Author's Note: I'm republishing some of the stories that were previously removed. It's worth noting this was my very first story and is full of errors and shorter chapters than I currently write. Many of you asked for it again so I'm putting it back up but beg you to ignore the errors. Unfortunately I don't have time to go back and re-edit all of it.
Chpt. 1
Ana's Point of View:
As I finish up my last class of the day, I look at my watch and realize I have an hour free before my waitressing shift starts. I work part time at a local Italian restaurant waitressing in the evenings after my college classes end as well as some weekends when they need extra help. It's not the most glamorous job but it pays for my school books, supplies and personal items. The owner is very flexible with accommodating my school schedule and calls me when another waitress calls out sick knowing that I would never turn down additional work. Deciding to stop by the student union for a quick bite to eat, I gather up my belongings and quickly leave the classroom.
"ANA!" I hear my best friend call for me from out of nowhere.
"KATE!" I giggle and move to the side of the walkway to wait for her.
Kate and I have been friends for the past 3 years ever since we met during Freshman orientation. Kate is a journalism major whereas I am an English Lit major therefore we don't have many classes together. Kate and I are almost complete opposites; she is a social butterfly whereas I tend to prefer to be alone or in small groups. Kate is very outgoing and outspoken, making journalism the perfect career for her, whereas I am more shy and quite.
"Where are you headed?" Kate asks.
"Grabbing a quick bite at the union before my shift starts," I respond.
"You work too much! You should call out sick and come to the club with me tonight instead!" Kate suggests.
I sigh. As I much as I would like to go to the club with Kate, even though I'm not fond of the large group setting, unfortunately I need to work to have money. Kate has no concept of this as her parents pay her rent at a condo (I always thought it was weird in the book that her parents would purchase a condo for her) as well as all her bills. I on the other hand have no financial support from anyone other than the scholarships I received which is the only reason I am even able to attend college. The scholarships cover practically 90% of the tuition however that leaves 10% of the bill to pay plus books, notebooks, extra reading material, my cell phone, travel costs and of course spending money. If I don't work, I won't have money for school.
"Maybe another time Kate, the restaurant is short staffed tonight as one of the waitresses went on vacation," I lie.
"Sure Ana…" Kate replies, clearly disappointed with my response.
"How about this weekend? I am off Saturday night, maybe we could do something then?" I ask.
"Perfect Ana! There's a new dance club we could try or maybe we could order pizza and watch movies at my place? We haven't had a chance to do that in months!" Kate responds.
"Oh Kate, we did that 2 weekends ago but sounds good! Let me know what you want to do. If you don't mind maybe I can crash at your place that night? That way I won't have to leave before the buses stop running" I suggest.
"Of course! You can have the spare room which is practically your bedroom anyway! I don't understand why you don't just move in with me instead of living across town and worrying about bus schedules" Kate says as we approach the student union.
"Kate…we've been through this before. I have a lease on my apartment that I can't break until graduation. I don't mind the buses except on the nights when you want to go out," I respond laughing.
"I have to run to my next class. We will talk later this week okay?" Kate asks.
"Sounds good," I respond hugging Kate goodbye.
I watch Kate walk away before going into the student union to order a sandwich for dinner. I grab my dinner and begin the 2 mile walk to work. I hate talking to Kate about my living situation, but there's no way I can tell her that I'm practically homeless. The first 2 years of college I stayed at various shelters throughout Seattle before finally saving enough money to be able to rent a room in a boarding house. It's in a pretty rough neighborhood and I'm pretty sure a few of the residents are selling drugs out of their rooms, but it's a place to lay my head each night. It's better than the shelters because if you do not get there early you may not get a bed. Luckily I never had to sleep on the street, but I've had to spend the night in some not so nice shelters and once I slept at the bus station. The room has a lock on the door and I don't have anything of value to worry about someone stealing anything. I'm only there a few hours each night to sleep so I try to make the best of the situation.
I know it would be easy to take Kate up on her offer and move into her spare bedroom. It's much closer to campus, within walking distance, instead of the 3 different buses I have to take to and from campus. But I could never afford the rent Kate's parents pay for her apartment, even just a portion of what the rent must cost is probably more than I make waitressing in 3 months! I'm sure Kate would probably refuse to allow me to pay rent but I don't feel comfortable mooching off of people. I want to be able to say that I got through college on my own, just like I did everything else in my life since I ran away at 16.
I'm deep in my thoughts, dangerously close to having a flashback when I suddenly hit a brick wall. Or what felt like a brick wall and I nearly fall down.
"Fuck!" I hear as a strong arm reaches around my waste insuring I don't land flat on my ass on the side walk.
"I am so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," I mumble before glancing up to see the person who saved me from my fall.
I feel my face grow hot as I look up and realize the man I just walked straight into is absolutely gorgeous! Of course that would be my luck…make an utter fool out of myself with someone as good looking at this man! He is just over 6 feet tall with grey eyes and this messy copper hair that makes me want to run my fingers through it.
STOP IT! I tell myself, I rarely notice men nevermind find myself blushing over one!
"Nonsense, it was my fault. I was too busy responding to an email to watch where I was walking. Why don't we sit down for a moment?" The stranger says. Without waiting for a response he takes my hand and leads me to a bench nearby.
"Are you okay?" he asks.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks to you," I respond.
"Huh?" He looks at me confused.
"I almost fell on my butt but you saved me" I giggle.
He laughs too and it's only at that time do I realize he is still holding my hand. I make no attempt to move it and neither does he. We watch people walk by for a few moments, sitting in comfortable silence which is surprising since we are complete strangers. His phone rings and he quickly pushes a button silencing or ending the call.
"Sorry about that" he says.
"It's okay, I need to be going anyway or I will be late for work" I respond having realized my shift is due to start in 15 minutes and I'm still a few blocks from the restaurant.
"Are you sure you are okay?" He asks.
"Of course, although I can't say the same about my dinner" I giggle realizing the bag with by sandwich in it is on the sidewalk stepped on by several people.
"Let me take you to get something else, it's the least I could do" He responds.
"No it's fine. Honestly it was probably two days old anyway. I will grab something at work tonight when I take my break" I respond. Unfortunately with my shift starting I have no time to take him up on his offer.
"Here, take this for your dinner" he reaches into his wallet and hands me a $20 bill.
"I can't take this. It's was just a sandwich, this is far too much" I respond pushing the money back towards him.
"Please, I insist. I ruined your dinner so it's the least I could do," he says pushing the money into my hand.
I reluctantly decide not to argue and put the money in my pocket.
"Thank you" I say.
"You are most welcome" he responds. "Maybe we will bump into each other again."
"Let's hope not literally this time" I giggle and gather my book bag which has my uniform in it.
We both say good bye and part ways. I'm nearly a block away before I realize that despite all the talking we just did, we never exchanged names. I don't think I have ever been so comfortable with someone I first met. Usually I am a nervous wreck and constantly second guess everything I say. This just felt different.