---

"I'm serious" I said "I go quite a lot, but if you don't want to.." I shrugged. "I mean, you can go back inside if you like" I added. The blades of grass were dancing in the wind around my legs. I jumped up in one fluid movement to stand up. "I'd rather go somewhere else" I muttered, making out I was going to walk off. What I wanted was for her to come with me, but I wouldn't mind going on my own. Absentmindly my right hand rubbed the inside of my left forearm. Only when I realised I was doing it could I feel it hurting. It must have been because I was leaning against it. The wind blew from behind me, making my shaggy hair come infront of my face.

---

I smiled as she agreed, but then her saying that she didn't want to go back in the school made me wary of why she felt that way. I know she didn't have any friends there, but was there another reason? I looked at her hand extended towards me. The wind was whipping my hair and I could feel the chill of it. "Are you cold?" I said, pulling my jacket down my arms a little to offer her it.

---

I laughed, she wasn't wearing alot and she looked cold. "Don't just be polite, have my jacket" I said, giving her my jacket. I could only feel the cold against my face as it was such a contrast to the radiating heat. Besides, the jacket was making me even more hot. I slightly frowned seeing she didn't have her hand out anymore, but I looked ahead as we walked.

---

I smiled as she accepted my jacket and we walked out of the school grounds. Okay, so we didn't talk for a while, but the question in my head made up for that. I wanted to say it out loud but I didn't want to sound rude. I guess her answer might not be anything bad at all. I gave in and finally asked her "Anna.. you know a couple of days ago you said people here thought you were crazy?". I continued "Why is that?". I had given in to curiosity, but didn't want to sound too forceful, so I looked around while we walked. Did I even think about where we were going to go? Usually I went wherever I felt when I got there. There was the park; under the pier; across the beach; through the town. I ran my fingers through my hair to push it off my face, as my skin was hot.

---

I listened carefully, my face showing every inch of curiosity and empathy I felt. I could tell she was weighing whether to say it or not, but she did, and I was a little taken aback by how her whole family had had to be put into a mental institution. I breathed in and then out, "Wow" I started "I'm sorry about your family" shaking my head. I didn't really expect it, but I understood how others at school would judge her for that. I didn't know exactly what to say to make her feel better about it, and make her not feel awkward about telling me. Of course since everyone else knew about it, it shouldn't make a difference if I knew, which made me think she cared if I did. "They shouldn't think you're mad, I know you're not. They just need to get to know you" I found myself defending her.

---

I knew this was coming, alsking questions always ends up in it being asked back, but I still didn't know how to answer it straight away. Okay, my family haven't gone mad and sent to a mental institution, so my explanation would be paled next to her story. I noticed that she had shivered, and was confused as to why I was boiling hot wearing only a t-shirt. It was clear it was windy from the branches on the trees whipping around. However, I just felt like I was in the hot sun.

"Well.. My dad's an alcoholic" I shrugged and laughed, looking down at the floor. I didn't usually see the funny side of it, but we were starting to really sounded messed up. "He really treated my mom, brother and me badly" I didn't go into details. "Past few years have been.." I said, shaking my head, not knowing what word to use. "Last year, my parent's got divorced and my dad wanted nothing to do with us.." I continued. "I got.. expelled from school, which my mom went crazy about.." I laughed, though it wasn't at all funny at the time "and sent me here". I frowned remembering the event. Anna wouldn't want to know all the bad details, and without them my story must have sounded weak. I took a look at Anna beside me.

---

I nodded quickly when she mentioned my dad. When she looked at me, something flickered across her face and she changed the subject. It confused me. But I listened to what she said. I scrutinized her actions; she looked freezing. "Somewhere inside, or warm I think.." I said, eyeing her shivering. That wasn't what I wanted to do though. I wanted to jump into the cold sea or lay on a bed of ice. I hoped she didn't notice I was sweating, it must not have looked very attractive. I subtly wiped my forehead with the palm of my hand. We were walking down a street now and I spotted a coffee shop sign closeby. "Want to go in here?" I asked, gesturing to the café. I looked down at her and couldn't help but smile. She looked cute in my jacket.

---

I opened the door and we walked in and sat down. I reached into my bag pocket to get out my wallet, resisting the urge to just rip off my t-shirt there and then. It wasn't as hot as I thought it would be inside, though I could definately tell there was no wind. At least Anna was warmer inside here. "What do you want to drink?" I asked her, looking over at the counter, pulling out some money. I sat on the edge of my seat ready to stand up, waiting for her response. I'd thought I wanted a drink to cool me down, but I really wasn't thirsty. Come to think of it, I hadn't had eaten or drank a thing for quite a while. I was starting to get less and less hungry to the point of not eating a thing. I hoped my absense of a drink wouldn't put her off getting one herself, a warm drink would do her good.

---

I growned inwardly at her stubbornness, though her confidence made me smile. "Nothing for me" I sighed "Yourself, Miss?" I mirrored her. I leaned back on my chair shoving the money back in my pocket. She looked happy to be paying, so I didn't bother argue. I'd cooled down a little bit now, though my clothes still felt like they were heating me up. I wish I could just ask for a bath of ice cubes. I stretched my arm up as I scratched the back of my head. My long legs invaded under the table across to the other chairs legs.

---

I looked around the café at the people there. I was too busy thinking things to start up a conversation at that moment. The LED lights above made the room seem a little more drowsy. Or maybe it was just me. Suddenly my mouth opened as if to make a noise at the throbbing pain in my arm. Anna hadn't noticed right away. My other hand flew to my arm and grasped it tightly. I leaned forward, trying to contain my reaction. I couldn't help the "Ow" that squeezed out through my throat. My temperature shot up at the same time, my eyes squinted and my lips pressed together tightly. I waited impatiently for the pain to stop. When it did I breathed out after holding my breath. I tried to make out as though nothing had happened.

---

I could feel my cheeks starting to burn, probably turning pink with embarrasment. Everyone in the café was looking at me, and it startled me when Anna ran over to me. She was rubbing my arm with her thumb. That wasn't the part that surprised me the most. She didn't act how I thought she would. She knew where it was hurting. She acted as though she knew it was going to happen. It was just a pain in my wrist, why was she looking so panicked? I couldn't think what to say, I just stayed perfectly still. She returned to her seat, but I couldn't look at her for a while. I nodded, still looking at the floor and said "Yeah" with a sigh. "It's nothing.." I added quietly, glancing up at the people in the café. My eyebrows were already set in a frown, so when I looked up the people turned back round. I eyed her drink. "Don't let it get cold" I mumbled. I was angry at myself. I was angry at the pain in my wrist for ruining the day, once again. What was up with me?? Have I got some disease or something? I exhaled heavily and looked out the window, refusing to meet her stare. I was a freak. She wasn't the crazy one. Maybe I was imagining it. My mind was so confused and stressed. I really needed a smoke.

---

I looked up at her, she had stood up. I felt so bad; I'd made her feel so uncomfortable and now she wanted to leave. Well done James, well done. "I'm..really sorry" I said quietly, my jaw tight. My eyes fixed on the table. I felt pretty ashamed at myself. This had happened before, and then she had talked to me afterwards. So I had the slightest bit of hope she didn't hate me. Maybe she'd talk to me again soon. I hoped. I risked a glance up at her, I wouldn't usually care about scaring someone, but I was starting to really like her. The thought of it made me even more embarrased. Why did I always screw things up.

---