Today’s plan couldn’t have been more perfect. It had been a while since our last proper conversation, maybe she just needed someone to talk to.
I felt bad that I hadn’t been in the house much. I’d been trying to give Anastasia some space after the events of last week. I thought the ‘surveillance’ room and the kiss might have pushed her faster than she was ready to move. Maybe not considering the last time I saw her she was fine, and then I ruined it by snapping at her and storming off like a prepubescent child.
Had she been rethinking things? Was her newfound attitude the result of me pushing her away?
I didn’t have the answers, but I suddenly couldn't wait to go shopping.
I waited for Anastasia by the truck after knocking on her door five minutes prior. She came out wearing a plain t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts that I found much too distracting to be worn in public. I managed to keep my opinions to myself not working to worsen her seemingly already bad mood.
I climbed behind the driver's seat as she slammed her door. Oh, this would be a long drive. Maybe spending time with her right now wasn’t such a smart move on my part.
My indicator flickered as I pulled into the intersection. Something in my rearview mirror caught my eye. I was sure I’d seen that SUV a few miles back. I turned as an opening came and watched it follow. Immediately I made another sharp turn down one of the side streets and punched the gas. After making another few turns, I felt confident that I’d lost our tail.
What the fuck was that?
It could’ve very well been nothing. But my gut told me differently, it told me to worry. For the time being, as to not stress out Ana, I had to put it out of my mind. I focused on driving while keeping a sharp eye out for the tail.
So far, I thought the outing had been a success. I still had no idea what was going on with Anastasia, but she seemed to have mellowed out. No longer agitated, I thought maybe it was the fresh air and change of scenery that had helped. I wasn’t fooling myself into thinking it was my company that she enjoyed.
I’d followed her around, letting her take complete control over where we went. It had mainly been clothes shops, which had thoroughly bored me. After the first three shops, I felt confident in the little routine we’d developed. I kept my distance as I followed her around the shop, I sat and waited for her as she tried on clothes. Along with a bunch of other poor schmucks, clearly waiting for their daughters or spouses.
And then, Anastasia would claim that she didn’t like anything she tried on. As she handed her clothes over to the store assistant, I would speak to the cashier about wrapping up everything and having them delivered.
Anastasia would be so pissed when she got home to find everything she’d touched had materialized. But if this was the only thing I could do for her right now, you could damn well bet I was going to do it. Besides, I imagined arriving home empty-handed after a day out at the shops couldn’t be much fun. It’s almost as much fun as going to a restaurant and not eating.
Speaking of which, “Want to grab a bite to eat?”
It was nearing one o’clock and my stomach had started to make me aware of its emptiness about ten minutes ago. She still hadn’t spoken out about what was on her mind so maybe a pit stop would help. Who could possibly sit through a meal and not talk?
The only person that sprung to mind, was someone who was on their own.
I let Anastasia lead the way around the food court and over to the queue for a sandwich bar. Simple and unexpected but I wasn’t picky. When we were called, we ordered, I paid, and we moved over to a table close by. “This better be good, I’ve never eaten here before.”
“You’re kidding, right. Subway is a massive chain. It’s hard to believe that you’ve managed to avoid their yummy goodness all your life.”
“It’s true.”
“Well, in that case, you’ve been seriously deprived and you’re gonna love it. The meatball marina is my favorite.” She wore a wide grin as she took a big bite of her sandwich. I did the same and had to agree with her statement. It was a good sandwich.
“Did I tell you, or did I tell you? Huh?”
“It’s good.” My admittance made her smile another cheesy grin.
I was just glad to see her smiling again. I decided to take a chance, I knew the risks of it coming back to bite me in the ass were high but it was now or never. “Are you going to finally tell me what was bugging you this morning?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.” Anastasia huffed while rolling her eyes. She slurped down her drink as I sat befuddled. I sat silently with my eyebrows furrowed as I tried to unpuzzle her words.
“Oh for pete's sake,” She slammed her cup back down on the table, deciding to take pity on me. “I got my period, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Call me stupid, but I was still missing the issue. From my limited understanding, periods started at a young age and were a monthly occurrence. “And?”
“It’s just earlier than expected, so I had some awkward explaining to do when Heather came to change my sheets this morning.”
“That’s it?”
“Is that not enough?” She sassed while balling up her sandwich wrapper.
“I was concerned, that’s all.”
“Well, thank you for your concern, but there’s nothing to be concerned about.”
“Okay. Are you ready to go?” I wait for her to nod before standing and walking our rubbish over to the bin.
“Where to next?” I plastered a grin across my face as I let her take the lead. We continued walking, circling back around. Ana paused outside of a store window inspecting the well-dressed mannequins.
“Shit,” I mumbled as I noticed a guy that strikingly resembled the driver of the SUV. I couldn’t have been sure…and then his jacket wavered, flashing me a glimpse of his hidden holster.
Fuck. How could he have possibly found us?
“Ana, shh.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the store we had stopped outside of. I rushed through to the back, dragging Anastasia behind me. I was trying to think.
“What the hell is your problem? One minute you’re nice to me and the next you’re telling me to shut up. What the actual fuck is that about?”
“We’ll discuss this when we get home.” I tried to convey the urgency through my tone but I had an idea from the look on her face that she wasn’t having any of that. She went to storm off but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to me. I had a very good feeling I wasn’t off the hook, but she could do all the yelling at me she wanted as soon as she was safe.
“And I didn’t say ‘shut up’, now did I? You really think I’d need to use that unjust language to get you to do what I want.”
“No, you would just threaten me, or someone I love instead.”
“Watch it,” I whispered, narrowing my eyes at her.
“What the hell are we doing? I thought we were going home?”
“We’re being followed.” Finally, something that shut her up. I supposed if I’d had led with that, she might’ve been more inclined to follow my lead into the fitting rooms. I shoved her into a cubical and followed suit before pulling the curtain.
Every minute felt like a hundred. Being pressed up against her in the small cubicle had me suddenly thinking of my grandmother, of Zedd being pantsed at the beach as a kid, of the first day I got Achilles. Anything to stop the rush of blood that was heading south. She was doing things to me and while the train may be slowing down, he wasn’t stopping. Her body was too powerful. She was a siren without knowing it.