I went home that night. I needed some time to myself. Mom left me alone. She didn’t have a boyfriend over that night. I held the new phone in my hand and my heart raced. I pulled out Miss Dixie’s number and stared at it. I couldn’t let my other life go. I decided to call and hoped Annabelle would answer.
As the phone rang my chest filled with such pain. I could still hear Annabelle’s voice in my head. I still felt Mae’s hug. I could still hear Prince telling me remember who you are. I didn’t know anymore. I suddenly thought if Annabelle answered I would have to lie. I would have to tell her I was doing great. And I wasn’t.
“Hello?” It was Annabelle. I couldn’t breathe. “Hello?” Annabelle spoke again. I could almost smell her strawberry lip gloss. “Hello? Is anybody there?”
I wanted to answer. But I couldn’t. I hung up and cried.
I finally pulled myself together and called on my anger to replace my tears.