Toxic Love

Part I: First Meeting

The day she had learned to change alone it was the birthday of her best friend, recalled that she had lived for two years a breakup that she had left devastated.

At the time of remembering, she woke up from the nightmare she'd had that night, her mother was beside her with a cup of chamomile in their hands and when Anna awoke and saw her mother she broke into tears.

Her mother left a cup of chamomile tea on the nightstand and hugged her tightly asking what happened ... After a few minutes to calming down and wipe the tears, she finally could speak softly:

– Mom, it's always the same nightmare. I run and run without knowing who I am. I don't know what that means, but when I go to awaken something bad happens and suddenly I wake has always been so -.

– Take a deep breath Anna. - She said her mother stroking her hair. – You must find the reason why you have these nightmares almost every night, are you sure you're okay? - She asked curiously.

Anna Maureen was a singular girl who wear glasses and always had good grades from high school, she never lost non-attendance at school and always maintained a flawless record - enviable to anyone who knows - to maintain her scholarship in college . Also, she was one of those girls who have even betrayed in the past and lose their best friends in a big fight, she began to trust again in the new people getting to know. At that time she was 18, she had been in the best university in the country and started a new life to heal their deepest wounds and be a better person.

– Yes mom. I'm fine. - she lied. The truth felt as if a truck came and ran over to her and all the feelings she had inside. – It was just a nightmare, don't worry about it.

Her mother went to the kitchen while she stayed in bed taking chamomile that was on the nightstand. "It's been a long night, isn't it?" she thought while looking at a fixed point on the ground. "Maybe I need someone to calm down these nightmares..." continued thinking and then she looked the clock and it marketed 3:45 am, "January 25, 2014: Alessandro Colleen's Birthday". Alessandro Colleen was her first love and now her best friend, but he was one of the most interesting people she has had the pleasure of meeting and thanked infinitely have coincided in her life, knowing that he wasn't the only one but the best. After all, he had been transformed in her favorite person causing disorder of emotions at the end of her story.

The next morning, when the alarm rang at 8:30 am, Anna awoke disoriented remembering the nightmare left her without much encouragement to get back to sleep again. She went straight to the bathroom with her cell phone in her left hand and note that there were two missed calls from Alessandro, rolled her eyes and she didn't want to know what he wanted; she took a bath and when she being in her room she saw another two more calls lost, she took a deep breath and called back Alessandro.

– Until finally you attend the phone Annita. How are you doing? - He said jokingly. - Why did you not answer me?.

Anna hated Alessandro put intense and irritating to which only sighed deeply, closing her eyes and answered without being impulsive: – I haven't slept well because of a nightmare. Did something happen that isn't to wait? By the way, happy birthday. – All she wanted wasn't that date, can be another day or mouth but not particularly day and that exactly month but the day begun she brought her mind memories and feelings that shouldn't be present.

– Thank you Anna. Sorry about your nightmare, but finally I was calling you to ask if you are coming to the meeting tonight for my birthday.. By the way, my best friend from college is coming and I would like you to meet him. - he said cheerily.

Anna hesitated to go, her parents were going to Bariloche, to enjoy a couple of days together and her brother would stay with her because she needed to go to Alessandro's birthday... To which she replied: – Yes, I will go to your meeting. – completely ignoring what Alessandro had told about his friend.

– Excellent. I'll wait you there it starts at 7:30 pm. By the way, Chantal is coming. - Anna closed her eyes, remembering the last time she saw Chantal. - Tell me the truth Anna, do you feel good? You're very quiet.

– Don't worry. I'm fine – . She lied – See you at your home. Should I bring you something ?

– We have everything. See you at night. – And he hung up the call.

Ariana accompanied Anna to the hairdresser, while  as she tidied her hair, she grabbed a business magazine and patiently read, "Chess tournament next April 20. By reading this news she was getting excited and told the hairdresser she was chess champion and a percentage of her scholarship that covered accomplishment.

She was ready in two hours and while she going home, Ariana turns to her and takes a picture and shows it by telling a good way: – You look great Anna. I love your strait hair.

Upon arriving home, she got into her room and called Ariana for help with clothes to go to her meeting, after 10 attempts finally decided by matching black heels with black jeans and a dark blue blouse, at the end she grab the gift of Alessandro and lead to the meeting scheduled for that time.

Arriving at the party, Alessandro received with open arms.

After a few minutes were separated and Anna was flushed and says: – Happy Birthday Honney. - giving the gift in his hands. Alessandro smiles and immediately opened the bag to see what was inside and commented: - This I needed. Thank you princess. Now, let me introduce you to Manuel Soleen.

Anna looked at Manuel and blinked twice to make sure he was real, Manuel was tall - 1.72m - wore glasses like her, had a beautiful smile - hidden by the amount of people present - wearing a red shirt and a pair of blue jeans that matched his sneakers.

Manuel saw her, immediately smiled and presented in a formal way: – So you're Anna. Gladly, I'm Manuel Soleen, they usually call me Man or Manny.

The moment was interrupted before Anna opened her mouth to finish present herself, Chantal appeared out of the house of Alessandro and happily saw Anna: – Finally you arrived. I was beginning to wonder where you were. How are you doing? What happen with Edward? – To turn around and see she interrupted Manuel and immediately apologized. – Sorry for interrupting Manuel. She's my best friend, Anna. Anna he is the best friend of Alessandro, Manuel.

Anna laughed softly and smiled at Manuel. She went to sit on the green bench near the grill they were doing. Alessandro's mom down the stairs and very happily greets Anna: – You are very beautiful Anna. How have you been these months? What are you doing? – Mrs. Colleen smiled. Anna smiling very widely replied: – Everything has been fine, and I started college with scholarship. Thanks.

When she sitting back on the green bench, Manuel appears again with two glasses of soda and gives one behind Anna: – You look thirsty. Are you okay?. Anna feeling the blush on her cheeks answers: – Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for the drink.

As Anna saw Alessandro's friends while Manuel stood beside her talking about common things in a few minutes she start paid attention to the last thing Manuel had just said: – ... And I live with my aunt and uncle here in the capital. What can you tell me about you ?. – Anna looks him in the eyes and she noticed that brown eyes and reminded of the last time she ate chocolate, she answered by the thought she had: – I also live in the capital. I am Italian and Venezuelan, I have a scholarship at the Metropolitan University and live with my parents. Not much to say about me, I'm not very interesting person. - Manuel smiled and said: - You are interesting and very beautiful. - Anna blushed and Manuel could see it. – You look very pretty with your blush.

They both smiled and interrupted Alessandro's niece Hilary asking if she could take a picture of the two because they looked good together, Anna and Manuel accepted and then Hilary handed the phone to Anna with a picture of the two. The embarrassment of the two became so obvious that Alessandro approached them and asked: – What did you two are so flushed happened?. - Manuel smiled and replied: – Anna's cute. - And Alessandro smiled and said: – Yes, she is.

After singing birthday, Manuel and Anna spoke privately and exchanged numbers, immediately afterwards Anna placed on her cellphone photo of the two  as wallpaper and promised: - When I see you again, we will continue taking us pictures together, I promise you. - Manuel smiled and said:– I assure you we'll see again.