On Ancient Ground

Let's all go to the ball game

Anna against all better judgment decided to go as Jackson asked. She told Dawna that she was doing extra credit music work just so she could ditch her. Dawna took the bait and left straight after school. Anna had spent the better part of half an hour looking at herself in the bathroom mirror before going to the track field.

Her skin was pale from being inside mostly. Her hair was a mess of fluff after a fight with the hairbrush this morning, and she didn't fit in with what the other girls looked like at all. Why was this guy being nice to her?

When she got to the track she sat up towards the top. Jackson saw her. How did she know? He waved at her and drew every eye in her direction. This included the girl who had bumped her arm at the bus stop today. Great Anna thought, just great.

She watched the players run around and do warm-ups. She didn't exactly know what to do. So after about an hour of watching she pulled out a book to read. It wasn't until she felt the slight drip of water fall on her head that she looked up to see an unshirted Jackson looking down at her. Anna closed her book with a slap.

Jackson smiled as he took a drink from his water bottle. "You are the only girl I have ever known who read a book while I was running around."

Anna stuck the book in her bag and looked back up at him. "I don't know what you wanted me to come here to do. I honestly am very confused. Did you need help with a paper or tutoring?" She blurted it out before she could stop herself.

Jackson smirked and sat down on the bench beside her. "You thought I needed homework help?"

Anna nodded. "I don't know what else you would need?"

Jackson sighed. "I saw a pretty girl get off the bus today and I thought, hey, look at her. She isn't rude and isn't trying to impress people. She has actual books and even an actual friend. I thought to myself, she would be a nice person to get to know."

Anna by this time felt horrible. She had totally misjudged him. "I..." She blushed and looked down, picking up her bag. "I am really sorry." She started to walk away when she felt him grab her hand.

"It's okay. I just want to get to know you."

Anna pulled her hand back. "I gotta go." She took off down the stairs and away from the field. She didn't know what to say, do, think, act. This was weird to her. No guy had ever given her the time of day and suddenly this very hot, very popular person was all about that.

She ran to the bus stop and caught the next bus home. She needed time to think.