The Brightest Stars

Skyler

As Annabelle steps into Kristen's car, all I do is hold the bridge of my nose in disappointment at my sister.

"I am...so sorry, Belle. I'm so sorry!" Kristen desperately says as Annabelle takes one last look at Max before entering.

Annabelle just gives us her small smile and softly says, "Just drive, Kristen."

Kristen looks at me and gives me a frown as if I should've told her something. I look back at her, my eyes angrily telling her that she should've paid more attention.

Of course, my sister would be oblivious enough to not notice Annabelle on the verge of kissing Max. While my sister was driving around the parking lot to find Annabelle, she was looking at her phone when I saw Annabelle awfully close to Max. As usual, my words failed me at my moment of surprise and Kristen honked loudly. I slapped her arm and she looked up in surprise and pain, only for her expression to change into regret as we both look at the way they quickly stepped away from each other.

Now, it's quiet in the car. She's staying at our place tonight since her sister had to be out late for a fundraiser thing at her job. She said she would be home late so she asked our mom to have Annabelle over.

Kristen looks through the rear view mirror every other moment to see what's going on with Annabelle. She tries hard to read her expression, but even I can't seem to read it. Her expression is blank as we step out of the car. But one thing is for sure: her eyes shine brighter than the stars out tonight.

Mom left a note saying that our food is in the oven. She's working the night shift tonight. So we take a quick bite and Kristen leads us to her room while AJ and Diego stay in the living room. Kristen practically slams the door behind her and gives Annabelle a wide smile.

"Well?" she says with curiosity. "What happened? Oh my god, Belle. I am...so sorry. I didn't know you were about to--"

"Nothing happened," Annabelle says with a smile that exposes her lie. She starts to blush and looks away.

I laugh and sit next to her on Kristen's bed. "So...something did happen?"

"Tell us everything!" Kristen says loudly. We all share a laugh and Annabelle lets her walls down.

"Okay," she says with a smile I haven't seen in a long time. Her eyes shine happily as she tells us the story about her night. "For once," she says. "I finally felt free at that moment of dancing. It was...different. It was a good...goodbye..."

Her expression falls and Kristen takes a hold of her hand. She gives her a reassuring smile and Annabelle pushes down all that sadness somewhere we rarely see.

"Well," I say. "I don't know what's going on, but everything will be okay."

Annabelle gives me a soft chuckle as her eyes look down at her hands again. Whatever is going on, it really hurts and she can't seem to find the strength to push away the pain. Her voice is a quiet whisper as she says, "I can't dance anymore."

"Why?" I say with surprise.

Kristen still holds tight to Annabelle's hand as she looks for the strength to explain it to me. "Because that's what my new doctor said. If I dance too much, then I can make my lungs work too much and therefore, worsen my asthma."

"Oh my," I whisper. This time I look at the wall in front of me. My eyes stay glued on a small picture of Dad on Kristen's wall and my heart shrinks. I already know how it feels to have something you love so much be taken away from you in a matter of seconds. I clear my throat and say, "Well. I think it won't be your last time..."

Annabelle quietly chuckles at this as she lets her shoulders fall in defeat. "I have to quit Colorguard."

"Yeah, but you don't have to technically stop dancing--"

Kristen stands up immediately as I say this. Her eyes are wide as her mind fills with an epiphany. She paces with a finger up and we watch her with confusion. Finally, Kristen stops and says, "What if we try out for this year's Dance Show?!"

"Wait. Hold up," Annabelle says with furrowed eyebrows. "Did you not hear me? I can't dance anymore."

"No. Your doctor just said that you can't get your lungs to sweat too much."

"I don't think that's how lungs work," I say with furrowed eyebrows.

"It doesn't matter!" Kristen sits next to Annabelle and takes a hold of her hand again. "Look. Belle. If you really want the last hurrah with dance, I think we should try out. All of us."

"You don't mean me when you say all of us, right?" I say suddenly feeling nervous.

"Duh," Kristen says.

"What do you mean by duh?!" My heart starts pounding this time and shiver at the thought of dancing in front of a very large crowd.

"By duh I mean the whole crew!" Kristen has a wide smile and I know she's not gonna let go of this idea she has. I sigh in defeat and close my eyes for a second, knowing that I'm doomed.

Annabelle giggles at Kristen after listening to her insane idea and shakes her head. "Kris. You can't just make everyone participate."

"They don't just have to dance," Kristen says. "They can sing, too. Belle! You can even sing also! You're an amazing singer. And...who knows? Maybe Max is a very good singer. You two could do a duo and finally finish what I accidentally interrupted tonight." Kristen gives Annabelle a smirk that makes her roll her eyes.

"I haven't sung since..." Annabelle grows distant for a second before sighing. "I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but I don't think it's a great idea. What if I get another attack on the night of the performance? Now that will be embarrassing."

"Belle. C'mon." This time Kristen gives her begging eyes. "We have to do this. For our last year. Before we all separate!"

I shrug knowing my sister will probably bug me about it until I agree. "I guess I'm in."

"See?! We have one and it's the shiest one among us!" I give her a look and Kristen gives me an innocent smile. "No offense, sis."

"Fine," Annabelle says standing up to get ready for bed. "If everyone somehow agrees to participate, I will join."

"Yes!" Kristen jumps with excitement and hugs Annabelle tight. She gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and gives us a victory dance. Annabelle suddenly lets go of all the sadness she had and joins her in dancing. 

I watch with a small smile as they both happily dance in a very surprisingly good rhythm with their humming. For now, I push aside the scary truth that deep down, I'm screwed because I don't dance or sing.

Does playing the cello count as singing or dancing with your fingers?