<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-size: 26px">Annie, The Hero</span></span>​</div><br/>As much as she tried, Annie couldn't stop herself from crossing her arms and glaring back at Imogen. Still, she stayed quiet as she watched Imogen get right in Val's face and disparage him, practically shouting him down. And when Imogen struck Val in the head with a wooden spoon, Annie wanted nothing more than to jump across the room and boot the terrible woman out the door into the nearest snowdrift. But instead, Annie settled for clenching her jaw and whitening her knuckles.<br/><br/>Val's voice brought Annie out of her seething. The farmgirl exhaled, letting all her anger out in her breath. She turned back to face Val and his father once again, forcing a smile.<br/>"Um... Right." Annie said, pushing some hair out of her face. "Well, Val told me ya'd be back in town, and ah'd figure ah'd give ya a visit. 'Specially because, well..."<br/>Annie glanced back to the kitchen, making sure Imogen wasn't hovering in the doorframe. She lowered her voice.<br/><br/>"Um... Ah got selected ta go ta White Castle too..." Annie said quietly to Val and Thomas. "So, I'm probably not gonna be in town fer long."<br/>Annie looked to Val.<br/>"And yer comin' too, Val." Annie said quietly.<br/><br/><i>I don't care what your mom says...</i><br/><br/>"Ahem. Anyway! My folks are doin' just swell. Ma and Pa are still doin' well, and my brothers are still in good health." Annie said cheerfully.