I thought we were going to actually get something done in English, my fourth period class, but instead everyone’s eyes were on me. Some had expressions of disbelief and others looked like they wanted to ask a million questions and I didn’t have an answer for 999,998 of them. The only answers I could give was that I was in love with the girl and that I was quite alright with her putting William in his place. I kind of laughed to myself as I recalled the look of extreme horror on William’s face as he plummeted to the floor. Maybe I should not have felt so happy, but I had grown tired of the mighty songs and legends told in his honor.
His higher than thou attitude annoyed me for years and I thought that Susan was about to become his feminine equivalent in attitude and spite toward her fellow student. It never had occurred to me there was something else going on. I mean the rumors foretold he was a wonderful guy and the girls loved him. Perhaps they loved being around him and when he persisted, they either gave in or were forced to do whatever he wanted.
William lived a few blocks away from the school so it was possible they could leave in the middle of the day with, well, anyone I suppose. Go to his house and then come back before anyone knew they were gone. I tried to not think about it as the questions about Anna continued to the point that, now, everyone wanted to meet her. I had to force my way through the living walls in order to reach her.
Anna abruptly stopped in mid-sentence to someone and acknowledged me with a wave and a smile. The person she was talking to was Susan who was crying the entire time. I took a step back as they continued to talk.
“Thank you, I just…I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“You don’t hafta, but just don’t bottle it up and let it eat ya, right?”
“I was so stupid.”
Anna handed her books to me and then lead Susan away, down the hall, and to the restrooms. I turned back to the main hall, placed all of our books inside it and got my lunch out. I pondered sitting down and eating without her—as I had no idea how long she would be with Susan.
“Hey,buddy,” a guy tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned to see some one I did not really know. I knew he played football, as he had a letter jacket with multiple football insignias but exactly who he was, I had no idea.
“Can I ask you a question?” He asked with a quasi-grin on his face that was the sign of either a snarky comment or a punch was soon to follow.
“Okay.”
“Are you going out with her?” He looked to see if anyone was looking at us.
“Who are you talking about?”
“The chick who knocked William down.”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Thanks, man,” he replied and then walked away. I glanced down the hall and noticed a pack of students standing to the side of the door of the library. Three football players, two basketball guys and two girls and watching him walk back towards them. They reacted with some laughter and pointing down the hall. This caused letter-jacket guy to turn back at me and point. I hated being in the dark but I knew they wouldn’t answer any of my questions without making me kiss the floor like William had done two hours and ten minutes prior.

“I know I said a few things about her yesterday and I had thought worse two days earlier, but I felt there was a reason she was acting like that.”
I nodded.
“Fear. It makes us either wrap up in a shell or makes us fly off the handle. I’m not excusing her for what she said about you. Mama was right. Teenagers are the worst.”
“What about politicians?”
“Even worser,” Anna replied as she took a bit of a carrot stick.
“Did you want to go to the football game tonight?”
“Gonna be kind of cold, ain’t it?”
“We’ll probably freeze before the first quarter is over.’
“Oh, we could bring a blanket. Maybe two or one large one,” she said with a wink.
“It starts at seven thirty.”
“We can do that. We can take Wendy home, eat some supper amend then come back. Sound good?”
“I like it,” I replied as I took ahold of her hand. “There is one thing.”
“Hmm?”
“Someone asked me if I was going out with you.”
“And what did you tell him?”
I wondered if I had jumped the gun a bit. I mean, we were sitting together, we had kissed a few times and all and we were going to sit together with one blanket. I still felt, however, like it wasn’t official. We had feelings for one another, but I still felt there was something stopping me from completely opening up to her.
“Yes.”
“My turn to ask you something.”
“Fire away.”
“You gotta answer me, honestly.”
“Cross my heart,” I replied.
“If I was the worst cook in the world, would you still eat whatever I put in front of you?”
“Yes.”
She nodded, paused and closed her eyes before responding. “I will take that as we’re official.”
“I agree,” I said I laid my head against the locker.
“Hot damn,” Anna replied as she reached over and kissed my cheek.