LONELY HEARTS

Chapter 14

Guest Speaker?

By Tvdfanpam

Christian took Ana back to her dorm and dropped her off after getting a good night kiss. She went back to her room with a dreamy look on her face. Kate was waiting anxiously for her to come back and pounced on her the minute she walked in the room.

"How was it? Did he kiss you good night? Are you officially dating now? Where did you go? You didn't have sex with him on the first date, did you?" Kate said all of that in one big rush. Ana stood there stunned, then started laughing.

"It was great. Yes, yes, kind of. We went to his restaurant The Mile High Club and god no!" She said trying to reach behind her and unzip her dress. She took her shoes off and Kate unzipped her dress for her. "Thanks. I am really sleepy, going to wash my face and go to bed." She said as she put her pajamas on and grabbed her bag with her tooth brush and face wash in it. She turned to go and Kate stepped in front of her.

"Really Ana!" She said exasperated. "I want the whole story. Blow by blow. Spill it sister." She said crossing her arms and tapping her foot in irritation at her. Ana smiled and walked past her.

"Not happening. I never kiss and tell." She said smiling at her sister as she walked out of the room. Kate was in bed typing on her laptop when Ana came back in the room. "He took me back to his apartment after dinner and showed me his library. He has my books!"

"He sure knows what makes you tick." She said smiling back at Ana. "His fancy car and his fat bank account probably don't impress you at all." She marveled. Ana shook her head at her.

"He wants to date exclusively. I told him I would date him occasionally, but I am busy with school and writing and I don't know if I want a boyfriend right now. Don't get me wrong, he's great but he's so larger than life that I don't know if I measure up to him. He's going to be a powerful man someday and I just want to write books and read books too. I don't know if I could be a good partner for him." She confessed to Kate a little tearfully. Kate came over to Ana's bed and sat down beside her.

"If you birth mother was still around, I would slap her silly. You are a great person Ana. Any man would be very proud to date you or marry you if it comes to that. Don't sell yourself short. Just let things happen naturally and don't analyze it to death." Kate said hugging her.

"Thanks, you are the best sister. I am so glad I have you in my life." She hugged her back. "Now, I really have to go to sleep, I have two quizzes tomorrow!"

The next morning, Ana was packing her backpack to leave her English Lit. Class. The majority of students had left the room already. Ana had to finish her notes so she was a little behind. The professor came up to her and stopped.

"Hello Ana. I'm glad to have you in my class this year. I have read your books and I was happy to hear you decided on the University of Washington for college. Would you consider being a guest speaker in my class when we discuss creative writing? We haven't had a published author at our school for a few years and certainly not one as young as you." She waited expectantly while Ana stood there in shock.

"Well, I will have to think about it and get back with you on Monday. Thanks for asking but I am shocked to say the least. I haven't had any speaking engagements yet, just interviews."

"Yes, you were on The Today Show last year, weren't you?" She asked. "That is quite an accomplishment in itself, besides your books. I heard you have two more about to come out and your children's book will be a series. Could we do lunch sometime? I would love to pick your brain."

"Okay, I will get back with you on Monday about lunch and speaking to the class. I am really shy and wouldn't want to talk to a big group." She explained to the professor as she gathered up her backpack and walked towards the door. "Thanks for asking though, it's a little bit surreal."

"Have a good weekend, your first week of college is behind you now." She joked. "It'll get easier now that you know what to expect." She said as Ana waved and walked out.

Ana grabbed her phone and dialed Christian. "Hey!" She said a little breathless. "Are you busy?" She asked as she walked out of the English Building and back to her dorm. She had an hour break before her next class.

"Just in a meeting." He said as he signaled to the other people in the room that he would step out for a minute. "What's up?" He said as he stepped out in the hall.

"I just got out of my English Lit. Class, the professor asked me if I would be a guest speaker when we start the unit on Creative Writing!" She said in awe. "It is so weird to have a professor talk to me like a real writer!"

"Well, baby. You are a real writer. You have four books published and more coming out next year. Are you going to do it? It would be a great experience for you. You could get some experience talking to a small group then when you are asked to talk in front of bigger groups it won't be so overwhelming." He reasoned. "Think about it. You should always do one thing every day that scares you. It is how we grow!" He said earnestly. "But, I would also ask the professor if you will get class credit for it. You are in college to learn and get an education, BTW!" He laughed at his own little joke. "I loved the quote by EE Cummings you wrote to me in your book: It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. I felt like you were talking about both of us!"

"I was. I admire you and I want to be someone you will be proud to be with." She confessed. "Okay, thanks for the pep talk. I'll let you get back to your meeting. Call me later?" She asked softly. "I miss you already and I just saw you last night."

He smiled and took a deep breath. "I miss you too Ana. We'll have another date when I get back to Seattle, you can bet on it!" He said hanging up the phone.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing the story. It means a lot to me. I like the quote: Do one thing every day that scares you.