Cherry Ann

Chapter 1.2 First Sight

The First Sight

Friday October 14, 1999

I was working the school store at lunch when I saw him; the one I was wishing for. He was standing outside the window looking at the display. It was like the world stopped. everything froze as I watched him. Well, it was like my time froze. I could see everything around him moving, but it was like streaks of colors. He was about my height 5’ 8” or 5’ 9” with pale skin that looked even paler because of his long dark brown, almost black hair, he had pulled back in a loose pony tail low on his neck. He wore black jeans and a dark gray T-shirt. His arms were thin but muscular. His eyes were a shockingly blue. They were such a bright blue that I could tell they were blue from a distance. they looked sad, but happy, it was weird and hard to explain. like maybe he was happy to be sad and alone or something I don‘t know. His face was sad but his eyes were so full of this happiness. All I knew was that I was meant to love him. No one paid any attention to him. It was like no one else saw him standing there. Then he looked up. But I couldn't tell if he was looking at me and, stupid me, all I could do was stare. It seemed like he was looking at me but almost like he was looking through me to the wall. His lips hinted at a grin but it vanished as soon as Rachel had snapped her fingers and made time start again. 

“Cherry did you hear anything I said?“ Rachel practically screamed. 

“What? No sorry. I guess I zoned out for a second.“ She was mad at me. I don’t know how long she was talking to me and I didn’t hear anything she had said. I didn't even know she had walked into the store. When I looked back at the window he was gone. Did I imagine him? I wish I knew his name. I don’t even know if I will ever see him again. All I knew was that I had to see him again. 

    Rachel snapped her fingers in my face again so I would look at her. I really hate it when she does that. 

“Ugh Cherry I swear you are so out of it today. Do you want to go the mall today or not? I think we should hit the new stores that just opened.“ 

She was asking me if I wanted to go shopping later. She had some new stores that she thought we should hit. Not any stores I would ever like, mind you, but the ones with the cheapest shirt at about $45.00 on sale. I like goodwill. you can find really cool stuff there. I knew the real reason she wanted me to go was for a ride. 

“Sure I’ll pick you up around 3:30.“ 

“Perfect. See you then.”  She walked out of the store and I saw her walk past the window with those cookie cutter friends of hers. ‘Why can’t she just bug them for a ride?’

See I have a car and she doesn't, but I don't have my license. I'm only 15. The cops don't care as long as you don't do anything stupid and stay on the back roads. most of us live several miles out of town and they know we have to go to school and work. Once again, it proves how small the town is. I would go with Rachel. It's not worth having her mad then life would be hell. I really need new friends. So I will end up taking her to the mall and she will meet up with other friends and I will make my getaway. I'll hit the punk store and meet her at the ice cream store around 9:00 so we can make it home before her curfew. Another cool thing about my parents is that, I don’t have a curfew. Rachel's Parents are very strict; they have to see her at 10:00 in the house in her room. But that doesn’t keep her from sneaking out after they go to bed. 

I finished the rest of the school day looking for the guy I saw, but he wasn’t in any of my classes today. I would have to look for him tomorrow I just wished that he would be in at least one of my classes. But then a thought hit me; he might not even be in my grade. 

I got home around 3:10, I had just enough time to change and get over to Rachel’s house. But my mom caught me at the door.

“Cherry, honey, where are you going?”

“I’m going with Rachel to the mall. I want to look for a new outfit.” I decided on the spot. I don’t usually lie to my mother, but she would not be happy if I was just a chauffeur. And I did need a new outfit.

"Ok I’ll see you later.”

“Okay mom.” I said as I left the house.

I drove to Rachel’s house; she was waiting for me on the corner.

“You‘re late. Sarah and Jess are meeting up in the food court at 4:00, so let’s hurry.” Rachel said before she even shut the door.

“Okay.” I said.

 Just as I predicted she was meeting other friends, which was good. I really didn’t want to have to pay attention to her and pretend like I was having fun. I was too distracted thinking about him. 

I parked by the food court and we walked in the mall.

“There they are. Sarah! Jess! She called to them. They turned to look at her before she turned back to me. “I’ll meet you at the Ice Cream shop at 9:00, so don’t be late.” Then she flounced off to her cookie-cutter friends, hooked arms, and walked out of the food court as I watched their retreating figures.

Ugh! I’m never late! She usually is. I really need to find a new friend. Rachel just isn’t who she used to be. It is really weird. They went on a family vacation and Rachel came back totally different. At first she didn’t talk to anyone and then one day she came to school dressing different and became friends with Sarah and Jess.  I really don’t know what happened. I tried to ask her what happened but she wouldn’t ever talk me. Now she acts like she is so much better than others; it makes me mad. I walked around the mall and found my way to the punk store. they were having a sale, which is the only time I will buy stuff. 50% off clearance is the way to go. I went in and started looking around. I found a few pins and some new patches for my sweater. I started looking through the racks of dresses that were on sale. I let my eyes wonder the store. My gaze froze. There he was again. He was looking at some jewelry. Dang it! He has a girlfriend. Why else would he be buying girl jewelry. He held up a sterling silver necklace with a small red stoned cherry dangling from it. Like he could tell I was there, he looked up in my direction. But again, I could not tell if he was looking at me or through me. And once again I just stood there and stared at him; probably with my mouth open like a complete moron.  Then a girl bumped into me knocking me back into real time. 

“Oh I’m sorry.“ She said.

“That’s ok.” 

When I looked back to where he was he wasn’t looking at me anymore he was paying and then he left. I walked to the door of the store but I couldn’t see him anywhere. He had vanished.  I don’t know what happened next but it was like I was on auto pilot. All I know is that I made it to the ice cream shop. Rachel was late of course. 

“Come on Cherry! Lets go it’s getting late.” Rachel said when she finally came through the doors twenty minutes later. I rolled my eyes and drove her home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” she said, but I wasn’t paying much attention. I got home before 10:30, but I don’t know how. When I got to my room I realized I had a shopping bag in my hand. I opened it, not remembering buying anything. I remembered finding some pins and patches which were in there, but there was also a box. It was a black box, like you would put clothes in at Christmas. I opened the box and gasped in surprise. It was a very pretty black dress with small cherries all over it. A black tool underneath the dress, making it poof out at the bottom. I was scared to see the price tag but when I looked, my mouth dropped open. It was 90% off of $150. Wow maybe I should shop without realizing it more often.  Then I made a very important decision. I was going to save this dress for that day when I would finally meet the mysterious man.

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Special Thanks to reddragon225 for editing this chapter

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