Annabelle’s POV

After the whole debacle with Matt, I kept myself isolated from all the guys & the girls. If Matt reacted that way, I can’t imagine the others, because I’m sure by now, everyone must know. & I don’t want to face them. I think I can live without anyone else making me feel like crap. Not even my Mom gave me so much crap about me leaving. So what am I doing now? I’m drowning in my pity, with my big comforter over my head, since my furniture is the only thing unpacked, trying to forget the numerous calls from everybody telling me they were having a pre-bachelor/bachelorette pool party at Brian’s house. Like I wanna see him. I hear a knock on my door but I just cuddle more on my bed. I don’t want to see anybody. After a while, the knocking dies & I think that the person just left, imagining I wasn’t home. I sigh one more time, before closing my eyes & trying to get some needed sleep. You know that feeling you get when you feel someone is staring at you while you sleep? Well, that what I feel right now. I slowly get my head out of my comforter to find a pair of emerald eyes staring back at me. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?” I ask. Zacky just smiles.

“Your neighbor Alex told me where you keep your spare key. I think he has a thing for me” He says, sitting down on one side of my bed. I nod, slipping into the comforter again. “What are you doing?” He asks, pulling the cover from me.

“Uh… attempting to sleep” I muffle. He laughs.

“Get up” He says & I stare at him. “Come on, we’re going to Brian’s” He says & I shake my head no. “Why not?” He asks & I say nothing. I think that’s better than any answer. “You can’t be serious” He mutters, rolling his eyes.

“I am dead serious. I don’t want to go. I have a lot of things to do” I say, lame excuse. He laughs again.

“Like what? Lay here moping all day? I don’t think you’ll be able to pack all the big things by yourself” He says & I close my eyes, sighing. “What? You thought I didn’t know? I don’t know why I didn’t figure it out earlier” He says.

“You're kinda slow, to be honest" I say, tinking out loud. "You’re mad?” I ask. He sighs, thinking for a minute.

“I don’t know how to feel, actually. I mean, I’m happy that you’re finally doing something for you & that you’re taking this big opportunity. But at the same time, I can’t help but feel sad that you’re moving. I mean… that sucks. I’m used to having you here” He says, lying down with me. “Who’s gonna eat my cookies now & make out with my girlfriend?” He says with a pout & I laugh.

“I’m sure Leana would be more than happy to do that” I say & he laughs, pulling me to him. He wraps his arms around me, while I do the same. We stay like that for a couple of minutes until I speak again. “How did G took it?” I ask. After Brian, Gena is the one I dreaded telling. We’re really close.

“Well… she’s upset that you didn’t tell her. At first she threw a fit, then she started crying, then she said she was happy & now… I don’t know. You need to find out for yourself” He says, & I nod, breathing on his neck. He smells of cigarette & fabric softener. Very cute, if you ask me. At least his clothes are clean. “Does Brian knows?” He asks & I shake my head no. But I'm actually not sure. I mean, he reacted kinda good, when I tried to tell him. He said he supported me.

“I’m sure Matt told him, though” I mutter.

“I don’t think he told anyone”

“How did you find out?” I ask. I’m kinda surprised Matt didn’t say a word. After him blowing up like that, that’s the least I expected.

“Val told Gena & she told me” He says & I nod. Of course he was gonna tell Val. They’re married after all. “Val found out because Leana stormed into their house, screaming at Matt for what he said to you. So he had to tell her, in case you were wondering” He adds, almost like he was reading my mind. I nod & we stay there for a while, just lying like 2 long-life friends. This might be the last time we do this anyways. “Come on” He says, prying me away. “Get your swimsuit so we can get on our way” I stay, staring at the ceiling. I don’t want to go. “Oh, no. You’re not staying. Gena will make me sleep on the couch if I arrive there without you” He says & I look at him. “I’m fucking serious” I laugh & get up, walking to my closet so I can get ready.

*~*~*

“We’re here” Zack announces when we arrive to Brian’s & Michelle’s place. All the girls, including Michelle, come running to me, hugging me tightly. I didn’t know Michelle knew. I mean, if Brian doesn’t know, why would she know?

“I’m gonna fucking miss you” Lacey says.

“Yeah, we are. But we’re really proud of you” Michelle says next & everyone nods. “& don’t worry, I didn’t say anything to Bri when Val told me. I know you’ll want to tell him yourself” She says, smiling at me, before hugging me again. I hug her. I really appreciate she didn’t say a word. I know that since almost everyone found out from someone else, I least I should tell Brian myself. Although, I don’t want to. “Come on, let’s go to the pool. Everyone is there” She says & I smile nervously. I don’t want to see Matt. I walk slowly to find everyone there, except Matt & Val. I turn to look at Michelle, ready to ask her, but she beat me to it. “They’re coming. They’re just running a bit late” She says, going to kitchen. I nod & turn to see Brian coming to me.

“Hey” He says, hugging me & lifting me. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in so long” He says, placing me down & I see him searching for someone, behind me. I turn to look & then look at him. “Where’s Jason?” He asks, looking at me. I frown confused. How the hell am I supposed to know where JB is?

“Uh… at his place, I don’t know” I answer him & I see him furrow his brow. “Why? Did you invite him?”

“Uh… I don’t fucking remember, but I thought you would tell him” He says & I stare at him confused. “Anyways, let’s go. Zacky & Gena have challenged us to some water wrestling” He says. I’m proud to say, Brian & I are the undefeated champions when it comes to water wrestling. I see Zacky & Gena already in the pool, so I take off my cover up, sunglasses & shoes, staying just in my swim suit, diving into the pool immediately, Brian doing the same, ready to start our match.

*~*~*

“You guys cheated” I hear Gena mutter… again.

“No, we didn’t. It’s not our fucking fault you’re too heavy for Zacky’s small frame” Brian answers & I hear Gena smack his arm for calling her fat. I laugh from the kitchen… until I heard Val’s voice calling my name. More like shrieking.

“ANN” She says, skipping towards me & bear hugging me. “I can’t believe it. I’m happy, it’s just that I can’t believe it” She says, letting me go. I look at her clothes wet due to the fact that my cover up is wet. I’m too lazy to change even though I have all my clothes in my bag. I turn to look at Matt, who’s looking down, almost in shame. Val noticed this. “Um… I’ll give you guys a minute” She says before walking out to the pool area. We stand there for an awkward minute, not saying a word. I play with the beer in my hand while he clears his throat every once in a while. I sigh, starting to walk to the pool area. It’s kinda silly that we just stand here, not even looking at each other & just making each other uncomfortable. When I was almost close to the door, I feel big strong arms around my waist & I’m being hoisted up & thrown over Matt’s shoulder. He starts walking up the stairs while I just cross my arms in defeat, not saying one word. We reach Brian’s & Michelle’s bedroom & he throws me on the bed before walking to close the door. I groan at how careless he’s being & just sit, looking up at him.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask, glaring at him & breaking the silence.

“Shut up” He says & starts pacing. I huff & cross my arms, pouting. “Listen, Ann…” He starts but stops, looking at me. “Fuck” He mutters, sitting down. He sighs. “I’m sorry”

“Matt-“ I start but he cuts me off.

“No, let me finish” He says & I nod. “What I said was wrong. I know I fucked up. I shouldn’t have made you feel like you were making a big fucking mistake. I mean, I think you don’t have to move to accomplish everything you want, but if that’s what you feel you should do… then I’m here for you” He says & I smile. “I just got so scared. You’re like my little sister & you’re moving across the country & I just don’t like it” He says.

“Matt-“ I start but he cuts me off again.

“Even though I don’t like it, I support you 100%” He finishes & I smile, hugging him. The same answer Jeremy gave me. You see why he’s like a brother to me. “I am so sorry, Anna. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. It was the last thing you needed” He mutters & I nod.

“It’s ok, Matt. I’m scared too. But it’s a good scared. & it’s not like I won’t ever come back” I say & he nods. “I’m more scared to tell Brian” I say & he laughs.

“You should be worried, not scared” He says, standing up, me following.

“Although, I think he knows” I say & Matt turns to look at me, confused. “At your valentine’s party, I wanted to talk to him & he said he already knew & that he supported me” I say, walking out of the room.

“That’s weird. He told us you & JB were dating”

“What? That’s crazy. No wonder he’s been asking me all day about him” I say, skipping the last 2 steps.

"The longer you wait... he'll be even more pissed" Matt says, giving me a reassuring smile. "I'm gonna miss playing COD with you, kiddo" He says, before walking to Val's. He's right, I'm gonna miss that. But I can't worry about that. I have to talk to Brian. Not today, though. Don't want to ruin his party. But it has to be soon. His wedding is just over a month away.