Alyssa had walked off not too long after Audrey had, leaving Anna in the now empty corridor by herself. Anna was glad that Alyssa didn't seem mad about the situation, that she didn't have
two less friends in one day. Though, it was hard to actually confirm anything about Alyssa just yet. The
Queen may not appear angry, but it could possibly mean otherwise for Anna - she wasn't even sure what to believe any more. In all fairness,
Anna had all the right to be mad at Alyssa for saying all that
in front of Audrey. But Analise knew she couldn't really blame her for it - it had all been her fault for sending that text. She could have easily just turned off her phone, put it on silent,
anything other than send her the lie.
And it was all
her fault.
"I don't think we can be friends any more, Arnette. But you sure have plenty of those, don't you? So it's not like I'll be missed or anything. See you around, then." The sarcastic laugh still rang in Anna's ears as her mind replayed the whole fifteen minutes in painful detail. If Anna was any other sort of person, she would have been
glad to lose Audrey's friendship - who would believe someone they
disliked over their best friend!? - but this was Anna and she
hated having anyone unhappy with her, let alone
losing their friendship.
Anna pressed the heel of her palm deeper into her eyes, hoping that she'd stop the tears from falling. She still had the rest of the day to go through, and even though Anna felt like absolute
rubbish, she knew that there was no way she would feel any better even if she went home early. Analise was sure that her make-up was definitely being smudged, possibly all over her cheeks due to the way she was pressing her hands into her eyes. It would be obvious to anyone around her that Anna was absolutely
miserable, but Anna didn't care. For that one moment, she didn't
want to care about what others thought.
For one single moment, she wanted to think about herself.
Anna was suddenly wrapped in a warm embrace, the action startling her enough to make her move her hands away from her face, ready to push away whoever it was. However, she
knew who it was. Her heart knew it too, with the way it suddenly picked up speed. And it definitely was not because of shock. Jackson wordlessly held her, letting Anna to take comfort in him and his presence. She appreciated the silence, the simple act was enough to make her heart flutter.
"She was my friend." Anna muttered, her already quiet voice muffled into Jackson's chest. It didn't matter whether he heard or not, Anna just wanted
release. "I care about her and Domi the most, they're my best friends. I- I would rather--" She stopped herself, taking a deep breath in.
Jackson felt terrible for Anna. She was feeling so much more than him. When he had told Audrey to piss of it had been easy, even relieving. He didn't have a weight on his shoulders anymore. He was free. Most of the time it had felt like Audrey was more of a burden then a friend. But watching Anna, it was clear to him that she wasn't feeling very free. One of her best friends had just left her, without even giving a logical reason.
Jackson stayed where he was holding onto Anna. He would've loved to say something to her. To reply. To answer her. Anything to make her feel somewhat better. Something intelligent to make her laugh. Something to get her mind off of Audrey. Unfortunately Jackson wasn't like that. He couldn't comfort people like others could. The right words never seemed to find their place in his mouth. His approach was usually a more physical one. He just hoped Anna would be okay with his silence.
After a few moments Jackson slowly pulled away and looked at her with his soft brown eyes.
"Do you like coffee?" Jackson knew of a great place down the street. It was a small coffee shop, attached to a book store. He never did much reading there, or drinking coffee, but it did have a nice relaxing feeling to it. It didn't look like Anna was going to get much more work done today, after everything that had happened and Jackson could really use a break from calculus class.
Anna nodded, silently as she stepped back once. She was grateful for Jackson's concern, and selfishly, she didn't ask about Audrey. Anna knew that Audrey would've most likely gone to Jackson after - possibly hurting the poor guy for a mistake
she made. Pointing at his shirt, Anna meekly commented
"sorry about the mascara on your shirt," she apologised. Even if she stayed back instead of going home, Analise was sure that there was no way she could guarantee that she
wasn't going to break down into tears again during biology.
She turned, pointing in the direction of the exit.
"Shall we?" In the same manner (maybe a bit more sadly) that Jackson had gestured towards the beach back during the party, Anna looked at him for the first time since he arrived.
Jackson looked down at his shirt after Anna pulled back.
"Honestly, I think i like it better this way." The black mascara mixed in with the black ink on the white t-shirt, creating an interesting pattern. It almost looked like a panda...
Once again Jackson was filled with the desire to kiss her and make everything better. She seemed so sad, even when she referenced his phrase from that wonderful night on the beach. The night that had led to her losing her friend... That didn't really make it seem like such a good night in that perspective.
Shaking his head of the negative thoughts he grabbed Anna's hand and led her out of the school to his car. They drove off quickly, making good time. A few short minutes after they left the school, they were parking outside of a small coffee shop on the corner. The entire time he held onto her hand, only letting go when they got out of the car and entered the shop.
Anna almost let out a laugh as Jackson looked down at the new pattern on his shirt.
"I'll get it dry cleaned for you," she said. It wasn't an offer, she
was going to do it. She didn't even realise that she had repeated his phrase earlier - it was something that just slipped out, something natural, which Anna would probably only realise she had said after looking back on her memories later in life. The drive out of the high school was short, arriving only a short few minutes later. They entered the small, but quaint looking café, the inside barely filled with many people. Well, other than the odd business person scattered across the small room.
Since the line was short, the two could get their drinks almost immediately and find a place to sit. Anna chose a cosy corner, beside the window. Sinking down on the comfortable looking couch, Anna sighed as she slowly felt the tense feeling in her go away. She took a sip of her drink as she thought of what to say to Jackson. Was it right for her to even ask if he was okay? He looked like it, but he was probably better at keeping his emotions at check than she was.
"So... how's your first date with a raccoon?" She asked, wincing at her words.
'Very smooth, Anna.'Jackson took hold of his drink in both hands. It was pleasantly warm compared to the cool weather outside. Taking a small sip he shivered in happiness. He didn't usually allow himself to drink coffee, but when he did he relished every single sip. It wasn't the taste of the coffee that really drove him crazy, but the smell of it. It was such a pleasant smell that is just filled him up with warmness inside.
Sitting down next to Anna, he took a deep sip and leaned lightly into her. He laughed quietly.
"Raccoon?" Tilting his head he pretended to examine her, like he wasn't taking every opportunity to stare at her beautiful face. Even with the messed up make up she was so pretty.
Her cheeks had reddened as he examined her face, barely suppressing the urge to turn away to avoid his scrutiny. The way he was looking at her, it reminded her of the beach kiss. They hadn't even talked about it since that day, mainly because of Anna taking that time to gain the courage to talk to Audrey about it first. She knew it wasn't fair to keep Jackson waiting, but she was scared. Hell, she's
still scared. She was pulled out of her thoughts as Jackson began talking again.
"I think you look more like a panda personally. A mousey panda. Panda mouse." Grinning at her with a wide smile that reached his eyes he said,
"That's it. You're my mousey panda. Jackson could barely contain the bubbling laughter in his chest,
"And for the record, my first date with a panda is going wonderfully."...What.
Anna stared at Jackson, her drink still in her hand and her mouth open - possibly in shock. Her, a panda? A
mousey panda?! Okay, well, she could agree with the mousey bit, but panda? The raccoon was just a joke, she didn't want to be known as
his (cue blush) mousey panda! It was the sort of nicknames couples gave each other (cue another blush)! Anna faltered for a moment, looking down at her lap - staring right into the eyes of her penguin designed purse - before speaking.
"Well- you're a penguin then." She said, proud of herself as she turned to look at Jackson again.
"Call me panda, and you'll forever be known as penguin."Maybe a bit of Audrey did rub off on Anna. It was definitely not threatening, but hey, at least she tried!
Jackson's smile only grew wider as she tried to threaten him. She was so caught off guard by his statement, it only made the entire thing better.
"Penguin, huh?" Leaning in close to her, he bit his lip and looked deeply into her eyes. Moving passed her, his mouth came next to her ear. Quietly, he spoke in almost a whisper.
"Panda."'Yep, he's definitely going to get me killed early.' The girl thought as Jackson leaned close to her ear, whispering. There was absolutely no way that Jackson
didn't know the effect he had on her. She was sure he could hear her heart racing in her chest, sitting so close to her. It was a miracle that she hadn't dramatically swooned on the spot as a result.
Shrugging as he pulled back Jackson smiled again.
"I guess I'll be known as penguin now." Glancing down at himself he jokingly said,
"I do make a rather ravishingly good looking penguin. Though don't expect me to start eating sushi."Leaning back into the couch and looking back over at Anna with a content look on his face,
"So... a penguin and a panda on a date in a coffee shop. We are fucking adorable. Definitely never going to forget this moment.""You're really cocky for a penguin, aren't you?" She asked, pouting into her cup of hot chocolate as she turned away. It was as if her previous sad mood was gone, replaced by the more normal, albeit childish version of Analise Arnette.
"Penguin and a panda on a date..." She repeated, the words looping in her mind like a tape on repeat. Once again, the over-thinker was back.
'Did he mean something by that? I did sort of start it off with the raccoon comment...' Taking a sip, she used the time to
overthink.
'But he continued it, so maybe he's trying to hint at something?'Agh, boys are so complicated."Sounds like the beginning of a joke, huh." Well, that was one way to test the waters. To see what he thought.
Jackson watched her as she pouted. She was even a cute pouter. How could you possible be cute at that? It was such a simple action. There wasn't anything to it. She managed to so effortlessly drive him crazy. And then how she kept bringing up them being on a date. All it did was bring up memories of their kiss on the beach.
Since that night they hadn't really had any time together. This was the first time since the beach that they had gotten to spend together, alone. His heart thudded with desire to brush her hair behind her ear, just like on the beach. The desire to lean forward and kiss her without a second thought.
The desire became too much for Jackson, he couldn't hold back any more. Kissing her was the only thought in his brain, it couldn't even come up with a reply. A hand softly brushed the hair behind her ear, just like he had imagined. So lightly his hand grazed her ear. Leaning in Jackson stared into her eyes, waiting. Waiting for the look that would let him know he could continue.
And Jackson didn't have to wait long for the look. Anna's heart skipped a beat as his hand brushed her ear, pushing her hair back just like he had done back on the beach. His actions were almost exactly the same as back then too: first holding her hand, then brushing her hair and finally
the look. The look that simply melted Anna on the inside. The look that made Anna throw caution to the wind and just
live.
She had already lost Audrey, what was the point continuing on in fear of her wrath? She already hated her, so Anna might as well just do what she wanted. And that she did. This time, Anna leaned in close to Jackson, slowly but firmly pressing her lips against his. She had her drink held tightly in one hand, gripping hard as her other went up to the arm that was grazing her ear. It didn't matter to her if people were watching any more, only Jackson mattered in that moment. Anna never realised when her eyes had fluttered closed, the feeling of her lips pressed against his was too important in that moment.
The world was all but forgotten as Jackson and Anna kissed. Even the amazing coffee that only moments ago had encaputred his attention. All he felt was pure happiness. He felt her hand on top of his and held on. With his eyes shut, everything felt more intense. The taste of her lips, the smell of her sweet perfume, and the soft feeling of her hand in his.
Letting go of her hand, Jackson cupped Anna's face and kissed her again. And again. And again. Jackson pulled back just enough to be able to laugh. He felt high from the experience, not that he would know what that would feel like. Pressing his forehead against hers he continued to laugh, painfully aware that he had just made out with one of the most awkward girls in front of a bunch of strangers in a coffee shop. Oh, who cared about them. All he cared about right now was Anna.
Wow.It was a simple word, to describe an overwhelming situation. Don't get me wrong, she was happy - elated even - to be making out with her
crush, even if it was in a public place. Anna felt Jackson press his forehead against hers, her own laughter joining his in their quiet corner of the café. She felt the exact same rush of feelings she had done the first time they'd kissed on the beach: the fear, the happiness,
everything. But this time, Anna didn't want to succumb to her fear.
This time, Anna wanted to know what Jackson wanted. She
wanted Jackson to know what
she wanted.
"W-wow." She huffed between her laughs, her hand reaching up to rest on his shoulder. She took a moment to relax, for both of them to return from their high, before swallowing her fear and asking the dreaded question.
"Jackson, what d-does this make us?" She asked. God, she hoped they were on the same page.
"Are we..." the word 'dating' was left in the air, her throat closing before she could finish her question.
Jackson's forhead furrowed in mock serious thought.
"What are we? Hmmm..." He concentrated hard about the question.
"What are we..? King and Queen? No, no, no that's not it. Though we'd certainly make great ones. Eve and Adam? Closer, but still not it!" Scratching his head he shrugged at her.
"I don't know... I guess boyfriend and girlfriend."Grinning at Anna to let her know he was only joking, he leaned in again and kissed her, briefly this time.
"Analise, will you go out with me?" Hopeful eyes watched her carefully. Waiting just like before he kissed her, for the answer.
A sigh of relief escaped Anna's lips, feeling as if an entire weight had been lifted off her shoulders as she listened to Jackson joke around. It felt good to finally know where she --
they -- stood in all of this. And to know that he wanted her too? She felt happy. Well, happy is an understatement - over the moon, was the correct term.
Analise saw Jackson's hopeful eyes, and she couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't malicious, but more from relief as Anna pressed her forehead against Jackson's.
"God, that's the best thing I've heard all day... yes, of course-- yes," she punctuated each yes with a kiss: on his cheek, lips, anywhere really.
It was amazing how Jackson was able to bring her back from the dumps, from feeling miserable to feeling
herself again - without even trying. The fall out with Audrey before suddenly felt as if it wasn't the biggest deal in the world, not like how Analise was making it out to be. That everything was actually going to be okay. Getting together with your crush was literally every teenaged girl's (and possibly some guy's) dream, and to see that Analise getting with Jackson? Simply perfect.
For now, nothing else mattered but the two of them.
Member
Festive,
Altered Tundra
