Chapter 16 - "Second Best"
(March 15, 2000)
"I'm tired."
Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, JC gave her a little squeeze. "Of course you're tired Annie. You've been working yourself ragged. You need to relax soon."
"I don't want to relax," she argued, "I don't want to sit down, because if I do…"
"Yeah, I know," he replied gently, "But you can't do this to yourself Annie. You can't let him consume you like this. Get out! Get a date!"
Annie snorted. "Get a date? Right. I can't get a date like you can, JC."
"You could if you tried."
Her eyelids lowered. "I don't want to try."
JC sighed and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I don't know what to do with you."
"I'm sorry to be such a downer JC. You didn't have to see me on your lunch break. You could have worked instead."
"Nonsense little girl!" JC exclaimed with a whimsical wave of his arm, "I wanted to eat with you."
A smile tugged at her mouth. "Well if you're sure…"
"I'm sure. I'm sure I'm sure." He grinned and nudged her shoulder with his.
"Okay then," she accepted.
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Are you sensing a point to this conversation?" He asked.
"Nope."
"Glad we established that anyway."
"Me too," she agreed. Annie glanced at her watch. "Should we be getting back?"
Taking her wrist, he turned it slightly to look at the time. "Nahh…we've got plenty of time. We're only 5 minutes away from the TV station anyway."
"Just checking."
The bell jingled on the door to the little bistro they were sitting in. Annie shifted her eyes to glance at who was coming in. Her heart dropped when her eyes found a fiery head of red hair.
Chris and Robin walked in, at first not noticing she and JC. But as the hostess brought them to their seats, they were forced the pass by the two. When Chris saw them sitting so close together, their shoulders brushing, and his features immediately soured.
Reaching down, he took Robin's hand and proceeded to walk briskly past JC and Annie, not casting them another glance. When they had passed, Annie's eyes remained on the couple. She jumped slightly when Robin turned her head to look back at them.
Meeting her gaze, she smiled sadistically and…stuck out her tongue.
Annie's hands flew up to her mouth. She shifted to look at JC. "Oh, she didn't just…"
"Stick out her tongue at you? Yes, she certainly did. Wow. How much more mature can you get?"
They remained staring at each other until Annie tried unsuccessfully to cover up a gasp of laughter behind her hand. JC heard it loud and clear, and that caused his will power to fail. He snickered loudly and both of them began chuckling and then finally laughing.
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(March 17, 2000)
"How are you getting along honey?"
Annie stood in her kitchen and twirled the cord between her fingers.
"I'm fine SJ. More importantly, how have you been?" Annie asked.
A long sigh was heard on the other line and Annie grimaced. "That good, huh?"
"Even better, trust me."
"How's Keisha?"
"She's…alright. It's pissing me off that I have to worry about her now. Why did she come to me?"
Annie pulled up a chair and sat down. "Because she knows you SJ. She knows she can trust you."
"Damn me and my trustworthiness," she quipped dryly. Annie gave a rueful smile.
"You gonna be okay?" Annie asked, "Seriously?"
"I don't know," she moaned into the phone and Annie's heart went out to her, " I think I need to get away from everything. But I can't even think about doing that until Keisha's settled. It wouldn't be right."
Annie was suddenly hit with an idea. "You know, my mother's wedding is in like three weeks. I need a date. You interested?"
"I wouldn't want to impose…"
"It wouldn't be imposing!" Annie assured her, "If anything, do it out of pity for me. Who else am I going to take?"
SJ gave a little laugh. "I guess I could, you know, to help you out."
Annie grinned, "Pennsylvania is a great state to visit in April."
"So I hear…"
"So you'll come?" Annie asked hopefully, though she already knew the answer by their playful banter.
"I suppose so."
"Great!"
(March 20, 2000)
JC hummed to himself as he went into the kitchen and grabbed an apple out of the fruit dish. Washing it, he bit down into it and savored the initial tartness of it before chewing quickly, swallowing and taking another bite.
He was on his way into the living room when he slammed into a hard body. Looking up, he saw an angry Chris glaring at him. Returning the look, JC attempted to walk past him. He and Chris hadn't been on speaking terms, though neither mentioned it. It was almost as if it was a mutual decision not to talk.
He was stopped abruptly when Chris pressed a hand on his chest and pushed JC back.
"Woah!" The younger man exclaimed, "What the hell are you doing Chris?"
Though considerably shorter, Chris stood tall and balled his fists at his sides. The look in his eyes scared JC and he let the intimidation undulate through him before shoving it back.
He took a step closer, not backing away from Chris' advances. "What is your problem Chris?"
His voice was low and gravely.
"Don't play innocent. I don't believe you would do this to me."
"Do WHAT to you?" JC demanded.
Chris answered by rushing forward and pushing JC roughly. JC stumbled back until he hit the counter, sending cups and plates that were resting on it toppling to the ground with a loud crash.
The wind was knocked out of him. He was frozen in shock. There were often arguments between the five men, but never had they amounted to physical violence outside playful wrestling.
"Why are you with Robin?" JC asked
Chris seemed fazed by this line of questioning, so JC continued. "You can't stand her. We all see it man. She's a bitch. She's using you. I KNOW you see it too."
Chris remained silent, his eyes still blazing.
"How Chris? How is she even a comparison to Annie?"
The older man gritted his teeth, "She's not. Not even close."
JC stared at him in disbelief. "Then I don't get it! Why are you being so immature! When you're not being openly rude to her, you plain ignore her. Explain it to me Chris. Explain why you gave her up."
Chris sputtered once before completely losing control of his temper. "WHY I GAVE HER UP? You want to know WHY I GAVE HER UP?"
"Yeah! I want to know…"
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Chris looked ready to attack JC when two pairs of hands gripped his arms and shoulders, pulling him away.
"Let go of me! Get your hands off of me!" Chris yelled as Joey and Justin dragged him back out of the kitchen.
"We need to talk," Justin answered simply as the door was slammed to Justin's room. Chris was tossed unceremoniously onto the bed.
"There's nothing to talk about," Chris argued while rubbing his sore arms.
"My ASS there's nothing to talk about!" All three men looked sharply at Lance who was already in the room. He ignored their stares and continued, "Do you know what tomorrow is Chris? Do you know?"
Chris rolled his eyes, "Of course I know what tomorrow is Lance."
Joey and Justin crossed their arms over their chests, they knew whatever Lance was going to say would be profound, or at the very least, entertaining. Lance rarely lost his temper, and when he did, people took notice.
JC stood next to the counter, his hands gripping it so hard his knuckles were turning white.
He took a moment to lick his dry lips before releasing his hands and rubbing the wrinkles out of his shirt. Breathing in a few deep breaths, he shook his head to clear it, grabbed his windbreaker and walked out of the house.
Lance looked Chris straight in the eye. "Tomorrow our album is released. The one we've been working on for a year. We've been through five years together. From singing in Pizza Huts to battling for our creative freedom in court. And we're here Chris! We're finally about to make it big, after all the shit we've been through, and you're going to break us down over some girl?"
The room grew silent. When Chris spoke again, his voice was soft and unsure.
"I'm not the one pulling us apart. Talk to JC about that."
"JC has nothing to do with this! You're the one that's gone completely schizophrenic!" Lance shouted back.
"Schizophrenic? What, I'm crazy now, huh?" He looked back and forth between his friends. They stood stoic in their positions. Chris scooted off the bed and walked toward Justin's dresser.
"You know what would be really crazy?" He asked, picking up a glass Justin had left sitting on the wood, "If I threw this against the wall." Rotating his arm back, he shot the glass across the room. It hit the stucco wall and crashed into thousands of shards on the carpeting. Eyes went wide, but no one dared to go any closer to him.
Chris looked back at them; his brown eyes were wild while he bounced on his toes. "Wouldn't that be INSANE?"
"Yes," Justin croaked, but Chris paid him no mind as he pushed past him and flew out the door.
Annie typed furiously on her laptop, her teeth gently gnawing on her bottom lip in concentration.
If we change Ron's free concert to Saturday, then that leaves Friday free for the a meeting with those guys from…
Annie's head jerked up at the sound of the buzzer on her door. Saving what she'd been working on, she closed the screen on her computer and walked to the intercom.
"Yes?"
"Annie? It's JC, can I come up?"
Annie's eyebrows furrowed, "Yeah sure." She pushed the button to unlock the door and leaned against the wall until she heard his heavy footsteps echoing in the hallway. She opened the door and gave him a tentative smile. "Hey."
"Hey Annie. How are you?" He asked.
"I'm okay. How are you? You look a little shaken up," she commented, taking in his disheveled hair and darkened features.
"I'm okay. I had to get out of the house for a little bit and after 20 minutes of walking I realized that I really shouldn't be walking. So I came here."
"Oh, well come on in. Do you want something to drink?" Annie asked, moving out of the doorway so JC could walk in.
"Yeah, do you have any kind of a caffeinated beverage?" He asked hopefully.
"Oh please, I've been working until three every morning. I'm the queen of caffeinated beverages right now. Is Pepsi good?"
"Pepsi," he said as he threw his body into an overstuffed chair and looked up at her, "Would be absolutely lovely. Thank you."
"Well then, I'll be back in a second," she scuttled into the kitchen and JC heard the sounds of glasses clanging and the opening and closing of the refrigerator.
"Ice or no ice?" Annie called to him.
"Ice please," he responded.
"Alright," there was a little more clanging and the sound of the cans popping open before she walked back out with two glasses full of the brown liquid.
"Here ya go," she said, handing him one and sitting down on the couch.
They drank in silence for several seconds until Annie spoke. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?"
"Ohh yeah. So nervous. Everyone is saying that this album is going to be big, you know? And everyone is going to love it, but I don't know. You can never be too sure about things like this until it actually happens. Until you see it with your own two eyes."
Annie nodded, "I understand. You're worried that all your hard work won't be appreciated. It makes sense."
"Yeah…we're all pretty…on edge lately," he replied unsurely.
His comment caught Annie's full attention. "How is he, JC?"
"Chris…" he paused, deciding what to say, but realizing it would do her no good to know what happened earlier, "He's handling it like the rest of us are. He's grouchy, but that's to be expected, I guess."
"Are you two talking?" Annie had felt bad about the separation JC and Chris were going through. She knew that it was partly, if not totally, her fault and sometimes she wished JC didn't take so much time to make sure she was all right. Maybe then they would be on speaking terms.
"We…no we're still not talking," JC answered, it wasn't a total lie, he doubted Chris and he were going to be talking anytime soon after what had happened.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to come between you two in any…"
"No Annie, this isn't your doing. He's the one being the jackass, and I talk to you because…well frankly I like you. You're funny. I enjoy spending time with you," JC assured her.
"Well thank you. I like spending time with you too," she paused to think about what she had just said, "But JC, this doesn't mean that we're ever going to…"
His gentle smile cut her words off, "I know. And I honestly wasn't even thinking about that. You're in love with Chris, he's an asshole. There's nothing I can do about that."
"I'm sorry," there was a moment of silence and then, "He is an asshole, isn't he?"
"Completely. But I don't know why. He's not usually like this. You know that, and I do too. I wish he'd tell us what happened that made him so angry all of a sudden."
"Me too," Annie said, remorse lacing her voice, "I really miss him, you know?"
JC nodded, "I know. But you have to move on, as difficult as that seems like it will be. Speaking of that, in a week we're having our CD release party and I was wondering if…"
"No," Annie said, cutting him off.
"Please? I don't have a date and…and…you owe me!" He announced with a grin that told her he was joking.
"Oh yeah, lay on the guilt, that's really nice," she answered, "I don't have anything to wear."
"So call SJ and the two of you can go shopping or something," he suggested, "Anyway, it's not that formal. It's not like you're going to the Academy Awards or anything. A nice dress would work fine."
Annie sighed deeply as she contemplated this idea. "If you really want me to…"
"I do!" JC jumped in immediately, "Come with. It'll be fun."
"I really don't want to see him JC," she countered.
"Well, what are you going to do? Ignore him for the rest of your life?" JC asked sarcastically.
"I was planning on it," she said quietly.
"Yeah, that's really easy since you work for him," JC responded. He noticed the look on her face at that comment and his eyes narrowed. "Why are you doing so much work lately?"
"I don't want to leave him in a bind JC."
"Wait, you're QUITTING?" JC asked.
"The only reason I took this job was to be closer to Chris, and now…you know."
"This is a good opportunity for you, Annie. You make good money, you have a job you're good at."
"It's not worth it JC. I can always go work somewhere else. That's not a problem."
"We're you going to live?" JC asked, his voice low and accusing.
"I'm going to move back to Pennsylvania and get an apartment over there," Annie said.
"I don't believe you're leaving," JC breathed in shock, "Does SJ know? What about Chris?"
"You're the only one, and I wasn't even planning on telling you. I wanted to finish organizing everything for the next few months, because Chris is going to be so busy with the new tour, and then I was going to give him my two week notice," Annie admitted.
"So you're quitting then?"
"That's what I've been saying," Annie reiterated.
"No I mean, you're going to give up on Chris and your whole friendship?"
Annie stared at him. "What are you talking about JC? I haven't talked to him in two months. There's nothing left. I don't have his friendship anymore. And I don't even know why."
JC took a deep breath. "Well SCREW him then. You're coming with me to the release party though, right? Please?"
"I guess so then," she muttered.
"You'll have fun. I promise, I promise, I promise!" He exclaimed.
Annie smiled weakly.
(March 28, 2000)
"Fix this jacket…"
"It's fine," Chris grunted, pulling himself away from Robin's hands and shrugging the coat back into its original position.
"I want to make sure you look perfect," Robin answered, her voice dripping with forced hurt.
"I look fine Robin," he responded taking one last glance in the mirror.
"Well, today is our first public appearance with one another, I don't want your jacket to be crooked when we're on the cover of some magazine or another. You understand."
Chris rolled his eyes, not caring whether or not she noticed. "Yeah, I understand."
Annie nervously fiddled with the necklace she wore around her neck, the same one she'd been wearing every day for the last 2 months. She tucked it carefully under the front of her dress so it was unnoticeable.
There was a knock at her bedroom door. "Come in SJ."
SJ opened the door and gasped when she saw her. They'd gone shopping earlier that week to find a perfect dress, and they done just that. They'd found the absolute perfect dress for Annie.
It was a dark burgundy color that shimmered whenever she walked, making her look almost magical. It hugged her body in the most magnificent way, accentuating all her best features and down playing her slightly imperfect ones.
She smoothed it down and gave a half grin at SJ's reaction before turning back to the full-length mirror in front of her. The dress with simple, and yet classic.
Just like Annie.
It reached down to the middle of her calves and the gentle V-neck of the top sloped to show just the barest glimpse of what was underneath. Her dark hair completed the ensemble, adding that extra flair of sophistication of the outfit.
Annie turned left and then right, examining herself from as many different angles as she could.
"Wow Annie, you look…beautiful. I don't know what the right word is. Mysterious maybe."
Annie smiled. She had looked a lot of things in her life, but mysterious was never one of them. Perhaps it was the contrast of the modest cut and length of the dress and then the shine it caught at the right turn of the hips and the fact that the sleeves were tiny to non-existent on her arms.
"I've never worn anything like this before," Annie breathed, still staring at her reflection.
"Well you look amazing. Chris is going to go crazy!" SJ exclaimed.
"Chris?" Annie asked, "I think you meant JC."
"No, I didn't."
"Oh my God," was JC's barely audible response to seeing Annie as she opened her door. SJ had had styled her hair in the most perfect bun she had ever seen. Her dark locks spiraled in a tight circle with a burgundy rhinestone strategically placed in the hollow middle of it. Her neck seemed to go on forever in a regal, Audrey Hepburn type of way.
There was the slightest hint of make-up on her face that accented her dark eyes and made her olive skin glow. Her lips were painted with a glossy, wine colored lipstick and her nails matched her dress as if it was mixed to be worn with only that article of clothing.
She wore matching ballerina type flat shoes that made the outfit look more casual and fit for the occasion than a pair of high heels would have. She remained small and petite in size and the overall effect of everything made her look like a precious, gorgeous porcelain doll.
"You look…Annie?" JC asked in disbelief.
She giggled nervously. "Yeah JC, it's me."
"You look…wow."
"Thank you."
JC held his arm out for Annie to put her through. She complied and they walked to the limo waiting outside her apartment. Nate was the only person in it and he grinned widely when he saw her.
"Well my my, you look like Cinderella," he commented.
Annie looked down at her hands so they couldn't see the blush that spread across her skin.
The drive to the banquet hall was comfortable and the three people engaged in light conversation all the way. The screams from fans outside could be heard a block and a half down as they spotted the limo making it's way to the scene.
The party was supposed to be casual, there was no red carpet or anything of that nature. Nate was the first person out of the limo and JC came out after him, helping Annie through.
The screams became twice as shrill and deafening as JC was spotted, but he didn't seem to notice. He smiled pleasantly at the fans. He stopped to sign autographs and throw winks and waves at all the people around them.
They finally managed to work their way into the hall and were immediately met by JC's family. They exchanged pleasantries and Annie found his mother to be an absolute doll. She had her son's easy smile and trusting eyes.
"I think I'm going to put away my coat," Annie whispered to JC after a few minutes of mingling.
"I'll do it for you," he immediately offered, reaching for her coat.
"No, no, it's okay. I've got it. You keep talking to these people. I'll be right back."
"Are you sure?" JC asked skeptically.
Annie laughed lightly, "JC! It's just my coat, I promise I'll let you get me a drink when I get back."
Chris walked swiftly with Robin's bag and coat in his hand, not caring that it was dragging on the ground. He smiled at all the people he passed, though at the moment he felt less than amiable.
He, like everyone else, was excited about how incredibly well the CD had sold so far. But the excitement never quite reached his heart. He couldn't savor and revel in this new development like his group mates did because…he didn't CARE as much.
This thought stuck in his head as he turned a corner quickly in his haste to throw Robin's stuff on the hooks.
Honey, go put this stuff away while I talk to Mr. Rubinate.
"Yes dear," he ground out under his breath.
He didn't notice the body coming from the other direction, walking at a slow stroll. The two smacked into one another and all Chris saw for a moment was a haze of burgundy.
Reaching down to help the fallen woman up, he rasped tiredly, "Oh, I'm sorry ma'am...MARY?"
He took a step closer to her and gazed at how absolutely stunning she looked. The things in his hands dropped unnoticed onto the soft carpeting as he continued to stare at her. He always knew she was beautiful, but there was something about her in that color that seemed to cause everything else grow fuzzy and made every one of his sense hone in on her.
Her hair, her eyes, her lips, the part of her legs that peaked out of the bottom of her dress, the way she smelled…pears, like always. She was ethereal.
"Hi Chris," she whispered awkwardly.
"Mary…you, you look…I…oh my god…" he reached out and touched her smooth cheek. He watched her eyes flutter shut as she took in a shallow breath.
"You look more beautiful than you did at our senior prom," he murmured, still tracing her cheekbone, "My god, you're magnificent."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't thank me, it's the truth. Who did this to you? Was it SJ?" He inquired. She barely nodded her answer.
"Mary, you're gorgeous…absolutely…gorgeous might not even be a strong enough word…"
"Annie? Are you alright?"
JC's voice made them both jump back in surprise, effectively breaking the spell between them. Chris scowled visibly and the fire that was in his eyes a moment before turned into a different kind of fire…the kind Annie had nightmares about.
She absently fiddled with her necklace, making sure it was hidden like it always was, even with that new ensemble.
"Why don't you go back to your date?" He sputtered.
"Yeah," Annie agreed tersely, "And you can go back to yours."
"That's a good idea," Chris responded, picking up Robin's things and throwing them on the hooks before half walking-half jogging away from her.
Annie placed a hand on her chest and tried to slow her racing heart. JC was next to her in an instant. "I'm so sorry Annie, I didn't know what was going on! I wouldn't have interrupted if I did."
"No JC, it's alright. You couldn't have known. I don't even know what to call what happened," Annie muttered in disbelief, staring at the place where Chris had stood, her hand moving up to cup her cheek where he had touched her.
"Do you want to go home?" JC asked, "I won't be upset."
Annie thought about this a moment before shaking her head. "No, I'll stay with you JC. Don't worry."
"Come on," he replied then and took her hand in his leading them on to the dance floor.
A slow ballad was playing and JC held her in his arms, leaving a good amount of space between them.
Annie smelled the breezy, sophisticated cologne he wore, but it didn't overtake and tantalize her senses the way Chris' did. She sighed dejectedly and continued to dance.
It was an hour later and Annie was walking dutifully beside JC, smiling politely at all the people at the party; one after another. It was monotonous, and at that point, Annie could probably mouth the conversation.
"Annie, this Jerry Walker and his wife Dolores," he introduced.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Annie Benton," she replied automatically, a small smile gracing her face.
They greeted her happily and Annie knew that they were probably very down to earth people.
A young lady suddenly appeared beside the Mrs. Walker and Dolores gave a cry of delight and reached to hug the lithe woman.
"Have you met my daughter, Jamie?" She asked JC.
There was silence and Annie turned to look at her date. Her eyes widened and she hid a grin when she saw the awestruck way he was looking the girl over. Annie nudged his gently and he shook himself to break the trance he was in.
"Oh no, I'm sorry, I haven't. Hello Jamie. I'm JC," he held his hand to shake hers.
"Nice to meet you JC," she answered rather shyly, gingerly taking hold of his hand.
All parties watching noticed that they held hands longer than necessary. Another ballad began to play over the speakers and Annie said, "You know, I have to go to the ladies' room. Jamie, would you watch JC while I'm away?"
"Sure," she breathed and took a step closer to the dark haired man in the tailored Armani suit, "I'd love to."
"Care to dance?" JC asked, holding his hand out for her to take.
She accepted when she placed a small hand into his and he grinned brightly. "Mr. Walker, Mrs. Walker, it was nice meeting seeing you again."
"Good to see you too honey," Mrs. Walker answered, "Congratulations on the album."
But JC didn't seem to hear.
(April 7, 2000)
"Wow, so you guys really hit it off, huh?" Annie asked.
"Yeah, we did. I mean…she's great. She's got this personality…if you talk to her for five minutes, you'd know. She's a nurse and she loves children and…"
Annie held her hand up to silence him. "Wait, you mean you learned all this from her from two dates?"
"Yeah, I'm telling you, we clicked. Like we didn't have to hide anything from each other. She's amazing," he announced, "Jamie Walker…" he tasted the name on his tongue.
Annie grinned widely. "I'm so happy for you JC! I told you if you gave it some time, everything would work out."
JC glanced at his watch, "I have to get back, I told them I'd be back in 10 minutes and it's been twenty."
Reaching up, Annie enveloped JC in a huge hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her into the air, eliciting an excited squeal from her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" The voice laced with venom made JC place Annie back on the ground.
She met Chris' disgusted stare straight on and put her hands on her hips. "Yeah, you are."
"Well I'm sorry to disturb Casanova over there, but we have to get back to work."
"You know Chris, whatever problem you have with me, it's unnecessary to get take your anger out on JC," Annie complained.
"I'm not in the mood to hear this right now, alright? I'm really not. We have to go."
"No," Annie argued, "I think we should talk about this right now." While I still have the nerve.
"JC, we have to go," Chris said, ignoring Annie's request, "I really don't want to rehash old memories."
"Well then explain why you're dating that…that…WHORE." Annie spit out.
"I wouldn't have even looked at her if you hadn't…you hadn't…" with what sounded like a guttural growl, Chris pressed his hands over his ears and doubled over.
Annie immediately rushed over to him. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Chris, are you…"
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" He shouted before standing up again.
Annie withdrew her hand quickly as if she'd been burned; in a way she had been. Her eyes filled with tears and she felt JC stand behind her. She backed up into the protection he provided and felt wrap his arms around her waist.
Chris' face grew a shade of green and he looked like he was going to be sick all over the floor.
"If I hadn't what Chris?" Annie asked.
"If the two of you…" he couldn't bring himself to form the words. He knew if he did, nothing would stop him from crying hysterically in front of them.
"If we what? If we hadn't become friends? You couldn't stand me being friends with anyone besides yourself?" Annie guessed.
Chris couldn't believe they were insulting his intelligence so blatantly. The way JC was holding her. HE used to hold her like that. More than anything at that moment, he felt like he needed revenge. He needed to make himself feel a little better. That led to the most horrible mistake…and the biggest lie he'd ever told in his entire life.
"Your friend?" He mocked, "Do you ever wonder why no one else ever hung out with you Annie? Because you whine and you complain and you do that 'oh woe is me' act. I wasn't your friend all those years. I pitied you."
He played the trump card and he knew it.
Her entire body went slack in JC's arms and he bent his knees and gathered her to him. "What?" She whispered hoarsely, hoping she misunderstood.
"You were weak and no one liked you Annie. You were a pity case for as long I can remember."
Her whole mind whirled and spiraled in from of her. She had no idea words could hurt so much.
"Pity?" She repeated.
"PITY," Chris confirmed, ignoring the daggers of hatred JC was sending him with his eyes.
"Fine," Annie murmured, moving away from JC's embrace and walking toward Chris on unsteady legs. She unclasped the necklace around her neck and threw it at Chris before allowing the sadness to overtake her as she sank to the ground.
Chris reached down and picked up the necklace. It was an ordinary gold chain, but the charm is what caught the attention of his eyes…and his heart.
The ring he had given her for her 21st birthday was dangling on the end of the chain. The one she said she would wear if she was thinking about him. He was disgusted with himself.
"Mary, I'm so…"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" She screamed hysterically from the ground.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it," he apologized in desperation, knowing it wouldn't do any good. He'd pushed a button he told himself he would never push. He'd lied and trivialized their friendship…the most important thing in his life.
"Shut up! I don't want your pity!" She screamed.
"It isn't pity! I didn't mean it…I didn't…" he tried.
"Get out!" She whispered.
"Please…just…"
She looked up at him and the pain in her eyes was almost enough to make him run out the door. He was a coward.
"GET OUT!"
Lowering his head in shame, Chris ventured a look at JC. His group mate was looking at him like he was a monster as he cradled Annie in his arms. And JC was right.
He was a monster.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered one last time before turning and walking out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.
JC held the hysterical girl in his arms and rocked back and forth, trying to calm her down. He whispered whatever comforting words he could think of into her ear and patted her hair soothingly.
After a minute, her crying had turned into heart wrenching whimpers and she looked up at him.
"Thank you for staying," she said, her voice coated with tears.
"I wouldn't leave you like this," he answered.
When she didn't say anything, he bent his head to look her in the face. "Annie? Are you okay?"
In her mind, almost drunk and numb from the words Chris just told her, she did the only thing she could think of to do.
She wrapped her hand around the back of JC's neck and covered his mouth with hers.