Starting Over - Chapter One (possibly)

Annabelle kicked a piece of gravel away from her foot and watched it topple a few feet across the parking lot. She stretched her leg out in front of her. She yawned and shifted her body on the flat concrete she was sitting on.
The parking lot was still pretty full from dance rehearsal letting out. Annabelle could see a more cars on the other side outside the K and M buildings. She wasn't used to so many cars after practice. It let out an hour early tonight, but it had never been this full before. It comforted her; made her feel like she wasn't stranded.
Annabelle glanced at the entrance gate hoping Isaac would pull into the parking lot soon. She felt like he should've been there by now. She couldn't know what time it was without her phone, but knew she'd been sitting in the hallway for a while.
She wanted to pull out her books and start on her homework so she won't be up late doing it. There wasn't enough light to accomplish anything. She thought about walking to the baseball field to in the bleachers under the street light. She thought Isaac might not see her and just drive away. Instead, she stared at the dark wall in front of her occasionally glancing at the entrance when cars drove along the main street.
Annabelle could see apartments above the wall. Some had their lights on, but others were completely dark as if they weren't home. Too bad she didn't live this close so she could walk home, she thought.
"Man, I need to learn how to drive."
Annabelle remembered her brother and Zach leaving for college next weekend. She'd start her life over once their gone. No more late practice, complicated college-needed classes, and she could finally be around Kyle.
Annabelle couldn't keep her mind off of Kyle. She could tell because she tried a lot, separate herself from him, pledged her love to Zach, though it was a lie, and watched him with other girls instead of turning her head. She couldn't shake his heart-wrentching image. She couldn't stop from wanting to touch him; be near him, though it didn't help that they worked together. Another thing Isaac manipulated or talked her into, she couldn't remember which exactly, but there all the same anyway.
"Belle?" She heard Kyle's voice from across the parking lot. He was putting something bulky in his trunk. He shut it and walked closer towards her.
She didn't even realize that was his green Toyota. Then again, how could she without noticing the sun patches on the passenger door and hood. He had saved for a while for a car and ended up spending less on it. He used the rest of the money for art supplies, she imagined. The car fit him. It was familiar, worn, but with experience. And he never really works on it so it must have a good engine.
Kyle stood over Annabelle. He puts his hands in his pockets. He began to shuffle gravel with is feet as if trying to think of something to say.
"Why you here so late?" Annabelle spoke. She wanted to stand up. She felt uncomfortable with him over her, but what would she do with her hands? She could put them in his pockets too, but Zach wouldn't like that very much.
"I had an art show. My teacher chose a picture of mine and you get to bring two others."
"Wow that must've been amazing." Annabelle smiled. She knew how important his paintings were to him. She would have liked to see the art show.
"Nah, my teacher chose three others, too. Only our parents came," Kyle said in a soft voice shrugging his shoulders," there's were so much better than mine. I haven't been able to do very good drawings; I guess I have a lot to think about for next year."
A group of people came out of the art room just outside the K building. They went to their cars, opened doors, and talked to each other making it hard for Annabelle and Kyle to keep their conversation.
"Where's your parents?" Annabelle asked.
"My dad's in Twenty nine Palms till the end of the summer. And my mom looked at my paintings then left. She has to get up really early everyday to work at the hospital."
Annabelle nodded her head. She pinched her lips together with her fingers. She couldn't think of anything to talk about. She wasn't sure why Kyle was one of her really close friends. They had enough in common, especially talking about music and art. It might have had something to do with Isaac and Zach leaving for college.
"What are you doing here? Don't you normally have dance on Wednesday's?"
"Yeah, they let out early again. There's really no need for practice since the quarter's almost over. I shouldn't've even come, but you know Isaac. He wants me to secure my place for next year." Annabelle could tell her tone was a little agitated.
Kyle stepped in front of Annabelle and sat next to her on the curb. He put his arm around the pole since there wasn't much room between them. He kept his face forward as if he was keeping his distance.
"Why haven't you called your brother? It's not good to sit out her in the dark all alone."
"I got my phone taken away again." Annabelle glanced at Kyle knowing he'd give a disapproving look. She'd gotten it taken away the night before for not calling when she hung out after work. Her mom wouldn't care, she just wanted to be informed. Annabelle had a bad habit of forgetting to call when she was around Kyle and his friends.
"You want me to give you a ride home?"
"What time is it?"
Kyle pulled out his phone. He pushed some buttons and it lit up. "Seven twenty. He's a little late."
Annabelle turned her lip and shook her head. It was typical of Isaac to make her wait; to make her do anything really. She took his phone out of his hands and accidentally touched his thumb. What a nice feeling, she thought. She'd touched his hand before, but Kyle made everything new all over again.
She pressed "I" and scrolled down to Isaac. She clicked send holding the phone to her ear. Annabelle looked at Kyle. She could kind of see his beautiful amber eyes from the light across the parking lot. She could see him look back into her eyes and quickly turn his gaze to the asphalt. She leaned over resting her head on his shoulder. She rubbed her index finger along his arm from his wrist to the top of his elbow.
"What do you want, Kyle?" Isaac spoke in a huffy voice.
"What's your problem?" Annabelle asked.
"Oh, hey Belle. What are you doing with Kyle's phone?"
"He's letting me use it, obviously," Annabelle said," why aren't you here, yet?"
"We're leaving right now. Cops just ended, you know how it is."
Annabelle rolled her eyes. She sighed.
"Tell him I can take you home if he hasn't left since I'm here," Kyle said in a whispered voice.
Annabelle nodded.
"What's he saying?" Isaac spoke louder speaking into the phone.
"Nothing. Kyle's taking me home."
"No! We're leaving right now."
"Who?" Annabelle raised her eyebrow. "Just stay there."
"Zach wants to see you before he has to go home anyway."
"Oh, Zach's with you," Annabelle said expressing her disappointment. "Kyle's already here. I'll have to wait another twenty minutes."
"Your waiting for me," Isaac spoke with a belittled tone speaking each word carefully.
"Okay, we'll see. See you at home, Isaac."
Annabelle pressed end. Isaac wasn't going to control her this time. She was going to set her foot down no matter how awful he'd make her feel about it later. She didn't know what his problem was with Kyle anyway; they used to be really close. Annabelle set the phone in his hands. She lifted her head and stood up.
"Let's go." Annabelle pointed her thumbs towards the car. "I mean, if that's okay?"
"Of course." Kyle stood up with a big smile on his face. He picked up her backpack and threw the strap on his shoulder.
Annabelle enjoyed it when he took care of her. Taking her home in his own car; carrying her backpack with his muscled arms. He didn't carry her stuff when Zach was around, but she didn't blame him. They walked to his car. He unlocked the passenger side first. Annabelle lifted the tough handle and listened to the door creak as she opened it. She sat on the cream seat stretching her legs out across the spotless floor.