Chapter 2- Getting To Know You

It was close to 2 AM when Tyler opened the door to his and Reid's room. The blond was already asleep, shirtless and facedown on top of his covers. Tyler smirked as Reid snored lightly. He took off his jacket and headed to the small bathroom in their room. After turning on the lights, he took out his toothbrush and began his nightly routine. He let his mind wander off. Through the minty suds in his mouth he grinned, remembering how well his night had ended.

"So do you go to Spenser?" Tyler asked after a few moments. Annie shook her head softly.

"Oh no, my family's not well-off unlike most of the people here," she answered, looking at the ground.

"Where do you study then?" Tyler didn't know of any other school near Ipswich. Annie hesitated before glancing at him fleetingly.

"Nowhere. I don't go to school," she said, her voice softer than ever.

"Oh," was all Tyler could say.

"My mom died giving birth to my youngest brother. There are three of us, and I'm the eldest. My dad's doing what he can to help but it's not even enough to foot the bills for food and rent. So I had to pitch in," she said after a long moment. She looked at him with defiance, daring him to criticize her choices. Tyler met her gaze suddenly, not showing any pity but displaying in his eyes a real admiration for her courage.

"Why did you tell me all that?" he asked.

"I don't know," Annie answered truthfully. Tyler didn't push for more answers and they continued rocking in silence on their swings.

"How about you? Where do you got to school?" she asked after a while.

"I go to Spenser." She nodded her head silently.

"When was the last time you went to school?" he asked cautiously.

"Um. It's been three years since my mom died. I dropped out of school the year after she died," she said.

"2 years huh?" he whispered. "What year would you have been now?"

"Senior." Her voice was no louder than a whisper. Tyler realized that he had made her uncomfortable. He was immediately contrite and reached for her hand again.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, looking her in the eye and once again he was struck by the light in her eyes.

"It's okay, it's not exactly a secret anyway." She smiled slightly. They stayed that way for another long moment. This time however, neither felt the urge to fill the silence. Neither felt the need to talk. A bell clanged somewhere in the distance and Tyler checked his watch. 1 Am. Annie was yawning softly into her hand when Tyler glanced back at her.

"It's 1 AM," he stated. She looked at her own watch and cringed.

"Ugh. I have to go, I didn't know it was getting so late," she said, standing up and heaving her bag onto her shoulder. Tyler stood up with her and they walked together to the sidewalk. He noticed that his was the only car in the street.

"Do you have a car?" he asked, stopping her with a hand on her wrist. She shook her head.

"Where do you live?"

"Down by the docks," she said, gesturing her head to her right.

"That's more than halfway across town," he said, his brow furrowing.

"It's okay, I'm used to walking that far."

"But it's 1 in the morning. The bar crowd just broke up and I'm pretty sure that there are many drunk guys out there, especially on your route home," he said. His hand hadn't moved from around hers. In fact, his grip had tightened.

"Oh, it's okay really."

"I'd feel better if I got you home safely." They had a little staring contest, his eyes asking her to be sensible. He was once again struck by the light azure of her eyes. Finally he felt her accept his offer.

"Okay. I hope it's not too much of a bother," she said, her voice once again soft and unsure.

"Of course not. C'mon, it's getting late. Your dad must be worrying." They walked to his Hummer and got in. During the long ride to her house, they alternated between talking and keeping a comfortable silence. Tyler was amazed at how easy it was to talk to her, to share his thoughts. He liked listening to her twinkling laugh and looking at her sparkling eyes. She had so much of a subdued charm that made him want to just keep talking to her. And in their silence, he stole quick glances at her and admired the clean lines of her fine profile. Her shiny hair fluttered around her when she moved and her slim hands looked delicate and feminine. Over all she looked fragile and slight but with a soft strength. I wouldn't mind getting to know her better.

Finally they stopped at a shabby apartment building directly facing the more beat-up docks of Ipswich.

"Thank you again. I know this was out of the way for you," she said, turning to him with a small apologetic smile on her pink lips.

"It's nothing. It was my fault for holding you off for too long." She smiled again, making Tyler extremely aware of her prettily curved lips.

"Well, thank you anyway," she said. She reached for the door handle and stepped out. Before she shut the door, she turned to look back at him.

"Good night, Tyler."

"Good night, Annie." He couldn't help the smile that forced itself onto his lips as they said each others names for the first time that night.

"Sweet dreams," she said before closing the door and waving at him. He didn't leave until she was safely inside.

"See you around."

Now as Tyler finished brushing his teeth, he smiled to himself. He took of his shirt and jeans and climbed in between his sheets. He closed his eyes with a sigh. As he did, he saw Annie's lovely face dancing around in his mind, weaving itself in his dreams and giving him a peaceful slumber.