Bad Girl

Like A Dinner Date?

Monday morning everything seemed awkwardly fine for Anna. Everyone looked at her but both girls and boys had kind words about the situation with Gabriel. Some girls complained that the same thing happened to them but they couldn't act because they were ashamed, now they all wanted to press charges. Thomas passed by the hallway and smiled faintly at Anna when he saw her surrounded by so many girls, while Anna felt for the first time ashamed that she could not reject all the girls and tell them to give her a break like she used to. At least she was happy she didn't have classes with Thomas until the next day.

A week passed by and Thomas tried to keep his distance from Anna. He had some weak days when he started thinking if she ate, if she was safe, but all this worry reminded him about his wife and wanted to stop his. One evening he called his mother

"Hi mom, it is me, Tom..." he said and his mother was already in tears.

"Of course I know who it is. You have no idea how much I missed you, your voice."

"I am fine, you didn't have why to worry."

"I know you are, but I wanted to hear you. You know a few weeks ago I wanted to leave for a few days with your dad, but I forgot my phone at home. Your dad called me crazy but we had to return home and get the phone back."

"Oh mom, just for a phone call?"

"Yes baby, I always thought that I was going to die and not hear you again."

"Don't be silly mom, you are young and healthy."

"I wished"

"What happened?"

"I had a heart attack a while ago."

"What? Why didn't Martin inform me?"

"It was your choice not to talk with us anymore."

"Yes, Mom, but we are talking about something serious."

"Your father didn't let him."

"Of course."

"Thomas."

"OK, so tell me about you." he kept chatting with his mother for a while and she made him promise that he was going home for Christmas. He looked randomly at the calendar and realised that it was Halloween and he thought about Anna if she was at a costume party and what was she wearing. His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. He answered and saw some children trick or treating.

"I am sorry kids, but I forgot it's Halloween." he saw how disappointed they were and made them wait while he went  to search for something inside. By the time he returned with some fruits in his hands he saw Anna and Caleb waiting. He said goodbye to the first kids and welcomed Caleb.

" Hey kid! Where is your costume?" he saw that both were wearing regular clothes.

"Don't ask. My sister says that only loosers are dressing up." Thomas looked amused at Anna that was staying in the back, chewing loudly a gum.

"Too bad your sister doesn't see any fun in dressing up, I think you would make a great super hero."

"Yeah, me too. So... Trick or treat?"

"Let's make a deal, next year you can go with me and dress up and I will also be prepared with some candies. Now I simply forgot.".

"Don't worry Thomas. Here, take my candies." and Caleb offered his bag.

"Oh no, I can't do that".

"Take it. If you don't offer the children will be disappointed and after all candies are bad for my teeth." Thomas couldn't say much but hugged Caleb and saw Anna nervous.

"Thanks Caleb, you are so good, you saved me."

"Ok, ok, enough with all these emotions. Thanks for making me loose one work night just to give him your candies. Get in the car, I will take you home." Anna couldn't keep it anymore.

After Caleb said goodbye and went to the car Thomas argued with her.

"What is wrong with you, he is your little brother and is just a kid, you have to be nicer with him, let him enjoy his childhood."

"Yeah? For what? He must know that life is a hard, it's not about superheroes and candies, it's about work and surviving, but how can you know, I bet your mother used to take you trick or treating to her rich friends and you probably didn't even care, but for Caleb those candies were important. He usually had until Christmas day to eat, now enjoy them."

"Slow down Anna, he offered them to me and of course that I would give them back tomorrow. But you are so angry and frustrated. Why are you like this? You miss working so much that you can't spend some time with your brother. He loves you Anna, but don't forget he is just a kid."

"Well he isn't my kid. I don't want to feed him, take him to these stupid kind of things. I hate them." she started screaming and Thomas saw that she was loosing it, he went closer to her and touched her arm.

"Try and calm down, you are stressed."

"No! Don't take me with stupid psychologist advices, I have to go."

"Anna, stay here until you calm down." but she left almost shaking.
He went inside and wanted to punch himself for caring so much about her. She was too stressed and he had to do something and he knew what he had to do.

After a while he decided to order some takeaway and stop by Anna and Caleb. She answered the door and her face confirmed him that her mood didn't improve.

"Hey, I came with a peace offert."

"If it's burgers than you can come."

"Oh, thank God." he saw that she fighting to hold on a smile.

"Hey, before you go inside don't mention anything to Caleb."

"Don't worry, I know how to deal with kids." Even though the space inside the trailer was limited, they enjoyed the dinner and after Thomas played some cards with Caleb while Anna caught up with some homework. He liked to watch her study and frown every time she didn't agree with something. She was making a lot of side notes that he was so proud. Before leaving he gathered his courage to invite her to a dinner.

"Hey, I was wondering if you can join me at a dinner next Thursday."

"What the f***? Like a dinner date?"

"Oh no, nothing like this. I have a couple of friends coming over and I was thinking that you could join me and kill the boredom."

"So you are hosting boring dinner dates that you can't stand and need one more boring person to add to the table?"

"Trust me Anna, you can be anything but not boring."

"Ok, I will check my schedule and see if I can save you."

"You don't work on Thursdays."

"I know smarty pants, I will come. I can't stand hear you again asking."

"Ok, well I will go now. See you at school."

"OK Professor Hottie."

"Night Miss Candy." she winked at him and smiled after closing the door.