Impressions

chapter seventeen: promise

chapter seventeen: promise

johnnys pov:
annie didn't talk to me at school at all the entire day.
even when we sat right next to each other she pretended i didn't exist.
at lunch she was nowhere to be found.
after school i didn't see her at all.
i don't know what's wrong with her, but i hope it's not me or about yesterday.
i didn't mean to overstep or pry, but i just wanted to show her i'd be there for her always no matter how her mom felt.
i saw brennan in the hallways and i wanted to talk to him.
even though she's his ex, and it may be awkward i need to know how to deal with her mom and understand what really went down in their relationship.
j: hey brennan.
b: johnny what's up?
j: it's about annie.
b: what about her.
he gives me his full attention.
j: her mom told me i was giving her false hope because i'm leaving for college in a few months.
b: sounds like katie.
j: and annie said that her mom forced you to break up with her.
he sighs.
b: i could never admit it to annie because that's her mom and i didn't want to tamper their relationship more than it already is, but she did force me to breakup with her. if i had the choice to not lose annie i'd take it in a heartbeat.
j: what'd she make you do?
b: she pretty much said, she'll force annie to quit gymnastics or have me break up with her. i couldn't take that away from annie or make her choose, we could always be friends but she talented and that talent can't go to waste.
j: do you think she'd do the same to me.
b: like you said, you're leaving in a few months. she's probably waiting for you to break annie's heart on your own.
j: i couldn't ever do that to her.
b: that's a concept she doesn't seem to grasp. she thinks you will do it, but you physically can't it's the power of love.
j: do you still love her.
b: of course i do, our relationship wasn't random at all. i had feeling for her since we were kids, but once you grow out of a relationship or a period of time. you realize that just because you love someone doesn't mean you're supposed to be with them.
annie said the same thing to me.
b: just don't make the same mistake i did, you're her epic love i can tell.
j: i don't plan on it.
after that we talked a little while more and then i left to go home.
instead of going to my house i ended up going to annie's.
i went to her house after school and she was sitting on top of her roof and the window that aligned to her bedroom.
j: can i join you?
i say to her
a: yeah.
she says while resting her chin on her knees.
i walk into her room and crawl through the window and took a seat by her.
she was holding a chain in her hand.
j: where'd you go today?
a: i skipped.
i would make a joke but i see she's not happy.
j: why?
a: i couldn't stop thinking about him.
j: your brother?
a: yeah, after yesterday i just sat in my room and cried. thinking about how everything i once had is gone. my mom used to be my best friend, and now i don't even speak to her. it sounds stupid when people say they're the glue holding people together but caleb really did. after he was gone we fell right apart. afterwards it was just the three of us and the two of them.
j: three?
a: my cousin lived with us, her names paige. she was pretty much my mom when my mom fell through. i haven't seen her in so long, she now has a family of her own.
j: i know you miss him, and he held you together, but remember to credit yourself. your sister is in there and you are her whole world. to her you're the one holding your family together.
a: he was the one who was always proud of me and appreciated me and i try to do that for hayley but it's not the same and i feel like i'm letting him down.
j: you're not!
a: he wanted me to pursue my dreams johnny, and right now i'm pursuing my parents.
j: all of this pain and sadness. feeling like you're not worthy or feeling unaccomplished with things you done will be gone one day. your accomplishments will be for you, and you'll be proud of yourself and won't need anybody else's validation.
she looks down at her necklace and i realize it's a thumbprint necklace.
a: you remind me of him.
j: do i?
a: yeah, i wish you two could've met.
j: i knew him but i was clueless, but you know if i was friends with your brother you'd have to deal with me five years early.
a: what are you talking about?
she says smiling.
j: i probably would've fell in love with you five years ago.
she starts to blush.
a: stop.
j: i'm being serious.
a: well on a serious note i want you to have something.
she says crawling in her window. and i follow her
she goes to her desk and pulls out a small box, and she pulls what seems to be a ring out of it.
a: this was my brothers you don't have to wear it or anything, it's just he never left the house without it. he said it was his good luck with girls and for his games and stuff.
she says giggling.
a: but it has a number seven on it which was his jersey number and i know it's yours too.
j: are you sure you want me to have it.
a: yeah, i'm sure he'd like that.
she says sniffing.
j: i'll never take it off.
a: you don't have to wear it.
j: but i want to.
a few moments later annie's lips met mine.
the kiss i've been waiting for.
that has had so many interruptions, but this time she initiated it.
instead of turning her head.
but we didn't stop kissing, and it wasnt weird or awkward it was sweet and romantic.
i had pushed her on the bed in a gentle manner and hovered over her.
then annie stopped it.
which kind of embarrassed.
i tried not to show it though.
a: did you have other plans.
j: no.
i say quick.
a: well lay down with me.
she said.
so i did and i draped my arm over her and we held hand.
and that's hold we stayed, just cuddling with each other. 
and i could feel her giggling on my chest.
j: what's so funny.
i say smiling.
a: you just make me happy.
j: i will do anything to keep you that way.
i know what love is because of annie.