Saving Anne [Complete]

Chapter Seven (Unedited)

A knock at the door breaks me from my daymare about Jason.  Reaching for the door, I take a couple of calming breaths, my body is still frozen from my near panic and being caught in the horrific past of my Senior Prom.

    "Hey girl...whoa, are you okay?" Jenna pauses mid-introduction.

    "Yeah, sure...What's up?"  I look over at her, forcing a smile that was faking nobody.

    "Okay...if you want to talk about it, you can after our run.  My legs are itching to go.  Are you about ready?"

    "Sure, let me just go grab my shoes." Shit, I completely forgot. I breath a little easier knowing that I am not going to be alone.  I know that the run will do me good too.  It always helps me to refocus and calm my anxiety. As I lace up my shoes, I wonder if I could talk to her about my past.  Perhaps it is too soon in our friendship to confide something of this magnitude.  She said after the run.  Maybe all will be forgotten by then. "Okay, I'm ready.  Same path as before?"

    "Yup!  Let's go!"

    Leaving my house, Liam is outside talking with Chris.  They both smile brightly at Jenna and exchange wave.  I wave tentatively back, noting the fade in Liam's smile as his eyes make contact with mine.

    "I think he likes you." Jenna gives me a sly smile.

    "Okay, sure.  Pick up the pace Jenna." I retort sarcastically.

    We follow the now familiar path, keeping pace with one another.  I can feel my my legs start to burn and my mind starts to focus on the run and not the non-stop replay that has been plaguing me all day.  I can feel the tension rolling off of my shoulders as my back slickens with the welcome sweat.  By the time we return, I am breathing easier, if that is possible after a 4 mile run.  Being out of breath in contrast to having a heavy weight on your chest restricting your breathing.

    "Okay, chicka, spill." Jenna interrogates as she is handing me a cold water on her back patio. "I know something is up. You should have seen yourself."

    I talk a deep breath, shake my head and glance up. "I don't know if I am ready to talk about it." I fidget with my hand and look back down.  Introverting back within myself.

    "Anne, it's okay. Whatever it is, you can talk to me," giving me a supportive look.

    "I was just thinking about my parents accident." Looking up I make eye contact to ensure that she is hearing it. "Only it wasn't an accident.  It was on purpose.  They had taken my car because I had their keys and...it wasn't an accident."  My breathing come quick and shallow.  My legs start to tingle and go ice cold.

    "Shit Anne.  What do you mean it wasn't an accident." Her face is now white, brows drawn together and lips slightly apart.

    "It was supposed to be me in the car.  The car's brakes were tampered with and they couldn't stop.  It's my fault that they died.  It was supposed to be me."  Jenna's arm comes around my shoulder and I lean my head on hers.  Sweat is still rolling off of my face, only it not sweat.  It's my tears. 

    "It is not your fault, sweetie.  Why would you think that?"

    "My parents never liked Jason.  I should have listened. If I had listened, they would still be alive.  My sister wouldn't be an orphan, living with our grandparents.  We would still be a family."

    "You have a sister?...Whoa...who's Jason?"

I take a deep breath and retell the nightmare of my Senior Prom. Visibly shaking as I recount being stabbed multiple times. I take a deep breath when I tell her about realizing that I was in an ambulance and have been rescued. Then I shudder when I tell her that he got off.  Jenna just looks at me with her mouth agape and hugs me. "My God, Anne.  I am so sorry.  Is that why you are out here, so far from home?" Unable to speak anymore, I give a slight nod.  She can see me through our hug, but she felt it nonetheless.

    "Jenna, can I hang out here for a while?  I really don't feel like being alone right now."

    "Of course.  How about a bonfire?  The sun is setting and the evening air would be nice."

    The crackling of fire and the dancing of the flames is nearly hypnotic. Snap...pop...snap..crackle.  The yellows blending and swirling with oranges. Lifting and falling as my eyes search through to randomness and patterns of the licking fire. Sighing with contentment, I take a drink of my Mike's Hard Lemonade. Tingles dance across my neck as awareness that I am being watched consumes me.  Peeking from behind my lashes, my eye lock on brilliant emerald.  His gaze holds me, captures me, keeps hostage.  I can feel him peering into my soul with just his eyes from across the flames.  I have no idea how long he has been looking at me or how long he has even been here for that matter.  Mesmerized by him and the endless Irish hills that are his eyes, I am unable and unwilling to move.  I can feel my cheeks heating, butterflies flitting in my stomach and my heart skip, then start to race.  Unable to hold the intensity and longer, I blink then look down.  Feeling the need to escape, I stand up, give my thanks and start to leave.

    "I'm heading out too, I walk you home." Liam's voice rumbles, doing crazy things to my body as he catches up.

    "You don't have to leave on my account.  I am sure I can make it next door on my own." I state trying to give him an out.

    "Nah, we're good." I look at him wondering if there could possibly be a double meaning there.  Good as in he can walk me home or good as in things between us are now good?  I guess time will tell.

    "Thanks."  Liam does not disappoint or slack in his duty of walking me home.  Instead of just walking by my house like I assumed he would, he walked me all of the way to my door.  Liam leaned up against the side of my house while I fished my key out and unlocked my front door. My breath caught as a soft touch of his fingers feathered across my cheek and he brushed a piece of hair out my face. Looking up, he caught my eyes in soulful eyes and held them for a minute, an hour, I don't know, time just seemed to stop. Liam shook his head slightly then breathed out, "Good night, Anne." His fingers ghosted down my shoulder to my elbow before he left. Leaving behind a trail of goosebumps that spread throughout my body before settling in my core.  I slipped through my door, leaned my back against the wall and sighed.  I was in big trouble and trouble had a name, Liam.

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