Meadow Valley book series- Everything's changed

Chapter 22: Natural beauty

   Ana had no idea what she was going to wear to this bon fire. She started to wonder why she even agreed to go in the first place. She was almost in a full out panic attack when her brother came knocking at her bedroom door.

"Are you almost ready Ana, we got to go soon."

"Just go without me. I've changed my mind."

"Oh no you don't." He opened up her door and came right in.

"David, you can't just barge right in the door. What if I was changing my clothes or naked or something."

"Whatever. Stop making excuses. You are going with us and that's it. Even if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you all the way kicking and screaming."

"I have no idea what to even wear. I look awful and you know that I am not much of a people person David. I have a hard enough time talking and making friends. I'm not like you and Jess. I just don't want to be embarrassed or feel out of place."

      Ana plopped down on her bed and felt as if she wanted to cry. She gulped back the tears. David sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her.

"Ana, you're beautiful no matter what you wear. You don't need to try to impress anyone here. Just be you! Besides I'll be right next to you the whole time," he looked at her. "I promise."

Then David kissed her on the head. Ana just leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You better keep your promise or I'll beat you up," she joked as she wiped away a stray tear from the corner of her eye.

"Alright, it's settled then. You have ten minutes to get downstairs or I'll get Adam to help me drag you down them."

     Ana slipped on another one of her favorite skirts and blouses. Threw on a little jean jacket over the shirt. Just in case it would get a little cold outside. She was still adjusting to the weather here in this part of the country. She wasn't much of a makeup kind of girl. She glossed her lips with her favorite strawberry flavored lip gloss. Pursed her lips together to rub it in. Gave herself one final look in the mirror.

"Well. Here goes nothing. I hope I look fine. David better stick to his promise or I'll kill him." Ana whispered to herself before leaving her room.

      Ana rushed down the stairs, just within her ten minute time limit, to meet the boys. Adam was impressed. She could look good in practically anything. He liked that she was a natural kind of girl- not wearing much makeup like the rest of the girls he knew. Ana had a natural beauty that didn't need any makeup. Her complexion was flawless. She had this inner glow that radiated from her eyes and lit up her entire face. Her smile was infectious. Ana really had no idea the kind of effect she had on people around her. It was no wonder Adam was smitten with the girl.

     David noticed the look in Adam's eye as he watched Ana come down the stairs. He knew that his new friend was crushing on his little sister. David respected Adam. He thought he was a good guy. He didn't mind if Adam liked his sister. He wondered if he should talk to him about it. Maybe help his sister to notice Adam in that way. Ana was always shy around boys. She was innocent and inexperienced. Ana's parents had sheltered her from knowing how beautiful of a woman she was becoming.

     David had just realized that his little sister was growing up. She was not the little girl she used to be. Ana was starting to get the attention of potential male suitors. This was when she needed a male figure in her life the most. The absence of her father was going to make it very difficult on her. With David returning back to college at the end of the summer. Who was going to scare off all of the guys? Maybe David didn't have to scare off any guys. Maybe Adam was the right kind of guy for his little sister. David wasn't too sure if he should encourage a relationship between the two of them. After all, she was still pretty young. Adam was more mature and ready to settle down with a girl. Ana was just getting started in life. She had so many dreams and big ambitions. David decided to just wait and see if his sister felt the same way about Adam.