Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. Annabelle turned around. "Hey Justin", Annabelle said with a smile. He sat down across from her in the booth. "Ready to study?". "No", Justin said laying his head on the table. "Let's start easy. What do you know already?". "Water and oil don't mix". "Mmkay. Let's crack open the book". Annabelle opened her bag and pulled out her Chemistry notebook and textbook. She looked over to see Justin still had his head on the table. Annabelle patted his head. "Hey Justin, let's get to work". She got a groan as a response. "Listen, we'll work for half an hour then take a break". Justin lifted his head. "Alright". Justin gathered his stuff as Annabelle began. Half hour later... "...do you understand?", Annabelle asked Justin. He stared through her. "Okay break time". "Yes!", Justin yelled jumping up. "It's good to know you enjoyed our study session". "It isn't that. I hate chemistry. I don't plan on ever being a scientist. In fact I'm not going to college". "How come?". "I'm gonna live a dream of mine. I'm gonna become a musician. I have a bunch of guys that I formed a group with. We would have started three years ago but my mom thought fifteen was to young. So...how 'bout you? Any plans after high school?". "I'm going to go to Cal U. I wanna study psychology. Drew's brother Nick goes there. He graduates in two years. I'm gonna live with him and some friends. They have their own band too". "What's Drew doing?". "The same thing". "So it'll be like a huge party, huh?". "Basically. It'll be cool. I've known Nick and Drew almost all of my life. Are you ready to get back to studying, Justin?". "Let's get something to eat". "Okay". A waitress walked by and Justin got her attention. "Hi". He gave her a flirtacious smile. The waitress blushed then smiled back. "Can I get you something?". "Yeah. Could you get a burger and fries for me and my friend". The waitress looked over at Annabelle. "Would you like a refill on your soda?", she asked sweetly. "Yes, please". "I'll be right on it". The girl walked away. "You know that we'll resume studying after this, right?". "Aww, Annabelle, enjoy the moment. Live for the now. Studying can wait". She rolled her eyes. "Look, there's a jukebox". "So...". "Let's get a good song going...so we can dance". "I can't dance with you Justin". "Why not?". "I'm four foot eleven. You're what six two. We'd look ridiculous". "Who cares what other people think?". "You're right. Let's do it". Annabelle smiled. Then the two got up and walked over to the jukebox. Justin put money in and then chose a song. "Stay The Same", by Joey McIntyre drifted out of the speakers. "I don't think I could reach your shoulders, Justin", Annabelle said backing up. Justin walked towards her and grabbed her arms. He wrapped her arms around his waist and clasped her hands together. She released the clasp of her hands and set them gently on Justin's back. Justin placed his arms around her shoulders. He pushed her head so it rested lightly on his chest. They danced barely shuffling their feet. "No, there's nothing 'bout you I would change". The song ended. They danced a moment longer before releasing each other. They sat down again at their booth. Their food was already there, so they ate. When Annabelle and Justin finished eating, she said, "Let's get back to studying". "Annabelle...I don't wanna. We were having fun, right? Why ruin it?". "Yes, we were having fun. But the point of this meeting...". He cut her off. "Date". He smiled and Annabelle returned the gesture. "Okay then...the purpose of this...date is for you to learn something". "I did learn something". "What's that?". "I know your future plans". "And?". "I like you". Annabelle's mouth opened in shock. She promptly closed it. "Okay". "Did I scare you? Cuz I could never speak again if you want". "Oh no! I um...like you too, Justin". He smiled. "So, tell me about yourself", Justin said. Annabelle and Justin stayed at the diner for twenty minutes more before they decided to take a walk. Their date ended at 11:50. Ten minutes before Annabelle's curfew. They came back to the diner so they could get their cars. "I had fun", Justin said with a bright smile. The two were leaning against Annabelle's Neon holding hands. "We should do this again. Except we'll try and get some learning done". "You don't give up, do you?". "Of course not. You asked me for help and I'm gonna make sure you get that help". "Then why don't we do this again tomorrow?". "Okay". "I'll come pick you up at five o'clock". "Alright". Justin leaned down and kissed Annabelle on the cheek softly. "See ya tomorrow". "Bye". Annabelle got into her car and drove home. She went upstairs to her room quietly. She played the messages on her answer machine. "Annabelle, this is Drew. Call me the very second you get this message". Annabelle did so. It rung twice before Drew picked up. "Hello?", Drew asked sleepily. "Hey Drew, it's me. I just got home". "It's midnight". "I know". "Why did you stay out so long with that prick?". "Don't be an ass, Drew". He sighed. "I'm sorry. It's been a really stressful day, Anna". "I know. Ditto. My dad read my diary. I was soo mad and soo embarassed. My dad found out about my first time and my afair with". She stopped herself. "Afair with who?". "Nobody". "I thought we told each other everything, Annabelle". "I can't tell you this". "Why not?". "It first of all doesn't concern you, secondly it would change our relationship, and thirdly the guy would be mad at me". "Do I know him?". "Yes". "Is it still going on?". "No". "Okay. I'm gonna go now". "Drew, don't be mad. You know if I could tell you I would. I love you, you're my best friend". Drew sighed. He didn't want to be just her best friend. He wanted to be so much more. "Did you have fun on your date?". "Yep. Don't worry I won't bore you with the details". "Did he kiss you?". Drew didn't really want to know the answer. He was scared to. He just wanted to be a good friend. "On the cheek. We're going out again tomorrow". "What about the college b-ball game we were going to?". "I'm sorry, Drew". "It was the play-offs". "Can I get a raincheck?". "Yeah. Bye". "Buh bye". They hung up. Drew layed on his bed. He thought about what Russ had said earlier. Drew wanted Annabelle to be his. But courage and Drew didn't seem to walk hand-in-hand. Drew went to bed that night thinking ways to subtly get Annabelle. The next morning Annabelle got up early. She showered, changed, and had breakfast. Her dad came into the room. "Good morning, Annabelle", her dad said. You could cut the tension in that room with a knife. Annabelle's father was angry that Nick could have "perverted" his daughter. Annabelle was angry because her dad didn't respect her privacy and tried to go against her own decisions. "Morning dad. I need to go now. It's my turn to drive to school". She left the house and got into her car. She first picked up Drew. She beeped the horn and Drew came running out. He hopped in the car and Annabelle drove away. "Hey Annabelle". "Hi". "Bad morning?". "Can you believe my dad is actually mad at me?". "He's just worried about you, Anna. I figured after our conversation last night that you're not a virgin. I just wanna know when. I think it's the sort of thing a best friend should know". "I was thirteen". "Was he older?". "He was sixteen". "How did you know him?". "From school". Annabelle didn't want him to know it was from a friend. Him infact. Then Annabelle picked up Russ and they all went to school. A MONTH LATER... "Hey Justin. How'd the test go?", Annabelle asked as she approached her locker. Justin was at his locker. "I aced it, Belle". Justin had started calling her Belle after they became a couple. It was a whole Beauty and the Beast thing. They joked about it because Annabelle was Beauty, leaving Justin as the Beast. Justin bent down and kissed Annabelle. It was a natural thing between them now. The kiss was just slightly more then a peck. Yeah, the people around them knew of their relationship, but Annabelle and Justin weren't putting on a show. "That's great! You did it Justin!". "We did it". "Okay then. I just knew I could get some learning in that brain of yours. I'm so proud!". She pulled Justin towards her and gave him a much more showy kiss. "Hey Belle, do you know what's this weekend?". "Saturday?". "No. Well yeah. Saturday is next weekend, but what big event happens then?". "I'm not sure". "Well, it's this little shindig, known as the senior prom. I don't have a date because I haven't asked my girlfriend yet. So, Annabelle come to the prom with me. That's not a request". "The 'that's not a request' line was from Beauty and the Beast, Justin". "I know. That's why I said it. So...whadda ya say?". "Okay". "Good! Great! Excellent! I gotta go to class. Bye Belle". Justin kissed the top of her head before walking off. Annabelle got her stuff from her locker and headed to the English room. Drew was already in class. "Hi Drew. Guess what", Annabelle said excitedly. "Hey. What?". "Justin asked me to go to the prom with him". "That's great, Annabelle", Drew said with fake excitement. Although it sounded real. "Oh, I need to get a dress. You gotta come with me. Let's go tomorrow. I have a date with Justin tonight. But I want the dress as soon as possible. No last minute for me". "Isn't this last minute?". "No". "But the prom is a week away". "So...we've only been going out for three weeks. He was probably scared to ask me too early". "Or maybe he was checking out his other options. Just to see what he could get". "What a cruel thing to say, Drew. I'm not the prettiest girl...I'll take Russ to shop with me". She turned around and paid attention to class. "I think you're beautiful", Drew whispered. Annabelle heard him but chose to ignore him and continue paying attention to class. The next day after school, Annabelle and Russ went dress shopping. Annabelle picked a white gown. It had a corsette with sequins and a long puffy skirt. The dress was sleaveless. It fit perfectly and looked sexy. A week later, Friday, Annabelle was dressed and ready. She had and hour until Justin was going to pick her up. The doorbell rang and Annabella went to answer it. She opened the door. "Bella, I really need to talk to Annabelle", Drew said. Annabella moved over and let Drew in. "Thanks". "She's in her room. Knock. Incase she's changing". Drew ran upstairs and knocked on Annabelle's bedroom door. "Come in", Annabelle called. Drew opened the door slowly. He looked at Annabelle. She was breathtaking. Annabelle turned around to see Drew. "Wow", he mumbled. "Drew...what the hell are you doing here?". "I'm sorry, Anna. I'm so sorry. We've been feuding for over a week and I can't stand it. Please forgive me?". "Mmm...no! Drew, all of my life I've been rideculed. I'm just that short, fat girl. You're my best friend. I can forgive other people. But you. You're a different story". "I wasn't saying anything bad about you, Annabelle. I was saying that Justin is an asshole". "Well, I guess that's not as bad. But Drew Justin and I are getting kind of serious. You're gonna hafta learn to be nice to him". "So, I'm forgiven?" "Yes". "Great! There's just one more thing I came here to do". "What's that?". Drew walked over to her, grabbed her face, and kissed her with all of his might. The kiss only lasted for a few seconds. Annabelle pulled away. "I love you, Anna. I wanna be with you. It pains me to see you with other guys". Drew kissed her again. But once again Annabelle pulled away. "Woah! Um...okay. Drew...I'm in love with Justin, and you're just my friend". "I know, Anna". He stared at her lovingly. "I knew that if I did this you would respond this way. And that's okay. I had to get my feelings out. Don't worry. This doesn't change anything. I understand. Have fun at the prom". Drew smiled, gave Annabelle a hug, and left the room. Later that night Annabelle and Justin went to the prom together. They had a wonderful time. And yes, they lived up to the cliche. They had sex after the prom. The next year went by rather fast. Russ, Annabelle, and Drew were all seniors. Justin traveled back and forth from home to Florida. He spent the weekends with Annabelle. After the first semester Drew left school. He graduated early, but the ceremony would be held in June with the rest of his class. Russ wanted to do so, but didn't have enough credits. Annabelle stayed in school. This way she'd still be near Justin and wouldn't be bored all the time. Since Drew had moved to L.A early he decided to skip graduation. The school mailed him his diploma. Justin and Annabelle continued their prom tradition. June Drew had been living with Nick for months now. He had met Nick's friends and befriended them. Their names were Jeff and Justin. Because Drew knew two Justin's he called this one J and the other one fuckhead. Not to his face, of course. Annabelle moved to L.A with the guys in July. Justin came with her to help move in. He was a tad bit jealous that Annabelle was moving in with four guys, but he never mentioned it to her. TO BE CONTINUED...