My Name Is Ann **Completed**

Nine

I woke bright and early stretching and blinking the sleep out of my eyes. Today is the first day of my sophomore year, not really sure if I was ready for this. I looked at the outfit I picked out, a cute blue and black plaid skirt that was just the right length and a blue tank top and a black blazer I was ready to get my life on with. The past week and half I spent in the house only going to the store if I went with dad or Susan and speaking of Susan, she has been hanging out a lot more and she's not so bad she took me school shopping. And I laughed a real laugh the first time in a month. “Are you awake”? Susan's perky voice said through my door, I had agreed to let her take the reigns on what to buy for my school and that seemed to make her happy. She also got my hair cut and dyed to a real light brown color with blonde highlights. My hair looks like a dirty blonde and it really high lighted my eyes and cheek bones, well at least that's what the stylist said.

“Yeah I am”. I pulled myself from the bed and she opened the door and stepped inside the door.

“What do you want for breakfast”? She asked smiling at me. “Your hair looks great by the way”. I smiled and ran a hand through my hair and beamed at her compliment.

“My stomach hurts not sure I can eat”. I chuckled when she continued to shake her head, finally I said, “Fine oatmeal”. She nodded her head and left me to get ready. I pulled on my lucky underwear on and then my clothes. I slipped on a pair of flip flops and went to do my hair. I brushed it out and flat ironed it and I felt good for the first time in a month, Lewis was going to walk to my house and walk me to the bus stop so I wasn't alone and I had to get ready and head outside. I scarfed down the oatmeal and thanked Susan with a thumbs up and a smile as I dashed my way towards the door to head outside.

“You have a good day okay”. She waved at me from the kitchen sink cleaning my bowl.

“Thanks'. I stepped outside to see Lewis standing on the sidewalk; he had on a pair of blue jeans and a black tee shirt his hair messy as usual.

“Look we match”. He grinned noticing we both were wearing blue and black, I shook my head stared at his hair.

“You know, you could have at least brushed it down”. I reached up and flattened a stray hair. He gave me a cold stare and walked away. “Hey now just because I messed up ONE of your hairs doesn't mean you gotta run away from me!” I laughed as he turned and stuck his tongue out at me but slowed his pace until I could catch up.

“You look beautiful for real Ann, love the hair”. I gleamed, second compliment today. It felt nice getting compliments I enjoyed it. “Now you can be a dumb blonde instead of a dumb brunette”. I gasped acting like I was shocked at his words, but I knew he was going to say something of the nature I was ready for it.

“You are cold Lewis Stewart and well I hope you...uhm”. I couldn't think of anything to come back with which made Lewis laugh even harder at me. I couldn't help but laugh too.

“So are you ready Ann”? I sighed heavily, my heart filled with sadness but I nodded my head.

“As ready as I will ever be really”. I stood patiently next to Lewis waiting for the bus to appear not really sure if I am ready for today.