Hey y'all, sorry it took so long for me to update. I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to start this chapter. But, I've updated now and I hope you all like it.

Also, I'd like to say a special thanks to all y'all who reviewed the first chapter of this story: lil Cwick, acrazychick, Mrs. Rhett Butler, KJFlygirl87, TheHollister, beautyqueen321, Gracie-lou, and CandieBabie30. You guys are awesome!

Now, on with the story!

At the age of seventeen, I didn't rightly know much about what love really was. I knew only the superficial things about it. And I thought of love as any normal teenaged girl would: That tingly feeling that goes through you when you hold the hand of the boy you like, or the way that your whole body feels on fire whenever he is near you. That was my perception of love. Nothing more than physical reactions.

I had thought myself in love with Jeremy. But it wasn't until that summer that I would learn what true love really was. And I would learn it from a very different person than I had thought.

Chapter Two

It was nearly dinnertime by the time that Anna got home that day. She rushed in the back door and immediately her nose was filled with the smells of the pot roast in the oven and the blueberry pie cooling on the counter. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled, eager for the delicious smelling foods.

"There you are, Anna," Laura Matheson said, looking up from the sink where she was peeling potatoes. "just in time to help me with the rest of these." She held up a potato that was half skinned already.

Anna smiled. She'd always loved helping her momma in the kitchen. It was one of their little traditions. The two Matheson women would work together to make dinner and all the while would talk about their days and what they had planned for that night.

Anna joined Laura at the sink and reached for one of the potatoes that had yet to be peeled. She grabbed a knife and set to work. For awhile the two worked in companionable silence, the only noise that of their knives scraping against the potatoes.

"I forgot to tell you, Jeremy called earlier. Wanted to know if you wanted to see a movie tonight." Laura spoke up, breaking through the silence. Anna bit back the smile that threatened to split her face.

Jeremy. Anna never thought that she would ever fall so deeply in love with a boy. He was everything that she could ever dream of and more, if that were possible. After all, how could a boy be more than perfect. For that was certainly what Jeremy was: Perfect.

"I can finish these up," Laura said, "you go on up and call him back."

It was as if her mother could read her thoughts. Anna smiled and quickly ran up to her bedroom.

> > > > >

The small movie theater was packed with teenagers out on their Saturday night dates. It was a tradition for them all. They would watch whatever movie was playing, and then go up to the Hill where they would all hang out and talk. Undoubtedly, people would crank up the stereos of their cars and then, soon after, people would begin to dance. And, as some couples danced, other couples would wander off and find a place of solitude where they could then commence with what couples did.

A light blush crept up the back of Anna's neck as she thought on what she and Jeremy would do that night. Would they stay with the group, or would they sneak off on their own? Her blush deepened as she thought of past times when she and Jeremy had gone off, and the resulting haste to buy make-up to cover the hickies that served as a reminder of their time together.

Anna was a good girl. Truly she was. She attended church with her family every Sunday, and listened diligently to the preacher. She obeyed her parents and she never cussed or stole or smoked. But being with Jeremy was the one point where she fell short in her Christian walk. They had gone far in their relationship, but never had they taken it all the way. But, maybe, someday, Anna thought they would. Jeremy certainly wanted it. He often asked Anna if she was ready. And she always answered no. However, she knew that one day her answer would change. She just wasn't sure when.

Jeremy returned from buying their usual popcorn and coke. He sat down beside Anna and placed his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled up against him, breathing in the scent of his cologne, and watched as the movie screen flickered to life.

> > > > >

Anna sat in church the next day, trying to focus on the sermon when all she really wanted was to go back to sleep. It had been late when she got home the night before, sometime after midnight; when exactly, she wasn't sure.

As the minister droned on, Anna found it increasingly difficult to focus on what he was saying. So, instead of forcing her mind to listen, she gave it free reign to wander. And wander it did. She thought back on the previous night, and all the fun that she 'd had.

After the movie, she and Jeremy had gone with the others to the Hill. They'd stayed by the cars for the first hour or so, but, once things began to get boring, they had gone off to their favorite spot: A secluded little hollow that overlooked Alexandria. It was the most romantic spot that Anna could ever imagine. With the small town lit up and the stars and moon over head, nothing could have been more beautiful. If there was one place that Anna would consider the perfect spot to lose her virginity, that would have to be it. And who knows, maybe one day that would happen, but despite what they'd done that night, Anna's innocence was still intact. Oh Jeremy had wanted to go further. But Anna wasn't comfortable knowing that all their friends were only yards away. It had been hard to resist him, though. With those dark eyes of his and the moonlight shining off his black hair. Yes, it had been most difficult to say no.

As she thought of Jeremy, Anna's eyes roved over the pews until they landed on the one where he and his family sat. He looked the picture of gentlemanly righteousness in his best suit and tie. No one would have been able to tell that he'd been out 'til three that morning partying with his friends. He looked perfectly alert, his back straight and shoulders back. Anna envied his ability to act as if he were the perfect boy that everyone thought he was. A slow smile crept up her lips. He had everyone fooled. Sure he was a gentleman to her and he was sweet and kind, but he also had a dark side to him. A dark side that no adult knew about, nor hardly any of his friends. Only Anna knew that side of him. It was the side that he revealed when they were alone together. The side that wanted to do so much more than kiss.

One day, Anna thought as she watched him, one day I'll let you do whatever you want.

> > > > >

The weekend ended with a cool breeze. But, as soon as Monday began, the heat was back, rolling in like a tidal wave that moistened the brows of any who dared to step out of their homes.

Anna, once again, sat behind the register of her daddy's store, staring out the window and daydreaming about being free of the four walls that surrounded her. She wanted to be outside, basking in the heated glow of the sun, letting it soak into her pale skin.

There was no one in the store except for Anna and Rev, who was working towards the back of the shop. They never talked to each other. Anna had never really known what to say to him. She'd never had a colored friend before. Her father had never allowed it. And so Anna never knew how to start a conversation with the colored kids at school.

Her fingers tapped against the counter that she sat behind, and the staccato rhythm was joined by the gentle sweeping of the broom as Rev made his way down aisle after aisle.

"I am so sick of this!" Anna cried as she watched yet another group of teens pass by the window.

"Sick of what?"

Anna's head snapped around to see Rev looking at her.

"I'm sick of sittin' in here and doin' somethin' I can't stand just 'cause Daddy says I have to." She said, "I hate workin' here. I wanna be out there with my friends."

"So quit." Rev replied, as if it were the most simple thing in the world.

"I can't." Anna shook her head. "Daddy would have a fit."

"Okay." And with that, Rev returned to sweeping.

Anna sat staring at his back. Was that it? Was that all he was gonna say? He moved out of sight and Anna returned her gaze to the window, a small smile creeping up her lips. They'd had a conversation. An honest to God conversation. So it wasn't the longest one she'd ever had, but still, Anna was proud of herself for talking with him.

> > > > >

Alright, so it was kinda short, but I hope you guys liked it. Right now it's still kind of a boring story, but if you guys stick with it, it will get better. I promise. Now, I'm gonna let y'all go so that you can press that small purple button in the corner of your screens. Go on, press it. I dare you. Lol.