FOURTEEN
Annabeth stared at him with fury engraved boldly on her forehead, though it wasn't for him. She was furious at his findings– that which she had buried and tried hard to forget but she couldn't blame him now. Everything hidden as it had been would have eventually come to light.
"I did." He slowly admitted in childish guilt and nervousness, fighting the urge to deny. Something soften inside of her; His honesty melted it. It meant one thing‐ that she owed him the same in return. Annabeth took in a deep breath and brushed her blonde locks out of her face.
"You shouldn't have." She muttered but not in the way that someone who was upset would. Her eyes shifted to her side to hide the sadness that had registered in her jade pupils.
"I'm sorry," he further apologised but rather in the midst of confusion and curiosity ... and she owed him an answer, an explanation, any sort at all!
"I- I didn't actually mean for you to find out this way." She mused.
"You changed your name– that's not a big deal, but why?"
"Changed my name?"
"Yeah, uhm..." Eric retrieved the birth certificate from his pouch and handed it to her. "Why, though?" He repeated the question with anxiousness and curiosity mingled in his soft gaze.
Annabeth held his gaze for a while and let out a deep breath. "I had to because ...my grandmother remarried so my dad took a different surname." She explained and folded the sheet of paper into her jeans pocket– she couldn't tell him the truth ... but of course she couldn't.
He wouldn't understand ... then again, she was scared– of losing him. Not that she was sure he was hers to begin with but she liked to hold on to the idea that they had more chapters to write together.
–And they did!...
"Have you ever been to prom?"
"No– they're not really my style of parties; too loud, the drinking, immorality..."
"Oh."
"But..."
"But?"
"Nothing." She nodded her head slowly and stiffened. Eric stared in wonder and confusion. She was some lady.
●●
It was prom night.
The Scothbury sky lit up in shades of deep blue, crystal moonlight ... oh and fireworks! Inside the hall, the seniors swayed their bodies to the soothing music blasting from the speakers at the far ends of the hall. There was food, laughter, people, pictures, Eric ... but no Beth.
The young man stood at the entrance of the auditorium– a patio. He was leaning across one of the pillars with his arms and ankles crossed.
She had said earlier that prom parties weren't her style but Eric felt it; she would come. Besides, it was his last night in Scothbury ... and he needed to spend it with her. He adjusted the cuffs of his gray tux for the millionth time and peered out into the driveway like a tired watchman.
It was only a matter of time until she showed up. Eric's eyes lit up with what had melted inside of him and caused his heartbeat to skip.
She'd worn the oversized peach dress from the first day they met. Strangely, he thought it was adorable ... especially when she said; "I'm sorry. I had nothing to wear" with a nervous smile and head tipped downwards as she neared him.
"Nonsense." He spoke, referring to her statement with his gaze fixed on her dress.
"I know." She replied with an embarrassed grin.
"No– gorgeous." His eye lashes flickered in realisation. Then he walked down the short flight of steps that led to the patio. His height met hers at about a foot higher as he covered the distance between them– not too close for disrespect, though.
"You're just saying that, Eric." She hummed with eyes that rather wandered about everything in the driveway except for him.
"Let's get out of here." Eric said with a sudden jolt of energy and took her hand as they both hurried towards his jeep.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER 😋
SEASON 2 IS CLOSE THOUGH ❣❣✌🤧
