The Brightest Stars

Annabelle

"Hey! Get your hands off my sister!"

The whole auditorium bursts into laughter as Kristen quickly gets out of Nate's arms. As if she has just woken up from a dream, she quickly clears her throat and steps away from Nate. AJ angrily jumps off the stage and grabs Nate's collar all in one quick movement.

I quickly run down the stairs of the stage to Kristen. "Oh my god, Kristen! Are you okay? I don't know what I would've done if you--"

"It's okay," Kristen quickly cuts me off. "I'm fine." She walks away from me and angrily pulls AJ away from Nate. "What the hell, AJ?!"

Along with other people, Skyler and Ty gather around to see the commotion. In between the group, I recognize Luna and the boy from my English class.

"What happened?" Skyler says with worry. Ty walks up to AJ and joins in on pulling him away from Nate.

"This guy literally just saved me from breaking another bone! AJ!" It's very rare to see Kristen this angry, but her eyes are fire and her hands are into fists.

For the first time, Nate speaks up as he says, "It was nothing. I just did what anyone would have done."

The boy from my English class stands next to Luna now. He laughs loudly at the scene and says, "Hell yeah! I would have caught a pretty girl in my arms, too."

Everyone laughs along with him, but Luna seems to roll her eyes. He puts an arm around her and kisses her temple. He whispers something in her ear that makes her smile and punch him lightly on the stomach.

Yet, AJ doesn't seem to like this at all because his dark eyes fall on this boy and says, "What did you say?"

Almost out of instinct, I run up to AJ. "AJ, that's enough. Calm down." I put a hand on his arm and his anger seems to cool down. He gives me an embarrassed nod and lets go of Nate.

Nate straightens his posture and smooths down his buttoned short sleeve. "I'm sorry for saving your sister, dude." His eyes seem to move towards Kristen every other moment.

Kristen finally tears her eyes off of Nate and looks around the group of laughing students with anger in her eyes. "Well, what are you all looking at?! Go get yourselves a life!"

Everyone immediately stops laughing and keeps quiet; even Mrs. Resolme who has been on stage all this time watching our little scene.

Max suddenly steps forward and looks at the crowd. My heart seems to skip a beat when he says, "Alright, guys. You heard the lady. There's nothing but a misunderstanding. You can go now." He signals for the crowd to leave and people amazingly obey him once he says this. Pretty soon, there's nobody but Max and the rest of us.

"Kris! Are you okay?" Skyler hugs her tight, but Kristen gently pushes her away. I watch the way her eyes grow distant and her muscles tense. I don't step near her knowing she could explode.

AJ steps up to her and gently grabs her arms. "Kristen. Are you--"

But she steps away from him. "What the hell AJ? Who do you think you are? My dad?!"

Skyler steps away from them and walks over to me. She knows well that this will not have a good ending.

Julia goes up to Skyler and says, "Hey what's up?" She gives me a small smile and I return it. Despite my surprise by all these newcomers in Theater, I stay focused on AJ and Kristen.

"Yes! Because ever since Dad died, I have to take care of all of you! Including Mom!" AJ's voice echoes loudly in the auditorium and people stop to watch the fight.

Kristen grows red with fury. She's mostly angry due to the fact that AJ just told everyone a very sensitive part of their lives. "You have to stop being so obsessed with us! Just because you don't have a life, doesn't mean you have to ruin our lives."