tried to reassure her as we both sat down on the empty seats. The cafeteria was still deadly silent and I could feel hundreds of eyes burning into my body. Eventually, I'd had enough. "Hey, have y'all got nothing else to do other than stare at two people trying to eat lunch?" I called out, addressing probably more than half of the student body. Gradually, the chatting and chaotic noise returned, people getting on with what they were usually doing.

I noticed Annabelle's intense stare at the table and nudged closer to her. I knew Reece and Casey were watching us curiously, but I didn't care and I was sure that I just showed that. Catching a suggestive look from Casey, I decided to explain what was going on. "Annabelle's my girlfriend."

Casey almost fell out of his seat and he let out a hissing 'yes' before straightening himself up again. Reece shot him a dirty look before handing him something underneath the table. "Dickhead," Reece muttered under his breath as Casey stuck his tongue out at him. I shot them both confused look whereas Annabelle had amusement glimmering in her dark-green eyes.

"Thank-god Charlie's with you," Reece gasped out, after he'd finished glowering at the boy beside him. "I swear if he'd gone with Kerene again I would have flipped."

I inwardly cringed and wrinkled my nose. "Don't even mention that. It was the worse thing that I'd ever gone through. Do not bring it up again." I warned, shooting a glare at Reece.

"Yeah, well Annabelle's a nice girl," Reece continued. "She'll do you some good." He gave Annabelle a knowing smile, to which she returned a shy one.

"It's good to know your friends approve," Annabelle said, just as we stopped in front of our houses. I grinned at her and gave her a playful wink.

"Why wouldn't they approve?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist as I pulled her towards me. Annabelle smiled up at me and gave her shoulders a small shrug. "I mean, you're intelligent,-" I gave her a small peck on the nose. "Kind,-" Another peck on her right cheek. "Helpful,-" A gave her a peck on the other cheek. "And most of all, beautiful, inside and out." I left a lingering kiss on her soft lips before straightening my posture out again.

"You little charmer you," She poked my nose before unraveling herself from my weaving arms. "Anyway, have a goodnight, Charlie." She gave me a little wave as she walked up her drive and that cute little smile she pulled. "See you tomorrow."

I lifted my arm to wave and return the grin. "See you tomorrow, love." And with one last blow of a kiss, Annabelle was inside.

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