Best friends wish

Prologue

The old lady looked feeble. The minute our subway train started, she was going to keel over. Then she'd be a sick passenger, and the train would stop while we waited for an ambulance, and I'd be late for school.

Plus she looked terrified . I gave her my seat. I helped her into it. " Thank you, dear. You have done me a good turn." Her tone was like music to the ears ,so round, sweet and juicy like an anchorwoman's. " And you know what they say about a good turn ."

" That's okay." I said . Was she gonna tip me ? I thought " I don't want anything." I added. " Yes, you do Anabell. You want many things . I'll give you one ." How did she know my name ? The train stopped at the twenty- eighth street . I thought about going to another car, but I was getting off at the next stop. " What is your wish ?" She asked . The train started moving again . "I know , whether you tell me or not . But you ought to put it positively." The train stopped. We were between stations. In the silence , the old lady continued . " It shouldn't be ,'I wish I was never picked on or an I wish I never became popular ." She knew . And now so did everyone in our car. I looked around. Only adults were seated, thank goodness. The train got going again. " I can make your wish come true. You won't be a coward . You will be a sought-after member of the crowd .

The train screeched into the twenty-third street station .My stop. The door opened. I stood half in , half out , keeping them open . I didn't want to be just a member of the in crowd. I wanted more . " I want Richmond to come back into my life." I blurted out. I figured I might as well go with a wish nobody could grant . She frowned " Are you sure .... ? I could offer you with more . " " I have never been more sure ." I said . " All right , dear . Granted. "

I once read an article about a tribe that punish people by ignoring them. They'd look through you , pretending you did not exit . It normally would take long . They consider that alone is more painful than anyother punishment. Imagine no one talking to you . Passing through a hall of people and it seems you are invisible . That treatment alone would kill you. I mean , you would actually die .

I didn't die, but for the first nine months of fourth grade I almost wished I had . Before then , I had a friend called Louisiana . We had been friends since kindergarten. Louisiana's parents got mad at Woodward Academy . They said the teachers weren't developmentally aware enough . They sent Louisiana to a boarding school even though she protested on .

At first , I was worried about her but then she sent message when ever she got the time so as the time passed I stopped worrying . I figured I'd make more friends at school. But it turned out making friends wasn't easy or even possible . Cliques had been established already and I couldn't break in .

At first, the other kids weren't always mean . They didn't call me names . They didn't bully me . It all started to get worse in the month of November when Ms. Adams , my teacher asked us to write about our favorite thing in the world . I wrote my favorite thing to be the ability to see the midnight black sky with the shinny stars . It was a whole three page essay mixed with lots of emotions but the other kids considered it nonsense . While the teacher read my essay to the class they laughed out loud pointing fingers at me .

The laughter intensified when the teacher read the part about me sipping hot cocoa and talking to my golden retriever . Some called me stupid while others said I needed to see a doctor to check if everything was alright in my head . At this point the teacher could not control the class . She gave up and they continued throwing words at me . I was at the brick of tears that was until a guy from behind my chair moved forward and held my hand , he consoled me . He was the first person to do that after Louisiana had left . For the first time I felt someone other than my parents and Louisiana cared . He went by the name Richmond .

I figured maybe we could be friends and not frienimies for once in my life .We grew close as the months passed . He turned to be that brother I never had .

Everyone has that one person that knows them better than anyone else. That one person that held your hand and sang with you the lyrics to your favorite song. That one person that held you and told you to let it all out just because you heard your parents arguing loudly the night before . Or that one person that suffered through p**e pig with you even though they found it childish. To me that person was Richmond. From class to class we moved together . When I got bullied he stood by me . Every birthday he attended . Middle grade graduation we dressed together just like twins did .

Over the years my friendship with Louisiana faded off we lost contact and drifted apart . If there was one thing I would have loved to change it would be for them to stop bullying me or at least for me to get popular but I guess wishes are not like horses that men could ride .

Richmond ,was the one guy that I had come to depend on other than my dad.

Admittedly, I admired him. He was the type of boy that didn't care what the world thought of him. He was always going his own way, doing his own things and not minding what people said about him or the huge glasses he wore all the time because of his poor eyesight.

Even now being a sophomore, Richmond still went around wearing his oversized shirt with the baggiest jeans.

Many of our classmates made fun of him, poking at his fashion sense, even his unruly mane of a hair.

I admired him all the more when he bowed to the students making fun of him and said " The mouths that laugh at me are the once that stink the most . "

I couldn't do that. I cared about what people thought of me. I didn't like to be judged critically. I wanted everyone to like me. I stopped being bullied in highschool and I couldn't let it continue. Undeniably, it was one of my many weak qualities.

Honestly, I liked Richmond .

When most girls went after the guy that resembled " Mr perfect " I preferred Richmond .

Maybe it was a given; after all, he had seen my face while I was crying and didn't laugh at it or judge. Or maybe it was the fact that he was always there for me when I needed him.

Remembering our fondest of memories, I regretted what I had to do tonight. The memories of my confrontation after my audition at school today lingered in my thoughts.

"You have to do it, Ana." Brielle smiled as she looked at me from the stairs above.

"Losers need to be shown their place on the food chain," her trusty lieutenant, Jessica Peters, added as she smiled innocently at me. "They can't and will not be friends with a cheerleader. If you want to be one of us," she paused as she pointed at all of them, "you can't hang out with 'him'," she added, spitting out the word 'him' like it was sour in her mouth.

They were talking about Richmond ..

"For my initiation," I said, finally finding my voice. "You want me to stop hanging out with Richmond ?" I asked.

Why Richmond? How could I stop hanging out with Richmond?

"Yes," Brielle replied in a bored voice as she admired her perfectly manicured nails.

"What do you even have to lose anyway?" Jessica asked. "He's not even a looker with those big specs and weird fashion sense."

He's the guy that has always been there for me, I wanted to yell at her but I was too scared to voice my opinions. Opinions that need to be voiced.

But, a dark thought crossed my mind for a shadow of a second: stop hanging out with Richmond and you can become popular.

He'd understand why I had to do this. He should understand. It's not every day a sophomore can join the team!

"Okay," I muttered in a low voice.

"What?" Brielle asked.

"I'll do it," I blurted out against my better judgement.

"Good to hear," she said with a pleased tone. "Now do it by tonight and text me when it's done."

"Tonight?" I asked. I thought I'd at least have one night, another night to spend with Richmond.

"Yes. Is something wrong with that?"

"Nope," I answered. "Not a thing."

"Here you go, Anabell ," Richmonds voice broke me out of my thoughts as he climbed through the window into my room and took a seat beside me. "Your mom gave me this," he popped a chocolate cookie into his mouth before handing me the plate.

I grabbed three in one go and shoved one into my mouth.

"Hey!" he protested before he grabbed the plate back.

"You would have finished five before I finished one," I complained before I stuck out a tongue at him.

We both laughed .

"Aren't the stars just beautiful?" Richmond asked as he reclined onto the roof.

"Yes, they are," I answered, although my eyes weren't focused on the stars. They were only focused on him, drinking in every detail of him. His dark hair . The brown eyes hidden behind the glasses that he wore. Everything. The way his brows arched down the way they always did when he was in deep concentration.

I was supposed to hurt him. Tonight. Would he forgive me? Would he understand why I had to do this? Did he understand that I didn't have a thick layer of skin and I cared about what people thought of me? Or would he hate me?

"Anabell," he said, bringing me out of my thoughts. I was surprised to see that I had been staring at him wordlessly. For how long, I did not know.

"Uh-huh," I muttered.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, staring intently back at me.

"Yes. Perfect," I lied as I grabbed the last cookie and tried to focus on eating it as the guilt ate away at me inside.

I felt him sit up and then a second later he was wrapping his arms around me in a comforting gesture that just made me want to forget about everything and freeze time.

How could I do this to him? My best friend.

Tears streamed down my face as I thought over it.

"Ana? You're crying. What can I do?" he asked me.

"Nothing," I mumbled out.

"Anabell , stop crying."

Taking in a deep breath, I paused.

I need to do this as fast as I could. Like ripping off a band-aid. Painless and clean.

My body tensed, as Richmond loosened his arms, feeling the change in my demeanor.

"Anabell?"

"This needs to end, Richmond. Now."

"What needs to end?" he asked, confusion apparent in his voice.

"This," I yelled, shrugging out of his arms. "US! We need to end."

"Why?" he asked with a pained expression on his face.

"We just need to, okay?"

"NO!"

"No?"

"We can't end this, Ana ,he replied in a determined tone as he came and stood next to me, placing both his hands on either side of my shoulders. "Ana,, you don't want to end this. We've been friends for eight years," he added, his brown eyes staring intently into mine, begging me. Pleading with me, tugging at my heart.

I put on a cold face.

"Who's making you say these things?"

"No one. No one is. I've just realized it myself that this friendship is not doing me any good." The words were tearing me up inside, cutting my being and serving it with a side of bitchy.

"This is the one time you're bringing this up. What happened?"

"Like I said Richmond , I grew up. I think it's time you stopped being obsessed and grow up too."

I wanted to take my words back instantly when I saw the hurt look on his face. But I knew that I was almost there. "It's done, Richmond.. We're done," I muttered in a low voice.

"Fine." He was looking at me as if I had grown an extra head. I couldn't blame him. I wasn't recognizing myself too. "I'm not going to grovel." He got up, dusted off his jeans and started towards the window to my bedroom. "I hope you'll have a happy life," he added as he glanced back at me, waiting for me to change my mind and stop him. But it never came. "I'll miss you."

The next sound was that of my bedroom door slamming behind him.

I cried as the tears unconsciously streamed down my face.

I thought of Richmond . I had obviously hurt him. Crushed him.

I had just shut out the very reason for my existence.

Taking out my iPhone, I scrolled through my contacts, pausing at Richmond's number. With one press of the button I could get him back. I'd grovel. I'd do anything to get him back. To hear the beautiful sound of his laughter again. To be with him. With one press of the button, everything could return to normal.

But I couldn't. Instead I pressed the delete button and continued scrolling but stopped at Brielles number, sending her a text.

It's done.

Betrayal, it's one word that says it all. After what I did to Richmond I believed I'd never forgive myself . Things fell into it's place , I became a cheerleader . Up untill this day there is still a space in my heart that I can't fill no matter what . Richmond left the school right after the bitter words I spoke to him . The news of a sophomore female being a cheerleader spread just like wild fire ,how I wanted it to . Maybe if only I had not made the decision I made ,then, I'd have Richmond here saying what he usually does " the mouths that laugh at me are the once that stink the most " ,his jokes , making me laugh but I guess the wait too long makes us desperate and desperation makes us make several mistakes . Some which can not be rectified.

I walked to the train station as I boarded it to school . There was an old lady who looked feeble. The minute our subway train started, she was going to keel over. Then she'd be a sick passenger, and the train would stop while we waited for an ambulance, and I'd be late for school.

Plus she looked terrified . I gave her my seat. I helped her into it. " Thank you, dear. You have done me a good turn." Her tone was like music to the ears ,so round, sweet and juicy like an anchorwoman's. " And you know what they say about a good turn ."

" That's okay." I said . Was she gonna tip me ? I thought " I don't want anything." I added. " Yes, you do Anabell. You want many things . I'll give you one ." How did she know my name ? The train stopped at the twenty- eighth street . I thought about going to another car, but I was getting off at the next stop. " What is your wish ?" She asked . The train started moving again . "I know , whether you tell me or not . But you ought to put it positively." The train stopped. We were between stations. In the silence , the old lady continued . " It shouldn't be ,'I wish I was never picked on or an I wish I never became popular ." She knew . And now so did everyone in our car. I looked around. Only adults were seated, thank goodness. The train got going again. " I can make your wish come true. You won't be a coward . You will be a sought-after member of the crowd .

The train screeched into the twenty-third street station .My stop. The door opened. I stood half in , half out , keeping them open . I didn't want to be just a member of the in crowd. I wanted more . " I want Richmond to come back into my life." I blurted out. I figured I might as well go with a wish nobody could grant . She frowned " Are you sure .... ? I could offer you with more . " " I have never been more sure ." I said . " All right , dear . Granted. "

I walked to school confused . What had I encountered ? Who was the old lady ? Was she some sort of fairy godmother like in Cinderella who granted wishes?

With a heavy heart I thought things through , what good had it done me to loose such a friend . I often smiled as though I was leaving the happiest moment of my life

All I wanted to do was just get back to my room and sleep as my body still needed the rest after the late night of writing the paper for today's presentation in English Lit. Obviously like most students out there, I was a proud procrastinator. If it was a sport, I would be getting prizes and gold medals for it.

But alas, there was no such sport and all it gifted you with was an aching back from sitting endless hours on a chair that was more uncomfortable than most and a cranky attitude.

Note to self: Never procrastinate again.

But then again, who was I kidding? If I had another test or assignment due, I'd probably wait until the night before to start on it.

"Mom," I called out as I drank from my mug of milo. I'd been waiting for her to get up ever since the clock on the kitchen mantle read 7:00. And then again, waiting for someone was not one of my few strong points.

Silence answered me, echoing in the quaint house we lived in, a sure sign that she was still asleep after probably crying herself dry last night.

Mom had always been an early bird. Always getting up at four to make a well-balanced breakfast for me and leaving it on the table before heading down to the bakery where she worked as the manager. But all that changed when the divorce papers arrived in the mail.

Everything changed when dad all up and left us. Left mom. Left me.

I detested my dad with every fiber of my being.

How could he do that to mom? How could he not want us anymore? Why did she have to change?

But those questions remained unanswered as seven months later, dear old dad had yet to show his fatherly face. Just the necessary calls between him and mom discussing the arrangement as he called it on how often he could see me, besides their meetings with their lawyers to discuss the division of assets.

Luckily, we got the house out of it. This place was full of memories that I wanted to hold onto forever. Memories of the past. But sometimes, it was healthier to let go of the past than to keep it like a pet. Sometimes the past stabs you like a knife in the back. And that was obviously taking its toll on mom.

The one thing I missed more than the happy family picture? I missed my overprotective mom. The mom that asked me about my day at school. The one that hovered and cared about me. Not the person that was a shell of her old self that always nodded her head yes to everything I said.

She was at the point of her life right now, that if I said I was considering to get a tattoo, she'd just nod her head, her eyes unfocused and staring into space. And by the way, I am not considering to get a tattoo .

"Mom, I'm going to school now," I called out to the barren house after placing my milo free mug into the sink. Still no reply from her.

Sighing, I grabbed the memo pad.

Mom, have breakfast.

Had to rush to school because of the presentation.

Love ya, Ana .

Then I rushed around the house, grabbing my handbag packed with all the necessities for a whole day at school and stopped by the mirror hanging in the living room, checking my appearance.

Murky brown eyes stared back at me. My tresses of black hair that I had inherited from my father was pulled up into a bun. I had contemplated dying it like my mom's or dark as in murky black, any color that didn't remind me of my father. But at the last second, I had always freaked out like a coward. I opted for a knee-length pencil skirt and a blue sleeveless blouse, concluding that it seemed suitable for a presentation.

After staring at myself for the appropriate amount of time as to not appear like a crazed self-obsessed person, I grabbed my keys to the old Cadillac parked in the garage and rushed out of the house.

Classes started at half eight and it was nearly eight already. Shoving the keys into the ignition, I backed the car out of the driveway and started the short drive to school.

* * *

"So, ready for Lit?" Alley, my long-time best friend asked ten minutes later.

Alley fixel was your very own stereotypical cheerleader except she had raven black hair cut short and was undeniably the kindest girl on the squad. She also happened to be the head cheerleader. Okay, okay, she was not the stereotyped bitchy blonde head cheerleader that everyone had pictured. She also had an A-average grade and would pick re-reading Kierra Cass' Selection Series to going to a party any day.

In its essence, she had basically the best of both worlds, minus the Hannah Montana hassle. Everyone knew her personality and accepted her.

"Yeah," I replied as I rummaged through my bag for my notes. "How hard could it be right? Jane Austen is pretty easy." Right. Tell that to your sore back, you avid procrastinator!

"Yeah, if you were from the 19th century," she grunted as she pulled her books from her locker.

"No. You just have to understand the concept." I had only understood it after reading someone's essay on it online. And no, I did not plagiarize. That's bad.

"What concept is that exactly, Lady Charleston?" she asked in an English accent as she arched a brow surprised. She knew how much I hated reading.

"Well, for 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennett refused to let go of her preconceived notions of Mr Darcy. Mr Darcy on the other hand, was too prejudiced against those of the lower status. Undoubtedly both of them had numerous character flaws. Elizabeth was too proud, lacked manners and Darcy was immersed in the division between factions, the rich and the poor. He thought everyone was after his money and couldn't see past that fact."

"Whoa, well done Ms Charleston," Alyson said as she gave a round of exaggerated applause. "When did you become so studied in the art of literature?" She smiled at me as if welcoming me to the flock.

"It's called listening, Ally. You should try it sometime," I replied as I spotted Brianna Samuels, the gossip of the school, heading towards us with a slight bounce in her step.

This was bad. Only two things put a bounce in Brianna's step. Either she had just acquired a new Prada or Gucci bag or she had some juicy gossip that she wanted to tell everyone. Don't get it wrong.

Sometimes stereotypes were spot on correct and sometimes they weren't. This was again, another case in Brianna Samuels. She wasn't one of those bitches that everyone knew about because of stereotypes, that lived for gossip and brought people down just so they felt better about themselves.

Okay, well Brianna did live for gossip, but mostly the harmless type of gossip and she definitely did not live to step on people. The type of gossip she lived for would basically be classified as petty theft in contrast to murder. Basically who dated who and who's hot and whatnot.

"Liz. Alyson," she beamed before she gave us each a bone-crushing hug that would've called for a professional to fix if you weren't already used to it.

We both smiled as we greeted her back. "How are you?" Alyson asked, ever the polite one out of the two of us.

"Great," she said, waving her arms around for emphasis. "Fabulous. Perfect."

Alyson giggled as Brianna went about exaggerating her gestures.

"Anyways, I just saw something that's gonna make Jimmy Choos look like sneakers. Wanna know?"

Both Alyson and I were used to her manner of speaking. Everything in the world from Brianna's point of view was out of a fashion catalog. We just nodded in reply to her question knowing that she would tell us even if we didn't want to.

"There's a new kid in school." She paused as we stared at her, prodding her on with our eyes.

"We get new kids all the time, Bri," I said.

"He's hot," she added.

"Look around you, Bri," I nodded at the students milling around, and to the far right where . "There are a bunch of lookers here. So what if the new kid is okay looking?"

"Not just okay looking, Ana. Gorgeous."

I rolled my eyes at her comment.

Alley must've noticed too that Brielle was about to give me a rundown of new guy's physique and all, so she being my best friend decided to save my ass and interceded on my behalf. "Where did he come from?"

"He moved from... " She looked at the wall as if the answer was written there. "I think it was New York." Brielle paused as she thought about it. "Yeah, definitely New York."

"Why did he move here?"

"I don't know. But I'll know by first period."

"I'm sure you will," I muttered, knowing that if Brielle had something on her mind, she'll get it.

The bell for homeroom rang, indicating that everyone should be heading off to their different rooms or face the consequences of detention. Brielle made no move to leave.

"Does he have a name?" Alyson asked her. Okay, maybe she was also interested in this new kid. And here I thought she was saving me from the torture of proving myself right.

I grabbed my phone, checking to see whether mom had texted me, letting me know if she was alright.

No messages. Maybe I should text her.

"Franklin"

As if a thunderbolt had been thrown directly at me, I froze and my phone slipped through my fingers.

Franklin?

"Shit!" I heard Brielle gasp as the sound of my phone hitting the ground thundered in the hallway.

"Ana, are you okay?" Alley asked, her brows furrowed together in worry as she picked up my phone. "What's wrong?

Just having a minor, not so minor breakdown and paranoia, that's all. I tried to paste on a smile on my face, hoping they'd let it go.

Get a hold of yourself woman! I mentally slapped myself as the memory of Richmond slipped into my mind after months of forgetting him. I should've already forgotten about him, but any mention of something that reminded me of him set me off.

Anyone named Richmond or Franklin had me glancing at them twice, hoping it was my best friend. Anyone that wore the same cologne as him made me want to be a weirdo and get closer to them just so I could linger and dwell on the sweet, painful aroma. Anyone that talked about Star Wars had me smiling along.

"It's nothing," I tried to brush it off. "Nerves, I guess. Presentation." I tried to smile as widely as I could so they didn't ask any more questions. I didn't want to come across like those clingy exes that still stalked their boyfriends and were so high-tuned they freaked when someone had the same ringer as their ex.

Luckily for me, they believed me. "Don't freak out Ana. You're a natural on the stage."

I smiled, feeling guilty. "Thanks Ally."

"So, back to the smoking new guy. I just thought I'd let you both know. And don't tell me I didn't warn you. Especially you Ana. You'll be all over that fine specimen when you see him."

I rolled an eye. Sure I will.

She shrugged.

" Now gotta go. See yous later." She winked before waving at us and walking away.

The thought of Richmond lingered in my mind even after we reached our classroom and took our seats.

Even though I knew that there was a five percent chance I would ever see him again, I hope I would one day and make it up to him.

The regret of the past two years still remained etched into me. I had regretted my decision as soon as Richmond had left that night. As soon as Brielle had texted me back with a simple, "You did the right thing' I knew with certainty that I hadn't made the right decision. No amount of popularity or recognition could ever be a true replacement for what I had with Richmond . No social standing could make up for what I felt for him when he was around, or the sense of void I felt when he wasn't.

As soon as reality hit me, I had pulled out my phone and called him. He didn't answer. I understood the reason as to why he didn't, but I didn't like it. I called him several more times and by the thirteenth time I called him, his phone had been switched off.

The next day, I tried to call him again. He didn't answer any of my calls for the rest of the weekend. I decided that he needed his space. I would give him the weekend and let him be.

On Monday the following week, I went to school deciding to tell Brielle I would not be joining the squad if it meant pushing away the people I held dear after apologizing extensively to Richmond during our free period. However, I soon found out that Richmond was absent.

The next day, Richmond was a no-show again.

By Wednesday I was getting anxious when he didn't come to school again. This time I decided to go to his house instead and face him there.

After buying a packet of black licorice which was his favorite of all goodies, I headed over to his house on my bicycle.

The 'For Sale' sign threw me off and I drove into it after I read it in shock.

I found out later when I got home that Mr Blackstone had gotten a promotion and that they had moved yesterday. The promotion was only valid if he was able to start working that day.

And just like that, I lost my best friend.

"Now class," Ms Jacobs, the Lit teacher, called our attention.

I broke out of my thoughts and looked up to face her.

"As I'm sure all of you remember, your speeches make up ten percent of your annual assessment. That said, no pressure. Just have fun with it and I'm sure everyone did a good job preparing everything." In her late twenties, Ms Jacobs was always sweet and cheerful. Dressed in her comfortable skirt and sweater, she always reminded me of an average girl next door. An older sister of sorts. With her sun blonde hair tied up in a perfect and proper bun, her warm chocolate brown eyes made everyone adore her within an instant. "Let's begin," she said as the third bell that indicated late comers rang loud. "Anabell," she called me, her ten-watt smile focused on me.

Caught off-guard, I jumped a little. "Yes ma'am?"

"Do you mind starting us off?"

"No, Ms Jacobs," I replied, then rummaged through my handbag as I searched for my notes. Where did I put it? I wondered as I came up short. After a couple of seconds I found the folder with my notes in it right under my Calculus notes.

A rush of strong wind hit me, blowing my brown hair against my face as the door to the room was opened. I tucked my hair behind my right ear as I recited my speech under my breath. Alley who was sitting at the desk next to me let out a gasp as she grabbed my hand.

"What?" I mouthed as I took in her shocked face.

Her brown eyes were like a deer's when it was caught by headlights. She was still staring at the front of the classroom. She didn't even get a chance to reply as Ms Jacobs took the words right out of her mouth.

"Class, we have a new student," she addressed. "Introduce yourself, young man."

I continued to stare at Ally wondering what had gotten her so wide-eyed.

"Hey," someone said. The voice sounded alluring and familiar but I didn't look up, trying to get Ally to relax. "My name's Franklin . Franklin Blackstone."

If suddenly Bigfoot walked into the room and started dancing to All About that Bass, I'm pretty sure I would be less shocked. My eyes lost focus as my body temperature dropped and froze my muscles and bones.

Franklin Blackstone?

All the available air in the room was sucked out as I looked up and my eyes locked with the most familiar brown eyes that stared back at me.

It was him. I would know those eyes anywhere. Those eyes that had always stared at me with kindness. Those eyes that I had always gone to bed thinking about ever since I developed feelings for him. Mesmerized, I watched him, not breaking out of his gaze.

He was really here. Even as I stared at him, disbelief and amazement ran through me.

He stared at me back too, and I knew he recognized me. He watched me with awe and shock, tracing my face with his eyes as if the world was frozen in time and he had all the time in the world at his disposal. “ Richmond “ I all but whispered

Then as fast as it had happened, his eyes hardened as he looked away from me, breaking his spell, as he took the room in.

My eyes took him in after I got over the initial shock. Franklin Blackstone had really changed.

He was tall, easily towering over Ms Jacobs, making her appear as one of the seven dwarfs from Snow White. He was now broad-shouldered and his olive complexion had been replaced by a tan complexion, with the same dark hair but styled short. His specs that were usually covering those green eyes were gone. The freckles that I adored had disappeared. His jaw and body were more defined than they were back then. The midnight blue jeans and white shirt that he was wearing made him look like he'd just stepped out of a New York fashion shoot. I searched for any sign of the skinny, freckle-covered and specs-wearing Franklin that I knew and didn't find him.

Looking at him, I knew that Brielle was right. Franklin Blackstone had become an easy twelve on the hotness scale.

"Take any empty seat, Franklin," Ms Jacobs said after minutes of asking him questions.

I took in Franklin's movement as he took the empty seat in the front of the classroom. His back was straight as he looked straight ahead.

"Anabell, you're up," Ms Jacobs called out, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I had totally forgotten about the speech.

"Yeah," I said. "Coming." I grabbed my notes and got up, trying to focus on the task at hand whilst forgetting the person at the front desk.

I walked up to the front, head raised as I tried to put on a confident front. I tried to act like his presence didn't shock and unnerve me even though I wanted to run out of the room when Franklin focused his eyes on me. The operative word being tried. Sad to say I failed.

"Are you okay, Anabell?"

I nodded at Ms Jacobs despite knowing I wasn't. "Perfect."

"Continue then."

I held up my brief notes before facing my classmates. My eyes of course skipping the one in front of me. "Jane Austen's most infamous novel, 'Pride and Prejudice' was first published in 1813. The novel was well received by the citizens of Austen's age as it has all the fine details of writing. There is suspense, drama, unrequited love, pride and prejudices. The title of the novel perfectly depicts the story. The novel as everyone knows, is on the life of Elizabeth Bennett and her family. She was courted both by Mr Collins and Mr Darcy who she initially turned down. She turned down Mr Collins due to the fact that she felt nothing for him. Mr Darcy was turned down because of many factors. One was his own fault. Mr Darcy was prejudiced against her family and social standing. He assumed with no firm basis that everyone was after his money. The other factor was Mr Wickham's deceit. Elizabeth also had too much pride. The novel was well written and has given me insight into life in the 19th century. I found the fact that Elizabeth Bennett was easily swayed against her better judgement, believing Mr Wickham so easily and deciding against the man she loved, was foolish and stupid." I paused as I thought back on the words I'd just read.

I'd written it with the knowledge that it wouldn't come back to bite me. It obviously did. Franklin was sitting there and I'd just incriminated myself and become a hypocrite. I had done what Elizabeth Bennett had done. I had chosen against Franklin, like Elizabeth choosing against Darcy. I had been made to shut him out. To deny the boy I loved. Brielle had been my Wickham.

I tore my eyes away from my notes and looked at Franklin . He had on a cold and guarded expression like he was wishing that I'd just disappear from the face of the earth. I continued to stare at him, trying to communicate my thoughts, begging for his forgiveness. Hoping he felt my regret and sorrow. But his expression didn't falter as his gaze burned into me.

"Anabell ?" Ms Jacobs's words echoed in my ears, pulling me back to reality. "Is that all?"

"Urghh.... Yes Ms Jacobs," I answered as I tore my eyes away from Franklin. I still had two pages on my speech but I couldn't go on. Not with Franklin in front of me and clearly wishing for my downfall.

"Okay then. Shorter than I was expecting but okay. Anyone wants to add something?" she asked as I headed back to my seat.

"Yes Mr Blackstone," the words echoed in my ears as I froze half-way to my desk.

"I just want to say that I completely agree with Anabell," his voice echoed in the small expanse of the classroom. My heart jumped slightly when he said my name. "I loathe people that don't have a backbone and are unwilling to stand up for their beliefs or feelings. I also hate hypocrites." Franklin's voice bit into my ears, as each word hit me like a blow.

"Thank you for the input, Mr Blackstone," Ms Jacobs commented as she smiled proudly at the class. "And might I add, that I'm sure everyone here today agrees with you and Anabell. Now let's continue. Ms Reed?" she called Alley's name as I sat there at my desk frozen to the bone as Franklin turned his head to the back and looked at me.

He hated me. And for the first time since his disappearance, I wondered whether him returning was still a good thing after all. I wondered if I made the right wish or not.

Honestly, my heart heart like a thousand and one pieces of nails were inserted into it . I was on the verge of crying . After class I waited , i felt the need to talk to Richmond now Franklin however as soon as I held his hand in an attempt to speak to him he pulled my hand off as though it was infected and left . I sat on the floor and wept , of what use was it to gain the whole world and lose one’s soul . I lost him, For the first time I honestly believed I lost him and there was no way he would ever forgive me . I lost to my own game , and the feeling , the taste was so bitter.