139Anna Ferland had always loved the water. She had loved history and talking to all of the old-timers down on the boardwalk. She was positive of that. She was also positive that she hated Connor O'Hanley and his stupid Irish accent. He not only thought he was God's gift to women, but that he had the divine right to sleep with every one of them too. Fortunately, (at least this was something Anna reminded herself), high-school was over, she was free to go to college – far away from Connor and the very stupid antics of her so called "peers".
Perhaps to understand Anna and her extreme dislike of her peers, one should know her history. After all, she had been orphaned at the impressionable age of six and one half years and sent to live two streets down at her Great Aunt Rosaline's home, which undoubtedly set her apart from the other spoiled yuppies of the town.
However, the good life that Anna had managed to find after her parents' accident was cut short two days after her eighteenth birthday. Her great aunt died in her sleep, peacefully – with no pain at all, and left Anna alone.
Never married and thus never having children, as Rosaline was far too religious, Anna inherited everything her family had to offer - which for one little lady, was a lot. To say the least, Anna was devastated and the legal papers and bank accounts were of no use to console her.
Being the sole heir to an unexpected 5.2 million dollars made Anna nervous for weeks – what was she supposed to do with all of it? Once she settled back into her parents' house – a three story white clapboard Victorian that overlooked the water, she sold her Great Aunt's home to a lovely couple relieved to be away from the bustle of New York City. Almost immediately afterwards Anna consulted with a city banker and decided to lock most of the money from her inheritance and selling her Aunt's house to collect a hefty interest.
With the money behind her and her focus on her usual summer tasks now that school was over and college loomed over head, Anna soon found herself enjoying the commotion of her boat yard as she sanded and painted one of her boats while she wasn't packing and buying college supplies.
Sooner than expected, the time to pack up camp and move her belongings into a dorm room arrived and Anna started her schooling at a university four hours away from her town up north in college town similar to that of her own, and occasionally drove down to escape the noisy dorm, the bad food and to check up on the house.
As if answering her prayers, the year ended and Anna was back home in mid-May until early September and things were running smoothly, already she had her old routine back in use.
It was three o'clock and usually Anna would have run home for lunch hours before, but she had uncovered the need for a new steering cable for her mid-sized power boat and spent the whole day ripping the blasted thing from the boat.
The crunch of gravel under her car's tires was soothing to Anna as she drove into her drive way behind her house. As she opened her refrigerator and caught sight of its nearly empty state she swore, settling for a handful of peanuts, a stick of celery and some homemade iced tea. She clutched the cup and peanuts and headed for her porch.
Once seated in the white rocking chair, Anna started shelling her peanuts debating whether or not she would go grocery shopping after her so called lunch or before her supper.
Typical of Anna, she was walking back towards the kitchen when she caught sight of the dock partitions she had propped up on saw horses to be painted. She frowned, I've really got to get that done...
She dropped her shells into the rubbish basket concealed in the kitchen's island counter setting and brought her half imbibed iced tea with her out to the dock partitions.
Within three hours, the air having since cooled dramatically and the light waning more and more with each passing minute, Anna sighed; draping a cloth over the paint can before she banged it shut with a nearby hammer. She meticulously cleaned up; placing her paint and cleaned brush back in their designated places in the spacious barn which she used one side for her car.
As she trudged back towards the house, her flip-flops making distinct marks in the grass, Anna wiped her sweaty brow, anxiously awaiting her shower to rid herself of the sticky dirt, dust and paint that had collected onto her body.
She paused only to get a chilled glass of water before a nice hot shower, which allowed just enough time for the doorbell to chime, forcing Anna to answer.
Scowl in place, hair a mess, and her left hand clenching the glass of water, Anna stomped to the door and groaned as she opened the door.
"Don't tell me you're lost."
There he was, all six feet four inches and 180 pounds – just like the senior tri-captain all-star section in their high-school year book said he was - except, Anna noted, he looked older, but certainly not wiser, she smugly thought as he smiled a smile that had swept countless girls into his bed – but no, not her- not Anna Ferland.
"Now Anna," Connor continued, smiling toothily, "We've been apart all this time, and that's how you greet me?" He clucked his tongue.
Anna glared, "Firstly, it's only been a year – a very nice one at that," She added venomously, "And secondly," Her eyes narrowed even further and Connor's smile dropped into a serious expression, "The last thing you ever said to me was good riddance after you nearly ran me over in the school parking lot so you can't expect me to be nice to an asshole."
Connor pulled a face and waved her aside as he barged into the foyer, Anna gaping after him, "That's all in the past, Anna... can't you move on?"
Anna briefly considering dumping her glass of water on him, but then thought better of it as he might turn it into some sexual innuendo – the last thing she wanted. "You made my life a living hell for twelve years, Connor." Anna stated at last.
Connor turned around to face her, "We both know that's not true, Anna." He then promptly turned around, in what he guessed was the direction of the kitchen talking as he walked, ignoring her protests.
"Where are you going?!" Anna cried, following after him.
"Now if you'd listen, Anna." Connor said, arriving at the kitchen, "You'd know that I have a great idea that involves you – and for once I think you'd agree."
"I most certainly will not!"
"And," He plodded over Anna's words as he rummaged through the empty fridge, "Its something you just can't turn down."
"Connor!" She snapped as he started maneuvering through her cabinets, grabbing her peanuts, "Get out!"
"What?" He asked innocently, sitting himself down on one of the stools, "I'm perfectly serious about this you know."
"Connor just go." Anna pointed back the way they had come to the front door.
"Why?" He asked through a mouthful of peanuts, commenting further, "You know, you should go grocery shopping..."
Anna screwed her eyes shut as she yelled, "Connor O'Hanley!"
"What?" He asked again.
"I am tired! I am hungry – I hate you and I really would like to shower!" She roared.
Connor paused, wondering if she really did hate him but then said, "Yeah, I was going to ask you about that... you look a little dusty."
Anna screeched and pointed towards the door again as she said, "You are leaving and I am going to shower! Good bye!" She huffed.
Connor shrugged taking the bag of peanuts with him, "Suit yourself." He muttered as Anna slammed the front door behind him, stomping up the stairs audibly cursing him as she ascended.
Once she was finished, thoroughly refreshed and much calmer, she wrapped a towel around herself and decided to dress for the grocery store and buy food later, she was starving anyways and she knew she'd be worn down after a couple more meals of peanuts and celery.
She settled for an old pair of red sweatpants and a black thick strapped tank top, her brown hair sloppily up in a bun as she bounced down the stairs. She grabbed her car keys from the dish in the hall way and was about to walk into the kitchen where she had left the money when out of the corner of her eye she caught movement from the front porch.
As she inched closer to the glass windows on either side of the front door she watched, gaping, as another peanut shell bounced onto the porch floor. Hoping she was dreaming, she waited for it to happen again and sure enough, it did.
With a shriek of indignation, Anna tore open her front door and pushed the screen door out of her way as she pivoted to the right to see Connor rocking in one of her white rocking-chairs.
"God damnit!" She cried, "You have never ever understood the concept of 'no'!"
"Well, if you'd listened in the first place," He said, standing up to his full height and brushing off his pants, "I wouldn't have had to wait so bloody long and you," He said slowly, "Wouldn't have to deal with me."
Anna noted that his accent had turned into a low drawl, a sign he was becoming irritated and this greatly improved her mood, though her choice of words did not show it, "I don't care what you're offering, Connor! Leave me the hell alone!"
She stormed back inside to the kitchen grabbing her money and proceed to storm all the way back out to the front porch, locking the front door behind her and marching to her car, all the while Connor following her,
"Where are you going?"
"Out, Connor." Anna hissed through clenched teeth as she unlocked the driver's side to her blue SUV.
Connor thought better of grabbing her by the wrists and settled for calling out as he backed up towards his car, "We'll talk about this later, Ferland – when you have time."
Anna mumbled under her breath as she left Connor standing in her driveway, unnecessarily speeding towards the center of town.
An hour or so later, after grocery shopping, Anna pulled into the parking lot on the water's edge and began walking quickly on the boardwalk, water lapping at the wooden posts down below as the moon cast its grey glow over the ocean.
She breathed deeply, this is home, feeling pleasantly relaxed as she neared one of the boardwalk's popular hangouts for the town – no matter the age, to pick up her prepared dinner.
Anna bumped the door open with her hip, a refreshing warm breeze floating past her as she walked towards the counter, the background noise a decent banter considering the large crowd.
As she neared the counter she groaned, oh my god – I don't believe this! It's like he's planned it all out! She steeled herself as headed towards the register at the counter, away from the corner where Connor and his buddies were all seated.
She held her breath as Connie, the middle-aged waitress smiled at her, "Anna! So good to have you back! You ordered the usual right – salad, clam cakes and chowder?"
"Yep." Anna forced her usual good manner, intent on ignoring Connor – which was going rather well while Connie was there.
"I'll go get that for you, it should be ready – I'll kill Ben if its not." She threatened her older brother, as the restaurant had always been run by their family, as she headed towards the kitchens.
Anna teetered back and forth on her heels as she waited nervously, hoping Connor – if he had seen her - would just ignore her. Sadly, Connie brought back the news that she would have to wait for the order to finish up and it would be ready in a few minutes.
Managing a weak smile, Anna sat herself down on the stool right next to the register and determinedly stared the place setting already lain out for another customer. She thought she was nearly in the clear as Connie swung back behind the counter.
"I'll bring it right out for you, sweetie – just give me two seconds to put it in the bag for you..."
"Great, thanks Connie." Anna replied automatically just as a shriek erupted from her left.
"Anna Ferland?!" The voice questioned, causing Anna to groan and shrink down, "Oh my gosh!" It continued, "How have you been?!"
Anna steeled herself for a conversation with Jackie Saunders – the most hyperactive, cheerleader and student council president she'd ever known. "Hi Jackie." Anna sighed, turning around.
"I haven't seen you in like, forever." Jackie blinked, her jaw jutting out as she enunciated her last word.
"Its only been a year." Anna stated dryly.
"I know that!" Jackie laughed, hands on her hips, a huge smile on her face and her ponytail swishing back and forth, "How long have you been back – and by the way," She interrupted herself, "You look fabulous, have you lost weight?"
"Uh, I haven't -." Anna began to say but Connor shouted from the corner.
"Jackie, my favorite girl – how's about we hang out tonight?"
Jackie half turned, a radiant smile as she bashfully – but coyly said, "Connor O'Hanley – I've already told you, you silly boy – I can't. I've already got plans."
Anna set her jaw, annoyed how Connor managed to make her feel invisible and unwelcome all at once by merely acknowledging Jackie and ignoring her... he was so shallow – what did it matter anyways?
Jackie turned back to Anna, adjusted the ribbon in her hair, whispering lowly, "Isn't he just adorable? You know," She continued at a rapid fire pace, causing Anna to blink, "I've always thought you two would be like, so perfect together."
"What?" Anna choked, her eyes bulging.
"Yeah – you know!" Jackie continued, "High school sweethearts or something... anyways," She continued not missing a beat, "I saw Marion Fischer at the mall yesterday and she definitely gained the freshman fifteen which is like so tragic because she could have been like so perfect for one of the guys."
Anna was feebly following the conversation and stared at her dinner now sitting on the counter, begging her to take her home and to be eaten, forcing Anna to think of something to excuse herself, because not only did she not remember who Marion Fischer was, but she was starving. "Isn't your dinner getting cold?"
"What?" Jackie began but then caught on, smacking Anna on the arm as she laughed, "Oh you are so funny – it's a salad, no dressing. So it's totally fine."
Anna mimicked Jackie sarcastically as Jackie's gaze drifted back to Connor. Anna nearly gagged as Jackie winked and then blew him a kiss, asking her, "Isn't he just perfect?"
Anna tilted her head, unsure of how to answer, "That depends..." She grabbed her back of food to go and stood, awkwardly saying, "Well, I've got to go."
Jackie frowned briefly, "You can totally eat with us." She gestured at the table of cronies now seated at Connor's table and Anna blanched.
"Oh no," Anna tried to sound upset, "I can't – I've got groceries in the car that have to go in the fridge..."
"Bummer," Jackie pouted, and then brightened as predicted by Anna, "Well we will totally have to talk later! Tee-tee-why-elle, Anns!" Jackie drawled, sauntering back to her table, leaving Anna to clutch her dinner and car keys and walk horrified – back to her car.
Did Jackie Saunders just say T-T-Y-L to me? Did she just call me "Anns"? Oh – My – God, Anna thought bursting out of the restaurant, the laughter from Connor's table drifting out from the windows and behind Anna on the boardwalk.
Tomorrow, Anna sighed to herself as she drove home, will be much better. At least I hope it will...
About thirty to forty minutes later, Connor slowly drove by Anna's house. He was alone, thankful for the silence and to be free from Jackie Saunders and her piercing fake laughter. He squinted in the darkness, once or twice checking the road ahead of him and caught sight while peaking through the windows of Anna hunched over in the dinning room – perfectly lit, as Anna picked through her dinner, alone and quiet...
He could see well enough to see her as she sighed, dropping her fork down, her face utterly crestfallen and for a moment he wondered – what was she thinking about? And then: what would it be like – to be her?
He shook himself out of his reverie and momentary pity spree and accelerated to his house at the end of the road. He had better things to do than pity stupid people like Anna Ferland who thought they were smarter than everyone else – and besides he said to himself smugly, the boys want the beer I bought last week...
I figured I'd re-post the revision of the first chapter of this story so people can decide to follow it along or not as I update slowly - but surely and also, so that people can adjust to the character and minor plot changes. I hope you enjoy - I also apologize for any grammar errors - this was edited in haste and with minimal sleep.
I hope this will inspire others to update their stories as well. It seems October has been a poor month for updating.
- The .