On Ancient Ground

What does he see in me?

Anna had managed to make it home and to her room without anyone else seeing her. Her brother was at T-ball so her dad was with him. Anna's mother had died when her brother James was born. For the most part that left Anna ignored. Her dad just didn't know how to raise a girl so he spent most of his energy on her brother. And that was okay with Anna. She was old enough when everything happened that she knew how to take care of herself. She knew how to do the chores and get herself back and forth to school from where they lived. They had a small house, it wasn't much but it was nice compared to the other places around them.

Anna flopped on her bed and looked at the ceiling. By this time of the evening she would have already finished most of her homework, hand something to eat, did her chores, and be likely gaming. But here she laid, on the bed, thinking about Jackson. Up until this point she had never thought of Jackson more than a hot jock. Someone out of her circle and completely out of her league. But after today, after what he said, she was confused and didn't know what to think.

She sat up when she heard her phone buzz. It was a message through her social media account from Jackson. What was with this guy? She looked at the phone a minute before reading it.

- Look, I am sorry about today. I didn't mean to freak you out or anything.-

She looked at the message for a long time before she finally managed enough courage to write back.

-I just don't get it-

She sent it and then continued without meaning to. She just felt like this was easier than speaking face to face.

-why would you want someone like me? you have all those girls to look at. Just feels like you want to play a joke or something-

When she hit enter she thought a second before a final message slipped from her fingers.

-please don't think i am trying to be rude. I just feel like i need to protect myself-

Three dots started to move which meant he was typing. Then a message appeared.

-I get it. People are mean. But I like you. Can we talk. I find this messaging stuff hard.-

She didn't know what to say. She bit her lip a bit before the next message.

-ok. what about you call me...I don't like phones but i can try-

She hit send and waited as the three dots flickered.

-why don't I come over?-

She tossed the phone on the bed and stood up. This guy wanted to come to her house. What was happening here? This was almost too much in a day. She paced the room. The phone lit up again. She walked to it and peered down.

-????-

She sighed and sat down. What would she say? Then she saw the phone light up again.

-I don't live far from you. If you don't want me to come there, you can come here-

Now, this was a shock. Anna never knew of anyone other than her best friend who lived near her. They were in a poor section of town that was not the safest. You didn't dare go out at night and that was part of the reason why she went with her best friend everywhere. It was likely the reason they became friends. Safety in numbers.

-ok- She typed back.

-Okay, what?- Jackson quickly responded.

-You can come here but don't be weird about it.-

-Okay, I will be at your window in like five-

Anna looked at the phone. Window? Why not use the front door? She shook her head.

-Just use the front door-

No response. She looked around her room quickly. What had she gotten herself into? Was he going to look at her room and think she was lame? Everything screamed nerd. Gaming posters, black bed covers, nothing made it even look as though she was a girl. Then something hit her harder. What did she look like? She ran to the mirror and cringed, she looked tired and done for the day. She hurried and pulled a brush through her hair just in time to hear a knock at the window.