On Ancient Ground

Just another day in paradise

The alarm went off like it usually did and Anna got out of bed. She went to the mirror, brushed her teeth, and then stopped. She looked hard at her reflection and then to her neck. "no, oh no." she said. She took a cloth and rubbed at her neck hard and it wouldn't come off. "no no no no no." She tried again. Jackson had left her with a hickey. It wasn't going to go unnoticed.

Scrambling to get ready and make the bus stop on time she grabbed all she could and headed out the door, happy that everyone was already gone for the day. She ran to the stop and managed to get there before her best friend, Dawna. Pulling out her phone she messaged Jackson.

-You marked me. You marked me like someone would do a cow or pig. I am not livestock. As if you would do this to me?- Send.

It didn't take long for a reply.

-Hey, you got me worse I am sure. I had to try to explain to my dad why I have a hickey the size of Canada on my neck. I don't think he believes a football hit me in the neck.-

Anna was now fuming. It wasn't the same at all.

-You can get away with a hickey on your neck. They will think some hot girl from the cheerleading squad did it. I will get teased and picked on. I didn't even kiss a boy before last night.-Send.

She gasped out loud and tried to figure out how to unsend it but it was too late. Dawna walked up to her at that exact time.

"Hey, having phone trouble?" She asked.

Anna looked at her. "Um.... yeah, you know tech. It works when it wants too." Anna put the phone in her pocket.

Dawna went on about the usual, handed her the smoothie of the day, and the bus ride went on as planned. When they got off the bus Anna felted the familiar push from the blonde-haired girl, but this time she managed to save the smoothie.

"Nice hickey, did the Vaccum do a good job?!" The girl taunted and her friends laughed.

Anna sighed and closed her eyes, but suddenly she felt a hand around her waist that sent shivers down her spine and a voice that made her stiffen.

"I think it is my best work." Jackson was there. Dawna looked shocked, confused, and her jaw was on the ground at what was happening. The girls including the blonde looked confused and now had all attention focused on Jackson.

"What are you doing?" Anna looked at Jackson.

"I am not going to let them hurt you anymore if I can help it. And this I know I can do." Jackson pulled Anna forward and kissed her. The world went silent. And in that moment she dropped the smoothie, her back pack and put her arms around his neck without thinking.

Everyone looked at them in awe. When they finally broke apart the bell rang. Jackson picked up her bag and handed it to her. "You shouldn't have to put up with that stuff. There is no shame in us." Anna looked at him and nodded. Us. There was an us.

Dawna grabbed Anna's arm and pulled her toward the school so fast it almost snapped off. "You better tell me everything."