Author's Note: Sweet baby Jesus the first/last chapter was short. I'm sorry. Hopefully this one will be better – More hints as to what happened in Anna's past to make her leave.
Anna stepped out of her car and stretched her arms, looking around the carpark. Her red hair was brushed and straightened and she was wearing a green shirt that complimented her hair and eyes colour with faded blue jeans. It was her standard outfit. Comfortable. Which was good, because she was a woman on a mission.
"Anna, right?"
Anna turned around, her flaming red hair going with her and grinned. "Yep, last time I checked." She grinned at the boy that had approached her and offered him her hand. "And you're Kurt," She laughed before adding, "Best memory ever. Like a steel trap."
Kurt laughed, "Come on, you need your timetable."
Anna fell into step beside him. So far her making-friends plan was working out pretty well. It didn't hurt that despite everything, she somehow managed to retain some semblance of her extroverted personality.
"So," Kurt said conversationally, "What brings you to McKinley?"
"My mother," Anna replied, trying to keep her tone light, because the truth was not only a huge downer, but very likely to keep people away from her, and she didn't want to keep people away. She wanted to be surrounded by people. All the time. It was part of her own personal healing process.
Sensing that there was more to her story than Anna was sharing, Kurt chose not to pry and lead her into the office. "You can get your timetable here."
"Thanks," Anna said, walking in and identifying herself, and grabbing a timetable. "Huh. I'm taking Spanish."
"Welcome to McKinley High," Kurt responded, taking the redhead by her arm and leading her to her first class.
Anna made a face when she realized that the class was geometry. (Like, with the shapes and stuff.) She made sure she got a seat next to Kurt because that was the only way Geometry was going to be bearable.
"I take it you don't like Geometry," Kurt said, guessing –correctly – from the less-than-thrilled expression on the redhead's face.
"You could say that. You could also say that I hate it with the passion of a thousand suns." Anna made another face before adding, "Is it really necessary? I mean, do we have to take Geometry?"
"Do you think I'd be here if we didn't?" Kurt asked. "Sorry, Anna. We're pretty much stuck here."
The lesson dragged on without Anna paying any attention to what the teacher was saying. Honestly, there were very few things in the world that Anna Saylene cared about less than Geometry.
The day was going well. Better than expected, actually, when a true 'McKinley High Welcome' forced Anna back into her past, the very thing she transferred here to avoid. She found a slushie on her head and her new friend was pushed into a locker.
Anna didn't have time to react, or even think before the very memories she was trying to avoid returned in force. "What-Who..." she stuttered through the memories, struggling to form words.
"Some football jock," Kurt muttered, "I haven't gone to the trouble of memorizing their names."
"But...Why?"
Why. Why. Why.
"Because I'm gay." Kurt said matter-of-factly. "And, I suppose, because you've been seen hanging around with me."
"Oh." Anna's bottom lip quivered as she made the connection between Ohio and Texas. Without meaning to, a single word tumbled out of her lips. "Jeremy."
Oops.
"Who's Jeremy?"
"My brother." Anna admitted, not seeing that she had any other choice. "I don't want to talk about him – Is there somewhere I can get cleaned up?"
Kurt nodded. "Of course. There's a bathroom in the auditorium. Come on."
Anna allowed Kurt to lead her towards the Auditorium. She remained silent, lost in thought, trying to force back more-than-unwelcome memories. Hopefully before the tears that were threatening to overwhelm her actually spilled over.
In the bathroom, Anna was pretty much in her own world. Her own past. Her reverie was interrupted by, "You have very pretty hair."
"Thanks," Anna responded, smiling softly. "And thanks for this, as well."
"No problem. I think I've got it all out now."
Anna sat up and her hands flew to her hair. "Thanks." She repeated. Her eyes lowered to the floor of the bathroom, her long black lashes dropping with them. An involuntary sigh escaped her lips and she bit down on her bottom lip to stop any other unwanted noises.
"Anna?"
Anna looked up. "Yeah?"
"I think you should come to Lima Bean with me after school. There's someone I want you to meet."
Anna nodded, strands of soaking wet red hair flying about her face. "Okay."
"Is this the only coffee place in Lima?"
Kurt laughed at Anna's question. "Pretty much, yeah."
"Fascinating."
"Really?"
"Not particularly, no."
He laughed again, compelling Anna to say, "you have a nice laugh." After a strange look from Kurt, she added, "It reminds me of my brother's"
"Right. Jeremy."
"Yeah."
"Anyway," Kurt grabbed Anna's hand and led her to a table. "Anna, this is Blaine and Jeff. Jeff, Blaine...Anna."
Anna promptly shook hands with both the boys and sat down. "So, are you guys both gay, or...?"
Blaine laughed. "No. I am, but Jeff has a girlfriend."
"Not anymore," The blonde boy muttered.
Anna, however, considered herself a master of focusing on all things that weren't about her, and heard it. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"That's sweet, but unnecessary." He checked his watch. "Oh, I have to go. It was nice meeting you, Anna."
Anna smiled, "And you."
As soon as he was gone, Anna turned to Kurt and Blaine. "Now. Does anyone have his number?" As she was met with laughter, she added. "What? Our children would be extremely attractive."
More laughter.
"This isn't over."
