Chapter 16: Moving Forward (EDITED)

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The police officer guided me inside with the letter still clutched in my freezing hand. He and Becca had been trying to get me to speak to them but I was still too numb to register their words. Suddenly a shiver went through me and I began trembling uncontrollably. I vaguely registered a blanket being put around my shoulders and someone taking the letter out of my hand. The time passed in a blur until and before I knew it a paramedic was checking my vitals and I was slowly regaining my senses again. I saw Jaime running up to me, concern marring his gorgeous angular face as he pulled me into a tight hug.

His warmth felt so nice and I vaguely registered he was speaking to me. The sounds around me were slowly coming back into focus and I registered that Jaime was asking me something.

"Annalee are you alright? The police told me somebody attacked you."

"Yeah I'm alright now. They tried to stab me but luckily I had something to block it with." I said, now actively burying my head in his chest.

"M'aam, I need to take your statement if you're ready." The police officer who initially ran up to help me called over to me.

I nodded and Jaime waved him over. He pulled out his notepad and asked me what I remember. I told him about my feeling that somebody was watching me and everything that happened. I didn't see much that could identify the person who attacked though, but I did know they were about my height and similar in stature to the person who ransacked my apartment the week earlier.

Once I was done and he was about to leave I grabbed his arm hesitantly. "Thank you so much for being there. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't." I shivered at the thought.

"No problem. I was just doing my job." He smiled briefly and walked away.

I must have been sitting there for a while because the next thing I knew Jaime was offering me food.

"You need to eat. I went out and picked up some takeout for everyone still here and I want to make sure you have enough." He frowned, only the faintest trace of wrinkles forming in his forehead.

I sighed, not feeling particularly hungry, but also not willing to argue my point. "Alright. I'll eat whatever you dish up for me."

He smiled quickly and proceeded to give me a huge pile of food. I rolled my eyes as I picked at it. I had to admit, having him to worry about me was nice. I felt a memory fighting to the surface and though I fought it, I was too exhausted and it eventually came forward.

***4 years earlier***

The wind and cold rain was whipping against my face. Most of the time I would have quickly gotten out of the downpour, but today I welcomed the sting of the water and cold against my body. It was cathartic, almost numbing. And I was so tired of feeling things, I just wanted to be numb. Closing my eyes and listening to the world, I could almost forget I was standing over the grave of my mother, a mere few months since we'd buried her here.

My temporary reprieve came to an abrupt end when I heard someone calling my name. I knew it would be my grandmother.  After all, my father wanted nothing to do with me now, so who else would it be?

I sighed as I heard her walking up beside me and reluctantly opened my eyes. She looked worried, with her wrinkled forehead crinkling up and blue eyes studying me carefully. Her lips were pursed in a tight line as she studied me.

"Hi." My simple response came as a surprise to her.

"Hi? That's all you have to say? I've been looking for you for an hour." She answered back angrily, though even that emotion seemed somehow muted with pity.

"Grandma, I really don't want to talk about it right now. It's too painful." I answered, attempting to keep the locks closed around the cage containing all my emotion.

She huffed slightly. "Annie, you can't just run away from this. Your dad is just grieving in his own way..." She trailed off as I started to sob.

Now she'd done it. Stupid, useless emotion was flooding back to my senses. Of course she was right. My dad was grieving too. But for whatever reason, he couldn't even look at me anymore and I felt so angry and hurt. He was leaving me to grieve alone! He was being so selfish--

My internal tirade was cut off by my grandma. "I'm sorry. You're right. You've had enough pain for one day. Let's go get you some food at least.  Maybe get you into some warm clothes."  She pulled me into a warm hug until my sobs faded, pain subsiding. I leant into her warmth, needing the comfort. I was grateful for my grandma. I didn't think I could have gotten through any of this without her.

'That's right.  My grandma used to call me Annie just like Will does.' I thought to myself, not realizing it would cause sharp pain to stab my heart at the thought of Will.

"...Annalee? You alright?" Jaime's voice came suddenly back into focus.

"Oh yeah, sorry. Just caught up in a memory." I grimaced to myself. I did NOT want to be thinking about him right now.

I felt a gentle feather-light touch on my cheek. I looked up to see Jaime studying me carefully. His hand traveled down my face until he was completely cupping my cheek. I found myself instinctively leaning into his soft touch, wondering why he was looking at me with a blank expression. As quick as a lightening strike, his blank mask broke into a bright smile.

"I'm just glad you're okay. I'm with you now and I'm not going anywhere. Why don't I stay with you for now, to keep an eye out?" He leaned in and gave me a slow, sweet kiss fully on my lips. I blushed hard and smiled back, nodding.

The next few hours went by quickly. Jaime and I spoke to the officers in charge and came to an agreement that he could stay here as part of my protection. The men in charge also added another officer to my protective detail and told me I shouldn't go anywhere without an officer. I complied, not wanting to face another incident like earlier. The rest of the time we spent waiting for the police to pack up and leave. Jaime and I played a few card games, most of which I won. Becca left once the police were done with her, saying a quick and worried goodbye to me.

Despite all the turmoil I knew I should be feeling, I was rather calm. Jaime kept watching me like I was about to snap but I felt fine. I couldn't say where my sudden composure was coming from, but I was glad for it. I was done being upset and vulnerable. Those jerks who were coming after me wanted me to feel scared and helpless, and I was getting tired of it. I didn't want them to have that kind of control over me anymore.

Will betraying me was the last straw. After that my fear turned into anger, leaving me ready to face whatever my attackers threw my way. I didn't want to be weak anymore. I was ready to get on with my life.

The sound of my phone notification broke my reverie. I glanced down and saw a text from Becca.

B: Can we talk alone for a minute?

Me: What's up?

B: No, in person. I hate talking over txt.

I hesitated for a second. Her sudden request seemed weird. She never asked to talk in person.

Me: Sounds serious. Yeah we can as long as you come here. I can't leave my detail behind. :P

B: Ok, b over in 20 min.

Becca seemed upset about something. Usually her texts were full of emojis. I bit my lip nervously, hoping she was alright. Even though we hadn't been friends until recently, we'd been getting close. Her craziness helped me open up and relax in a way I normally can't, and I enjoyed it. Plus she'd been really good to talk to about some serious stuff going on.

My thoughts turned to Jaime. If she wanted to talk alone I should probably send him somewhere for a while. Just then I remembered something. I'd been meaning to go to the grocery store for a while now. I'd even written a list.

I moved to my bedroom closet where my purse was sitting. I dug through it until I found a folded-up piece of paper with a list of groceries. Glancing the list over, I decided to add a couple more things. It would keep him out a little later so Becca and I could have more time. I grabbed a pencil and jotted the items down before folding it back up and heading back out to the kitchen where Jaime's fit form was waiting. I stepped up to the kitchen table where he was sitting, typing away on his laptop, and cleared my throat.

"Hey." He smiled, hands freezing on the keyboard.

"Hey. I have a big favor to ask...I've been meaning to go to the grocery store for a while now and with the attacks and everything...I was wondering...if you would go for me?" I batted my eyelashes at him and blushed shyly. I'd never asked him for a favor before. I wasn't sure what he'd say.

His smile just grew until his whole face lit up. "Of course! But you'll owe me..." He trailed off with raised eyebrows and a sweet smile on his face.

My blush deepened. "What do you want?" I licked my dry lips nervously and caught his eyes drawn there, watching my mouth intently until he drew his eyes back up to my gaze.

"A kiss." My mouth popped open in surprise. I wasn't expecting that. But, after thinking it over for a second, it was not unreasonable. And I kind of wanted to, if I was being honest.

"Alright." I answered, nervously smiling back.

He stood up, magnetic gaze drawing me in. In a flash he was in front of me, drawing my face up to his gently with his hand on my chin. He smiled, studying my face for a second, then leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips, hesitating only the briefest of seconds before pulling away. Despite the innocent feeling of the kiss, my cheeks blushed hard.

He smiled. "So, do you have a list for me?" He held his hand out expectantly.

"Oh...yeah. Here you go. Thank you." I said earnestly. He turned before he was out the bedroom door and gave me a wink.

"No, thank you. Any opportunity to kiss you is reason to be thankful."

My cheeks heated up again and I was sure I looked like a tomato. I heard his footsteps down the hall, then the clinking of keys. I sagged onto my bed in relief once I finally heard the door shut. Wow. That man was going to kill me. He was so sweet!

Of course, there was another man who had kissed me with just as much sweetness. Ugh, no! I mentally yelled as the memory of Will kissing me flashed into my mind. Nope, no, no, no. I don't need him. I don't want him. I don't even know him anymore. I chanted to myself, hoping to rid myself of his presence in my mind.

"Annalee? You here?" Becca's voice startled me. I must have been so caught up in my thoughts I didn't hear her come in.

"Yeah, coming!" I called back. I walked back down the hall toward her. On second thought..."I don't remember giving you a key, did Jaime leave the door unlocked--" I trailed off as I saw who was standing next to her. Will.

"Hey Annie."

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