Welcome to Serenity

So Soon After

Ty's POV:
I can't believe I nearly kissed Annie, again.

I didn't talk to Annie the rest of the day. I did pass her in the hall once, but as soon as she saw me her cheeks went bright red.

I felt very awkward around Cece, after what happened with Annie. I really didn't feel like talking to Cece, so as soon as the end of day bell rung, I told Cece I had to get home to look after Katie.

While walking home I went over what happened at lunch. I asked Coach Cal if Gabe and I could practise on the baseball pitch, then while me and Gabe were practising Gabe spotted Annie in the stands. He convinced me to go talk to her, then he made up some lame excuse to leave us alone.

She took some awesome photos of me and Gabe, then I asked her if the kiss really meant nothing, and if her and I mean nothing. She told me they both meant something, and that was good enough for me.

I was so close to kissing her. The thing that suprised me the most was how much I wanted to kiss her.

When I finally arrived home, Mum was watering the plants out front.

"Hey Ty. How was your day?" Mum asks.

"Good. Yours?" I ask.

"It was great. Thank you for asking." Mum says as she hugs me.

"Where is Katie and Kyle?" I ask as we walk through the front door.

"Kyle is spending the day with Dad. He won't be home till late, they said they were going to catch a movie after dinner." Mum says.

"Nice. What about Katie?" I ask. I'm happy Kyle and Dad are getting some one-on-one father-son time.

"She is playing in her room. I wanted to let you know I've got to work tonight and then Cal and I are going to have dinner. I've asked Annie to come over and watch Katie." Mum says as we walk into the kitchen.

"What! I can watch Katie!" I defend.

"I just want to make sure Katie gets to bed on time. Anyway, Dana Sue didn't want to leave Annie home alone at night so soon after the accident." Mum says.

"Why is it such a big deal anyway?" Mum asks.

"Did you and Annie get in a fight or something?" Mum asks curiously.

"No. Just a little insulted my own mother doesn't think I can watch Katie." I say dramatically.

"Don't be such a drama queen, Ty. I know you can watch Katie, but Annie's had a rough time lately so it might help if she's around someone as positive and happy as Katie is." Mum says as she walks over to the fridge and gets out a carton of orange juice.

"Ok, fine." I say as I walk up the stairs to my room.

* * *

An hour or so later I can hear Dana Sue's car park out front the house. I chuck my homework onto my desk as I walk up to the window.

I watch as Annie gets out of the car with her crutches, struggling up the steps onto the porch.

I can hear Mum opening the door and calling me and Katie to come out of our rooms.

I take longer than necessary as I slowly make my way downstairs. Katie is playing in the living room with Annie.

I can hear them both laughing. Annie's got a nice laugh. It's not as fake as Cece's, Annie's is a very happy laugh, the kind of laugh that makes other people want to laugh.

"Ty." Mum yells from the kitchen.

"I'm gonna get going. There is leftovers in the fridge, you can just pick what you want and heat it up in the microwave. Love you." Mum says as she grabs her handbag and kisses my forehead.

"I love you too." I say as I hug her.

"I'll be back before you know it!" Mum says as she walks over to the living room.

"Night Katie!" I hear her say.

"Night Mama!" Katie says as I hear Mum walk over to the front door. She opens and closes it, leaving it just Katie, Annie and me.

Katie played with Annie in the living room for a while, before she started complaining that she was hungry. I got her to choose a leftover meal from the fridge.

When Katie went to pick what to eat me and Annie were left alone in the living room.

"Hi." She says, avoiding my eye contact.

"Hey." I say as I hear Katie call for us to come into the kitchen.

Me and Annie have mac and cheese Mum made for lunch yesterday. We avoid talking to each other, just focusing on talking to Katie.

Once Katie has had dinner and some icecream, Annie goes upstairs to help her get ready.

Ten minutes later Katie yells for me to come upstairs.

"What's up Katydid?" I ask as I lean on the door frame of Katie's room. Annie is sitting next to Katie on her bed.

"You have to say goodnight." Katie instructs.

"Do I?" I say as I walk over to Katie.

"Yes you do." Katie says.

"Okay then. Good night Katie." I say hugging her.

"Night Ty!" Katie says as she lays down in her bed. Annie tucks the blanket just under her chin, the way Katie likes it.

"Night Katie." Annie says as she grabs her crutches and shuffles off the bed.

"Night Annie!" Katie says as she closes her eyes, already half asleep.

Me and Annie walk out, turning the light off and closing the door. I silently walk in front of her as we make our way down the stairs.

I look back at Annie just as she falls, grabbing her before she touches the ground, my arms around her waist. Her crutches go crashing to the ground. She looks very shocked, as she clutches my forearms as if I'm a life buoy and she's drowning.

"Annie, you are okay." I whisper looking straight into her big brown eyes. We are very close, the sane distance as when we nearly kissed, but the emotion is different.

The atmosphere at lunch was nothing like this one. I can sense a bit of fear in Annie's eyes.

I don't know what to say or do, so I don't do anything other than hold her.

************************************
Hi! Hope you are feeling well! At the time of writing this 'Welcome to Serenity' has 288 views!!! When I first started writing this I only thought maybe 10 people would ever read these, and I'm so thrilled that other people are enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Also, thank you a heap, to the people who have voted for some of the chapters!

Because you guys are such a big part of this story I would love to hear your suggestions for where this story will go and theories for what's going to happen in season 2 of 'Sweet Magnolias'.

I hope you're having a lovely day where ever you are in the world!