I never thought about her. She had moved away when we were twelve, about to start seventh grade. We were never best friends, we only talked in school.
Ever since kindergarten, she'd usually get stuck with me and Steve at the same table. I'll admit, Steve and I weren't the best people to sit next to in class, but she didn't really mind. She'd either just sit and listen to us, or tune us out, it depended on the day. But that was only through fourth grade.
In fifth grade, all the lessons suddenly became harder. Steve was doing okay, making good enough grades to get by, but I was completely screwed. Nothing made sense! I'd ask Steve for help, but he sucked at explaining school lessons. But she helped. Without her, I would've been held back, probably. It was the same routine everyday, teacher explains, she explains it better, she gets yelled at for talking, I stick up for her, and then teacher rolls their eyes and moves on with the lesson. When she left was when I started to stop understanding the lessons.
In sixth grade, Steve and I were in separate classes. But she was in my class, and she was discovered to be a nice person. She still helped me when I needed it. In art class, she'd do the hard stuff for me. In music class, she'd make sure to pair with me because she knew real well that I hated every single girl in that school except her.
It was one of those music class pairings that had one of the most vivid memories of her. The music teacher said that you and a partner pick a song and dance for the whole class. We chose an Elvis song and had great fun dancing to it, even when she completely tripped over her own feet. She was laughing harder then I was.
We never hung out outside of school, but that didn't really matter. We were school buds, no more no less. At least at first. Not only did she teach me math and science and such, she also taught me a very valuable lesson: you want to get the girl, make a move before you're friend zoned. Though those feelings for her were just a small stage, I think it lasted about a week.
It was in art class that she told me that she was moving. We'd been sewing and she was explaining how to do an overcast stitch. I don't remember how I reacted or felt, but I'll bet that I was upset. At the end of class, she tied a scrap of fabric around my wrist. I don't know why. I'm pretty sure I lost the ready made bracelet over the years, but that never crossed my mind.
The last day I saw her was the last day of school. She was about to walk out the door when I stopped her. I gave her a going away gift. It was a chain with a horse charm on it. She thanked me as she clasped it around her neck. Knowing that it was the last time we'd ever see each other, we hugged. Then she was gone.
Now, I'm sixteen. My parents died a few months ago, I dropped out of school, and I have a girlfriend named Sandy. I work full time at the DX and Steve works part time. It was the hottest day of the summer. Steve and I were staying inside the station with Sandy and Steve's girl, Evie.
I never thought of her. She never crossed my mind. Until, Miss. Ana Ereth pulled up outside the DX on her bike with her little sister in tow. I knew it was her. As she took her helmet off, I caught a glimpse of fool's gold around her neck. As she handed her sister some money, I saw the horse charm. I strained my ears to hear what she was saying.
"Here's some money for a drink," Ana said.
"Can I have some more?" Her sister asked.
"Ha! You're lucky I gave you any at all!" But she handed more money over anyway. I excused myself and went outside as the sister came in, leaving Ana alone. I couldn't believe it was really her!
Ana hadn't seen me approach, she was facing the opposite direction."I like your necklace," I said.
"Thank you," she said, not turning around.
"You new in town?" I asked.
"Well, I lived here a few years back, then moved away, and now I moved back." Still not turning around.
"Yeah, I figured, because I haven't seen you since I gave you that necklace."
She finally turned around and saw me, and I finally got a full look at her. Her brown hair had gotten longer and she was taller, but her smile was the same. She was the only person I knew that smiled as much as me. Overall, she looked... Nice, I guess.
Ana looked so happy to see me. Her eyes glowed and smiled like the sun."Soda?" I nodded."Oh my gosh, I never thought I'd see you again!"
I welcomed her hug. We broke apart.
"It's great to have you back," I stated awkwardly. It felt like my whole body just ran a mile and left my mind behind.
"It's great to be back," she agreed."What's gone on since I left?"
"Umm... Not much," I lied."I have a girlfriend her name's Sandy, I'm sure you two will be great friends. And... I dropped out of school." I didn't know how she'd feel about that. She always believed that I was smart and could make through school, no matter how many times I said I wouldn't.
"Oh, okay," she replied simply, still smiling.
"You're not upset?" I asked in disbelief."I thought school was a big deal to you?"
"It is a big deal, but it was your decision. What could I do?" She was always the practical kind. Things always made sense to her. She understood everything. I mean, everything. I guess that's how she was able to help me in grade school: She understood the way I was slow to understanding and had too much of a wild mind to comprehend grammar and scientific theory. She taught me to use my craziness to help instead of slow me down, but it's obvious that strategy only worked for so long.
"Thanks, that makes feel better," I said."Well, I have to get back to work, but we can catch up later. You still sew?" She nods."By the time the clothes get through Darry and me their too worn for Pony. Could you come over tomorrow around 1:00 or something and, you know, patch 'em up?"
"I look forward to it," she said.
I told her my address and went back to work."Steve! Steve! Steve!" I chanted childishly.
"What! What? What?" He mocked me.
"Guess who I just talked to outside?"
"I don't know! Just tell me." Steve ordered.
"It was Ana! She's back!" I said gleefully.
After we talked about her for a while with a few "Remember when?" moments, we just got back to work.
The next day, I heard a knock on the door. I answered and welcomed Ana in. As I've gotten older, I've realized that she was basically the only person I was close to outside of the gang. But there's also Sandy, but that's different, she's my girlfriend.
We talked a little before she went through the pile of old clothes."Most of these just need the seam reinforced," she stated.
"Great," I said before notice something."Are you okay? You look a little sick."
She touched her cheek, which were pinker then they should be."Probably just a wind burn from riding my bike here," she shrugged.
"You rode your bike all the way here? But you live all the way on the other side of town..." My voice broke off.
I never realized this before. Ana was a soc.
I couldn't believe it. Ana, a soc? She didn't act or dress like one. She was always just a person. Just a girl. In grade school, it didn't matter what side of town you were from. The west side kids would stick to there packs and east side kids would stick to theirs. The intensity of the titles Soc and Grease didn't matter until middle school, which Ana was lucky enough to miss. I realized then that Ana didn't have many friends. She never did.
"No big deal," she continued as if my voice didn't just fall off the face if the earth."It was fun. For all I know, it could be a pretty little sunburn like the one on your shoulder."
I blushed. This was embarrassing. I had a sunburn on my shoulder, but you could only see it if I had my shirt off, which I'd maybe forgotten I did. I'd put one on this morning, but had taken it off soon after. The seam of the t-shirt's sleeves kept rubbing against it and making it sting.
"Try this..." Ana said. She took a t-shirt from the pile and made two snips with some scissors where the shirt met the sleeves. Then she simply ripped the sleeves off. She tossed it to me."Now there are no seams to annoy you!"
"How'd you know that was what the problem was?" I asked as I tugged the new/old shirt on. She was right, it didn't bother me at all.
"I've had a sunburn on my shoulder before. It sucked."
"Correction: It sucks," I said.
I turned the radio on while she worked and we talked all the while as well. I watched her as she sewed, her eyes fixed on the needle going in and out of the fabric. Her dark brown hair was a shade lighter then it was, but it still kept falling into her face. I remember in gym class the coach would ask her to tie her hair back, but she refused. She'd rather get conked on the head with a ball she didn't see coming her way then tie her hair back. I believe that her reasoning was that it hurts to pull it back and to take it down again. She also said I wouldn't understand as a boy and she was right. Like always.
"Finished!" She said after about two hours.
"Already?" I gaped."That was fast."
"Thank you," she said.
"I'll see you again soon?" I hope.
"If you want," she agreed with her usual happy smile.
"Yes, it's what I want," I said a little too eagerly.
I didn't know I missed her this much. Now that she's back, I'm having a hard time seeing her walk away every time. Was it regret for not getting to know her as much as I could in sixth grade? Or am I closer to her then I thought and want to be her friend again? I may never know.
A/N: This is the beginning to my first multi chapter story. Please let me know what you think in the reviews! I really want to know what you think!