The Brightest Stars

Annabelle

"I can't believe Kristen actually convinced our friends on trying out for this year's Dance Show," I say through huffs of air.

I let my eyes slightly look at AJ next to me as we jog on the sidewalk. We make our way through beautiful trees and out on a much more deserted area. He hasn't been talking to me lately and I thought I could use a little run with my running partner. His eyes look at a few cyclists passing through and he gives them a small smile. His eyes then turn to me and they grow back to that sadness he has lately.

My lungs then start to tighten and my feet immediately start to slow down. I take a few deep breaths and put my hands on my knees. "Wait. One more break and then we can stop by that stop sign to turn the corner and go to my house."

AJ quietly stops and walks back to where I am. He catches his breath and he looks through the pocket of his sweats. Since we're entering the early November winter, the evening is actually fresh enough to run with long sleeves and sweats. I straighten my back and smile as his hand takes out my inhaler from his pocket. I gently reject and we start to walk; letting our lungs take a rest. Well, at least for my sake.

"Kristen is relentless," AJ says after a moment of silence. "When that girl has an idea, she has to turn the world upside down to have it done."

I chuckle at this. "I know, but that's what makes her such a great friend. She never quits trying to be the best for you."

AJ nods with a small smile and takes a sip of his water. He goes back to his silence and I sigh. I know there's something going on with him and I need to solve whatever it is. I play along with his silence until the memory of his smile when he saw my broche on my suit jacket in the last mock trail I had comes to mind. His eyes were bright and that's when I knew it was truly his present.

I bite my bottom lip as my eyes drift to his quiet face. I clear my throat and say, "So. Since it's just me and you today, I can finally say thank you for the broche." I watch his quiet smile and his sad eyes look down at the concrete. I decide to continue so I can get a word out of him. "And I think yours was the best present..."

"You should thank Skyler. It was her gift."

"Ha!" I say with a wide smile. "I got you to speak." AJ gives me a confused look and then goes back to his sad smile. I let my brows furrow and say, "That's weird because I could have sworn that you were the only one who knew I've always wanted that broche. You're lying."

"Oh really?" I smile as I notice a glint of tease in his dark eyes. "You have no evidence towards that, Miss Hendrix. How do you assume this?"

I chuckle and play along. "Well...Mister Newman...I have to admit that you are quite the specimen--"

"The specimen?"

I laugh and nod. "Yes and with this kind of specimen there's only one way to know when you're lying or not."

"Which is?"

I stop and turn to him so he can see my crossed eyes. "You go like this when you lie. I knew it the moment I met you."

AJ does a laugh and goes back to his small smile. I stay silent and try to think of something else to get him to open up. But his voice is quiet as he says, "You're wrong, Ana."

I chuckle and say, "C'mon, AJ. The first time we went out for a run, we stopped by an antique store. You saw me. I completely fell in love with that broche and you knew it."

"And sometimes you completely miss it when someone falls in love with something else." His voice was meant to be a whisper, but I hear it loud enough for me to look at him with worry.

"What's going on, AJ?" My voice is hesitant as I say, "You've...been distant lately and I just feel like you're fading away from me..."

All he does is look to the ground again and shake his head. "Everything's okay, Annabelle."