Something About Love

By: LittleLauren:]

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Chapter 1: The New Guy at Goddard's

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United States of America
June 14, 2037
Mid-morning…

Anna never took things real seriously. She was determined, no doubt about it. Yet, she never really cared much. At least that's what it looked like from the outside. She kept to herself most of the time: studied, kept her room remotely clean, and took care of the kids in the foster home she lived in when the owner, Kat, was busy sleeping, which was about everyday.

Most people thought the foster home she lived in was where all the hopeless cases lived; however, it was a house full of "special" cases. Aka: "magical" cases. Yes, Anna was a born witch, like everybody else in Goddard's Foster Home and in her school. Yet, she was the only witch at Goddard's that has never been adopted. She didn't want to be adopted, really. Yet, when she saw the smaller kids "ride off merrily into the sunset with their new parents", she couldn't help but feel like she was missing something. Something important.

Of course, Anna had friends. Two to be exact, Nellie and Jake, but she hasn't seen them for a long time because they decided that they were in love with each other. Anna hated being the third wheel in their "love-fest", so she left them alone until they would realize that she's waiting for them to snap out of it.

Because she had no one else, she was left alone. She's had relationships before, boyfriend wise, but they never lasted long. Then again, what relationship lasted more than a month at thirteen? That was how Anna thought: if anyone wanted her that much, she'd have a real family with parents and their two-point-five kids. But she didn't. So, she stuck by her motto; however, her motto broke completely when she got to know Tobey Michaels, the new guy in Goddard's.

She was tucking in the last rugrat for their usual nap when there was a sudden knock at the front door. Anna sighed in exhaustion. She didn't want to deal with another load of hyper, crying, screaming, messy kids.

She knocked on the door to Kat's bedroom not so gently. "Kat," she called, which caused a groan from the other end. Anna sighed again and mumbled, "Never mind… I got it." As she walked down the stairs, the bell rang twice. "I'm coming," Anna replied to the sound nonchalantly.

She opened the door and saw the regular squib lawyer, Caroline Harkens, with a boy who looked older than Anna and a bit tough, like he didn't want to be there. She didn't blame him either.

Caroline smile. "Hello, Anna."

"Hi," was her regular response. Usually, her greeting was said with much excitement or enthusiasm, but this time it was out of curiosity. "Who do we have here?"

"This is Tobey Michaels," answered Caroline, placing the boy in front of her. "He's going to stay here for a while."

Anna allowed them to pass, leading them to the living room. "Hold on a sec," said Anna politely, and ran upstairs to yank Kat out of bed.

"No, AJ, tell them I'm not here," Kat tried to convince her.

Anna pulled her up with all of her might, and said back, "Don't call me AJ. Go down there, and sign for this kid."

Kat groaned. "You sign. I'm tired."

"Let's go." Anna heaved her up, and Kat finally, but grudgingly, obliged.

"Alright, alright," said Kat, scrambling her messy dirty-blonde hair into a half-decent bun. "Who's down there?"

"Caroline needs you to sign for this guy who has to stay here for a while," answered Anna.

"How long?"

"I don't know," she said impatiently, pushing the door open. "If you go down there, you'd know."

Kat rolled her eyes and went downstairs with a believable smile on her face. Kat was never really on Caroline's "good list" to begin with, but without Goddard's, Kat would be homeless and unemployed… two things that Kat dreaded. It was Kat's obligation to make Goddard's a good home for others, and only Anna knew she was doing a horrible job. Anna would've told Caroline about Kat a long time ago, but Kat always reminded her that if that happened, Anna would be sent away to a random family, and she definitely didn't want that. Anna always had a feeling that someone was out there waiting for her… she just wasn't completely sure, though.

As Kat and Caroline were discussing "business" in the kitchen, Anna was stuck with Tobey, both sitting in the living room, awkwardness definitely in the air.

"So…" Anna began slowly. "How long will you be staying for?"

He looked up at Anna and simply replied, "A while." His voice was mature, Anna decided, deep and controlled.

"I got that part, but how long's a while?" All she got was a shrug from Tobey as a reply. She changed the subject. "It'll be great to have someone around to help me."

"What?"

"Oh," Anna explained swiftly. "I do most of the work around here."

Tobey looked confused. "You work here? Aren't you a little young for-?"

"I don't work here," laughed Anna. "I live here."

"What are you in for?" asked Tobey conversationally.

Anna shrugged. "I don't have a real home."

"I guess I never really had a real home either," he sighed.

Anna gave him an inquisitive look, but their conversation was interrupted by Kat and Caroline coming back in the room.

"So," said Kat, clapping her hands together. "Let's get you unpacked, Tobey. Anna…" She indicated for her to help him get accommodated.

"C'mon," she muttered, and helped him up the stairs with his bags in tow. When they reached an empty room, Anna said, "I guess this could be your room."

Tobey followed Anna into the room. It had a single bed, a desk and chair, and a closet that had small drawers inside. As they were unpacking his belongings, Tobey couldn't help but stare at Anna. She had such a mystery within her, he could tell. Of course, he knew what it was like to keep things secret. He had a few secrets of his own. Yet, he was mesmerized by the way Anna's body worked.

He guessed she was about his age by the way she placed his clothes in separate piles. He noticed how she would yank her auburn hair behind her ear whenever she bent over to sort out another pile. He also thought that her hazel eyes looked so beautiful when it hit the early June sun.

Anna looked over at him to see what he's been doing all the while, but she just saw him silently gawking at her. That made her very uncomfortable, but of course, she wouldn't show vulnerability to a guy she just met… or any guy for that matter. Anna convinced herself that he was just daydreaming in her direction so she snapped her fingers at him and said, "Are you gonna help me or what?"

Tobey shook his head to stay focused. He didn't want to be like the Tobey he was before…

After about a half hour, all of his clothes were away in the closet and his personal belongings were placed in their proper places. Tobey plopped on his newly claimed bed which creaked a bit.

As Anna was about to leave his room, she stopped at the doorway. She turned around and suggested, "The kids will probably be up in an hour. Could you help me with lunch?"

"Oh," said Tobey coolly. "Sure." Then, Anna was gone, and all Tobey thought about was how mysteriously attractive her eyes were. "Damn, I think I like her," Tobey admitted to himself quietly, taking out his guitar and lightly strumming the strings to a simple Weird Sisters song.

Anna went down the stairs to find Kat stirring coffee in the kitchen. She sat down and sighed.

Kat walked over to where the young teenager was and sat down in front of her. "I know I'm not the type to go to for problems, but I think something is bothering you."

Anna looked up. She was sure she wasn't showing weakness to someone she's been hiding her emotions from almost all of her life. "What gave you that idea?"

Kat shrugged. "The way you sighed."

Anna took a moment, then asked, "How long is that Tobey kid gonna stay for?"

"I'd say in about two or three years," answered Kat. "Why?"

"Oh, I don't know," started Anna sarcastically. "Maybe I need a bit of a helping hand around here. After all, this isn't my job, and it sure feels like it."

"I'm sorry, but I'm busy too AJ. I have-"

"Don't call me that," Anna interrupted her. "I hate it when people call me that and you know it."

Kat shrugged again. Just then, there was the sound of a bunch of little feet running around above them. Kat looked at Anna. "Could you-?"

"Don't worry boss," murmured Anna, rolling her eyes. "I got it."

She ran upstairs, and just as she was about to open one of the kid's bedroom doors, she bumped into Tobey. In that one split second, they looked into each other's eyes, and Tobey knew there was something more than the busy girl he saw on the surface.

"Sorry," he said slowly. "I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine really," she replied, waving her hand and clearing her head. "I think I'm gonna have to get used to a guy like you in the house."

Tobey looked confused, but had a playful smile on his face. "A guy like me?"

Anna's eyes grew wide. "I- I didn't mean it like that… I'm not used to someone at my age level."

"I'm sixteen."

"Oh," said Anna, shocked. "I did not know that."

"How old did you think I was?" asked Tobey, now very intrigued and amused by Anna's awkward state.

She paused for a moment and reverted her eyes away from Tobey's. "I should find out what's going on in there," she said quietly as she pointed at the closed door behind her.

Tobey nodded, but said in a low whisper, "I still would like to know how old you think I was… don't think I'll forget."

"Yeah, whatever," replied Anna, backing herself into the door and clumsily tripped when she opened it.

Tobey went back in his room, smirking, and said to himself, "Still got it."

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A/N: I hope Tobey doesn't sound like a stalker… he's supposed to be really mysterious and inquisitive. To me, he almost sounds like someone who has no one to talk to because he's unintentionally unapproachable. Wow, I know… double negative (but true). Anyway, you'll find out more about both Tobey and Anna soon. I don't know how or when, but it'll come to me. :P

Reviews make me happy!!

LL!!