**Chapter Three**
Two days later, I was sitting under the big oak tree working on my writing. Over the year, I’ve gotten better. Having the extra English classes was helping tremendously. Not that I was bad or anything, but the improvement was there. It always helped to sit outside with a cool breeze being left with my thoughts. Being creative can be hard, and when I’m alone like this, my thoughts skyrocket.
Today though I was distracted. I’ve been thinking about Drew and his offer to go to the skate park. It would be embarrassing since I wasn’t as good as he was thinking. Going to a skate park with so many talented people would be nerve-racking. However, I would be with Drew and that’s all that mattered. Getting to connect with him and see his world is all I ever wanted. If only I got the chance to tell him the other day. We could have made plans by now.
Luckily, the universe has been on my side lately as Drew came riding down the sidewalk. He immediately spotted me and jumps off his board. He’s been talking to me a lot. This has been the most we’ve communicated. I can’t figure out why he wants to talk to me suddenly. I was embracing every moment.
He flashed that smile at me, and my heart literally melted. “Annabelle, what are you doing out here?” He asked, leaning down toward me.
I try to fight back a smile, giving sort of a smirk. “You’re the only one that calls me Annabelle,” I say.
He looked at me, perplexed. “That’s your name, right?”
“Yes, but everyone else calls me Anna,” I remind him.
He shrugged, this time sitting down in front of me, splayed-legged. “Well, I like Annabelle, so deal with it.” He winked at me.
I didn’t know how to take that. I don’t know why I brought it up now since he’s been calling me by my full name forever. It stood out, since he was the only one to do it. Sure, he may like my name, but was he doing it on purpose? Or was it to gain my attention? Little did he know he already had it.
Not knowing what to say, he changed topics to something I didn’t think he would ask me. It was obvious it bothered him, but it was always a question of why. Nothing he’s been doing recently made much sense. Especially knowing that he has a girlfriend. The worst thing would be him thinking of me like his sister. Though I doubt he’d be asking me this if that were the case.
“Who was that guy from the other day again?” He looked away from me when he asked that question.
My brow raised with suspicion. “You mean Cameron?” I asked. “I don’t know him well, but he is nice,” I say.
That wasn’t enough for Drew, though. “So, do you talk to every random guy you meet, or was this a one-time occurrence?” His questions were confusing me.
“Huh?” I was visibly confused and he could see that once he looked back at me. It made me more nervous than I already am when I’m around him. Did I do something wrong?
Seeing my face change, his tune changed as well. Drew saw he was stepping over the line and quickly corrected himself. I may never get answers to his strange behavior, but it wouldn’t stop me from filling Dillon in on what was going on. She’d be able to explain her brother’s actions better than I could interpret them. Aside from practically growing up together, there isn’t much about Drew that I knew.
Shaking his shaggy black hair, he looked back at me, changing the subject once again. At least he would have had Juliana not come and interrupted him. She was walking by and spotted us by the tree. At first, she didn’t realize it was Drew, but when she did, the look on her face didn’t seem too happy. She masked that with a bright smile plastered across her face.
“Drew! What are you doing?” She questioned as she walked over to us. Her fake smile stayed on her face while she looked me up and down. “Oh, you’re in my English class. What’s your name again...Annabelle! Yes, Annabelle.”
I give a tight-lipped smile. “Hi-hi,” I was nervous.
Drew didn’t look too happy about any of this. “Juliana, what are you doing here?” He questioned as if he didn’t want her around.
She frowned, but it vanished quickly. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” she said.
“Julie...” Drew trailed off.
“I have! Honest.” She sounded genuine.
I realized she came over here because she saw Drew sitting with me. This was her way of showing me that Drew belonged to her, and that wasn’t about to change. That is that possessive nature of hers I’ve mentioned before. Any time Drew talked to any girl, Juliana is never too far behind. Knowing Drew, I doubt he would ever cheat on her. Even with how beautiful she is, Juliana showed signs of insecurity. It goes to show no matter who you are, ultimately you’re just like anybody else.
Since Juliana came, Drew stood up, gearing ready to walk away from me. “Alright, well, I have to go now,” he said, grabbing his board. “I’ll see you later, Annabelle.”
“Yes, see you later, Anabelle,” Juliana added.
I simply wave goodbye, not knowing how to respond to either of them. As they walked away, I can tell they were having a tiny argument. It’s unclear what about, but neither of them looked too happy with one another. That didn’t stop me from immediately running to my dorm room and finding Dillon. She would tire of my nonsense, but who else am I supposed to talk to about this?
Startled, Dillon stopped what she was doing to see why I burst into our door, how I did. It wasn’t my intention, but the energy coursing through my body couldn’t contain itself. Drew sat down with me for over two minutes. Two minutes! Unfortunately, every time we talk, he either abruptly leaves, or we get interrupted. I still wasn’t able to accept his offer but explained to Dillon everything that happened.
She seemed confused about her brother’s behavior as well. There wasn’t much of an explanation she could produce for me. Other than that, it was strange. Which I already gathered.
“I don’t know why you didn’t tell him you want to go with him,” Dillon said. “He’s inviting you, so accept it.”
I sat on my bed, sighing. “Maybe I’m not confident enough,” I say, squeezing my pillow.
Dillon sat next to me being understanding like she always is. “That’s something you need to work on, Anna. Confidence starts from within.”
Smiling, I squint my eyes. “Hmm, well, you’re confident and you ignore Dre all the time. Why?”
It is something I’ve been yearning to know. It’s clear that he would be happy to date her. Even with how hostile she usually is toward him. That never bothered Dre, and it made me think the problem may not be him. I wouldn’t know any of that since she never talks about it. I’m always ranting and moaning about Drew. It’s about time she tells me what her thoughts on Dre were.
Dillon rolled her eyes and stood back up. Obviously, she didn’t want to talk about it. But I’m her best friend. These were the things we should gossip in private about. Her being Drew’s sister, I’m positive Dre wouldn’t fuck it up. We’re not in high school anymore. College is the time to explore your horizons. Pretty soon, we’d be separated again. If she were going to try anything, it should be now.
That’s not something she wanted to hear, though. “It’s more complicated than having a simple crush, Anna.” She said. “You forget there are things I know about both him and my brother that you don’t”
I couldn’t argue with that. Drew is a complete mystery other than the things I’ve seen on the surface. What if I got to know him and didn’t like what I hear? Having that information could change the course of our relationship. My feelings for him could vanish within a blink of an eye. Though it made me even more curious to know what secrets he was holding. Could it be that bad? So bad that Dillon won’t date Dre because of it?
Things between us got awkwardly silent as I processed what she said to me. The both of us wallowing in our thoughts. Until a piece of paper slid under our door. We both looked at each other, bewildered. Neither of us wanted to grab the paper. We couldn’t think of anyone who would do something like this. It was strange until Dillon worked up the courage to pick it up. She read the note, forming a small smile on her face as she handed it to me.
“I believe this is for you.”