"So, Where to first?" Gemma asked, her dark blue eyes sparkling with trademark good humor. "Want to hit the mall, or go check out the guys at the beach?"
Selina, Anna's cousin, smiled slowly, jade eyes never changing from their usual calculating coldness. "Personally I'd say the beach. But it's Anna's big day." She looked at Anna. "What do you say, cous?"
What the hell, Anna thought. My birthday only comes once a year, better make the most of it. "The beach," she said aloud, grinning impishly.
"Watch out world, here we come!" Gemma crowed at the same time as Selina said, "Well, my baby cousin has finally grown up. Congrats, kiddo. This is going to be a blast."
Better enjoy this while you have the chance, a voice whispered in the back of Anna's mind, its tone full of cruel glee. You know you'll never see them again in real life.
SHUT UP!!! Anna commanded angrily. Let me have my peace. Just this once. JUST THIS ONCE!!!
Seeming to sense the change in her best friend's mood, Gemma frowned slightly. "You okay, Annie?" she asked, concerned.
"Yeah," Anna replied, "just drifted through the ozone. Let's go."
You know what happens next don't you? the internal voice prodded. You get Selina killed. They don't find out what kind of monster you are yet, but soon. VERY soon.
Please! Anna pleaded. Leave me alone. Just...just leave me alone.
Somewhere in the distance was the sound of sobbing.
Anna came awake suddenly, finding the pillow soaked with her own tears. It seemed that she could not escape the memories and resulting nightmares, not even here. She reached over and picked up a photograph of herself, Gemma, and Selina. It had been taken not two weeks before that fateful day. "I'm sorry, Selly," she whispered. "It really wasn't my fault. I swear it...I never wanted it to happen." Her tears flowed freely now.
The flash of sorrow and regret was shocking. Jean looked up from the newspaper she was reading suddenly, looking around for the source, sure the person had to be nearby, perhaps even right there in the kitchen with her. After a moment she realized that the person transmitting the emotions was the new girl, Anna. She was startled, having never thought the callous young woman capable of deep emotion. You can't have helped much, she told herself. Perhaps it was time to change that.
"It's Jean," came the reply.
"Go away," Anna said. "I want to be alone."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Jean said. "You need to talk to someone."
Anna sighed. First the woman avoided or ignored her, now she was trying to become her best friend. It made no sense. "If I wanted to talk, I would talk. I don't. Now please go away."
Jean sighed and walked off down the hall, heading to find someone who could possibly get through to Anna.
Questions? Comments? Criticisms? Email me at heavenlydiabla@rocketmail.com Flames will be met with firehoses that pump whipped cream. I swear it.