Him and Her

Eighteen

Eighteen

Eric

Is half an hour too long to be late? It probably is. Ana probably thinks that I ditched her. I didn't! I would never do that! I slowly walk up to the house, holding the gift bag in my hand as I ring the doorbell. After a few short moments an older version of Ana opens the door and greets me with a smile.

"You must be Eric." She says.

"Hi, yes. It's nice to meet you." I say with my best smile.

"She is right this way. Come on in." She says, leading me through the beautiful house. I quickly take off my boots and follow her again.

The house is so beautiful. It's exactly what I pictured. Then I spot her. SHe is sitting on a couch, her hair is up and wearing a thermal pajama shirt with a blanket covering her legs. There is a small bandaged on her forehead. A fluffy dog sits between her legs, looking at me.

"Hey." I say.

"Hi." She replies nervously.

"I can take your hat and coat." Ana's mother offers.

"Thank you." I say, handing her my winter gear. "I left my boots on the mat at the front door, if that's okay." I add.

"That is just fine. If you two need anything, I will be in my office." She says with a smile before leaving the room.

"Sorry I am late. I just wanted to get you something." I say walking toward her, handing her the bag, sitting on the floor a few feet from her.

"You didn't have to get me anything." She says. I notice her cheeks get red.

"It's the least I could do." I smile. "Open it." I press.

She smiles as she opens the gift to see the fuzzy socks, faux fur blanket, and gel pens I always see her use. She picks up the card I picked out and laughs as she reads it. "Thank you so much." She says.

"So you like it?" I question.

"I do! I love it. I really appreciate it. Thank you." She says with a larger smile. "This blanket is so soft too!" She squeals. She must really like it because she wraps the blanket over the other one, covering the dog's head and his head perks up. "Sorry Buddy." She laughs lightly revealing his head from the blanket. Buddy lays his head down and closes his eyes.

"I am glad you like it." I smile.

"I do, thank you so much." She repeats. But then I catch her looking at her eyes again. The most beautiful yet simple brown eyes. I almost get lost in them but she speaks up. "So. Today..."

Throughout the lesson, all I wanted to do was look at her. So I try to steal as many stares as I can while she isn't looking. Every hair that falls in front of her face, I want to reach up and push it behind her ear. But she beats me to it each time. The way she smiles at certain words that sound funny makes me smile. Her smile is so contagious.

Suddenly, a knock at the door pulls me from my stare. "Should I get it?" I offer.

"If you could please?" She asks.

"Of course." I smile, standing from my stop on the floor.

When I open the door, an elderly woman with her arms full is standing there. "Hello, dear. Where is Anastasia?" She asks.

"In the other room. Can I take those for you?" I offer, putting my arms out.

"Yes, thank you." She puts all the stuff in my hands and kicks off her shoes and walks into the house. "Anastasia, dear!" I hear her squeal.

I walk over to the kitchen to put the food down on the island. Ana's mom walks into the room and shoots me a questioning look. I shrug and point to Ana and the woman. "Oh! Harriet!" She says, speed walking over. Harriet smothers Ana with hugs.