There All Along

Chapter Thirteen

I come across Olivia in the corridor and she stares at me.

"Hi Olivia," I greet her with a friendly smile.

"....hi....."

"What's the matter?"

"You look different," Olivia tells me.

"Is it a good different?" I ask her, hoping for a good answer.

"Well yeah, I guess you could say that. After all you're still my best friend and you're still beautiful on the inside.....and the out!" she explains, causing me to smile more. "Thank you bestie."

The bell rings and we both rush to our next classes. In the classroom I get a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see Sam. "Anna, is that you?"

"Yeah," I smile at him.

"I hardly recognised you! Are you sure it's you, Anna? Or are you an imposter? Where's Anna? What have you done to her?!" Sam jokes. I giggle. "Aw Sam. You've still got the same sense of humour."

"Why wouldn't I?"

I shrug. "So.....do you like my 'transformation'?"

"Anything would suit you," Sam replies. "You didn't need a transformation if you ask me. You were, (and still are, by the way) perfect the way you were."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Aww. Sam is so cute! He can be nicer than Josh to me at times but I much prefer Josh. Josh means the world to me. Like Josh always says.....nobody could ever love me more than he does. Not even my own family!

"But I didn't expect you to change....all of a sudden!" Sam says. I shrug and say, "well you know me. I'm full of surprises!"

"Yeah," Sam laughs. "Hey do you wanna hang out at lunchtime? I have plans but I could cancel them if you wanted me to."

I was shocked at Sam for saying that. Why is he so nice to me? It's just me. The same old, boring, fat mess. Is it the transformation?!

"I'm sorry, Sam. I'd love to....but I have a boyfriend. He's overprotective."

"I know, I know. Josh Howie. He's a dick," Sam says. I frown and snap at him. "He most certainly is not!"

Sam turns silent and the teacher tells the class to shut up.

What the hell was Sam thinking?! Josh is no dick! Not to me nor anyone!

..........

After class I gather my things and head out. Sam stops me in my tracks. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I was in a bad mood."

"It's fine. I forgive you." I shrug. "But please don't say that about Josh again."

"I won't, I promise," Sam promises me.

"Thank you."

Sam starts to walk away.

"Wait!" I shout a little too loud and eager. Sam stops and turns around in confusion. I pause with shock. Oops. Now what? Oh yeah....

"Sometime if Josh isn't free, you could always hang out with me and my friend Olivia?"

"Olivia Daniels?"

"Yeah," I reply.

"Yeah, she's nice. That's cool. Just tell me when. I see you everyday at some point anyway."

"Yeah," I giggle. "Well, see you later."

"Bye."

"Goodbye."

Sam walks away and I watch as he leaves. There's just something about him that makes me feel at home and safe.