The Next Generation
Chapter 1
"Mom, I'm going for a walk," I said leaning across the breakfast table to kiss my mother.
"Where?" she asked quietly, her small voice almost like a song.
"To the park, I fancy a breath of fresh air."
"How long will you be?" she questioned.
"I'm not sure, an hour or two," I informed her, somewhat annoyed that she was questioning me. I was aching for the outdoors. I needed to be outside. My father looked up from his paper, his blonde hair falling in his eyes as he smirked at my mother.
"Let Annie go, Rose. Its just to the park," he reassured her. My mother had a habit of over worrying. I understood why. My parents had been on the Titanic, it had scarred my mother for life, she was petrified she would loose me or my brothers after nearly loosing my father, Jack.
She turned her head and pressed her lips to his cheek. That was her way of telling him that she agreed with him, it was my way of knowing now was the right time to slip out.
I left the dining room, pausing in the hall way to check myself on the mirror. I pushed my chin length red curls up trying to give my hair more volume while straightening my fringe. My yellow pleated skirt hung just right around my calf's with the yellow top dripping off of me. Overall I thought I looked pretty good.
The walk I took, took me down our block and through the tree's to come out at the back of the park. It took a while to get there but I didn't mind, I relished the breeze blowing over my skin, cooling me on the too warm day.
I hadn't been walking very long when I felt a presence behind me. I didn't mind people walking behind me, I expected it but this person was too close for comfort. I could feel their shadow casting over me.
"Excuse me Miss could you help?" came the voice of the owner of the shadow.
I turned around to see a large man, a handsome man, stood behind me. His hair was as black as a ravens wing. Obviously he had tried to comb it back but now small strands fell in his eyes. His blue eyes bore into mine making me loose my train of thought. He smiled down at me, for he stood a good foot taller than myself, dimples in his cheeks.
"Of course," I smiled, "How may I be of assistance?"
"Well you see, Miss, its just I'm new to town and I was trying to take a walk and I wondered if you knew of any good spots?" he asked.
"Funny that, I myself am on a walk. Care to join me Mr...?" I trailed off. I realised I had just offered to walk with a complete stranger whose name I didn't even know.
"Hockley, my names William Hockley," he introduced himself. "And your name would be?"
"Annie. Annie Dawson," I smiled up at him.
"Well Miss Dawson lead the way," he offered me his arm and I led us forward.
"So what brings you to town?" I asked looking for conversation.
"My fathers work. He recently lost his money and he came out here to start again. And I don't know why I'm telling a stranger this," he admitted.
"Its fine. I wont tell." In truth I felt bad for him. He looked to be my age, maybe older and he was having to start again but I knew from what I'd read in the paper that having to start again was a lot better than what some people who had been affected by the crash were experiencing. I was lucky. It hadn't affected us.
"I'm sorry that happened to your father," I told him.
"Its fine, not like its your fault," he said.
After a few moments of silence he spoke again, "So what do you do for fun around here?"
"Well I like the outdoors, so I spend a lot of time outside but there's a picture house in town." He nodded in recognition of what I'd said but didn't reply.
We spent an entire afternoon together that day. It turned out we had a lot in common. We both liked dancing and the pictures. He liked the outdoors. And he was funny. He made me laugh more than I could ever remember doing. It was only when the clock from the town chimed four I realised how long we had spent together.
"Shoot," I muttered.
"What's wrong?" he asked concern evident in his voice.
"I told my parents I'd only be gone for an hour and that was this morning," I explained.
"We'd better get you home then," he laughed.
He walked me home and we got back to my house he said to me, "Annie, I really like and I wondered if you fancied coming to pictures with me one night?" I couldn't believe it. I'd never been asked out before. Especially not by someone that handsome.
I ducked my head and pushed my unruly hair behind my ear. "Of course, I'd love that."
He smiled at me, "I'll pick you up tomorrow night at seven," he reached down and grabbed my hand brining it up to his face and while staring into my eyes pressed his lips to it. He didn't say anything else just turned and left. I couldn't stop the silly grin that spread in my face. I walked up the garden path and ran inside jumping onto my bed. I felt like I could burst with happiness!
A/N: I KNOW IT WAS TERRIBLE AND SHORT BUT REVIEW. I PROMISE THE NEXT ONE WILL BE BETTER AND LONGER!