Protecting the princess (GXG) *Complete*

10. Nicknames?

Annabelle looked out past the river, further into the wood. I looked at her realizing that she hasn't noticed me. I placed my hand down to lean back but it landed on hers and she pulled back, as did I.

"Sorry." I said. She met my eyes and we stayed like that for a while, until she started laughing." What?"

She continued to chuckle." You apologize too much, sometimes there's no need for it." I looked down and then raised my eyes back to hers.

"Annabel...."

"Anna," she interrupted.

"What?" She had sent me into a confused shock. 

" You keep calling me Annabelle, you aren't a servant. So you don't have to be so formal. I want you to start calling me Anna." I saw something different in her eyes, something softer than what she had been leading on these past few days. I ran my hand through my hair and thought through what I was going to do next.

While I was in the mist of thinking she layed her head in my lap and looked at me. I lifted my head and looked out over the river. "Okay, Anna." I lowered my head back down to her gaze and saw her colored cheeks face away from me. I took my hand out of my own hair and layed it just above her forehead, beginning to stroke back. She closed her eyes and eased her breathing, but I could feel her heartbeat quickening.

"What should I call you?" I raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Like a nickname. What should yours be?" I hesitated, then looked up in thought.

"Isn't calling me Hailey enough?" She looked at me with a glare and lightly shook her head.

"Umm, how about, Hail?" Now I was the one glaring at her.

"No."

She huffed," what about Alpha?"

I jumped and almost launched her off me. It felt like my cheeks were on fire." W-why alpha?"

"Because you helped me with the wolves the day we met." I felt the coloring on my face fade and I calmed down, then shook my head. "Lee?"

I looked up and stopped my hand in the mist of her hair." Actually that sounds okay. But only you can use it." I assured. She nodded in agreement and sat up. Then began to take off her shoes, and walked to the shallow bank of the river.

She gestured for me to to follow and i began to do so. Anna held her hand out for me to grab and i took it. I never thought holding her hand would make me feel so light.

She let go and put her hand in the water, then splashed some in my face.  Wiping my face off I kicked some water in hers as revenge. Then started a water fight as Nolan watched.
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~Past day, 12th day of summer
7 years of age.

"ALRIGHT, GET TO YOUR STATIONS," everyone scrambled to their assigned spots in the relay. It goes; ladders then pass, ditch then pass, pool then pass, hurdles then pass and the last stretch. The last run includes crawling under wires, snake pit, hopping on stones, running up a hill and jumping over a hot coal pit.

I had to do the last run. The pressure rose in my throat and i couldn't breathe. But i had to, if i didn't do this I would fail and be put out on the street. Deep breath, put your hand out behind you and GRAB THE MEDAL.

I felt the cold medal place in my palm and i took off, tightening my grip on it. The gun shot off again and i slid under the wires, clearing them before the other boys. Next the pit, i didn't stop I ran up to the edge and jumped over catching myself at the end. I felt the slithering of a snake on my leg and kicked down to release myself from its hold. Pulling myself up I wouldn't dare look back, for it would slow me down and i couldn't have that. I began to sprint faster than before. Hopping over and on stones, then pacing myself up a hill. Behind me the boys her catching up. Last came jumping over the coals. Prelit and the heat was visible. I closed my eyes and pushed myself off the ground. Feeling the hot air as i leaped across the coals. It was gettinf significantly waemer,when i opened my eyes I was headed right for them, face first, I clenched my eyes shut and landed in black.
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My eyes shot open, it was dark but with the added light of the setting sun. I glanced over and saw Anna laying with her back turned to me. I dont remember much, but i do know that after playing in the water we decided to dry in the sun.

Anna rolled over and dropped her hand on my stomach. She raised her head and smiled. It forced a smile onto my face and i sat up. I rubbed my eyes, then sighed, yawning right after. I saw Anna sit up in the corner of my eye and she leaned her head on my shoulder. "Another nightmare, huh?" She began to rub my back, and I pulled her closer to me. 

It was silent, the crickets were singing their dusk song and the birds were no longer sound-full. I stood up feeling the twigs and dirt below my bare feet, and helped Anna to her feet as well. She winced and lifted her foot to reveal a small cut on the sole. I turned my back to her and moved backwards so i could pick her up on my back. I couldn't saddle Nolan with Anna on my back so i just untied the reins and began to walk. The trail was course and covered in rocks, which made me think of the memory presented to me before I woke up. Why is my past memories trying to remind me of their existence?