The Darkness in her Eyes

3

The next few weeks I settled into a normal routine. I kept my head down in class and did my work dutifully. I felt like I was an autopilot and I was desperate for some real friends. I loved my English Literature class as we were discussing the Queen Elizabeth era.

I stop daydreaming as the bell rings and I head to grab some lunch. I go into the courtyard to go sit with Bree and her friends. I noticed Andrew glancing at me with a book in his hand. The light catches his pentagram necklace and I see there's a dragon on it.

Bree is going on about the homecoming dance and is sitting on Derrick's lap. I know she will sucker me into going.

I walk over to Andrew and sit next to him. He just stares at me blankly like he's trying to figure out my next move.

"Can I sit here for a while? Bree is a little too much today.'' I say as I gesture over at Bree.

He just continues to stare.

Maybe I misinterpreted him, maybe he doesn't like me like I thought.

"Earth to Andrew." I stand and gather my stuff. "Do you want me to sit with you or not?"

I huff out a grunt and walk to another area.

His face brightens to a deep red. "Yes." He chews his lip. "If you want to."

I sit back down. "What are you reading?"

"I'm not reading anymore." Andrew said as he closes his book.

This was not going well. I still hear Aunt Terry's encouraging words. Put on a show girl.

"I like to read too.'' I mutter.

"I'm reading the Pendragon Series and it was interesting." He looks away from me. I think he's afraid to make eye contact with me.

"I've read two of them. I like the different worlds they create." I stumble out the rest of the words. "Sorry I bugged you."

"Annie wait!" He reaches for my backpack. "You're very annoying," He caught himself, eyes widening and biting his lip. "Wait, that didn't come out right! My words never do." I see a small smile formed on his lips. That smile melted my heart.

Saved by the Bell. I rush to get to my next class because I'm still trying to figure out where all my classes are.

As I walk into my house, I can see my mom is napping. My dad is home and sitting his recliner with the tv muted and the captions on. I had to do my chores and start supper. Mom doesn't look like she's feeling well today. I make spaghetti and let everyone know it's done. I put another load in the laundry and started reading my homework assignment.

I finish the rest of my homework and grab a book from my shelf. It's Heaven by V. C. Andrews. I've read the series several times, but it never gets old.

"Annie, Bree is on the phone for you!'' said Mom.

And she wonders why I constantly have headaches. I roll my eyes.

"Hey." I said,

"What's up with you today, Annie?"

"What do you mean?"

I don't remember doing anything different today.

Chill Annie, it's just your nerves.

"I noticed you were sitting with Andrew at lunch today."

"So? I just asked him what he was reading."

"People never do that. They don't talk to him. He's strange."

"I don't think he's strange, he's just quiet."

"He's definitely quiet". "Speaking of, I caught him staring at you for a couple of weeks now. I would have said something sooner. I just didn't think he was your type."

"I don't have a type."

"Yeah, you do. Derrick asked me to come home!"

"That's great!"

"I was very surprised that you went up to Andrew by the way. Holy crap girl! I've never seen you talk to someone without being prompted."

"Great. Now you're calling me a dog. I just wanted to talk to him. I don't know why."

"Oh, I know why." Anyway, I must get off here. Mom wants to call your mom."

"Wouldn't it make sense just to hand my mom the phone then?"

"If anything made sense in our family, we'd be normal."

"True! Night and see you on Monday".

I hang up and not ten seconds later the phone rings.

"ANNIE BRING ME THE PHONE!" said Mom.

I bring her the phone and go back to my room. I write some poems and talk to Brandon and Phillip for a bit. I think about what Bree said.

Does Andrew like me?