Cam

Annabelle and I walked down the long hallway of Quincella's. I was trying to get my thoughts together. What in the world was I supposed to tell this girl, who I didn't even know, about Mack and I? Besides, I didn't know if there was anything to tell.

"So," I started once we were outside. It was rather cold night, and hundreds of stars lingered in the sky above us.

"I just came out here for the story." Annabelle told me, shivering a bit.

"Here," I pulled off my jacket, handing it to her.

"No, I'm fine." She shook her head. I shook my hand a little, telling her it was fine. Annabelle pulled the cloth over her shoulders and let it rest around her arms, which were crossed. "Well?" She raised her eyebrows, obviously expecting me to tell the story.

"Okay, okay." I put my hands up as a sign of surrender. I took a deep breath, not really sure how to organize my thoughts. After a few seconds, I had myself together.

"So, we were eight. Mack and I, I mean. We used to be the best of friends, and would do everything together. Like, everything. Then, the older neighborhood kids called all the kids from ages three to eighteen to participate in a knockout game of basketball. We were so excited, and rushed to get in line. She was right in front of me, and I should have known that was a mistake from the start. Somehow, however, the big kids managed to get each other out. And by complete chance, Mack and I ended up being the last two. Since we were so young, we kept missing and it took forever for us to even make it.

"It was all fun and games at first, but then the big kids started forming teams and making bets on who was going to win. It was a lot of pressure for a little kid, and as I listened in, I could tell all those bets were on me. And as you could imagine, we were extremely tired. Then, Mack tried to call a truce. I wanted to agree, but I was under too much pressure to win. So I used the opportunity to score and get her out. Everyone cheered, and I saw everything in slow motion. The girls hair bouncing as they jumped up and down with their friends discussing the results, the guys pounding me on the back and telling me I did a good job. The pain of watching Mack walking away sad was also in slow motion. I guess that hasn't sped up for either of us yet. She still hates me, and I live with it."

I took in a deep breath, and realized I had never told anyone that story before. What was it about this girl, that I barely knew, could make me tell her things I'd never told anyone before. Then, she laughed.

"So, lemme get this straight," She attempted to speak through her giggles. "You guys are hating each other over a neighborhood game of knockout from when you were eight?" Annabelle was doubled over laughing now, my sweatshirt falling off her shoulder. She grabbed it just as it was about to fall, and stood.

"Well when you say it like that, it sounds a bit ridiculous." I smirked, which turned into a small smile. I was totally worried on the inside, knowing I was probably blushing hard and was pale enough to the point where it was probably pretty noticeable. Annabelle's hair just kept blowing perfectly away from her face in the wind, and for some reason, I couldn't stop staring. I tried to shake it off.

"Because it is! You should really talk to her." Annabelle suggested. She tucked her locks behind her ears, revealing a pair of soft, blue-gold eyes.

"Okay, maybe I will." I shrugged. All of the sudden, she reached into my sweatshirt pocket, pulled out my phone, and started doing something on it.

"Hey!" I shouted, running over to her. She just laughed and held it away from me and continued to do whatever she was doing. She took a picture of herself with me trying to chase her, and then typed a few other things in my phone.

"Here," Annabelle said breathlessly and handed me my phone.

"What the heck was that?" I asked, snatching my phone.

"Me successfully figuring out a cute way to give you my number." She gave me a coy smile and threw my sweatshirt at me. I caught it with a grunt and watched her walk away, feeling my world slow down for the second time in my life.