Chapter 1 - The Midnight Romance.

My hands were as cold as ice; my heart pounding fast; my stomach crunching and cold sweat trickling down my neck.

My body was telling me to scream but something made me hold back. I did not know what was wrong with me today. Maybe I’m just caught a cold. I needed some fresh air.

I got up from bed and rubbed my eyes. My eyelids felt so heavy. It was nearly impossible to open. The weird thing is, I’m not even sleepy. I just had a strong urge to get up.

I reached out my hands and made my way to the toilet, trying not to bump into anything.

Well that was impossible; I bumped into nearly everything that was in my way. All I could see was an immeasurable area of blackness that stretches beneath my eyelids.

I washed my face a few times, and finally I could see again. I checked the time, 11.42p.m. I changed into shorts, my favourite blue tee along with a plain, black jacket over it.

I decided to walk to my “secret hideout” nearby my house. It was at a hilltop; it was a beautiful place filled with green. There was a bench there. It would have been a great place for dating. Fortunately for me, no one really knew that place, so it would be a place just for me! I have been creeping out in the middle of the night to come to this place ever since I was very little. Well, it was safe; I guess, because I have been coming here all my life but I have never been harmed before.

Where I live is such a safe place pfft. The biggest case that happened here was that someone stole Mrs. Piers “babies”, a.k.a. her shoes. Big deal! So what if they’re Jimmy Choo’s! They are just shoes for goodness sake! Screw them!

The only disturbing thing was that I spotted a few couples making out there before. Yes, it was disgusting, but it rarely happened.

I made my way to my “secret hideout”. I crept out from my window and climbed onto a tree that is just next to my window. Well, I did this a thousands times, trust me it’s safe.

It was really dark. And yes, I’m trying my best, again, to not bump into anything and to get myself into the hospital and get hours of lecture from my dad and my over paranoid mother. Blah, it won’t happen and anyway I’m just crapping ; )

Oh goody I’ve finally reached my “secret hideout”. Wait, what was that. All I can see was a black figure standing next to the bench, and facing towards me. Eh, hello mister? The scenery is behind you.

But wait, he was not here for the fresh air or whatsoever. It seemed as if he was waiting for me.

OMG OMG, he’s walking towards me he’s walking towards me!! Run you monkey head!

Those words were screaming to me inside my head, but my legs could not move. It felt like trying to lift a stone that weighs 50tons!

He was right in front of me, about 3 feet away. We both stood there, silent. My heart was pounding,

“Work you stupid legs! Work with me here! C’mon!! Do you want this psycho freak to come so close to you?!"

Thank God, the white, pale moonlight was shining and at least I could see how Mister Intimidating looked like. He had dark coloured hair and laughing blue eyes; pale white skin. His body was well built.

“Oh whatever, he’s not that good looking."

“Hello,” he broke the silence. His gorgeous blue eyes sparkled.

“Er…He-ee-ll-lo,” Screw it! My teeth were chattering so hard I could not even talk!

“I’m Darren. You?” He flashed a wide smile and his white teeth sparkled; a dimple showed itself on his left cheek.

“Umm… I’m Anna,” oh thank God, my voice was steadier now. I could not help smiling back.

“You have a beautiful smile,” I blurted out.

“Shit shit shit, why did you say that! Screw you Anna! My face flushed red.”

“Hahaha. Thanks.” He chuckled.

”Hey, wanna sit down?

“No you psychopathic freak!!! You rapist! CREEPY GUY!!!!” I thought to myself.

“Sure,” okay I could not help it. Oh alright, I admit he was kinda cute; and charming!

We walked towards the bench and sat down in silence. I was starting to shiver again. Well yes, I admit; I have never dated a guy before in all these 16 years of my life. It was not that no one wanted me, it’s just that I did not want one. I remembered making a deal with one of my good friends, Gary that I would not get a boyfriend and he would not get a girlfriend until we were 16. But he is already 18 this year and we barely speak to each other already. I am not really sixteen yet. Well not till another 3 weeks and 5 days :)

“Erm…” Darren interrupted my thoughts.

Oh shit! I was too busy talking to myself I wasn’t listening to him at all. Oh crap. What am I going to say!? Omg.

“You do talk a lot to yourself for someone so young” he chuckled. My face was burning red. Worse than a raging inferno!

“Okay, that was embarrassing. BUT DON’T JUST SIT THERE! SAY SOMETHING!!!”

“Ehh…” okay that didn’t go as planned. “So where are you from? I’ve never seen you around here before.” I had to say something.

He smiled, “Europe.”

“Oh. Why did you come here? I love Europe. I’ve been there once before when I was seven. My dad’s friend had a wedding there and I went. Soooooo beautiful. I love the food, I love the language, I love the culture, I love the places! Oh, everything actually. I didn’t really appreciate it back then because I was still little and…” I stopped for awhile.

“Oh my gosh I’m talking too much. Sorry it’s just that I don’t talk much to but it seems that when there’s something I like, I just can’t stop talking. Sorry.”

My red cheeks were burning red.

He looked up at me in surprise, and chuckled, “No no, don’t stop. Its fun listening to you,” he smiled.

“It’s nice to actually know someone here. Go on, continue.”

I blushed. “So… how old are you?” changing the subject as soon as possible. Oh good, at least that wasn’t such a bad question. I sucked at making conversations.

“Seventeen this year. You?”

“Fifteen going sixteen in 3 weeks.” I smiled.

“Oh. What date is that?

“February the 14th . Valentine’s day. You?”

“Oh.” He raised his eyebrows.

“So does your boyfriend make a super big and bombastic party or surprise?” He emphasized on the word bombastic which was really funny. I couldn’t help laughing.

“Hey, what’s so funny!” and he smacked me on the head softly.

“Hey! Gentleman much?” well yes I was still laughing. Well, at least he laughed too.

“So… Which school do you go to?” Ok, he stopped laughing already so it should be my turn to stop. Omg I feel so lame.

“Kingsley Dale’s High. You just came right? Which school did you enroll for?” Well duh I was hoping he was in my school.

“No idea. I’ll just find out when I go tomorrow.”

“Right… awesome.” I rolled my eyes.

“Nice cover up. NOT! Ok this is pathetic. I’m talking to myself. Shit you Anna!”

“Oh, it’s already 12.04. Shouldn’t you be going home now?” he checked his watch.

“Erm… Maybe? I don’t feel sleepy.” Well, yes that was true, I enjoyed talking to a cute guy under the moonlight at a romantic hilltop.

“Maybe later.” I smiled at him and he winked. “How bout you? Don’t you need to sleep?”

He chuckled. “Nah. Not tired either.” He shifted nearer to me. Ok yes that was scary, my heart jumped. He faced his face right in front of mine.

“I like talking to you.” He flashed a wide smile. Oooh there’s the dimple again!

“You scare me. Go away!” I punched him softly on the shoulder and we both laughed. Okay, I feel so lame and boring. I should stop this nonsense before he gets scared of me and run away.

“Well you scare me too, especially when you talk to yourself.” He grinned cheekily. And yes, I got red again. We were staring at each other in silence for awhile. Weird; yes. I searched around my mind, thinking of a way to change the subject.

“Oooh there’s a full moon. There’s my chance to escape!”

“Hey look! A full moon!” I pointed up to the moon in the sky.

“Preeeettyy…” I continued.

“Romantic.” Darren was looking at the moon; smiling when he said that. That made my cheeks burn.

“What the hell is wrong with you Anna! You never got nervous in front of guys before! Snap out of this!” Yes I was talking to myself again.

We chatted endlessly. He was someone with a great sense of humor. I could not stop laughing; I was laughing like a monkey face. Omg embarrassing but who cares ;) Once again, he doesn’t seem to mind.

“OH SHIT.” I exclaimed the second I saw the time on my handphone.

“It’s already 3.19! Shit shit shit! Hey. I’m really sorry I needa go now. I have school tomorrow. It was really nice meeting you! Hope we can meet again one day!” The words came out shooting from my mouth like a machine gun. I have never been up here at this time before! I was half running half walking back home.

“Waaaaaaaaitttttttttttttt!” I could hear Darren chasing me from behind. He eventually caught up.

“I’ll walk you home.” He smiled.

“Why? So you can find out where I live and throw toilet paper all around my house one day?” I grinned.

“Well, that wasn’t what I had in my mind, but it sounds good.” He grinned.

“Oohhh lala his cheeky grin is so cute.”

Well we reached home in a few minutes. He helped me up to the tree. Brrr.. I could feel his icy cold hand, and yet it feels so warm. Weird? Yeah. I could feel the electric current zapping me the moment he touched my hand. Brrr.

Ok, good I managed to reach my room without actually tripping or falling or anything embarrassing. I looked out my window and waved goodbye. He smiled at me and GOSH! I felt like melting. AND NO I DID NOT HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM. It was just that it has been a long time since I last met someone so nice. I was smiling to myself happily and satisfied.

I quickly changed back into my PJs and sat down cross-legged on my bed, hugging my favourite teddy bear, Mr. Cuddles! :D I had him ever since I was little. I could not help giggling at whatever that had happened just now. I couldn’t wait to see him again. He’s just so… mysterious in some ways. Weird…

Well one thing for sure is that I will not be able to sleep tonight, not after what has just happened.