Him and Her

Twenty-seven

Twenty-seven

Eric

- After school -

"How was your test?" Dad asks me, popping his head into my doorway.

"Fine." I mumble.

"How do you think you did?" He asks.

"Good enough.' I answer.

"When do you find out what you got?"

"Tuesday." I state.

He sighs. "Why don't you go for a walk or something? Or go hang out with Jake?" He suggests.

"I'm fine here." I snap.

"Okay okay. I'll leave you alone." He says shutting the door.

Throughout the test, all I could think about is all the ways Ana taught me how to take a test.

"Remember key words from the notes and in the readings"

"If you don't quite know it, come back it it later"

"If you are really desperate, try to sing your notes in your head"

We would always laugh at the last one. Her laugh was so sweet, and adorable. It would brighten the room. It was so contagious. Will I ever be able to hear it again?

- Next day, 7:00 am -

Even though Carter was obviously in the wrong, so was I when I started a fight. So I get Saturday detention for the next three weeks while Carter is suspended for three weeks. I mean, I get it. I shouldn't have beat him as much as I did, but he still deserved it for hurting Ana.

Anyway, I have to sit in a room for six hours, alone. With only school words to do. It's not that bad since I have actually been doing my school work. Before Ana, it was a chore, but now I don't mind completing my school work.

- After lunch -

I finish my lunch, and all my school work for the next couple of days. So now I have to sit here and think of what I've done. Even if I try to not think about Ana, I always end up thinking about Ana.

I understand that I broke her trust. And I know she doesn't trust many people, but what happened, needed to happen. Carter creeping on her only would have gotten worse. And me telling, got the situation under control. Half of me doesn't care if she is upset with me because now she gets bugged by him as much.

But the other half of me longs for that captivation smile of hers.

- 3:03 pm -

We can't drive ourselves to detention, I don't understand why, so my mom picks me up. Before she can get a word in, I talk. "I need to fix it. I have to get Ana back."

"Finally!" My mom squeals. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"Not sure." I admit. "All I know is I have too."

- Monday, after school -

"Mom, can I go to the store before I come home?" I ask once she answers the phone.

"Yeah, sure! Just be home by 5:30 though." She states.

"Will do. Thanks mama." I say before hanging up the phone.

I have forty dollars in my bag, so I could get a bunch of things. Target maybe? Or— I don't really know. I'll just go to Target.

When I get there, I walk in and go for the card section and grab a "Thank you" card because well, she is the only reason I am passing all my classes. I also pick out an apology card.

I place the cards in my basket and walk to the bakery isle and grab a few small personal apple pies. I grab one for myself because they look so good. Next I plan to get some more candy for her, and all types.

Eventually I find the perfect bag, one last little gift and go to the check out line to purchase all my stuff. The checkout lady looks at all my stuff as she puts it in a bag. "You messed up, boy?" She asks.

"Yeah." I smile, handing her the money.

"Well, good luck." She says, handing me the bag.

"Thanks. Have a good one." I say before walking away to my car.

The car ride home, I think of what I am going to say to Ana. The entire rise seems so slow. But by the time I get home, I have my entire speech planned out.

"I'm home!" I call out as I walk through the door.

"Hey!" My mom greets me. "What did you get from—" She looks at the bag. "Target?"

"Some things for Ana." I answer without looking at her.

"You are such a good boy." She says cupping my cheeks in her hands.

"I try." I state with a soft laugh.

"You're so sweet! I can tell how much you care for this girl." She plants a kiss on my forehead before releasing me.

"Yeah, yeah I do." I mumble.

"Erics got a girlfriend!" My dad teases.

"Whatever." I roll my eyes as I make my way up stairs.

I can't wait to give her her gift!