Chasing Happiness (Rewritten Under My Other Story "It's Just Pretend")

Chapter 8

Jarod came in, again, with an armful of assignments for Anne.

"Ugh! More? Do you enjoy watching your brand-new girlfriend suffer? You've been coming in for one and a half weeks. Which would be fine if you left those," she wagged her fingers toward the papers, "at home sometimes. But no. You never fail to deliver."

"You'll thank me later Anne. Trust me. Making this up all at once would be brutal."

"Excuses excuses......" She pouted and turned away, but he didn't miss the twinkle in her eyes.

"I'll make it up to you."

"Oh really; how?"

"Just. Like. This." He lifted her face and bending down, pressed their lips together. She leaned up into the kiss and sighed when they parted. His hands still cupped her face on either side as they looked deep into the other's eyes. His thumb gently grazed over her cheekbone.

"Fine. You are officially forgiven." He grinned.

"My charm is simply too irresistible!" She let out an airy laugh and playfully slapped his shoulder. He gestured toward the bed.

"May I?" Nodding, she moved over for him to sit.

"Where should we start Anne?"

"I suppose with the hardest subject," she moped.

*break*

After completing her assignments, Anne leaned against her boyfriend's chest while he wrapped his arms around her.

"Anne?"

"Hmm?"

"When do you get discharged?"

"Three days. Why?"

"Just wondering. I miss seeing you at school."

"I miss you too love." Anne snuggled closer to Jarod and inhaled his unique scent. They snuggled close together and just as they were about to fall head-first into peaceful sleep, the door swung swiftly open and slammed against the wall, leave behind a small dent. Anne squeaked in surprise as the they couple shot up into a seated position. Dina Lawford stood in the doorway with a sickeningly sweet smile on her face but hatred and anger consumed the sharp violet of her irises like wild flames. Her jet-black pixie cut framed her face and heavy makeup caked her face.

"Hello there you two! Why don't you look cute? A nobody got together with a somebody and the someone became a no one. You were a something Jarod. You can be . What do ya say?" Dina flopped onto a chair and batted her eyelashes, leaning forward just enough to expose some cleavage. Jarod forced a tight-lipped smile.

"Thanks, but I'll pass. Funny thing, you inferred that Anne was nothing, but she has more substance in one finger than you will ever have." Dina's back became impossibly straight as she glared directly at Jarod. Her cheeks sunk in and the violet flames roared brighter and more fatal. He flinched ever-so-slightly under her gaze. Anne cleared her throat and two heads spun in her direction. Anne sat ramrod straight and while her face seemed calm, her grey eyes shone like steel, fierce and regal. Her lips were set in a thin line.

"Jarod, would you mind going to the cafeteria and get me a jello or something love?" her eyes never left Dina's.

"But I-" Anne tore away her intense gaze and he saw how serious she was. Silently, he nodded and left the room. Anne turned back to Dina, her expression cold and hard.

"Dina, about two weeks ago, you would have made me cower and wither away like a dying flower, but now, well I've been to death and back. Dying does strange things to irrational fears. I will say this once and only once. Stay away from anyone I care about. If you have a problem- well you have many, but you know what I mean- then you come to me. Got it?"

"Now Anne, what makes you think I'll do what you say?" Dina's voice didn't waver, but her courageousness began to wane; if looks could kill, Dina would be a pile of ashes. Anne threw back her head and laughed.

"Poor naive Dina. You have no idea what I'm capable of. I may seem small, but I assure you I am no weakling. Now, please leave before I have you escorted out. That just a polite way of saying, 'Get the hell away from here before I make you.'" Dina growled in fury, but left nonetheless, her heels clicking on the tile. Anne exhaled and slumped back onto her pillow when Jarod reentered. He looked worried as he asked quietly, "You okay?"

Smiling gently, she opened her arms and hugged him close.