Live While We're Young

Annie

     Annie woke up at 8:00am on a cold Saturday morning. She got up from her bed and went downstairs for breakfast. As she went to her chair at the dining table, her mum greeted her, "Good morning, love." "Good morning, mum," Annie greeted back. Annie sat down on her chair and waited for breakfast. Then, breakfast was served. Pancakes, eggs and bacon. Annie grabbed a stack of pancakes, two eggs and ten strips of bacon. Don't judge her. She eats that much food as she can. After she ate, she asked her mum, "May I go to Starbucks?" "Why is that?" her mum answered. "I want to do my homework there," Annie answered. "Don't be silly. You always do your homework in your room," said Annie's mum. "I know that. But can't I just have some fresh air outside?" said Annie. "Fine. But go get dressed," said her mum. Annie went upstairs and took a shower. After that, she dressed up in a navy blue shirt, burgundy jeans, black boots and a thick beige cardigan.

     She tied her dark brown hair up into a ponytail and grabbed her homework. She stuffed her homework in her sling bag and went outside. The cold air bit Annie's skin, but she didn't mind it. She actually liked it. She walked her way to Starbucks. Then, she opened the door of Starbucks and went inside. Annie went in line for her order to be taken. "Hello. Welcome to Starbucks. May I take your order?" asked the barista. "English Breakfast tea, please," answered Annie. "Tall, large, or venti?" asked the barista. "Large," answered Annie. "Anything else?" asked the barista. "No," answered Annie. "Ok, name please?" asked the barista. "Annie," Annie answered. "Ok, Annie. That'll be 10 pounds. Please take a seat and wait for your order," said the barista. Annie paid for her order and took a vacant seat.

     She took out her homework from her bag and started. "English Breakfast tea for Annie," someone called. Annie stood up and took her cup of tea. She went back to her table and did her homework. As she was doing her homework, she sipped her hot tea slowly. English Breakfast is her favorite tea. Then, something caught her eye. Annie saw a blonde boy who looked about 19. He is quite attractive.

     Then, Annie found herself staring at the boy she saw. The blonde boy suddenly glanced at Annie. She turned back to her homework and blushed. She sipped her hot tea one more time before going back to her homework. The blonde boy stood up from his seat with his cup and went to Annie's table. He sat next to her and said, "Hi." "Hello," Annie greeted. "What's your name, love?" asked the boy. "Annie", answered Annie. "I'm Niall," said the boy. "Wait, Niall? As in from One Direction?" asked Annie curiously. "Yes. Please tell me you're not a deranged fan," answered Niall. "No, I'm not. I love One Direction. It's not like I'm going to kidnap you right now," answered Annie. Niall smiled at her. He was glad she wasn't a deranged fan. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "Doing my homework," she answered. "Ah, you are smart", said Niall. "I focus more on my educational career rather than living a fun life as a girl who is 14 turning 15", said Annie, annoyed by her age. Annie finished her tea and her homework. She packed up her stuff in her sling bag and slung her bag on her shoulder.

     Niall stood up and held out his hand to Annie. Annie gladly took it and stood up. Both of them went outside and Niall took Annie's hand and went somewhere. Annie was shocked because Niall took her to a direction which did not lead to her house. "Where are we going?" she asked. "To show you what you have missed out in the life you live in," he answered. Niall dragged her to the mall. Annie was amazed at the sight of it. The mall was big in the inside. So many stores that had so many things to sell what customers are dying to buy.

    "Wow," said Annie in amazement. "I know," said Niall. Niall then, dragged her to the clothing store. "Go pick out some clothes," said Niall to Annie. "But, I'll have to pay for the clothes," Annie said worriedly. "Don't worry. I'll pay for them," said Niall. "I can't let you spend money for me," she said. "It's fine," he said. Annie frowned and picked out some clothes. Nothing caught her eye. Then, she saw a pretty dress. It was strapless. It had a black rose pattern at the bottom with a pink sash under the bust.

     Annie took the dress and went inside the fitting room. She fitted the dress. The dress went down to her knees. It was just right. "Annie, are you done there?" asked Niall from outside Annie's fitting room. "Yeah, I'm done," answered Annie. "Can you show me what you tried on?" asked Niall. Annie went out of her fitting room with the dress on. Niall gulped nervously. "Is it nice?" she asked. "It's perfect. You look beautiful," he said smiling. She blushed and went back inside her fitting room and put her clothes back on. She went out of the fitting room with the dress.

     "Want to buy it?" asked Niall. Annie nodded and they went to the cashier. Niall payed for the dress and we went out of the clothing store. Annie stuffed the shopping bag in her sling bag. Well, the shopping bag wasn't that big anyway. "Where are we going next?" asked Annie. "To the movies," answered Niall. They went to the movie theatre and both of them picked Resident Evil: Retribution. Niall payed for the tickets and the popcorn. They went inside the cinema and sat in their seats. The movie started. Annie became really curious about the movie. Niall put his arm around her shoulder while she was watching. She faced him and he faced her. Annie just rested her head on Niall's shoulder and watched the movie. 

     The movie ended after a while. Annie and Niall left the movie theatre. "Where to next?" asked Annie. "The park," answered Niall, smiling at Annie. And so they went to the park. Annie and Niall went to the swings and just chilling out. "Why do you prefer being a grown-up rather than being the young girl you are?" asked Niall. "I don't want to act my own age. I want to act like a grown-up so I can be successful. I study hard and get good grades," answered Annie. "Oh," said Niall. He stood up and took out his iPhone and earphones. He plugged the cord of his earphones to his iPhone. He tapped the Music icon and picked a song. Niall held out his hand to Annie and she took it.

     Niall put his left earphone in Annie's ear. He wraps his arms around her waist and she wraps her arms around the back of his neck. The song Moments is playing from Niall's iPhone. Then, Annie and Niall started dancing in the park. "What is all this about?" asked Annie. "A dance reminds us sometimes memories that we are still young and we can reach out our dreams without rushing," answered Niall. Annie felt touched by his words. She learned that besides reaching out for her dreams, she has to have a little bit of fun in life.

     The song ended and they stopped dancing. Niall escorted her home. Annie led the way and they walked to her house. Then, they were already in front of her house. "I have something to give you," said Niall. He grabbed something from his jacket. It was two pieces of papers folded. He gave it to Annie. "Thank you," said Annie. They both said their goodbyes and Niall kissed Annie. On the lips. Sparks flew everywhere when they kissed. Niall pulled away and said another goodbye. Annie said another goodbye to him. Niall walked away and Annie went inside her house. She went upstairs to her room and dressed into her home clothes.

     She plopped down on the bed and looked at the papers Niall gave her. She unfolded it and it was...One Direction concert tickets, Meet-and-Greet tickets, and a backtage pass. And the concert is on her birthday! Annie now knows how to celebrate her birthday: by going to a One Direction concert wearing the dress Niall bought her.

Don't act like a grown-up yet. We are still young. We can reach out for our dreams without rushing.

>>>Annie