6 years earlier

"So how do you play," I ask, smiling at Jamie. It is the summer before we go into grade 7 at school. Jameson has taken me to his game room to show me a new game he and Grayson made.

"Two players have to make it around the board 5 times, they are racing. Meanwhile, their partners are putting obstacles in the way to stop the other person from winning. It's actually quite simple" I saw the edges of his mouth curl into a soft, small smile. He was proud of his creation, but he was also nervous. I don't know why he was nervous. What was Jameson thinking about? That's when it hit me. Who are we playing this game with?

"So we need two more players to play. My guess is you already have people in mind."

"Yes possibly. I might need you to be on a team with someone else," He gave me a careful smile. There was fear in his eyes. I don't know why. I didn't mind being on blondies team. He was my friend too.

"I'm fine with being on Gray's team. The question is, is he going to get upset that he's not on Emily's?" I always have to be careful before Jameson might do something to offend one of his brothers. Most of the time it ends with a long talk with all of the Hawthorne's and me about respect and how they should not be fighting over silly things. If it doesn't end with a talk it ends with a rumble of both brothers. I do like watching those.

"He likes you a lot. So it's fine," Jameson smiled wide. He was excited. Who was I to ruin his excitement?

After about an hour, Jameson was able to convince both Grayson and Emily that they wanted to play his game.

"So," Emily smirked, "how do we pick the teams?"

"You'll be on my team and Anna and Gray will be on a team," Jameson stated. He was hoping Grayson wouldn't argue, but that was probably impossible. Though today Grayson did seem fine with it.

Grayson stared Jamie down, "I hope you enjoy losing Jamie." 

The fact that Grayson didn't try to get Emily on his team really annoyed her. She loved being in control of both the boys.

"Ha, no way" he scoffed. 

In what world would Emily and Jameson win? Possibly Jameson by himself but with Emily. No chance!

"Game on!" I say just before we start.

After half an hour of playing, me and Grayson win by a landslide. I was going around the board and he was blocking Emily's piece. Since I was able to predict where Jameson's every movie was going to be, they both had no chance.

Jameson stares at the board. He was really annoyed. Jameson Hawthorne loved winning and hated with a burning passion losing to his brothers. He seemed to take it better when I beat him because I have some unfair advantages. The fact that Grayson beat him made it worse. The two boys were complete opposites yet so similar.

"Wow Grayson, you're really good at this," Emily smiled at him. It made me want to throw up.

"No," Jameson cut in before Grayson could answer, "it's Annabelle. If she wasn't on his team, we probably would have won. Right Anna?" I shrug. I don't really have an answer for this.

"Well little brother, you did pick the teams for us." Grayson smirked. He knew that making Jameson lose would have been a way better outcome than putting up a fight.

"So how come Anna is the best at this game? Can she read your mind or something?" Emily didn't like how they were talking about me. To her I was competition for their attention. She wanted me gone and when Emily wanted something it usually happened.

"I can do many things and I know many things. Like how the slight upturn of your lip and pupils dilated but still moving to stare means you are annoyed full of distaste, possible disgust for me and you would like to keep things that you think are yours." I give her a slight smile to make sure she knows that I am not letting her win.

"See," Jameson says, "She is basically psychic."

"Could have picked her, Jameson. But you wanted Emily. That is the reason you lost." Grayson Hawthorne was just waiting for Jameson to throw a punch. He wanted it. He wanted to show how little control Jameson had when it came to anger. Lucky today I was not in the mood for a Hawthorne fist fight.

"Did you know that the average lifespan of the hairy-nosed wombat is ten to twelve years," They all turned to stare at me extremely confused, "the longest living wombat in captivity lived thirty-four years."

The room is dead silent. The only emotion I see on anyone's face is confusion. It seems I am Very good at distractions; maybe too good. Before I can slip myself into profiler mode, Grayson speaks.

"Why?"

"Well, if an animal is in captivity it is able to live longer due to the fact there is no predator and medicine for illnesses," I knew that wasn't the answer to his question, but it stopped a fight.

There is another silence before I burst out laughing and Jameson does too. Before I know Grayson can't even contain his wide grin and I can barely breathe.

"I don't get how wombats in captivity are funny." Emily grimaces.

"It's not supposed to be Em, its just about how she said it," Grayson tries to explain while Jamie is trying to compose himself and I am still laughing hysterically. "Anna are you okay," Even though he is genuinely concerned I can't stop. My breath is wheezing.

"Nothing, I'm all good now." my grin is so wide. I look at Emily who has a look of pure disgust on her face. She isn't used to not being the centre of attention like how I'm not used to being it.

"Shouldn't you be going home by now?" Emily asked me. She wanted me gone. She wanted the attention again and she couldn't have it while I was there. "I mean, I feel like you always here. Have you even gone home once this summer?"

"My house is boring, this house is magical," I shrug it off but it hurts how easy it is. No one ever gets it. I wasn't really lying but I wasn't telling the truth. I mean how was I supposed to say that I was scared of my own mother and how she reminded me of the worst day of my life.

"I am bored of this, I'm going to go outside," Grayson stood up to leave, he was happy for once. "Anna, would you like to come with me?"

I was taken aback that Grayson wanted to hang out with me. Alone. For the first time in my life I had no idea where this was going.

"Sure," I still was confused but I followed Grayson out the door. I could feel Emily's glare as I walked out with him.

Once we made it out to the backyard Grayson turned to ask me a question, "How do you avoid the questions all the time?" 

I stared at him.

"What questions?" Pretend you don't realise.

"Any and all questions you don't like." I shrugged at that. It's hard to explain, I don't even really know how I do it.

"Out of everyone, you are the most interesting. You're like a puzzle that I don't think anyone can piece together. I guess that's why Jamie likes you so much," he stated, "can you please answer one question truthfully."

"Sure, why not." I want to say no. I think I know where this question is going.

Before Grayson can ask the question Tobias Hawthorne comes up to both of us.

"Hello , you two"

"Hello grandpa," Grayson responds.

I never know what to say to him so I just say hello as well.

"Annabelle, could I have a talk with you," I see the curiosity on his face. Tobias Hawthorne wanted to know something. Something that I knew.

I followed him into the house. He starts walking towards a room. I follow silently behind. Tobias Hawthorne has spent his whole life working towards his fortune. To him his grandsons are his legacy. They are his most prized things he has ever helped shape and grow.

He leads me into an office where he tells me to sit in a chair across from him.

"Annabelle, I understand where you have come from. Your father was an awful sick man, but he did do one thing for you. I see the way you are able to read people and catch those in lies so effortlessly. It is quite incredible."

"Thank you Mr Hawthorne." I see the curiosity and happiness on his face.

"I want you to answer a few questions for me. Can you do that?"

"Sure."

"What would I rather play basketball or golf?" This was a strange question but I took a second to think.

"Neither. But if you had to pick basketball, but many others would assume golf and you would tell people golf."

"Interesting," Tobias murmured, "Am I a morning or night person?"

I didn't even have to think, "Night, you would like to wake early but you become stressed and cannot go to sleep."

"Annabelle, you have a gift. You can easily understand behaviour and reactions that people have. You don't seem to even have to try." he continued on, "This gift will be useful for all stages of your life. I would like to see if I could help you practice it.'

"Practice it?" I was confused. Why would I need to practice it?

He smiled, "If you practice it will make it stronger. You will be able to do many more things."

"Really?"

"Truly, Annabelle. I would love to help you. Your gift would make great use for me." he gave me a sort of encouraging smile. His upper lip curled up the slightest. I'd seen it do that when he was focusing.

"I could help you?"

"Yes. Gifts like you have are extremely useful for many. I'm also sure my grandson would love to have you around more often too."

I smiled wide, "I'd love that."

"Good." Tobias said.

He wasn't lying. Someone like him thought I was useful. That I was good. For the first time ever I felt proud of myself. I could help someone instead of hurting them. I could do good.

I could really do something good.

My smile didn't leave my face for even a second.

A/n

Okay some of this chapter was a little cringe. I think I thought about it a little too much or something. Well I liked the start, then I don't know where I was trying to do. Little Annabelle is much more happy and less sarcastic and wanting to scare people. 

Anyway. 

Thank you so much for 500 views and my story was somehow first on Jameson Hawthorne tags (Idk how they work but thank you so much). 

Hope you liked this chapter.