Story Description
Life for Annabell Hope was typical for a teenager, going to School, socializing with friends, getting in to fights with her Mum on occasion but that all ended when Dail Copeland came in to her life. She'd never been interested in guys, so unlike her cousin, Louise and her best friend Karlie but Dail's taunitng smile and easy going nature soon lures her in.
Things go great at first, even despite her first embarrassing incidents where she falls flat on her face when they first meet, but things take a horrible turn when Dail's father confesses a horrible secret that puts Bell's life in danger.
Dail has to make a choice, but will it put Bell in more danger?
Chapter One
My first day of a new school year, I was now in my seventh
and final year of high school, just one more year and I'm free. I've been
waiting eagerly for the last day of high school for as long as I can remember,
it's been all I can think about.
Only one thing has been bothering me, looming on the
horizon, what would I do once I leave the dreaded gates for good?
My Mum has been obsessing that I become a professional
pianist, though that’s not looking hopeful because I have a fear of performing.
My teachers have suggested I look in to studying animal care because of my love
for animals.
Me, however? Not a clue.
I strolled down the quiet, narrow street to the bus stop.
It was a nice summer day for a change in Manchester. There were a few clouds in
the sky but the sun was shining brightly making my cheeks tingle with heat. A
small, chill wind rustled my long brown hair. I could hear birds singing there
morning song distantly in the trees.
I have lived in this large crime ridden city for just ten
years. We moved when my Mother needed to escape my Father's constant and
surprising visits, but I never once was allowed to see him. I wasn't overly
upset about it; he chose to leave us. So, why should I be bothered about seeing
him?
I rounded the corner. “Hey, Bell.” A soft female voice
called my attention from the bus stop ahead. My cousin and one of my best
friends Louise, stood at the bus stop, casually leaning against the wall. She was
two years below me at school but you would swear by looking at her she was the
same age if not older, her straight, golden blonde hair touched her waist, her
bright, sky blue eyes, screamed untameable. Her figure was slim but curvy, and
it makes all the boys go crazy, literally. Her skin was an orangey brown colour
due to the fake tan and make-up she wears.
“Hey, Louise. Where's Karlie?” I asked approaching her.
Karlie is my best friend, the one I depend on no matter
what. Karlie is the responsible one, the one who never gets in to trouble, but
piss her off and you would be sorry. The saying the ‘quiet ones are the worst’
definitely applies to Karlie.
“Dunno. She needs hurry it up though the bus will be here
soon.” She said, looking up at the sky with a smile on her face enjoying the
rare sunshine as much as I was.
“So, are you looking forward to your fifth year?” I teased.
“Yeah, can't wait.” She answered sarcastically.
Louise hates school seemingly more than the average pupil
does. The only reason she attends is for the boys. Karlie, however, is…
different. She hates school too but she wants to get into college to attain a
fashion degree, she loves creating something different and unique… and she has
a steady boyfriend. Whereas I'm neither. I'm completely average in my classes
and where boys are concerned, I'm definitely not interested for the moment.
I've seen the complications they cause through Louise, how they completely
occupy her time and cause more problems than they're worth. Besides, I want to
go to college and start on a career before I start with relationships.
“Bus.” Louise stated, calling back my attention.
“Where is Karlie?” I asked anxiously.
“There” Louise giggled, jerking her head up the road.
“Wait!” Karlie called running down the road, clutching her
bag as it was sliding off her petite shoulder. Karlie is shorter than Louise
and I, but with a slim, curvy figure. Her skin is paler than ours, but it's a
nice contrast with her coppery, brown hair and hazel eyes.
She jumped on the bus as Louise and I were taking our
seats. I felt some resistance under my shoe. I looked down and saw the cause, I
had stood in chewing gum. I grimaced, yuck!
“Cutting it a bit close, weren't you?”
“Yeah, I overslept, my alarm didn't go off. Or it did, and
I didn't hear it.” She gasped as she took the seat in front of us, swinging her
bag beside her. A guy looked at the seat her bag was occupying, realising she
wasn’t moving the bag he moved on.
“That's not like you.” I frowned.
“I know. I stayed up late last night watching a fashion
show.” She laughed. “I was gettin' some ideas for my portfolio to present at my
college interview next week.” She explained.
Louise rolled her eyes.
“Oh, right. How's it goin'?” I asked, interested.
“Good, I'm nearly done. What about you? You decided which
college you going to?”
I was hoping she wasn't going to ask, but I should have expected
as much it’s all everyone’s talking about these days. I've thought about it
over and over but I just can't decide where to go or what to do. I love acting
but unless a miracle happened and I lost my stage freight… I needed a back-up
plan fast, I just had no idea what.
“Um...” I bit my lip. “I haven't really given it much
thought.”
Louise pressed the bus bell.
“You're such a bad liar. But I suppose there's no rush. I
mean you’ve got another year until you need to make a decision.”
The school grounds were crowded with students and full of
the New Year gossip. I could hear the popular girls Chelsea and Rebecca talking
about the summer party they went to in Manchester city. A few boys from our Form
class were talking about the Manchester United football match that played last
night and how gutted they were that they lost.
Karlie, Louise and I
spent most of the summer together. When we weren’t, they were off doing their
own thing. Karlie spent time with her steady boyfriend, Ben Briggs and Louise,
well, Louise usually found a boy to take up her spare time. I usually spent my
free time on the key board practising new songs.
Being at school always got me depressed. Even the sight of the
building made you feel glum. The large building looked a little like a prison,
steel bars framed the windows, the walls an ominous grey (you had to squint in
winter to see the building through the fog). The football field looked worn out,
the supposed-to-be green grass was a thirsty dull brown. Even the sky now
seemed to be picking up on my disheartened mood, where thirty minutes ago there
was blue sky was now covered with smoky grey clouds. There goes my good day, I thought.
“Right, it's quarter to nine, so I best get off to Form,
I'll see you both at lunch.” After a parting hug, Louise slouched off to class.
* * *
Our Form room was based in the Food Tech room, we sat
surrounded by picnic baskets full of food prepared for the class after this. Six
mini work kitchens were kitted with ovens sprawled along the walls. One of the
ovens still bore the scorch marks from my first year cooking catastrophe, which
made me glad I dropped Food tech in my third year.
Karlie and I took our seats at the back of the classroom as
Miss Jullian our Form tutor gave us the welcome back speech and then on a more
serious note, reminded us about the up-coming exams. Ugh! I hated exams. I
hated being under pressure even more so. I was glad when the bell rang
interrupting her speech on revision timetables.
“Right, I'll see you at dinner.”
* * *
I dragged myself to the maths room and took my seat at the
back table. The classroom was decorated with math problem posters, behind my
table were large windows that allowed enough natural light in without the need
of electricity.
I was doodling on my notebook, while Mrs Conner, the math
tutor was calling out the register, when I heard the door creak open.
“Sorry, I'm late, Miss.”
“Ah, Mr Copeland, please, take a seat.” Mrs Conner's raspy voice
instructed.
I glanced up automatically. The only seat available was the
one next to me. My eyes bugged out of their sockets as I took in all six foot
of this gorgeous creature. He looked in my direction and I dropped my head
instantly, embarrassed. Heat flooded my cheeks. I bit my lip trying to compose
my face. He sat down in the chair next to me - close enough to touch - and
pulled some books out of his rucksack. I flipped my long, brown hair over the
right side of my face, creating a curtain between us. I peeped through my hair
every now and again, marvelling over his beautiful face. He had round jaw line,
sharp cheekbones and short, mousey brown hair styled in messy disarray. He had
a soft baby look to his face that went nicely with his manly features.
I couldn't see the colour of his eyes through my hair,
though they would probably be something to look at.
“Right, class, I want you to look at page nineteen of your
text book. For the first term we will be covering algebra.” Mrs Conner
announced.
Ah, crap! My worst topic.
“Can I share your book? Miss hasn't given me one.” The boy
asked in a soft voice. I stared at him. Was
he talking to me? I argued with myself, well there is no one else here! Say
something, he's waiting. Say something! Say anything!
I brushed my hair behind my ear, and took a deep breath to
gather my thoughts.
“Are you okay? You look kind of pale?” He asked, sounding
slightly amused.
“Um...um...yes. I'm fine. I was just...um... day-dreaming.
Sorry, what did you say?” I managed to choke out. I knew exactly what he said
but at the risk of sounding like a moron as well as looking like one, I'll
stick with the day dreaming lie.
“Can I share your book? I don't have one.” He repeated with
a small smile on his lips.
“Yeah, sure.” I slid the book over in between us.
I started gaping like a fish, marvelling. Now I had a
better look at his face, he was even more beautiful than I thought possible.
His eyes were a mesmerizing shade of violet blue. His skin was a beautiful
tanned colour - a shade that can only be atoned with the sun and not machine,
he wasn't from around here that was obvious. His accent held a million
different places, which must have been acquired through travel. There was a
hint of American in there mainly, and if I'm correct maybe southern English
too. His skin looked flawlessly smooth, I couldn't see one imperfection. My eyes
scanned subtly over his body, my insides tightening at the sight. His body was
athletic looking, stringy, prominent muscles underneath his skin. His arms,
unfortunately, was the only skin I could see on his body. His grey school pants
weren't flattering but even on his slender body they hung well.
“My name is Dail Copeland.” He introduced himself, apparently
oblivious to me ogling him. He flipped the textbook over, reading my name on
the front. It should have offended me but it was probably a good idea since I
was incapable of answering coherently.
“And you are...Annabelle Hope...?” He chuckled.
“Bell.” I answered quickly. “And does my name amuse you?” I
sniffed. I hate my name, it's so outdated.
“No, I like Annabelle...it's a beautiful name.” He smiled. My
heart missed a beat and I took a deep breath to recover myself.
“So, do you have any idea what she's talking about?” He
asked, jerking his chin towards Mrs Conner.
“Definitely not.” I blurted out the truth without thinking
and then looked down mortified at myself.
“Well, I could teach you.” He offered.
I felt my eyes widen while staring at the table. Is he
joking? I must look more mentally incapacitated than I thought.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.” He muttered, sounding
slightly disappointed.
“No, it's okay. You just caught me off guard that's all.” I
mumbled, embarrassed.
We sat in silence for a while, studying the book. I stared
at his face when I thought he wasn't looking. I have never seen a face so
beautiful, or was it just the fact I did not notice the boys around here? I
gave a quick glance around the room, taking in the other boys faces. Shaun’s
face was a little wide. Peter’s nose was a little too long for my liking. Adam’s
ears are to big…hmmm…
Nope, he is just that beautiful.
“Are you going to keep analysing me?” He asked, smirking.
I blushed profusely and dropped my head again.
The hour dragged on and finally the bell rang. I jumped out
of my seat grabbing my bag and books - without packing them - but in my haste,
my foot caught on someone else's bag strap in the isle and I fell. I saw the
ground coming towards my face, closer, closer, and then everything went black.
* * *
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a bright room, the
blinding light hurting my eyes. I was lay on something hard and lumpy, a bed
with metal frames on the sides. I noticed, thankfully, I was in a private room,
so no one would be staring at me. The walls were white and held only one
window. A wall-mounted television had been pulled up to my right side on an extendible
arm. It took me a minute to realise I wasn’t alone in the room.
“Bell! Are you okay?” The concern etched on Karlie’s face
trigured alarm bells. I tried to shift my weight so I could sit up.
“Ouch!” I yelped, clutching my head.
“Yeah, you banged your head pretty hard when you fell.”
“Ugh! What happened?” I asked trying to remember but all I
saw in my muddy memory were a strange pair of violet blue eyes staring at me in
horror. I shuddered.
“Well, you tripped and hit your head, obviously. I was waiting
outside the classroom, and then suddenly the new boy carries you past me. We
called for an ambulance; I insisted I come with you. I called your mum too, she
should be here soon.”
“The new boy? Oh, no.” I wanted the earth to open up and
swallow me now! How embarrassing?! Why him? Of all the people in the
classroom, the school, it had to be him?
“You okay? You look like you going to pass out.”
The door creaked open. “Ah, Annabelle Hope, how are you
feeling?” asked the doctor, as she entered the room. She was tall and blonde
with a lot of make-up on her face. She looked more like a beautician than a
doctor.
“Fine. Just… peachy.” Except the most gorgeous guy I had
ever met had seen me hitting the floor with a thud. Except the most gorgeous
guy ever made carried me out unconscious… “I have a headache.”
She flashed a light in to my eyes. “Well, that's to be
expected.” She explained, placing the light in the pocket of her white coat.
“You have a small cut across your head, but luckily, no fractures. We've had to
give you two stitches though. They will dissolve in a couple of weeks. I'm
going to prescribe you with some Cocodamol for the pain. If you should start
feeling dizzy or sick, come back or see your GP.”
“Does that mean I can go home now?” I asked, eagerly. I
hate hospitals, having spent most of my adolescence in them, with all the trips
and falls I've suffered.
“Yes, give me a moment to retrieve your discharge papers
and then you can go.” She frowned, “is there anyone who can drive you home?”
“Yeah, her mum's coming.”
“Very good, I'll be back in a moment.”
I turned to Karlie desperate for more details. I dreaded to
think what he was thinking of me...
“I can't believe this! What did Dail say?” I asked eagerly,
but reluctantly. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.
“Dail? Oh, the new boy? Nothing much, he carried you to the
nurse’s office then asked me if I was going to stop with you, I said,
"Well, yeah.” She shook her head, like it should have been obvious. “Then
he told me to let him know if you were okay as soon as I knew anything.”
She eyed me suspiciously, a smile playing on her lips. “So,
is there anything going on I should know about?”
“No!” I snapped, my voice cutting up two octaves. “I mean,
I don't even know the lad.” And that will probably never even happen now. Now
he knows I'm accident prone as well as a dunce.
“Annabelle Hope?” I heard Mum ask in the hallway.
My Mum slipped in the room, anxiety plain on her face. My Mother
looks a lot like me - but with wrinkles - her nose is slimmer than mine and her
hair is shorter. We have the same shade of brown hair and the same green eyes these
were wide now with worry.
“Bell,” She sighed, approaching my bed, “what are we going
do with you? I wish you weren't so clumsy.” She sighed, stroking my hair. She
turned to Karlie. “Thanks, Karlie, I'm so glad she has a friend like you.”
“I can't take all the credit, Bell's new friend
helped.” She grinned at me, I glared back.
“What new friend?”
I growled, “he's not my friend, I don't even know
him.” I was mad. I ground my teeth in frustration and reading it clear on my
face they thankfully, let the subject drop.
Amazing! A must read I think :)
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