Chapter 1
Not What I Expected
~ * ~
The whole school was buzzing with excitement when I walked through the double doors. This confused me, considering that George Washington High School was more boring then watching a snail climb up a tree. Actually, compared to our school, watching a snail climb up a tree would be the bomb.
I walked over to my friend, Jonathon's, side," What's all this about?", I questioned, poking him in the back to get his attention.
"Ow! It's about the new girl, Anne.", he said, rubbing the bit of his back he was able to rub.
I snorted," Another ugly sophomore?!? You've got to be kidding!", I exclaimed.
Jonathon gave a sly grin," This one is supposed to be blonde. Imagine that!"
That was a suprise," Well, where is she?", I asked, eager to meet her.
"Office getting her schedule. She should be coming out any minute!", he answered excitedly.
I waited with the rest of the students huddled outside the front door. Wierd, I know. But remember how I said watching a snail climb up a tree would be loads better than going to my school? Well, I meant it literally. This was basically the only 'drama' at George Washington High.
Then, the door opened.
Full -on blonde. Huge, anime-style deep brown eyes. Not what I expected.
Jonathon gave a whoop",Oooh, this is gonna be fun!"
I didn't reply. I was too stunned. Fun indeed.
"Oh, oh my. Are you all here to meet me?", Anne said in a teeny voice.
"Yes!", everyone screamed at her. Was the whole school crowded around her? Seemed like it.
"Well, hello.", she said, giving them (us,whatever) a slight wave and a small grin.
"Hi!", was the extremely loud reply she got back. They could have knocked down the whole school, they were so loud!
As I said before: Fun indeed.
Chapter 3
I Would Die For You
~ * ~
I spent the rest of the week avoiding Anne Red. Whenever she called my name, I'd run in the other direction. If she knocked on the my door, I faked I was asleep. Things like that.
I just wanted to stay alive. I mean, you didn't want to get on Jonathon's bad side. The people who have ended up disappearing. I wasn't going to die for a girl I barely knew! No way, bro.
But she's so irresistable!, said a little voice in my head. My retartded voice? No, not retarded. The lovestricken one. My retarded voice was saying that it was a litte terrorist chicken that was going to gommit suicide by choking himself on a nacho.
Sweet.
You have to talk to her! Some bully isn't worth staying away from her, the voice continued.
And that's how it went on week after week.
After two months of dealing with that voice's lovey-dovey crap, I decided to talk to Anne in my own way.
On a warm Tuesday night I snuck out of the house with a bag of seeds in hand. I tiptoed over to Anne's backyard and began planting. Then I ran back inside, still too excited to sleep.
~ * ~
A couple weeks later I heard a knock on my door, and checked the window to see who it was.
I opened the door," Anne, what a surprise!", I greeted her cheerfully.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand," Come with me."
She took me to her backyard," Did you do this?"
I pretended to examine the thing closely. It was a banner saying A Garden For Little Miss Red in yellow roses and daffodils.
" Why, isn't that something! It is great, but I'm afraid you have the wrong person.", I lied. Then I ran back to my house and locked the door.
I looked out the back window and Anne was still staring at the sign. Then she went back inside. I waited for her to come back out for about ten minutes. I was just about to go back to watching T.V. when Anne came back out with what looked like every vase she owned.
She began picking and plopping, picking and plopping. Soon every vase was full and Anne proceeded back inside.
A week later, I was playing basketball in my backyard when the ball landed in Mom's garden. I went over to get it and saw a new addition to the garden. It was a group of red and white roses that read, Thank You.
~ * ~
A while after the flower-poster incident I felt the urge to communicate again. So at lunch I wrote Your welcome on a leftover napkin and on the way to throw out my trash I pretended to 'accidentally' drop the napkin on Anne's table.
She picked it up eagerly. At least she wanted to talk to me as much as I wanted to talk to her. She read it in light speed and immediately started writing a napkin-note of her own.
At the end of lunch hour, she stuffed it in my hand as she passed by.
Eternally Yours,
Anne Red
I couldn't wait until tomorrow's lunch hour.
Jonathon was waiting for me again the next morning," Yo, Andy! Thanks for leavin' that Anne alone, man. Appreciate it.", he beamed. He patted me so hard on the back it hurt.
" Anytime, dude, anytime.", I said, going along with it.
"Eh, I found you a new girl, too. Her name's Tanya.", he suggested.
"Nah, I'm good", I said.
"C'mon,man. She's a brunette!"
" No thanks.", I insisted.
Jonathon shrugged," Whatever, man. Look, her comes Anne now!", he said, pointing.
And, sure enough, Anne was heading right for us.
She was about to pass by in peace, but Jon couln't help himself," Hey, girlie!", he said.
Anne jumped, pulling the shy card again," Hello", she said in the fake, small voice she used.
"Lookin' good in them jeans, baby.", Jon commented, giving me a wink.
Anne looked digusted, but thanked him anyway.
Jonathon moved closer to her as fury rumbled in me like an earthquake. He stroked her hair softly. Then, suddenly, he wrapped his arms around her waist and began kissed her neck, over and over.
" GET OFF ME!!!", Anne shrieked.
Everyone in the hall stopped, still as stone. Then, as if brought back to life, they crowded around Anne and began to curse at Jon.
" Pervert!", a red-headed guy said.
" Keep your stinking hands off poor Anne!", a girl with strawberry blonde curls and lots of freckles scolded. wagging her finger in his face.
Jonathon just stood there, arms crossed and smiling smugly, taking it in. Or was he repeling it? No clue, but I didn't care. He'd just assaulted Anne, my Anne!
At lunchtime I wrote, Are you okay?.
She gave me her reply as soon as the bell rang
Digusted, but I'll manage. Why didn't you help me? I could see you wanted to. Just talk to me, please?
Eternally Yours,
Anne Red
Jon wants you and he'd kill me if I so much as smiled at you.I'm so sorry.
Andy
I miss you! Why do we have to write notes like this? I feel like...like I'm losing you. My heart stopped a moment. She missed me! Big step there. This made me feel more guilty and useless than you could ever imagine.
So what? He's a horrible, perverted soul. Why worry about him?
Anne
That was what I wrote back. The easy, honest answer.
Because he kills the people who takes what he wants! You're saying you want me to die?!?
Andy
No, but I do want you back. At least consider that!
Anne
You already have me! We're friends!
Andy
Fine. And, by the way, can you plant me some more flowers? I'm running out of roses and daffodils. Thank you.
Anne
~ * ~
I was planting red roses in the shape of a heart when...
"What's it going to be now?", said a voice.
" Anne! What...?", I sputtered.
" I just had to talk to you; napkins don't count.", she explained. Her teeth gleamed in the moonlight when she smiled.
" What do you want to talk about?"
She hesitated slightly," Us."
My heart skipped a beat," What-", I started.
"You know what I mean", she cut in.
" I don't think so. Jon would kill me, remember?"
Anne stroked my cheek gently. Her warm skin felt was relieving on a cool night like this one," Can't we keep it a secret? You know, just meet out here daily and talk to each other on the phone sometimes? Just...never tell.", she pleaded.
I thought this over," Mum's the word", I grinned.
Her face brightened and she started to dance. She happy-danced all over the yard," I'm getting tired. Write to you tomorrow.", she said, already happy-dancing her way inside.
I was all smiles the next day.
Hi:)! How's your day so far?
Andy
Great! And thanks for the roses. How's your day?
Anne
Good. Can't stop smiling. Oh, you're welcome. Thought you'd like it.
Andy
And I do! Call you today at 5.Anne
The rest of the day flashed by. I ran home and sped through my homework (it was all review stuff). Then I watched T.V. and drank soda, waiting for 5 p.m. to roll around.
Anne called at precisely 5 o'clock. Not a minute late (or early).
" Hi", I almost giggled like a little schoolgirl. Why, I do not know.
" Hello", Anne answered. She was much more relaxed then I was," How were your classes?"
"They sped by. Well, except German. German blew. And you?"
" It was one of the longest events of my life! I could barely manage!", she chuckled.
" I'm sorry. What're you doing now?"
" Playing Sims on my computer. And you?"
" Oh, I'm watching T.V., nothing big."
"Cool."
For a while conversation continued in that fashion. Then...
" Can I tell you something?", Anne asked.
" Anything", my heart sped up.
"I...I've really missed you the past couple months."
" Me, too. I've missed you a lot.", I admitted
" At first I thought...I thought you hated me. You know, when you kept ignoring me," That comment stung," You know, that I had done something wrong. That you saw another girl you liked...", she continued.
" Don't say that, Anne! You're the only girl that I like and I will not leave you. It'd tear me apart if I did.", I told her.
Silence on her end of the phone.
" Anne?"
" That's the sweetest thing anyone, boy or girl, has ever said to me.", she said.
I wished I could jump up and just give her a great, big bear hug. But, of course, I'd be hugging the phone," I'm glad you're happy. ", I managed to say.
" Oh, Andrew, we've already come so far! And in only a matter of months!", Anne exclaimed.
"Yeah, we are.", I realized.
Suddenly, I heard the doorbell ring.
" Oh! I gotta go, Anne-girl;someone's here.", I explained.
" Of course. Bye, Andy."
"Bye."
I hung up the phone and looked through the curtains. Huh?
I opened the door slowly," Hey, Jonny-dude. And hey, Jonny-dude's...friends?"
Four other guys stood on my porch with Jonathon. They wore all black (including sunglasses) and even carried guns in their holsters (!!).
" Not friends, but bodyguards.", Jon corrected.," Waddup, man? Please don't mind them. Mother just wants to make sure I'm 'fully protected'."
" I see. Very...caring of her.", I complimented.
He just shrugged," Not really. I don't need them. But Mother doesn't believe me.", he scoffed.
Why so stuck-up? Really, why?
" Can I come in now?", Jon asked impatiently.
" Yeah, of course.", I said, stepping aside.
Jon stepped inside, making sure to nail me in the ribs on the way in. I barely resisted the urge to keel over and start puking my guts out.
" Nice punch, man.", I said.
" Whatever. Maybe if you started going to my gym instead of that gay place you go to you wouldn't be so weak.", Jonathon snapped at me.
" Hey!", I cried out, insulted.
" What, did the baby lose its bottle?", he continued,"And what kind of home is this?!? It looks like the shack Mother bought for our servants.", he cackled. The men followed suit.
" What do you want, Jonathon?", I snarled.
" I see what you've been doing with Anne.", he said, getting to the point.
"What?", I asked, shocked.
" That's right! You've been passing notes on napkins in lunch, man!", he explained his accusation.
"But-", I started in.
" Naw, no buts! You back off my bitch!", he shouted. He snapped his fingers and the bodyguards surrounded me. Jon took a step closer and his nose was only a mere inch from mine.," Or you're dead, bro. Literally. Got it, man?"
" Yeah", I mumbled.
" Good", he nodded," Let's get out of this dump.", he addressed the guards.
Jonathon made sure to spit on my floor before leaving. Then he was gone, already being driven away in his own personal limo.
I cleaned up the saliva, thinking.
I had to tell Anne.
I picked up the phone. She answered on the first ring.
" Hi, Andy!", she said cheerfully.
"Hi", I said sorrowfully.
" What's wrong?", she questioned, noticing my tone at once.
" Jonathon. He noticed our notes at lunch. He said he'd kill me if he saw it again."
"Oh, well that's not so bad. We can still call each other and see each other at night.", she said optimistically.
" I don't know", I was still unsure.
"Please?!? I need you!", she begged.
I laughed half-heartedly," Alright."
~ * ~
That night I snuck into Anne's yard to find her already waiting for me.
" Took you long enough.", she teased.
" I know, I know,'I'm so slow'", I quoted.
" Yeah you are!", she grabbed my hand and blood rushed through my veins like a race car,"C'mon, I want to show you something."
She ran through the grass, down a hill, and into the woods on the brim of her backyard. By that point, Anne was dragging me in because I was so slow. Whatever.
We stopped at a little river. The moon lit the water as lightning bugs twinkled their lights. I looked up at the sky. It was a full moon without a cloud in the sky, and the stars flickered and sparkled overhead like trillions of little fires millions of miles away.
" It's so peaceful.", I said, then realized that Anne was no longer holding my hand. She was sitting on a rock covered in long grass that jutted out of the river like a little island. It was big enough for two," I mean, this place is beautiful and all, but I see something that's even better.", I said, and sat down beside Anne.
"Yes.", she looked at me. And not just any look. It was one of her I'm-trying-to-stare-into-your-soul looks," I feel like I barely know you. Please...tell me more about yourself."
I thought about which story to tell. There wasn't that many, since I had an overall boring life, so I decided on my most-told," Well, my mom got pregnant with me when she was only sixteen. When she told my dad, he immediately started ignoring her. He changed the lock on his apartment door, changed his number, even changed schools! She never saw him again after I...happened.
" When Mom was twenty-one, she was just barely making rent. She decided to give me to my Aunt Elaine until she was ready to take care of me again. My Aunt Elaine adopted me after having taken me in for at least two years, and she treated me like I was her own son. Aunt Elaine and I have been very close since then.
" Mom was able to take me back when she was 24 (she had just finished getting her degree in design). She found a job as an interior designer for some major company, and we've been sitting pretty ever since.", I looked over at Anne when I'd finished my story. She was staring intently at me. I smiled," What about you? What's your life story?"
She shook her head like she was trying to break out of a trance and sat up," Um...okay. My mother married Father because her father ordered them to marry. You know, like they did in old times. Father was very rich and had a huge estate, and Grandfather always wanted Mother to have a man like that. So they had a forced marriage.
" I was concieved while they were on their honeymoon, and at first, Mother was scared. She didn't think that Father would want her to be his wife if she had a child. So in the middle of their honeymoon, she ran away to some foriegn country and Father didn't find out about it until the next day. When he did notice, instead of calling the police he decided to go looking for her himself.
" He searched all over the world for her for six months, until he finally found her hiding in Paris. By then, Mother didn't even have to tell Father about the baby; he could see it. Yes, it was a shock at first, but once he got over that, he was the happiest person you could imagine!
"And basically, we all lived happily together since then.", she finished.
" Wow. That was like one of those out-of-a-fairy-tale experiences," I said, a little jealous.
Anne yawned," Yeah."
I rubbed the back of her hand softly," You wanna go to bed now?"
" Yes, please.", came the obvious answer.
I chuckled softly to myself as I helped her up. She was a bit unsteady, but managed to leap off the rock and onto the shallow bank. We were about to keep going when Anne suddenly turned around and hugged me.
" You're great, Andy.", she mumbled exhaustedly.
" And you're even more lovely.", I said back," And this will be our secret place to share our lovliness and greatness together."
She managed a sleepy laugh," That'd be so...romantic"
It felt like Anne was slowly fading into unconsiousness in my arms," We'd better get you home now."
"' 'Kay", she murmured.
I carried her home and put her down on a patio chair," Can you make it to your bed?"
" Of course.", she whispered, head looking partially down.
I felt my chance was now. I kissed her forehead," Goodnight, doll.", I whispered in her ear.
" 'Night."
I waited until she was inside to start to make my way back to my house.
I dreamed about Anne that night.
~ * ~
When I was at school the next day, Anne nearly blew our cover.
I was walking with Jonathon. Well, more like carrying his books while he strutted around showing off.
Then he passed Anne's locker.
"Hey, Anne, got a minute to flirt?", he quiered, slamming her locker shut.
Her upper lip curled up in disgust," Sorry, but I have to get to class.", she tried to her away.
Jon stopped her short," I don't think so, girl.", he said, his face inches from hers.
I felt like throwing the books at him and knocking him out. But I had to control myself if I wanted to stay alive.
" C'mon, I'm gonna be late!", I tried to get him away from Anne, but it didn't work. He was persistent.
" Not until I get a kiss.", he insisted, staring at Anne like she was one of the girls on his Playboy magazines. Yes, his dad got him Playboy, but only because he felt sorry for not spending time with his son.
Sorry, my ass.
" No, thanks.", she declined. Her eyes pleaded for my help, but I couldn't give it, and she knew that.
She tried to push herself free again, but this time he held her by the neck.
" Kiss me!", Jonathon demanded.
"I...already..", she tried to talk.
I knew what she was trying to say. ' I already have a boyfriend and his name is Andrew Holmes.'
I begged no. I mouthed it, signed it, even tried to show it in my eyes. Yet, Anne still tryed to say it.
" Already...already...ha-"
" 'I already' nothing!", Jon snapped," Kiss me now or you get it!", he screeched, madness flaming in his eyes.
She pecked him on the cheek and he (very slowly, I might add) let go.
He smiled like he'd just one first prize in a worldwide competition," Now, was that so bad?", Jon was all gentle now.
" No", Anne mumbled. I knew she really wanted to scream 'yes' and slap him so hard he'd never forget it for the rest of his life. But she knew the limits with this guy.
Anne hurried off to her class in a rage.
" Damn, look at that!", Jon whistled, and I felt like punching him in the nose and stabbing out his eyes so he could never look at a girl like that again.
He slapped me back to reality," Come on, weakling, let's go!", he screamed, then continued down the hall like the whole incident didn't even happen.
~ * ~
" Was that the best you had; that you were gonna be late?", Anne yelled over the phone.
" It was all I could say without suggesting that I wanted him to stay away from you!", I said for what felt like the millionth time.
" Why couldn't you just-", but she stopped short, remembering the reason why I couldn't just pry Jon's slimy hands off her," I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you like a physco.", her voice was smothered in guilt.
" I know you didn't mean anything by it. I just feel like...like I'm a prisoner in my own life.", I complained, impatience and disgust sizzling in me like a scorching-hot pan that needed to be taken of the stove. I wonder how long it would take for that to boil over.
" I'm sorry. I know there's not a lot you can do. I mean, if you did try and stand up for me, that'd be cool and all, but it's sort of hard to worship your dead boyfriend.", she joked ( sometimes her jokes make no sense, and this was one of them).
" Not funny. Dead jokes are not funny.", I said flatly.
" Oh, lighten up! It's all for fun; why are you being such a buzzkill?", her tone was a little whiney.
" I'm not a buzzkill! I just don't think that joking about a guy wanting to slaughter me is funny.", I explained.
Silence.," You're right. I wasn't trying to be mean.", she apologized.
" Yeah", I muttered," Look, I-", I didn't know how to say it.
" What?", she asked, cautious.
" You need to be more careful at school.", I warned, preparing for her to take it the wrong way.
" You think I wanted it to go down like that? That that was my sick plan or something?", she practically exploded.
" No, no! I'm just saying that for your security -and mine- it would be better if you made yourself...scarce.", I tried again.
Total quiet. Can't she take a tip?," Please, Anne..", I begged.
" No, I'm not going to be your invisible little ghost!", she said stubbornly.
I sighed heavily. I should've known.
" I'm going to run away with you."
That was a surprise," Wh-wh-what?!?", I sputtered.
" Run...away...with...me...Andrew...Jason...Holmes.", she said slowly like I was mentally disabled.
" But Jonathon's guards will find us! They're not only protectors- they're spys and black belts in the martial arts, too!"
" I'm not scared of a bunch of arrogant men.", she laughed," It's no biggie. I mean, it's better than being stuck here.", she pointed out.
" I'm too young to die.", was my only excuse. What? It was the first thing that popped in my uncreative head.
You mean that you'd rather live in eternal misery than die for me...maybe even die with me?", her voice rose an octave.
I thought a moment. I loved her... but I was still only a kid. My mind couldn't comprehend such dramatic and completely foriegn feelings," I don't know. Let me think on it."
A grunt of frustration. A line disconnected. An Anne hung up on me. Two hearts broken.
~ * ~
For some odd reason, she actually followed my warning. Almost every time I saw Anne ( ha..that was rare) she either had her whole head submerged in a book or hiding her face in her hair or ducking into shadowey corners.
Thank the Lord.
The bad part was that she also made herself scarce when she was out of school. No calls, no flower-signs, nothing. No matter how many times I went to her house at night-made funny noises, throught rocks at her window- I never got a reply.
How long would this go on? While she left me in solitude I continued to think on Anne's big question. No matter how simple you think it would be to choose, you're dead wrong. It's the hardest decision I've made since my very birth! Figures. I loved life and I loved Anne, but I hated both death and eternal misery.
Then it hit me. Either way I went, it had major ups and downs. Only eternal misery would be definite. Dying would be a mere possibility, but I'd still be able to spend the remander of my life with Anne.
I had my answer.
I picked up the phone and dialed so fast I swear I could barely see my hand.
Ring. Ring. Ring. Message box.
" Sorry I didn't answer, I'm currently making myself scarce.", said the maddened, recorded voice of Anne," Don't bother leaving a message, because I won't answer. IF I DID, I WOULDN'T BE SCARCE ENOUGH!!!"
Nice. Real sweet that you went all physco-girlfriend on me, Anne-girl.
" Hey, Anne... It's Andrew. I have an answer now. Don't be-", I said.
" What is it?", I heard Anne snarl.
" I'd rather die for you. At least I'd die happy."
Quiet. It's return of the crickets.
" That's so sweet! But...wait...when would we run? Where would we go?"
" For once, it sounds like you have some sense.", I teased.
Anne giggled. I'd almost forgotten how delicious it sounded," Whatever, we're gonna need a plan. We have to know where we're going to."
" Well...", I thought," We'd have to go at night."
" An obvious fact.", Anne said, well, obviously.
I thought harder. OW! Maybe a bit too hard. Let's see...where to go...where to go...a safe haven... bingo!
"I know a place we can go!", I yelped, excited.
" Where?", she demamded.
" There's...you'll find out later. Just go with it.", I said.
" Fine, Master of Suspens. When do we leave?", she said.
" Tomorrow"<,I couldn't wait.
" Can't wait!", she said, also excited.
She read my mind.
~ * ~
School was a bummer. Anne still made sue top stay out of sight, but she wouldn't need to do that for much longer ( or, at least, not here). All of my classes moved slower than a running turtle. Jonathon didn't bug me much, but he did make sure that his hands were free of books by piling them on mine. Jackass.
When night finally arrived it seemed like a whole lifetime had gone by. I ran to Anne's yard so fast I kept tripping over the freshly-mowed grass. Seriously!
" I'm ready", I heard Anne whisper, but she was nowhere in sight.
" Ok, but...where are you?"
There was a thud behind me and I realized that she had been hiding in a nearby tree.She carried a duffel bag of clothes and a suitcase of food, just like me.
I nodded," Follow me."
And, with those final words, we arn off into the night, forgetting everything we once knew, ruining everything we once madem, and breaking every heart we once loved. That is, aprt from each others, which was the reason we were doing this in the first place.
Chapter 2
Anne, girl!
~ * ~
The rest of the day revolved around Anne's very exsistence. Everyone took care of her every whim. And in return she answered their questions, ate at their lunch tables, and joined all their after-school clubs. By the end of the day poor Anne-girl was so tired that her newly-made friends had to carry her to all the after-school activities that she still had to attend.
Tsk,tsk. So sad.
But I wasn't surprised. Having a new kid at school was always fun! Especially this one. Never complained, did what she was told....Smart, creative, pretty...or so I hear. I never saw her face-to-face, voice-to-voice. What, with all the crowds? I wasn't going to squeeze through that! I'd just wait for it to die down...six months from now.
Damn.
Of course I couldn't wait that long! Mostly because I'm a very impatient person, and also because the school year would be over by then and I had no clue where she lived. So, instead., I would wait for my chance.
The next day I walked into school and Anne stood at her locker alone. My chance.
I walked up to her," Yo, Anne-girl!", I shouted the welcome and held out my hand.
" Hello", she said shyly in that tiny voice of hers. She shook my hand.
Firm.", Oooh, nice shake. Got some muscle on them bones?"
At first it looked like she was deciding whether I was asking her a question or simply making a statement.", Um, yeah, I guess.", she practically whispered, then turned back to her locker.
This was starting to get fustrating",So, uh, whatcha doin' there?"
And, surprisingly, she jumped! Did she not know that I was still there?!?," Organizing, hanging up pictures, all that jazz."
I examined her neatly assembled locker filled with neatly assembled books and covered in neatly assembled pictures. One in particular caught my eye," You listen to Linkin Park?"
"Yes, sometimes. I listen to lots of other rock bands, too."
I nodded my head in approval," Nice", was all I could manage," Well, gotta go. See ya around!", I said.
I heard her say something, but I didn't know what it was. I was already halfway down the crowded hall.
~ * ~
The rest of the day I spent secretly watching Anne. For some reason, I was suddenly extremely fascinated with her. She was so polite and cordial it was scary! She was also very shy, and you could tell that she didn't care for the crowds that followed her around day after day.
When lunchtime rolled around I examined the room with my tray of goop in hand. My buds were sitting in their usual spot in the center of the room, but then I saw Anne sitting at a corner table between the garbage cans and the bathrooms.
Yuck! I decided to sit by her anyway.
"Hey, Anne-girl. What are you doing sitting here all by yourself?", I asked as I sat down beside her.
And, like last time, she jumped," Reading."
Long, awkward silence. Hear the crickets?
Finally, she looked up from her book," You know, you never actually introduced yourself."
I thought on that," You're right!", I realized," My name's Andrew Holmes and I love baseball and hate school.", I introduced.
For the first time, I saw Anne smile. It was dazzling," I'm Anne Red, and I love reading and hate attention, but I bet that's pretty evident."
" Yeah, it is. Um, is you last name really Red?", I said.
Her brow furrowed and two lines appeared right above the crease of her eyebrows," Yes. Why?"
"Oh, that's just my favorite color."
The lines smoothed out," What a coincidence! Mine's green."
It was quiet (again) for a bit," So...what book is that?"
Another jump," Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
"You like it so far?"
"Yeah, it's alright. You read any of the books?"
"I've read them all, actually.",I answered smugly.
Anne's eyes narrowed as she stuck out her tongue," Bookworm."
And so the true Anne surfaces!", I aid with fake surprise and fascination,"Besides, you're the one who'd rather read than eat."
She laughed. It sounded as beautiful as wind chimes," Whatever you say. I'm sure anyone would rather read a good Harry Potter book than eat some mysterious goo that the lunch lady prefers to call 'lasgna'", she pointed out.
"Nice one", I commented, giving her a small pat on the back.
"Thank you," she beamed," What are the other things that you like?"
I stared at my lunch tray pensively," Um, video games, skateboarding, rock music, and just chillin'."
Anne nodded apprehensively," I like tennis, running, rock music, and just have time to myself."
"What are your favorite bands?", I asked, eager to keep the conversation going.
" Linkin Park, All-American Rejects, Kelly Clarkson, Plain White Tees, Pink, and My Chemical Romance. You?", she replied.
" Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, All-American Rejects, and My Chemical Romance.", I recited.
"Wow, what a...similar taste in music.", she laughed.
"Oh, please!", I said, rolling my eyes playfully.
Then she gave me a nudge in the ribs. I nugded her back and soon we were poking each other in the stomach so hard that we both fell out of our chairs. We got up laughing our heads off and continue to poke each other,
A crack of thunder interrupts us, and soon the soft pattering of rain filled the cafeteria.
My smile disappeared but Anne just grinned wider," I love the sound of rain.", she stated.
" I don't. I don't like having to run through it to get home, either.", I pouted.
"Don't sulk, it's not that bad! And besides, running through the rain is fun!"
I stared at her like she was crazy," What about when you get a cold the next day?"
She rolled her eyes," I think I can endure the sniffles,"she snickered.
"Oooh, Miss Tough Cookie!", I teased.
She was about to say something, but the bell rang. Kids practically ran out of the lunchroom to get to their lockers. You'd think they were evacuating for some kind of a fire drill or something.
Anne's face was crowded with disappointment," That hour went by fast. See you later, then!", she said before getting up to throw away her food and leave the lunchroom.
"Yeah, later.", I called after her, dumping my food in the can.
I was one of the last people to get to class.
~ * ~
Later, on the way home, I bumped into Anne again. She was going the same way I was, so it wasn't that hard.
" Anne!", I yelled, running to catch up with her before she disappeared around the corner.
She turned at the sound of her name," Oh, hey, Andrew!", she yelled back, waving her arms over her head in greeting as she waited for me to reach her.
When I was finally by her side, Anne beamed smugly," You're so slow!", she teased.
" Ha, ha.",I said sarcastically, still panting heavily," Where's your house?"
" Not far", she said, pointing to a house painted red," That one right there."
I stopped in my tracks," Anne, my house is right next door to yours!", I shouted out, pointing to a house painted green.
"Sweet baby Jesus!", Anne said under her breath.
We ran to the houses. Of course, Anne got there first. Whatever.
She pointed to a red house with white shutters and a blue front door,"This one is mine.", she pointed out again.
I point at a green house with yellow shutters and an orange door," This is so mine!", I add.
"No way!"
" You live by me?!?"
For a moment we just stood there. Then my mom came outside," I see you met the new nieghbor.", she said.
" She really is my neighbor?!?", I asked.
" Certainly. Why, hello there, Anne dear!", Mom welcomed Anne.
" Good afternoon, Ms.Holmes.", Anne flashed her a cute little half-smile," Well, I gotta go. Lots of homework, you know.", she said before skipping through the gate to her house.
" Bye, Anne,girl!",Mom called after her. Then she turned to me," You ready to come inside now?", she asked.
" Yeah, sure thing.", I answered absentmindedly. My thoughts were really miles away, and they all revolved around Anne.
My new neighbor. I didn't know is this made me happy or not. I mean, she was a wonderful person and all, but...and she's cute, but...I didn't have anything to debate with! She was perfect (or at least, in my eyes). How could I argue with perfection?!?
I mean, what, with her long, honey-blonde tresses, huge, entrancing brown eyes that sucked you in, straight, white teeth, and little button nose, what guy wouldn't want her for a neighbor? Not to mention that Anne's personality was as cute as her looks.
I suddenly couldn't wait for school tomorrow.
~ * ~
The next day I woke up an hour earlier to get ready. I didn't want to look like piggish boy if I was going to be talking to Anne. I even put on that retarded Calvin Klien cologne Mom got me.
Blech!
I was about to walk to school alone, but Anne's blue front door was tempting me to knock it. Oh, why not?
I hopped onto the front porch and knocked on the door.
The lace curtains from a nearby window fluttered and Anne answered the door.
" Hi, Andrew! What are you doing here?", She was particularly joyful today.
" I was wondering if you wanted to walk to school together.", I said. I internally jumped with excitement.
Anne's face lit up," Of course! Just let me get my shoes."
I waited impatiently. I noticed that Mom's garden was blossoming wonderfully. I ran over, grabbed a bunch,and ran back.
Anne was on the porch already. I held out the bouquet of flowers," For you,"
She gave me a small smile," Did you just run over there and get these?", she asked, taking them gently into her hands.
" Yeah.", I shrugged. Was I blushing?
" They're beautiful! Thanks, I love yellow roses. And daffodils."
"Mhm", I said," Race you!", I ran to the sidewalk and down the street, catching her off-guard,
" Sneaky!", I heard her yell at me.
Minutes later she was already in front of me. She sure was fast! Anne won, obviously.
We stopped at the curb to catch our breath.
" Nice", I complimented her," Are you going to try out for track?"
" Totally!", she said matter-of-factly. She pulled a sunflower from the bouquet she still held," Can you help me put this in my hair?"
" Sure", I took it and placed it right above her left ear," Viola!"
" Well?', Anne questioned, spinning around for me to get a full view.
"Beautiful."
"Thanks", she giggled," Now let's get to class."
I walked slowly to my locker as Anne headed off towards hers. She was so cool! She should've moved here sooner.
" Yo, Andy-man!", a familiar voice called to me.
Jonathon was waiting for me at my locker. He didn't look too happy, either.
" Hey, J-dog!", I said. We did our traditional handshake.
" Heard you been spendin' a lotta time with the new girl, man.", he practically growled at me.
I tryed to keep it cool," Yeah, she a nice girl, dude."
He pushed me," I don't care. Just stay away from her!"
" Why?", I said, rubbing the spot where he'd hit me.
" 'Cause she's mine, bro! Get with it!", he said, stepping a bit closer.
" No, she's not. Anne's no one's pet."
" That's what you think. She's in my school now, and that's my ho! Got it, man?", he shoved my face into the lockers.
" Yeah, yeah. Take it easy, bro!", I howled, putting my hands in the air like a guilty person.
He let me go," Good. See ya 'round.", he stormed down the hall to class.
I hurried to my room before he decided to use me as his punching bag some more.
I damn you to hell, Jonathon Hoover.
