Anna Begins [Paul Lahote]

Chapter Seven

Anna

The next couple of days after hanging out at Felicity's were uneventful. I went to school, where Felicity was turning into my closest—and only—friend. Aside from my brother, of course. I went home, where we got ourselves set up and situated. I ate, I slept. And then I repeated. On Saturday, Mom insisted we did a final deep clean of the house and then it would officially feel like home.

By Sunday, I was ready for a relaxing Easter with my family. Instead of sticking around inside while Mom hurried around getting ready, I decided to head outside for a walk until we left to head to Grandpa's house.

"Anna, hey!" a voice called out as I exited the building and I froze.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. I recognized the voice: Paul.

"Feels like forever since I've seen you," he said, stopping by my side. "How are you?"

Left with no choice but to actually interact with him, I shrugged. "It's only been a couple of days. I've been around."

If he noticed how awkward I was, he didn't let it show. He just smiled and nodded. "Are you headed somewhere now?"

I shrugged again like the idiot I was. "We're going to head to my grandpa's house for Easter." I paused. "I was going to take a walk right now, though. While I wait for the rest of my family to get ready."

The way Paul's face lit up had me wishing I hadn't mentioned the walk. It was bad enough I was talking to him. Add us going on a walk together? My palms began to sweat. "I could walk with you. You know, if you're okay with that?"

Something in my stomach twisted at the hope in his voice—in his eyes. Why this beautiful boy cared about spending any time with me at all, I didn't think I would ever understand. It made no sense. But I couldn't deny him. "Okay."

He grinned. "Great!"

We stood for a moment, neither of us making a move.

"Was there anywhere specific you wanted to walk?"

I shook my head. "Just around the block, I guess. I'm mostly filling the time until we leave. Getting fresh air. You know." So. Stupid. What did I expect him to know? I was barely speaking coherent sentences. Ugh.

But Paul nodded like he understood. "Alright. Then let's go this way." He pointed to the left and started walking, thankfully. I joined him. "So you never told me—how are you?"

"I'm fine," I answered noncommittally, sticking my hands in the pockets of my over-sized gray sweater. "How are you?"

He sighed. "Tired. Work has been running me ragged."

I chanced a glance at him and noticed he did have bags under his eyes. "Maybe you should go rest instead of walk with me."

He waved his hand. "No way. I haven't seen you in days. We need to catch up."

"We do?" I asked uncertainly. Since when did anyone, let alone a guy as perfect as Paul, care about spending time with me? It was strange how suddenly I was noticed—by Felicity and now Paul. Only two people, but that was two more than I'd really had before.

"Of course!" he exclaimed with a smile. "That's what friends do."

I blinked. "We're friends?"

His smile faded. "Sure we are. Unless you don't want to be?"

My eyes widened. "Oh! I mean. I do. Or, sure. I..." I stopped talking before I made a bigger fool of myself.

Paul took pity on me. "Then we're friends. Felicity doesn't get to hog you."