Chapter dedicated to...

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I SPENT ALL day with Ian. Well, not all day but from when we skipped school, time flew by and we weren't aware of it. We talked about common and unimportant things. We kissed... a lot, on different spot. With all legs we almost walked around the entire woods population, if that's even possible. And finally, he escorted me home.

While I was Ian, I had no worries. I didn't think of what my mum and dad would do to me until our house came to view and Ian even noticed my tensed mood. He wanted to accompany me and take every blame for my late appearance but I vehemently decided against it. My mum would not be pleased. I might not even be in trouble yet but the moment she finds out I was with Ian, I'm dead. For some reason she sees him as 'bad company' and that beats me. She doesn't even know him. So he's different and new, so what? Everybody is innocent until proven guilty and Ian is the most innocent I've come across in my life.

"I'll be fine." I tell him, kissing his cheek before bounding away to our porch. I wave at him and then use my key on the front door, silently opening it up and going in.

Once I'm in, I rest my back on the closed door and wait for sounds but I hear none. However, the kitchen light is on so I know that no matter what, I'm not getting away with this.

On cue, my mother walks out of the kitchen, flicking on the living room lights and focusing her eyes on me. She has her glasses on but that does nothing to hide the glare. I sigh, no need to beat around the bush.

"Good evening ma."

"What's the time, Anna?" She asks in reply to my greeting. I quickly check the tiny wrist watch on my wrist.

"Thirty two minutes past eight pm."

"Anna, where have you been?"

I gulp, "I was out with a friend."

"Out with a friend?" She barks, "Anna--"

"Ma, my curfew's by 10. I don't see what the problem is." I - foolishly - fired back.

The glare intensified. I don't even know how that's possible. "So? Do you live alone? If you aren't going to come back at your usual time don't you deem it right to tell someone?!"

I almost cower back in fear. My mum's pretty terrifying. My eyes caught something by the stairs and when I look, its Ellie. I mentally sigh. I can't continue fighting with my mum in front of her. What example I'm I leaving behind?

"I should have called. I'm sorry." I apologized.

"Give me your phone." She demanded walking closer.

"What?" My eyes go wide. "I apologized and I didn't even stay past my curfew."

"Give me your phone, Anna!"

We enter into a glaring contest and I break down first, reaching into my bag and bringing out my phone. I shove it into her hand and she collects it, giving me a disapproving look.

"You'll get this when I see some changes. You skipped school today, didn't you?"

"Did not." I deny, my voice low and showing my clear anger.

"Go to your room and put a check on your behavior, else, I'll do much worse than take your phone."

I walk a few feet away, then roll my eyes. Much worse? I'm not some six year old that can be locked in their room for quiet time. I'm freaking seventeen and I can't even go out without my parents knowing my every move. Fuck my mum. I stomp up the stairs, taking note that Ellie wasn't hiding up here anymore. By the time I reach my room, I slump into my bed, burying my head in my pillow. Zoe comes in seconds later and jumps into the bed, snuggling up to me. Its like she knows I'm not happy.

I turn around burying my fry fingers into her long furs. "How was your mum like, Zo? Bossy and annoying?"

She moves her head and I sigh. "I bet your lucky you got away, right? I can't wait to go away too."

She barks in protest and I laugh.

"No, I won't leave you. I'll always be in your life, Zoe." She barks again and leans in, licking my face with her wet tongue. "Ew, Zoe, no."

Just then I hear something hit my window. Zoe and I go silent until another sound is heard. Zoe leaps off the bed, rushing to the window and barking at it. I get off my bed too and walk to my window. With a little hesitation, I pull up my blinds and then the glass frame, peering down below.

My heart skips a beat as I see the face and a sigh of relief escape. There on the ground is Ian. I smile at him and I see his mouth move but I don't hear him. I wave my hand negatively indicating that I can't hear him. He then brings out his phone and waves it at me and I in turn almost fly out my window while mouthing 'No, no to him.'

Ian frowns and disappears out of sight and I pout thinking he is gone but then I hear grunts and a groan and then I see him climbing up the roof. Our roof is one of the those roofs that are quite simple and easy to maneuver. I've left the house through the roof a couple times but I haven't mastered or tried climbing up it before. I guess Ian has no problem with that. His face appears a minute later and he climbs closer to me.

"Hi."

I laugh, he looks quite disheveled and is panting a bit. He runs his hand through his hair and groans.

"Damn, that was way easier in my head."

"I'm surprised you did that."

He winks, contradicting his words. "Piece of cake."

Just then Zoe starts barking and I have to crouch down to her. "Calm girl, shush. It's Ian, he's a friend." Zoe growls then walks away, hopping back into my bed and resting her head on my pillow. I sigh, returning back to Ian. "Sorry, she just suspicious of roof climbers."

"Duly noted."

"How did you even know that this was my room?" I ask raising a brow at him.

"I didn't. I hit the first room and a little girl, your sister directed me here."

"Really?" I laugh. "Must have been exciting."

"More like scary." He says then smiles, "I take it you escaped your mum's wrath in one piece."

I sigh, relaxing on the frame. "Not exactly. She took my phone."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. My mother just needs to chill."

"She's just looking out for you."

I roll my eyes. "She's overdoing it."

"If so, then she doesn't know it."

I smile at him, "Can you just be a normal teen and agree on my overbearing mother?"

"Nope."

"You must be a grandpa then."

"Then you... a grandpa--"

"Don't say it." I cut him off with a smile. "Don't put that image in my head."

Ian smirks, "You started it."

We go silent and I just stare at his amazing eyes, beautiful features, wonderful lips, great hair, perfect brows and jawline. I look at him and I'm content. I can look at him all day, he's too good to be true.

Ian breaks the silence first, "I've gotta go now."

And there goes my happiness.

"Stay." I hold unto the hem of his shirt childishly.

"I would love to but you know I can't."

"Why not? Zoe won't tell and you'll be out before anyone knows it."

He looks like he's gonna agree but then, "I can't. Its not exactly right and I can't risk putting you in more trouble."

"Ugh, why do you have to be such a good nerd?"

He smirks, "my charm." I smile and he leans in, kissing me. Its brief, too brief and I can tell that Ian feels the same because his eyes linger on my lips.

"Goodnight, Roxanna."

"Goodnight."

I doubt he hears me, he's already jumping down and taking off. I close my window, a tight feeling in my chest like I'm gonna cry. But then I remember today and I'm smiling again. I was his first kiss. I jump into my bed narrowly missing Zoe's tail but she still growls at me.

My finger touch my lips and my eyes flutter shut as I relive every kiss in my head. I've never felt anything like this. And to think that I'm his first. How's he so good? Okay, he bit my lip once and burned in embarrassment while apologizing while I saw it as a turn on. I would going crazy and he couldn't see it.

I don't know what this is but it comes close to falling in love.

I'm falling for someone I barely know. I've got to fix this.

**

"You can't start getting in trouble." Christine says.

I huff, "Why not? My phone is gone. That's like most important."

"Your freedom? Soccer?"

"No one can stop me from soccer." I state, even my mum knows that.

"What about grounding? You can't afford that." She says again.

"Why not? I'll get time to sleep and read novels." And Ian can sneak in.

"Because of the party coming up?" Jamie speaks, dropping the diet magazine she was reading through down on the green grass.

"What party?"

Christine smirks knowing that she finally got me and my common sense. Jamie proceeds to elaborate. "The town's Halloween Party."

My eyes lit up immediately. "When is this and why I'm I just hearing about this?"

"Because you've been too busy with the new tattooed bad boy." Christine says.

Bad boy? Ha.

"He has a name, ya know." I fire back at her hand she raises her hand in surrender.

"It's on Friday at the town hall. We're all going right?"

"Duh." I say and Christine groans.

"You guys go. I don't want to."

"Not going is not an option." I tell her, then stick my hand out, palm facing the ground. "Shopping after school?"

"Yes." Jamie says smiling as she places her hand over mine. We all turn to Christine and after much eye persuasion, she finally rests her hands on mine.

"And... It's a date."

**

We all pile into my car as we make our way to the mall. I don't like shopping much but once in a while, it can be quite refreshing. What I do like is a party. The town always makes sure to throw one of the best parties at least once in a year and if its at the hall then you know its gonna be epic. Halloween isn't my favourite holiday but I love it nonetheless. I get to be anything I want to be. Anyhow I want it. The party is mainly for teenagers and young adults. Children get their own party hosted by different parent slash family.

"Do you think we three should dress alike?" Christine asks.

"Depends on what the costume is." I say tearing my eyes away from the mini black dress I was eying, to her.

Christine smiles and gestures to three outfits that looked alike. Mac burgers on one shirt, fries on the other and shake on the third. A whole meal. I squeeze my eyes at them contemplating what to say and how to say it but Jamie helps me out.

"No, no." She shakes her head. "Never gonna happen."

I shoot Christine a sheepish smile and she groans, rounding the corner to go check others.

"Wait," I start, "are we going together or getting dates?"

Christine walks back to view. "I don't have a date."

"Yet." I add and she rolls her eyes.

"I'm not gonna have any and I don't want one."

"Me too." Jamie says then they both turn to me, awaiting my reply.

I gulp and shift my eyes between them. "I... I want to invite someone."

Christine groans and Jamie looks away. I sigh. "Does that make me a bad friend, now?"

Christine smiles, "No, it makes you a girl who's falling in love. Fast."

"So you're okay with me inviting someone?" I ask hopefully, purposely ignoring her comment. She may be right and that's scary.

"Sure just because J and I have no romantic life doesn't mean you should have none too." Christine says and I hug her.

"Have you invited Ian yet?" Jamie asks.

I didn't say Ian, I said someone.

"No." I answer and then reach into my bag for my phone. Dang it, I have no phone. "J, give me your phone please."

She puts in her lock then hands it to me. I search up Ian's name and then dials it. Then I walk away from my best friends prying eyes. Ian picks up on the third ring.

"Don't tell me, I forgot the key again?"

I smile, "okay, I won't tell you."

The other line goes silent and I bite my lip in anticipation. Would he know its me?

"Roxanna." He says and my body shivers. I've never been this in love with my name.

I chuckle, "how did you know?"

"You should different from Jamie. I know your voice."

"Awww."

I can imagine him rolling his eyes. "I know you didn't call just to test my hearing ability."

"Nope, I called to invite you to the Halloween party on Friday."

"I can't come."

My smile drops, "why not?"

"I'm out of town till Monday."

"What? Where did you go?"

"Somewhere."

Vagueness, of course.

"Is this somewhere far?"

"Not really."

"Then you can come, just for the party. When it's over, you can go back."

"Roxa--"

"Is it possible?"

"Yes, but--"

"Ian, come on. It'll be totes fun and I can not, not see you until freaking Monday. I'll desiccate."

What? You can't say that Anna, you sound desperate.

The line remain silent and I'm burning rare patience.

"Fine."

I grin, "You'll be here?"

"I'll try." He says and I can hear the smile on his voice.

"Should I keep a costume for you?"

"Please don't."

I laugh, "See you then."

"Bye."

The call ends and I place the phone to my chest, sighing with a painful smile on my face. However I was pulled out of my reverie by three very familiar laughter's, two standing out the most.

I hurried back out to where I left the girls and just as I guessed, the Evelyn's were standing right there.

This would not be pleasant.

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A party?! And drama.

What do you think of Anna's fight with her mother? Ever had a fight or disagreement like that? And on your perspective, is she a bad friend? Is she being clingy on Ian? Where do you think 'somewhere' is?

Thoughts?

Vote and comment.