The Real Mate (James) (au)

Chapter Twenty Three

     The rose had no thorns, but Annabeth could tell that thorns had been present when it was picked. James had pulled each thorn from the stem, not once damaging the stem to the point where it would break. The rose's scent was amazing, and Anna hoped it would stay for at least a few days.

     Anna carried the rose inside, as well as her book that was tucked under her arm. She grabbed a glass from the cabinet, filled it with a bit of water, and placed the rose inside of the glass. She then brought the rose up to her room and set it on her nightstand, a small smile making its way to her face as she glanced at the rose.

     About an hour later, Anna heard Bella enter the house. She had just gotten home from school. Bella headed straight up the stairs, and Anna almost wished she had closed and locked her door. She didn't want to see Bella, but at the same time, she wanted Bella to apologize.

"Hey Anna," Bella murmured, as she walked into the room,"Emmett was asking about you. He said you left school early, complaining of a headache or something."

"I did." Anna replied shortly, pursing her lips.

"I'm sorry, okay?" Bella expressed,"I didn't mean to tell Jess, I just — I guess I was mad that you didn't tell us, and I was ranting, and I accidentally let it out."

"Well, next time I know not to tell you a damn thing, since you can't think before you speak." Anna retorted, and Bella's cheeks tinted pink.

"I'm sorry," Bella muttered, glancing around the room, having trouble making eye contact,"You got a rose?"

"Yeah." Anna replied, having a hard time keeping the smile away.

"Who gave you a rose?" Bella asked, "Was it a secret admirer at school?"

"God no," Anna laughed,"it was just someone I know." She added, and Bella didn't bother to push for an answer, since she knew Anna was still irritated with her.

     Bella soon excused herself from Anna's room, and headed to her own to start her homework. As she was working on her homework, she recieved a message from Edward.

  'There's a new vampire in the area. I'm not sure who it is, but their scent is outside your house. You should be careful going outside on your own.'

     Bella felt a shiver run down her spine, but she didn't bother looking into it. She needed to finish her homework. Charlie was already on her ass over not getting work completed because she was always with the Cullens; mostly Edward.

     Anna went down for dinner about an hour later, deciding to have grilled cheese and tomato soup. Charlie made sure she took her medicine, before she went back up to her room. After she had told him about the aneurysm, he was on constant alert about her medicine and how she was feeling. If she even mentioned a headache, he became extremely worried, which was why she didn't mention the fake headache she had earlier to leave school.

     Anyhow, after eating and taking her medicine, Anna headed up to her room for the night. She took a long shower and let her body relax. Then she pulled on a pair of grey shorts and a black Gwar band shirt. She then braided her hair so she wouldn't have to spend time drying it, before she went over to her bed and propped herself up on the pillows. She grabbed the book she was reading earlier, and continued on where she left off. Eventually though, the girl fell asleep, with the book laying against her chest.

**dream**

     Anna did not recognize the woods she was in when she woke up, but it was barely a minute or two before James showed himself. His signature smirk was on his face, as he walked closer to her.

"Did you enjoy my company today?" He asked, as he leaned against the tree in front of Anna.

"I wasn't expecting to meet you today." She replied, causing him to chuckle.

"I know, but I couldn't resist any longer. I had to see you," He answered,"I will be seeing you again shortly."

"When?" She asked, making his smirk appear almost bigger than before.

"Now darling, are you saying that you miss me so soon?" He teased,"Don't worry, my beautiful Anna, it will not be long. I promise to not keep you waiting too long. It's hard for me to stay away from you for too long after all."

"The rose," She began, her cheeks staining pink,"I didn't see you place it down, but when I looked down, it was on my book."

"Did you like it?" He asked, and she nodded.

"It was beautiful." She answered, making a genuine smile appear on his face.

"I will bring you another next time we meet," He said,"maybe this one will be pink, or black, or a mix of colors, as beautiful as yourself."

     Anna felt her cheeks become pink once again, as her heart fluttered at his words. James loved the way she reacted to him, especially when it was simple words that made her swoon. She was so easily flustered, but that was something he truly loved about her. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, not yet, but he undoubtedly was in love with the girl.

"I want to make sure that you know that you have to keep this a secret," He said, motioning in a circular motion with his index finger,"Nobody can know about these dreams of yours, and nobody can know about me. I guess you could say, I'm your dirty little secret." He added, giving her a flirtatious smirk.

"I promise to keep this a secret," She replied,"I don't want to lose you."

     James took a step closer, close enough to where he could ghost his fingers over her cheek if he had wanted.

"You will never lose me, my beautiful Anna," He said,"as I will never lose you."