The Knight.

"Annabelle." I answered, handing him the money, in exact change. I'm kind of OCD about it. When he handed me my receipt, I found a seat by the window. My favorite spot. I placed my fingertips on my neck and blinked away some tears. He saw my bruises.. I sighed. No more crying.

I saw it was exact, and I grinned. "Okay." I said with a wink, and I made her coffee, I saw that she was by the window. I saw that it was my break anyway, so I walked over and brought her drink to her. "Here." I said, smiling warmly. "Can I sit with you? Im on break." I said.

I looked up at him. He's really handsome. "Yeah, sure. Thanks." I said with a forced smile. I sipped my drink, my fingertips still resting on my neck. I suddenly got really nervous and I fidgeted slightly. It's been a few week since I've gotten to talk to anyone other than my abusive ex boyfriend. He always had me locked up in his house.

Fake smile. I could tell, but she still managed to make it beautiful.. "Annabelle, huh?" I said, trying her name on my tongue. "You live around here?" I asked her. I knew she had a few stories to tell.. she had this wall built. I was determined to gently pick at it and see this girl in her full beauty.

I nodded. "Yeah. Just down the street." I mumbled, looking into his eyes for a few moments before averting my eyes. Why is he talking to me anyway? I'm not much of a catch..

Those few moments of eye contact made me shudder. God, what is she doing to me. I grinned, and nodded. "I live the other way, down by the neighborhood park." I said. Hoping she still didnt see my little wipeout I did. "A pretty girl like you must be living with your boyfriend, right?" I asked, kind of a question, to see if she had one, and as just to play, and make it obvious I was hitting on her a bit.

I over at him and fidgeted uncomfortably. "I was... But he's in jail now." I said, lowering my hand from my neck, kind of giving a little hint. I sipped my drink and glanced at him nervously.

I looked at her, and nodded. "Oh.. Isee." I was just going to leave it at that, didnt want to seem snoopy.

I grabbed my scarf and wrapped it around my neck. Oh god.. He thinks I'm a freak. "I should go..." I got up and slug my bag over my shoulder before I walked to the door and glanced back at him before walking out.

"But.. wait.." but she was already gone. I probably scared her away. I sighed, and contined to sit there, my break wasnt over yet. I hope she comes back.. or that I see her again soon.

I walked home and turned on the fireplace, trying to warm up. I already threw out anything that Dustin owned. I got dressed into fuzzy pajamas and sat curled up by the fire, reading a book.

The rest of the day was slow, and when my shift was done I headed to the park and sat on the bench. I couldn't stop thinking about Annabelle.

I decided to go sit outside in my yard for a little while, my acoustic guitar in my hands. I strummed softly and sang quietly. It was starting to snow.

The rest of the day was slow, and I spent it at my house. The next day I headed to the park. This place really helped me clear my mind of certain things.

"It's okay baby girl.." I whispered as I sat at the park with my Siberian Husky named Canada. She's still a puppy. She jumped up, her front paws resting on my knees and she licked my hands. Whenever Dustin would abuse me, I'd hide Canada somewhere so he wouldn't hurt her. But every once in a while, she'd get caught. "We're safe now.."

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Annabelle. With a dog? I loved huskys, they were very pretty dogs. Should I go say hello? No.. yes. No. YES. I gained up the courage and stood, and walked over, smiling warmly. "Hey," I said, As I sat beside her.

I looked up and was surprised to see the boy from Starbucks. "Hello..." I looked back down at Canada and scratched behind her ears. "I'm sorry.. What was your name again?" I asked.

"Jay, Or Jacob." I said, grinning. "Beautiful dog." I said, and glanced up at her, With a beautiful owner... I was dying to say, but kept it at bay. "Hey.. so I was wondering.."

I picked up Canada and let her rest in my lap. I glanced over at him. "Yes?" I asked, suddenly getting very nervous. He's really handsome..

"If you.. would, like to go out sometime? I know you barley know me and all.. but I promise, im not like the pigs out there, im respectfull." I said.

I frowned and looked down into Canada's beautiful blue eyes. "I.. Don't think that's a good idea...." I mumbled softly. "I'm not really looking for anything.."

Ouch. "Oh.. right. I mean. . Yeah.. thats fine." I said, still nervous. Rejection. "Here.." I said, handing her my number. "You dont have to call or text.. but thats just in case. I can tell youve been through alot. If you ever need to talk, call me or something. Okay? Now.. I dont mean to bug you. Ill be on my way." I said, slowly standing.

"Thanks..." I mumbled softly, pocketing the number. When he started to leave, I suddenly spoke up. "Wait." I slowly stood up, clutching my puppy who was desperately trying to lick my face. "I-I didn't mean it personally.. I just.." I shook my head and smiled slightly. "See you." I turned and walked back towards my house, setting Canada down and letting her walk alongside me.

I didnt take it personally, at first I did but I realized that shes probably been through alot. So ill give her time. Someone as her is worth the wait. I cant wait to see more of her personality

When I got home, I gave Canada a bath, then I dried her off and we curled up on the couch together, watching a movie. I couldn't get Jay out of my head. I shouldn't get involved.. I can't have another Dustin.

Every few hours I checked my phone, just to see. I have toget over it. She wont go for me.. I must have managed to screw up already.

I was so tempted to text him.. But I refrained myself. I can't put myself in this situation again.. The next few days were a drag. I was a waitress at Olive Garden. My boss made me wear long sleeves and a turtle neck because of all of my bruises and scars. I clocked in and began to show families to their tables.

I havent heard from her nor seen her in the next couple days. I was getting a bit worried. I looked down and sighed as I was making the coffes, couldn't concentrate

I tried to put on my happiest smile as I served a family with a birthday boy. I sang happy birthday for them and when that was done, I went to the back for a while to take my depression medicine.
((What if he goes to Olive Garden with a coupe of his friends?))

(Okay)
About an hour later, my shift was done. A friend and I decided to go out, Since we both were dressed decent wedecided on olive garden. Once there, we waited fof our turn.

"Annabelle, table 7 is yours." One of the hostesses said. I sighed and grabbed my pen and scratchpad, walking out. I froze when I saw who was at the table. Jay, and someone I've never seen before. I took a deep breath and approached. Maybe he won't remember me. I put on a big fake smile like I usually do. "Hello. I'm Annabelle and I will be your waitress this evening. Can I get you anything to drink?" I asked, taking out my pen.

When we were seated and I saw who was our waitress, I was nervous.. she didnt want to see me right? She acted like she didnt know me. Might as well do the same.. "ill have a Pepsi."

I wrote it down and his friend wanted a Dr. Pepper. "I'll have that right out for you." I went out to the back and fixed the drinks, my hands shaking. Oh my god.. What is he doing here?

I saw how nervous she looked. Was she scared of me? I ried not to look her in the eye. She must despise me..

I handed them their drinks and then I took their order. As I was walking away I heard Jay's friend say,"Think I could get her number?"

"Dont." I said, as he watched her, I kicked his knee underthe table. Last I wanted was my horny little friend to scare her away even more.

"What's your problem?" His friend asked, looking offended. I arrived around 30 minutes later with their food handing it to them. His friend was eyeing me and it made me really uncomfortable. I am so glad I'm wearing a turtleneck. "Is there anything else I can get for you?" I asked politely.

"Im about fucking.." I stopped talking when she walked over, and I glared at him, seeing the way he looke at her. She clearly looked uncomfortable. "We are good, thanks Anna." I said, smiling up at her.

I smiled back at him slightly. "Okay, Jay." I almost laughed at the shocked look on his friend's face. "I'll bring your bill." I walked off and chuckled a little as I told my friend what happened.

Theres that beautiful smile. My Friend Josh glared at me, and I couldn't help but chuckle, and take a bite of my salad. "Not my fault you acted like a man ho."