Salvation

26 ∆ bittersweet

        Matthew's P.O.V.

''I just wanna go home.''

Anna's tone was serious, so I agreed. We shared a joint as we walked back towards my car, by her choice not stopping by to say goodbye to the others, and then I took her home.

On our way, I looked over at her many times. She stayed quiet, looking out at the window, her knees pulled up to her chest.

''I had tests today.'' She mumbled, probably noticing I was curious as to why she was acting like that.

''School is awful.'' I nodded, looking back ahead.

''Half of my final grade.''

''That's shit.''

''Yes.'' She agreed, rubbing her hands on each other. ''I'm worried bout my brother finding out.''

''Seventeen and a half years old. Where's the fun in doing what you're told?''

"No."

"Oh give it a rest, I could persuade you."

"I'm not your typical stoned 18 year old, give me a night I'll make you." She smirked, rubbing her eyes on her sleeve.

"I know you're looking for salvation in the secular age, but girl I'm not your savior."

I looked at her briefly and found her half smiling as she stared ahead; she had both hands hidden back on her sleeve, and it looked like she was shivering. I smiled softly and took one of her hands to hold. It was cold, incredibly cold, and it reminded me of another line from my song.

''A pair of frozen hands to hold, she's so southern so she feels the cold.''

She smiled fully as she looked at me, squeezing my hand.

''This reminds me, I've never asked. Your accent is different; where are you from? Scotland or something?''

''I'm Greek.''

''What?'' I kind of laughed in disbelief, glancing at her again. ''Why didn't you ever tell me that?''

''You never asked.'' Anna bluntly replied.

I hated the way she was. Always so cold, unceremonious, so direct. But I loved that she was also always going straight to the point, not making a fuss over things. It was a bittersweet combination, which completed one another.

''No, but...'' I shrugged; she stayed quiet. ''Well, what else you have to tell, me then?''

''What do you want to know?''

''Anything, just tell me about yourself.''

''I don't-'' She responded as she backed into the seat and hid under her sweater. ''Just tell me what do you want to know.''

''I- um, let me see...'' I half smiled, tapping the steering wheel as we strolled through the streets of London. ''Let's start off with something simple. Family.''

Anna's P.O.V.

''...something simple. Family.''

I froze.

Oh, as if family was such a simple topic. It may be for him, even with all the scandal and media covering; but not for me. A girl who's never had anything, hid away, had family issues, even more than, maybe, Denise Welch's son.

''Anna?''

''Uh- um, well, yeah- family?''

''Yeah, I guess.''

''Uh... alright.'' I thought about it. Inhaled. Exhaled slowly. ''Alright.'' I rubbed my eyes and looked back up, not once glancing at Matthew. ''Family.''