The memories of last night flashed in my mind like a broken cassette. Who was that guy? If it happened that he wasn't there last night, what would've happened to me? Would I be in jail together with those goons that were holding guns and bats? Or worse, would I be dead by now? The idea of us meeting again made my heart in somersault.

Many questions swirled through my head as I sat inside the rental van in between my parents. I felt the car come to a halt and I looked out the window. Mia's two-story house loomed over us. The house still looked the same from the last time I visited.

"You sure you'll be fine here? Better if you come with us. That way I'll be at ease knowing that you're safe. " Mom said, tucking the loose tendrils behind my ear. Worry was written all over her face since the moment we stopped at the Angel's residence.

I smiled reassuringly and nodded. "I'll be fine." I kissed both their cheeks and stepped out onto the front porch and knocked on the door.

The door swung open. The shirtless form of Steve, Mia's twin brother, greeted me. His six pack abs are on display, his tired hazel-green eyes, much like Mia's, and his curly dark chocolate hair that sets in different directions. Looks like he had just woken up. I checked my wristwatch and it says it's 10:23 in the morning. Someone isn't a morning person here.

"Hi Squidward." Steve beamed at me.

"Hey Plankton. Is Mia around?" I asked.

"She's not here," he answered, " But you can wait if you want to."

He opened the door wider to let me in. He sat on the couch and continued to do what he was doing before which seemed to be scanning through the channels to find something to watch. I smiled when he stopped when the famous yellow sponge, who lives in a pineapple under the sea, flashed on the large flat screen tv that was mounted on the wall. I flopped down next to him.

"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob Squarepants!!" We both sang. We look at each other and started to laugh. Steve never changed. Ever since we were a kid, Spongebob was always our favorite cartoon.

After watching three episodes, the door clicked open and a gentle voice echoed the hall.

"Ann? Is that you?" My eyes darted to the entrance of the house and saw Aunt Julie and Uncle Thomas, Mia and Steve's parents, holding bags of groceries.

They both beamed at the sight of me. Aunt Julie tossed the grocery bags toward her husband and he let out a small grunt. Aunt glared at him but Uncle took it lightly and playfully sent her a sloppy kiss sound. He playfully salutes me, which I return with a smile, and vanished out of our sight.

I was startled when Aunt Julie abruptly engulfed me in her crushing bear hug. "It's been a while since I've seen you, dear." She broke the hug and looked at me, "Look at you, you've grown up so fast. Such a beautiful young lady. " She croaked, pinching my cheeks lightly as the corners of her eyes watered.

"Mom, you're so dramatic." Steve complained.

Auntie picked up the cushion pillow sitting comfortably on the couch and chucked it at Steve. I chuckled.

"Steve! How many times do I have to tell you not to walk around without a shirt?! Now up and go put your shirt on." She reprimanded. He grudgingly obliged and went upstairs.

She was right. Steve have this habit of not wearing a shirt inside the house sometimes because, I quote, 'These perfectly sculpted abs need to be exposed.', unquote.

"So, when did you move, hija?" She asked.

I told her we just moved a week ago. Mom and Dad decided that moving back to town was a great idea but for me, definitely not. Moving out isn't easy, I must say. Moving means you have to transfer school, leave your friends, new neighborhood, and new adjustments. I don't have a chip on my shoulder about moving out nor am I complaining since this was my hometown but eleven years have passed and everything changes. Lots of things change to the point that even the person you used to hang out with is no longer the person you used to know. I can't even guarantee if I have that place to come back to.

"How are you? How are your mom and dad?"

"They're doing great! Actually, they just dropped me off here and went to Mr. Williams' shop for the house's furniture." I beamed.

"Good to know. So, you'll attending the same school with my twins? I've heard classes start tomorrow." She asked and I nodded. She smiled brightly at me delighted with the idea.

~•~

"I still need to buy school supplies for tomorrow, so I have to go. I just came here to drop this one." I said, raising the bag, "Mia forgot this in my house. Can you give it to her, please?" I asked hopefully, batting my long ink-black eyelashes and stuck out my bottom lip in a pout, trying to look cute.

"Silly kid." She chuckled. She reached for the bag and I strode my way out of the door, however, halted when I noticed three good looking guys standing before me. A look of curiosity was flashed all over their faces the moment they saw me. I squirmed on my shoes when their eyes moved up from my feet to my face. Don't they know that looking people up and down is kind of rude? The way they looked at me made me uncomfortable.

"Are you the new hired gardener here?" The blond, emerald-green eyed guy said. A playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips and the boys behind him snickered.

"She's better than that! A maid, perhaps?" The boy beside him butted in. A smirk plastered on his face and winked at me.

My jaw dropped to the ground. Figuratively, of course. What the outlandish fudge bar?! Do I look like a freaking maid to them? I look down at my worn-out jeans, pink cat-printed shirt and white old converse. How judgmental of them, I scoffed in my mind.

I open my mouth to defend myself but was soon cut off, "Maybe she's Steve's new playmate." My eyes widened and scrunched my nose in disgust. Really? A playmate? I almost gag in front of them.

"Stop being a prick." The tall, brown haired with dark-chocolate eyes said to his friends. He stepped aside so he was in front of me. "I'm Phillip." He smiled at me, extending his hand to shake it. I stared blankly at his hand. Should I shake it? No, Ann, swallow it. Maybe he thinks you're a poor famished zombie and being a good boy he is, he's offering his life for you to eat. Of course shake it! My inner sarcastic side remarked.

I'm about to shake his hand however he pulled back and scratches his neck. Gee, just think it didn't happen then.

"This is Easton-" He said pointing to the blond, "and this is Brett." pointing to the coffee-brown locked guy who just winked at me, again. My cheeks flushed and I awkwardly smiled at them.

"I'm Annathea." I muttered.

"Annathea?" The Brett guy asked.

"Hi, Annathea. Your name suits you." Phillip grinned. My cheeks got even redder than a tomato. It's not every day I receive compliments from anybody, especially from the male department. Friends and family members are exceptions, of course. They always say I'm pretty, that I should be proud and flaunt what I have but I doubt it. They are just saying it to boost my low confidence.

I heard footsteps behind me and the door swung open. "Nice meeting you." I mumbled my head low and I walked past them.

I could feel their eyes as they bore into my back. I walked faster and promptly hit my toe on a stone, knocked my foot, and fell face flat on the ground. I wanted to slap myself for being such an awkward weirdo and klutz.

"Smooth." I heard Brett snickered and deep chuckles boomed behind me as I help myself up with whatever dignity I have left in my body. I turned and smiled, a force one, at the three gorgeous boys laughing at me while Steve looking at me perplexed. Way of being gentlemen, eh? Whatever happened to chivalry?

"Can you pull that stunt too?!" I shouted the words that would make the female population completely disgraced of me and jogged as fast as I could, limping.