"Good morning." Jackson smiled one hand by his side and the other in his beige jeans. His hair seemed to stand up on its own without any product and Anastasia wondered if it was as soft as it looked.
"Good morning. Hello? Hi? Uh.. Yes?" Anastasia was very surprised to have the young man at her door and was excited at seeing him again. The curiosity she had when she first saw him in her yard had turned into a deep fascination. They never had people other than her mother's friends on the property so it was natural it struck her as odd.
"I'm Jackson." He laughed at her obvious nervousness and reach his hand out, which she reluctantly took. He let her hand go before continuing. "I know it's weird me coming to your door like this." 'Yes it is' Anastasia thought to herself. "But I'm looking for my dog."
"You were here the other day weren't you?" Anastasia was trying to keep her voice from wobbling as anxiety started to fill her.
"Uhh yeah I was." Jackson was clearly taken aback that she recognised him. "I didn't ask because I didn't think he could possibly make I out this far but I've asked everyone in town. Someone suggested here because it's large enough for him to go missing plus you work at the pet supply right" He lied.
"Oh sorry! No I'm afraid I haven't seen any dogs on the property. What kind of dog is he?" Anastasia was more than happy to help any animal in need but was a tad disheartened that he wasn't there for her.
"Jack Russel." He lied again thought this time more hesitantly not prepared for many questions.
"I'm sorry no." Anastasia shook her head before stepping out onto the porch shutting the front door behind her. "I can put up a flyer at work if you like?"
"I don't have one on me. How embarrassing, well thank you. I'm sorry for wasting your time." Jackson nodded to her pulling his face into an insincere frown. He turned to leave and Anastasia disappointingly made a step for the door. "I'm Jackson by the way." He had turned and his hand was stretched out waiting for Anastasia to shake it.
"I'm Anastasia." She smiled complying with his gesture loving the feeling of his large rough hand over her small soft one. "It's nice to meet you." And it was.
"And you Anastasia." He bowed his head in a charming fashion. Taking a step back he admired the enormity of the home. "You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you. Do you live in around here?" She'd made her way to stand inches from him as he stared up at the building.
"I live on the other side of town actually which is probably why I haven't met you before. Have you always lived here?"
Jackson looked down at Anastasia with astonishment. Her skin was flawlessly golden with light freckles sprinkling over her nose giving her more character that he'd thought. Her teeth her perfectly white and clearly naturally straight unlike his that had needed braces. His gaze couldn't help but fall to her singlet which was slightly low, he had perfect view giving the height distance between them. The curves of her body were perfect and the thought of it was enough to send his mind is circles.
"Yeah all my life, my mother's father owned it." Anastasia told him truthfully now feeling more at ease with conversation. She was a nervous wreck but now could talk confidently without he shake in her speech.
"Gee isn't she lucky." Jackson laughed. "Say Anastasia you wouldn't want to hang out sometime would you?"
Anastasia's heart pounded. She hadn't been on a date before, she didn't even know this boy. Though Anastasia knew she had never felt an attraction like this before and the curiosity she had for Jackson hadn't subsided regardless her knowing why he was in the garden. His eyes shone and crinkled as he smiled, which was only more mesmerising close up. She heard Chey's voice in her head replaying what she'd said at work about Anastasia being lonely.
"Yeah I might do." Anastasia tried her best to stay calm and play it cool but she was afraid her lack of experience would cause her to make a fool of herself. 'I cannot make a fool of myself around him.' She thought to herself. "What did you have in mind?"
"I'll pick you up tomorrow at seven then." Jackson grinned turning and once more disappearing down the driveway out of sight without another word from either of them.
She stood gobsmacked for a moment pulling her thoughts together. What had happened? Within a few minutes she'd met mystery guy and he'd asked her out. 'Well at least her had lost his dog and he wasn't a creeper right?' Anastasia thought rushing up to her room. She had no idea what they'd be doing as he'd skimmed past her question but was determined her outfit for her first date would be perfect. Gabrielle had made it her mission to destroy Anastasia's friendships and relationships with everybody as had done so, so successfully as a matter of fact that Anastasia was bullied at school and struggled to fit in anywhere. Anastasia's first kiss was even a prank set but by Gabrielle.
With blue ripped jeans, white shirt and beige sweater cardigan thrown over the back of her desk chair she searched her closet for appropriate shoes to match. Although all she owned very little shoes compared to her mother and sister. Her black ankle boots were the only thing she deemed fitting and placed them on the chair. It was still morning so Anastasia would have to find something to do while she nervously awaited seeing Jackson again.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
YOU ARE READING
Poor Girl
RomansaShe could hear them loud and clear. She tried desperately to slow down her breathing so she wouldn't be heard but feared her rapid heart beat would give her position away. It was cold and wet, her clothes were torn and they were closing in.
