(Hey everyone. I know I said that I'd have this out sooner, but RL keeps
getting in the way. Hopefully, I can get the next part out soon, but I'm
reluctant to make any promises... Thanks to- Shahid, Laura C, Jessy,
Nicole, Eternal Darkness, Ginger, Jess, Tariq, Queen Boadicea, &
SpoiledSquish.)
Part 13-
I hadn't noticed that the clouds had gathered over the sky and blotted out the moon. I didn't notice the temperature drop degrees cooler. I didn't notice the smell of rain in the air. But, I did notice when lightening flashed and the thunder rumbled loudly, making me jump and yelp in surprise. Fat, cold drops of rain plopped to the ground, just sprinkling. Then, as if the flood gates of the clouds had been opened, sheets of icy rain plummeted to the earth. In seconds, I was drenched.
"Damn, damn, damn!" I swore angrily, holding my hands uselessly above my head.
I heard a car horn honk once and looked up to see Angel's black car pull up.
"It's about time!" I screamed at him as he jumped out and came to us.
"What's wrong with Faith?" He asked sharply, ignoring me.
I shook my head, water spraying from my hair, "Not now, just take us home."
He nodded, then seeing Faith wasn't about to go anywhere. He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the backseat. I climbed in, hating the way the wet leather pants were gluing to my legs. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Angel glancing me up and down.
"Nice outfit." He said, his voice so nonchalant that I didn't know if he meant it or not.
"Yeah, if you like the skin tight, wet leather, drowned out mouse look." I muttered.
He then looked at me, his eyes dancing, and said "Any kind of leather is fine with me."
I rolled my eyes, "Perv."
I glanced at myself in the rearview mirror and hated what I saw. My mascara was smeared in thick lines down my cheeks, my skin cold and pale. My hair was heavy and wet around my face and down my back.
"Ugh." I scoffed at myself.
"You look beautiful." Angel said, so quietly I thought I imagined it at first.
I looked at him, but he kept his eyes on the road. I felt a small smile pull at the corner of my lips, the thinking of Faith, it turned into an angry grimace. I turned and looked back at her. Her eyes were closed, she was sleeping. But, it wasn't a restful sleep. Her hands twitched and her eyes moved frantically under closed lids.
"What happened, Anne?" Angel asked as we pulled up to the hotel.
I didn't answer. I just got out and open Faith's door.
"Faith." I said softly and nudged her gently.
"Wha-?" She asked sharply as her eyes flew open.
"We're home." I said.
She laughed hollowly, "Yeah. Right. Home."
I walked with her to my room and put her to bed, knowing she wouldn't want to be in the room she and Spike shared. I gave her a sleeping pill and a glass of water. She peeled off her clothes and I threw her one of her tank tops. She put it on and crawled under the covers. The sleeping pill was starting to work, her eyes growing heavy and blurred. She mumbled a good night and then closed her eyes.
"Sweet dreams." I murmured, knowing it was useless, and kissed her forehead.
It was like the roles were reversed. I was the older one and she was the distraught teen. She was broken, and God help me, I wasn't going to let her shatter. Not because of a cheating, British vampire.
I pushed back my stiff, heavy hair and walked downstairs. Angel sat in the kitchen with a cup of coffee waiting for me. I sat in the chair and leaned back, sighing.
"Tell me." Angel said softly and I looked up at him, my eyes tired.
"Spike cheated on Faith. We saw him, God knows how long he's been playing her." I muttered angrily.
"Wait a minute." Angel said, leaning forward.
"When I say cheated, I mean cheated. He had this brunette bitch on his lap, practically mating on the spot! The bastard.in a public place, for Gods sake! When Faith saw, he tried this lame assed excuse." I paused, "She's heart broken."
Angel was silent.
"You know Spike's a vampire." He stated.
"Yes, I do."
"What do you think of that?" He asked, almost tentatively.
"I want to shove a piece of jagged wood into his un-beating heart, kill him like the scum of the earth he is." I said slowly and deadly.
"He has a soul."
"I don't care. A soul doesn't necessarily mean you're a good guy. If he loved Faith, half as much as she loves him, he would have never cheated on her." I replied.
Angel was silent.
A thought came to me.
"If Spike is a vampire, how is he able to go into the sun?" I asked him. Angel paused, thinking of what to say, "There is something called the Gem of Amara. It makes the vampire who wears it invincible. They can go out into the sunlight, and they can be staked. Spike has pieces of that embedded into a strip of metal in his wrist."
"Jesus Christ." I muttered, sipping my coffee.
"Someone named 'Jimmy' called here, asking for you." Angel said, changing the subject with envious eyes, "Are you seeing someone?"
"Are you jealous?" I shot back, smirking.
Angel leaned back in his chair, looking quite sullen. I decided to take that as a yes, and sat back, satisfied.
"No. He's not my boyfriend. He's a guy at school who was at the club with us." I looked at Angel, "He's just a guy, you know?"
"How is school?" Angel asked me.
I shrugged, "It's.school. You go there, do meaningless work while everyone gossips about one another, and then come home. In other words, it's alright."
"Do you like any of your classes?" Angel asked, seeming to be genuinely interested.
"I like the art class I'm in." I said, then thought of the haunting painting I did, a shiver went through me. "I do painting. The teacher seems to think I'm really good at it." I shrugged.
Angel's eyes seemed to twinkle, "Do you draw?"
I shrugged "I guess I could."
There was a small silence. I sipped my coffee and looked around. I half wanted Spike to come waltzing in here so I could stake his sorry ass.
"So, when's Connor coming back?"
"Darla has him for the week. That's the custody deal. I get him one week, she gets him the next." He answered.
"So you two get along pretty good." I stated.
He chuckled, "Most of the time. Darla can be a handful, depending on her mood. She wanted us to be more than we can be. She's a great mother to Connor, don't get me wrong, she'll do anything for him. But, I can't say that she's great in the relationship area. We have a past. A long and confusing one. We've both been through a lot. Seen a lot. But, we're both different. I love her.but not in the way she wants. She's the Mother of my child, an old companion. Nothing more. Nothing less."
"Have you ever loved her the way she wanted?" I asked quietly.
He was silent and I thought he wasn't go answer the question, when he said, "A very long time ago, I might have loved her. In a sick and twisted way. But, never again."
"Have you." I coughed, "Have you ever loved someone in the real way?" I asked him tentatively.
His eyes became hard and angry, his emotions closed off. He stood up abruptly and said in a low voice, "Go to bed, Anne."
He left and I just sat there, one question going through my mind.
What had I done now?
*
It was late when I crawled into my bed. Faith was dead asleep, her body curled in a protective position, a light sheet twisted around her. I took my coverlet and wrapped it around me, warding off the chill. I feel asleep rather quickly and dreamed restlessly.
* *I was in a small room, the walls closing in around me. People I once knew where melded into the walls, only their glowing eyes showing. Their voices were sorrow filled as they wailed at me.
"Let me be strong!"
"You leave this house."
"The Master will rise and the Slayer will die!"
"Don't even THINK about coming back!"
"I said LEAVE!"
"Payback's a bitch."
"Am I a righteous man?!"
"You played me!"
"Am I a thing worth saving?!"
"I'll kiss you and the sun will go down."
"When I kiss you."
"The world wants me gone!"
"You don't wake up from a deep sleep."
"It means seize the day."
"And live happily ever after!"
I put my hands over my ears and fell to my knees. Their voices pounded through me, demanding recognition. The walls moved closed to me, the voices grew louder. One face grew closer. An old man with thin lips tightened into a leer of psychotic satisfaction.
Quentin.
"You will never be free, whole, complete. You will live in a dead past until it kills you." He grinned, his eyes a stone color, "And, only I, my dear, hold the answers." And, he was gone. It all was gone and I was alone and.*
*
Awake.
It was a dream.
All a dream.
But, I knew, the voices were just dreams, illusions. But, Quentin, I knew, was real. He had been in my dreams, in my head.
He knew where I was.
Oh God.
*
I felt like I was going to be sick. The realization of Quentin knowing where I was had upset me. There was no question about it, I knew Quentin had the power and implements to get into my mind. My stomach churned and my heart pounding. Flashes and memories of being back in the compound, him 'testing' me and watching with sick pleasure on his face made me jump off the bed and into the bathroom. I chocked and coughed with wracking heaves. Acid burned the back of my throat and I emptied my stomach into the toilet. After there was nothing left, I coughed and dry heaved, my stomach burning. I fell back against the wall and shivered silently.
I was terrified.
The thought of being back in the compound.
Everything white.
The tests and torture.
I started to cry, silently, but hysterically. Nobody knew what had gone on there. Nobody expect Wesley, and he wasn't even here! I would never get over my time in the kind of hell.
Never.
I contemplated running away, after I had regained a sane composure of myself. I even went as far as too get out my suitcases and open up my drawers. But, as I looked around the room, I knew it would be the stupid thing to do. I had no money, no where to go. Quentin would send his hounds after me in heartbeat and capture me.
My stomach churned again and I massaged it, not wanting to make another trip to the bathroom. I needed to talk to somebody, tell someone. Faith wasn't an option. She was conked out on my bed and she deserved some quiet rest.
Angel was in one of his moods, I don't think he'd react well anyways.
It came to me. My new Watcher, Rupert. He and I hadn't spoken much, but I could tell he was as trustworthy as either Faith or Angel. Wes had promised he'd be there for me.
Oh Wes.
I went to the bathroom and slipped into some sensible clothes. I don't think going out there in my panties and a small tank top would be smart. Besides, Angel might be up still. I glanced in the mirror and winced. I looked a bit of a fright. My makeup was smeared all over and my hair was frizzing from the rain. My face was a sickly pale and my eyed had a wild look. Examining myself, I could see the outline of my ribs. I was getting too skinny. Guess I'll have to pig out more. I slipped on my robe and a pair of sweats.
I padded downstairs, the lobby illuminated by only one lamp. I could see Angel's silhouetted figure in his office. I could see him pause as I crossed the lobby. He knew I was out here, but made no move to see me. I shrugged and went into Giles' office, where he was. He looked up slightly startled as I came in.
"Anne? Is everything alright?" He asked me, his eyes narrowed at my haggard appearance.
"No. No, I'm not." My was voice small.
"What's wrong?" He asked me, motioning me to sit down.
I did, and looked up at him, "I think." My throat closed up and I realized I couldn't do it.
I couldn't keep running to other people about my problems.
"I.uh.just wanted to know if you've heard from Wes yet?" I covered, my voice faltering only slightly.
He looked up at me, shaking his head, "No. Not since he left. But, knowing Wesley, he's fine."
I nodded, "Of course."
With nothing left to say, I turned and just left. He probably thought I was insane. I hadn't ruled out that idea, myself. I knew I wasn't going to get anymore sleep. Not the way my heart was beating and my mind racing. Paranoia had set in, leaving me looking every which way. I wandered up stairs, to the little widow's walk I had found.
I opened the door at the top of the stairway and shivered as I was attacked with a rush of cold air. The hard rain from earlier had stopped, leaving everything chilly and wet. The cement was slippery under my bare feet and I held the metal railing. Lightening flashed far away, making the sky turn from black to white to black again.
I just stood there. Letting the wet cold seep into me and numb everything. It started to drizzle and the sky began to turn pink. I coughed and turned around. Unpleasantly cold and soggy, I went back into the hotel. It was still quiet and I supposed everyone was still asleep. I crept into my room and jumped into the shower. The almost scalding water did nothing to ease the chill in me. I was still spooked about my dream. I lathered my hair with shampoo and then stepped under the spray of water. Water fell off of me like a waterfall, with the exception of the shampoo. I conditioned my hair, frothed myself with body wash, and shaved. I stepped out of the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I washed my face and dried myself off. I toweled my hair until it was only slightly damp, sprayed it was leave-in conditioner, and put some gel in it to keep it from frizzing during the day. I carefully applied my makeup; eyeliner first, mascara, and cover-up to hide the dead paleness of my face and the purple bags under my eyes. Still wrapped in my towel, I walked into my bedroom and picked out some clothes to wear. I took out a black sweater and a pair of dark blue jeans. I stepped into my boots and pinned back my hair. I did this all in a slight trance, my mind not really focused on what I was doing. I grabbed my purse, keys wallet, and my bag and pounded down the stairs. I wandered into the kitchen and grabbed two bagels, one that I ate, and another that I shoved into my purse for later. Angel was already up and reading the paper.
"Good Morning." He greeted me.
I grunted something similar.
He grabbed his keys and off we were to school.
*
I didn't say anything the whole drive there. I just turned on the radio to some random station and stared out the window, not really seeing anything. I could see my reflection in the mirror and saw the gash from when Angel had kissed me had turned into nothing but a small scar. I stared at it absently.
Angel stopped the car and I jumped out waving behind me. I barely made it in home room before the bell rang, slipping into my seat in the back. I could feel the stares of Rain, Jessa, and Aurelia burning into me. I smiled slightly at them and they came over.
"Where have you been? You missed like half of the week." Rain blurted.
I smiled again and shrugged, "Bad week."
Nothing else was said.
At least.until class ended.
I was walking down the halls with the girls, when Jimmy Anderson came up to me. He had a small smile on his face, his cerulean eyes twinkling.
"Hey Anne." He greeted in a soft voice.
He didn't even bat an eye at Jessa and Rain, who were gaping at him like he was God's gift to women.
"Hi." I said, my voice getting warm and my smile growing.
"How's your sister?" He asked me, referring to last night.
"Brokenhearted." I answered my voice lowering with silent anger.
"I'm sorry. I really am." He said, and by the way his eyes lit with silent fire, he was serious.
"I am too." I said.
"So." He murmured.
"So." I mimicked.
Jessa and Rain looked on enviously.
"There's a carnival."
He paused
"Today."
Another pause.
"At the Santa Monica Pier."
I gave him a bemused smile, "And.?"
He let out a slightly nervous smile, "Would you like to go?"
A pause.
"With me?"
My stomach tightened faintly. He was asking me on a date? A slow smile broke out across my face.
I walked a few steps away and told him my answer, away from prying ears. He nodded and walked away. Jessa and Rain hounded me, demanding what I said.
"Jimmy Anderson asked you on a date!" Rain squealed.
"What did you say?" Jessa demanded.
Aurelia looked faintly interested and kept her ears open.
"Well, "I smirked, "I told him that."
TBC
(What did Anne say? Is this a new romance in the works, and if so, what will Angel think about it? What about Anne's dream? What does it mean and will Quentin rear his ugly head with her ugly past?)
Part 13-
I hadn't noticed that the clouds had gathered over the sky and blotted out the moon. I didn't notice the temperature drop degrees cooler. I didn't notice the smell of rain in the air. But, I did notice when lightening flashed and the thunder rumbled loudly, making me jump and yelp in surprise. Fat, cold drops of rain plopped to the ground, just sprinkling. Then, as if the flood gates of the clouds had been opened, sheets of icy rain plummeted to the earth. In seconds, I was drenched.
"Damn, damn, damn!" I swore angrily, holding my hands uselessly above my head.
I heard a car horn honk once and looked up to see Angel's black car pull up.
"It's about time!" I screamed at him as he jumped out and came to us.
"What's wrong with Faith?" He asked sharply, ignoring me.
I shook my head, water spraying from my hair, "Not now, just take us home."
He nodded, then seeing Faith wasn't about to go anywhere. He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the backseat. I climbed in, hating the way the wet leather pants were gluing to my legs. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Angel glancing me up and down.
"Nice outfit." He said, his voice so nonchalant that I didn't know if he meant it or not.
"Yeah, if you like the skin tight, wet leather, drowned out mouse look." I muttered.
He then looked at me, his eyes dancing, and said "Any kind of leather is fine with me."
I rolled my eyes, "Perv."
I glanced at myself in the rearview mirror and hated what I saw. My mascara was smeared in thick lines down my cheeks, my skin cold and pale. My hair was heavy and wet around my face and down my back.
"Ugh." I scoffed at myself.
"You look beautiful." Angel said, so quietly I thought I imagined it at first.
I looked at him, but he kept his eyes on the road. I felt a small smile pull at the corner of my lips, the thinking of Faith, it turned into an angry grimace. I turned and looked back at her. Her eyes were closed, she was sleeping. But, it wasn't a restful sleep. Her hands twitched and her eyes moved frantically under closed lids.
"What happened, Anne?" Angel asked as we pulled up to the hotel.
I didn't answer. I just got out and open Faith's door.
"Faith." I said softly and nudged her gently.
"Wha-?" She asked sharply as her eyes flew open.
"We're home." I said.
She laughed hollowly, "Yeah. Right. Home."
I walked with her to my room and put her to bed, knowing she wouldn't want to be in the room she and Spike shared. I gave her a sleeping pill and a glass of water. She peeled off her clothes and I threw her one of her tank tops. She put it on and crawled under the covers. The sleeping pill was starting to work, her eyes growing heavy and blurred. She mumbled a good night and then closed her eyes.
"Sweet dreams." I murmured, knowing it was useless, and kissed her forehead.
It was like the roles were reversed. I was the older one and she was the distraught teen. She was broken, and God help me, I wasn't going to let her shatter. Not because of a cheating, British vampire.
I pushed back my stiff, heavy hair and walked downstairs. Angel sat in the kitchen with a cup of coffee waiting for me. I sat in the chair and leaned back, sighing.
"Tell me." Angel said softly and I looked up at him, my eyes tired.
"Spike cheated on Faith. We saw him, God knows how long he's been playing her." I muttered angrily.
"Wait a minute." Angel said, leaning forward.
"When I say cheated, I mean cheated. He had this brunette bitch on his lap, practically mating on the spot! The bastard.in a public place, for Gods sake! When Faith saw, he tried this lame assed excuse." I paused, "She's heart broken."
Angel was silent.
"You know Spike's a vampire." He stated.
"Yes, I do."
"What do you think of that?" He asked, almost tentatively.
"I want to shove a piece of jagged wood into his un-beating heart, kill him like the scum of the earth he is." I said slowly and deadly.
"He has a soul."
"I don't care. A soul doesn't necessarily mean you're a good guy. If he loved Faith, half as much as she loves him, he would have never cheated on her." I replied.
Angel was silent.
A thought came to me.
"If Spike is a vampire, how is he able to go into the sun?" I asked him. Angel paused, thinking of what to say, "There is something called the Gem of Amara. It makes the vampire who wears it invincible. They can go out into the sunlight, and they can be staked. Spike has pieces of that embedded into a strip of metal in his wrist."
"Jesus Christ." I muttered, sipping my coffee.
"Someone named 'Jimmy' called here, asking for you." Angel said, changing the subject with envious eyes, "Are you seeing someone?"
"Are you jealous?" I shot back, smirking.
Angel leaned back in his chair, looking quite sullen. I decided to take that as a yes, and sat back, satisfied.
"No. He's not my boyfriend. He's a guy at school who was at the club with us." I looked at Angel, "He's just a guy, you know?"
"How is school?" Angel asked me.
I shrugged, "It's.school. You go there, do meaningless work while everyone gossips about one another, and then come home. In other words, it's alright."
"Do you like any of your classes?" Angel asked, seeming to be genuinely interested.
"I like the art class I'm in." I said, then thought of the haunting painting I did, a shiver went through me. "I do painting. The teacher seems to think I'm really good at it." I shrugged.
Angel's eyes seemed to twinkle, "Do you draw?"
I shrugged "I guess I could."
There was a small silence. I sipped my coffee and looked around. I half wanted Spike to come waltzing in here so I could stake his sorry ass.
"So, when's Connor coming back?"
"Darla has him for the week. That's the custody deal. I get him one week, she gets him the next." He answered.
"So you two get along pretty good." I stated.
He chuckled, "Most of the time. Darla can be a handful, depending on her mood. She wanted us to be more than we can be. She's a great mother to Connor, don't get me wrong, she'll do anything for him. But, I can't say that she's great in the relationship area. We have a past. A long and confusing one. We've both been through a lot. Seen a lot. But, we're both different. I love her.but not in the way she wants. She's the Mother of my child, an old companion. Nothing more. Nothing less."
"Have you ever loved her the way she wanted?" I asked quietly.
He was silent and I thought he wasn't go answer the question, when he said, "A very long time ago, I might have loved her. In a sick and twisted way. But, never again."
"Have you." I coughed, "Have you ever loved someone in the real way?" I asked him tentatively.
His eyes became hard and angry, his emotions closed off. He stood up abruptly and said in a low voice, "Go to bed, Anne."
He left and I just sat there, one question going through my mind.
What had I done now?
*
It was late when I crawled into my bed. Faith was dead asleep, her body curled in a protective position, a light sheet twisted around her. I took my coverlet and wrapped it around me, warding off the chill. I feel asleep rather quickly and dreamed restlessly.
* *I was in a small room, the walls closing in around me. People I once knew where melded into the walls, only their glowing eyes showing. Their voices were sorrow filled as they wailed at me.
"Let me be strong!"
"You leave this house."
"The Master will rise and the Slayer will die!"
"Don't even THINK about coming back!"
"I said LEAVE!"
"Payback's a bitch."
"Am I a righteous man?!"
"You played me!"
"Am I a thing worth saving?!"
"I'll kiss you and the sun will go down."
"When I kiss you."
"The world wants me gone!"
"You don't wake up from a deep sleep."
"It means seize the day."
"And live happily ever after!"
I put my hands over my ears and fell to my knees. Their voices pounded through me, demanding recognition. The walls moved closed to me, the voices grew louder. One face grew closer. An old man with thin lips tightened into a leer of psychotic satisfaction.
Quentin.
"You will never be free, whole, complete. You will live in a dead past until it kills you." He grinned, his eyes a stone color, "And, only I, my dear, hold the answers." And, he was gone. It all was gone and I was alone and.*
*
Awake.
It was a dream.
All a dream.
But, I knew, the voices were just dreams, illusions. But, Quentin, I knew, was real. He had been in my dreams, in my head.
He knew where I was.
Oh God.
*
I felt like I was going to be sick. The realization of Quentin knowing where I was had upset me. There was no question about it, I knew Quentin had the power and implements to get into my mind. My stomach churned and my heart pounding. Flashes and memories of being back in the compound, him 'testing' me and watching with sick pleasure on his face made me jump off the bed and into the bathroom. I chocked and coughed with wracking heaves. Acid burned the back of my throat and I emptied my stomach into the toilet. After there was nothing left, I coughed and dry heaved, my stomach burning. I fell back against the wall and shivered silently.
I was terrified.
The thought of being back in the compound.
Everything white.
The tests and torture.
I started to cry, silently, but hysterically. Nobody knew what had gone on there. Nobody expect Wesley, and he wasn't even here! I would never get over my time in the kind of hell.
Never.
I contemplated running away, after I had regained a sane composure of myself. I even went as far as too get out my suitcases and open up my drawers. But, as I looked around the room, I knew it would be the stupid thing to do. I had no money, no where to go. Quentin would send his hounds after me in heartbeat and capture me.
My stomach churned again and I massaged it, not wanting to make another trip to the bathroom. I needed to talk to somebody, tell someone. Faith wasn't an option. She was conked out on my bed and she deserved some quiet rest.
Angel was in one of his moods, I don't think he'd react well anyways.
It came to me. My new Watcher, Rupert. He and I hadn't spoken much, but I could tell he was as trustworthy as either Faith or Angel. Wes had promised he'd be there for me.
Oh Wes.
I went to the bathroom and slipped into some sensible clothes. I don't think going out there in my panties and a small tank top would be smart. Besides, Angel might be up still. I glanced in the mirror and winced. I looked a bit of a fright. My makeup was smeared all over and my hair was frizzing from the rain. My face was a sickly pale and my eyed had a wild look. Examining myself, I could see the outline of my ribs. I was getting too skinny. Guess I'll have to pig out more. I slipped on my robe and a pair of sweats.
I padded downstairs, the lobby illuminated by only one lamp. I could see Angel's silhouetted figure in his office. I could see him pause as I crossed the lobby. He knew I was out here, but made no move to see me. I shrugged and went into Giles' office, where he was. He looked up slightly startled as I came in.
"Anne? Is everything alright?" He asked me, his eyes narrowed at my haggard appearance.
"No. No, I'm not." My was voice small.
"What's wrong?" He asked me, motioning me to sit down.
I did, and looked up at him, "I think." My throat closed up and I realized I couldn't do it.
I couldn't keep running to other people about my problems.
"I.uh.just wanted to know if you've heard from Wes yet?" I covered, my voice faltering only slightly.
He looked up at me, shaking his head, "No. Not since he left. But, knowing Wesley, he's fine."
I nodded, "Of course."
With nothing left to say, I turned and just left. He probably thought I was insane. I hadn't ruled out that idea, myself. I knew I wasn't going to get anymore sleep. Not the way my heart was beating and my mind racing. Paranoia had set in, leaving me looking every which way. I wandered up stairs, to the little widow's walk I had found.
I opened the door at the top of the stairway and shivered as I was attacked with a rush of cold air. The hard rain from earlier had stopped, leaving everything chilly and wet. The cement was slippery under my bare feet and I held the metal railing. Lightening flashed far away, making the sky turn from black to white to black again.
I just stood there. Letting the wet cold seep into me and numb everything. It started to drizzle and the sky began to turn pink. I coughed and turned around. Unpleasantly cold and soggy, I went back into the hotel. It was still quiet and I supposed everyone was still asleep. I crept into my room and jumped into the shower. The almost scalding water did nothing to ease the chill in me. I was still spooked about my dream. I lathered my hair with shampoo and then stepped under the spray of water. Water fell off of me like a waterfall, with the exception of the shampoo. I conditioned my hair, frothed myself with body wash, and shaved. I stepped out of the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I washed my face and dried myself off. I toweled my hair until it was only slightly damp, sprayed it was leave-in conditioner, and put some gel in it to keep it from frizzing during the day. I carefully applied my makeup; eyeliner first, mascara, and cover-up to hide the dead paleness of my face and the purple bags under my eyes. Still wrapped in my towel, I walked into my bedroom and picked out some clothes to wear. I took out a black sweater and a pair of dark blue jeans. I stepped into my boots and pinned back my hair. I did this all in a slight trance, my mind not really focused on what I was doing. I grabbed my purse, keys wallet, and my bag and pounded down the stairs. I wandered into the kitchen and grabbed two bagels, one that I ate, and another that I shoved into my purse for later. Angel was already up and reading the paper.
"Good Morning." He greeted me.
I grunted something similar.
He grabbed his keys and off we were to school.
*
I didn't say anything the whole drive there. I just turned on the radio to some random station and stared out the window, not really seeing anything. I could see my reflection in the mirror and saw the gash from when Angel had kissed me had turned into nothing but a small scar. I stared at it absently.
Angel stopped the car and I jumped out waving behind me. I barely made it in home room before the bell rang, slipping into my seat in the back. I could feel the stares of Rain, Jessa, and Aurelia burning into me. I smiled slightly at them and they came over.
"Where have you been? You missed like half of the week." Rain blurted.
I smiled again and shrugged, "Bad week."
Nothing else was said.
At least.until class ended.
I was walking down the halls with the girls, when Jimmy Anderson came up to me. He had a small smile on his face, his cerulean eyes twinkling.
"Hey Anne." He greeted in a soft voice.
He didn't even bat an eye at Jessa and Rain, who were gaping at him like he was God's gift to women.
"Hi." I said, my voice getting warm and my smile growing.
"How's your sister?" He asked me, referring to last night.
"Brokenhearted." I answered my voice lowering with silent anger.
"I'm sorry. I really am." He said, and by the way his eyes lit with silent fire, he was serious.
"I am too." I said.
"So." He murmured.
"So." I mimicked.
Jessa and Rain looked on enviously.
"There's a carnival."
He paused
"Today."
Another pause.
"At the Santa Monica Pier."
I gave him a bemused smile, "And.?"
He let out a slightly nervous smile, "Would you like to go?"
A pause.
"With me?"
My stomach tightened faintly. He was asking me on a date? A slow smile broke out across my face.
I walked a few steps away and told him my answer, away from prying ears. He nodded and walked away. Jessa and Rain hounded me, demanding what I said.
"Jimmy Anderson asked you on a date!" Rain squealed.
"What did you say?" Jessa demanded.
Aurelia looked faintly interested and kept her ears open.
"Well, "I smirked, "I told him that."
TBC
(What did Anne say? Is this a new romance in the works, and if so, what will Angel think about it? What about Anne's dream? What does it mean and will Quentin rear his ugly head with her ugly past?)