When Annalise Stark's mother died, her music went with her.
Now, she's the new girl all over again. Except she isn't just any new girl- because she is moving home. Sycamore Hille, her hometown; all to honor her mother's dying wish and return to her...
I didn't like Meredith much so far. I'd only ever met her the one time when my father purposely had her and Fiona over to kill two birds with one stone. Introduce his new girlfriend to his most judgemental big sister, and discuss his daughter's behavior with his most judgemental big sister.
Her attitude had been sickeningly happy, perfectly matched with her southern accent. So distinctive that I couldn't help but place her as a native of Alabama, or maybe even Louisiana.
She was way out of her element, a long way from home I suppose.
She was clearly a rebound, someone my father got with to rub in my face just how well he was doing without me and my mother. And though I was still mad at my father, the way he'd come home last night so ... apologetic.
It made me want to make an effort to save our relationship.
I couldn't help but try and put a smile on my face. I didn't want to go into this dinner with a bad attitude, as if expecting it to fail. My father and Meredith would do that well enough on their own, they didn't need me and Aiden to contribute.
I looked down at the green printed sundress I'd picked out with the help of Daphne. It was me alright, but I wasn't sure if it was right for this event. I mean we are having an important dinner, not some summertime picnic.
I frowned, walking over to the large mirror that hung on the back of my closet door. Now I was sure, it definitely wasn't the right attire for tonight. I went back into my closet, scouring the racks for something better fit.
I heard my door open, "Annalise? You dressed yet?" Daphne asked, coming inside. Detectable by the way her voice carried after the door was closed.
I shook my head to myself, "Not even close."
"Hey, don't psych yourself out, Lise." She said, walking into the closet. "It's just a rebound dinner, everything's going to be just fine." She assured me.
I nodded, pulling down a beige-colored silk skirt and a plain white, sleeveless t-shirt. "You're right, I know." I started to put on the new outfit as Daphne gave me words of encouragement. When I was finished I turned around to face her, doing a little spin. "What do you think?"
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"What do I think?" She asked in disbelief, "I think that your choice was a thousand times better than mine!" She squealed, looking me up and down. I kept on the gold layered jewelry I had picked to wear with the green dress, surprisingly, it went even better with my new choice.
I slipped on some darker-colored gladiator sandals before sitting down on my bed next to Daphne. "What do you think this means?"
She looked at me with slight pity, something I never wanted to see directed at me- least of all from my best friend. "I think it means exactly what you told me, that your dad is trying to show the world how much better off he is without Jane Marin." She used my mother's maiden name.
