She grinned. "Now let's see if we can find a few books on bears." She got up and started looking at the book spines. I sat there and watched her until she looked at me.
"Don't just sit there and think that I'm going to be doing all the work. It's your bear story not mine." I grinned and got up.
"I never said anything about you doing all the work." Annie just rolled her eyes at me.
We searched the library for hours finding various books on bears and tracking them, hunting them, finding signs of habitation. We had a pile of books in front of us. Annie was reading something about bear facts and I was trying to focus on what I was reading.
"Excuse me, but we close in five minutes." The librarian stood behind us.
Annie looked up. "Sorry, we must have lost track of time. What time is it anyways?"
The librarian smiled. "Almost nine-o'clock, are you checking anything out?"
I looked at Annie who shrugged. "It's up to you, I don't have a library card."
I nodded and looked at the librarian. "I think we're good." I told her.
She smiled and walked away. Annie sighed. I gave her a questioning look.
"How are we supposed to get all these books back in the right places in five minutes?" I frowned.
"We don't need to." I said. "Leave it to the librarian."
She glared at me. "You expect us to leave our mess to the poor librarian who is supposed to go home in five minutes? You really are a jerk."
Annie turned around got back to organizing the books. I sighed and started helping her. When we finished it was nine fifteen. Annie looked around her.
"There done, now we can go home." She said giving me a look.
She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. "Thank you for letting us stay past nine."
I heard her say to the librarian. The librarian responded with kind words.
"No problem young lady, I appreciate you cleaning up after yourself." I walked downstairs to see the two beaming a smile at each other.
"Ready to go?" I asked Annie. "Your parents are probably wondering where you are."
Annie froze. "Shit I forgot about them." She turned to the librarian.
"I am really sorry to ask but is it possible to get a note written by you stating that I was here?" Annie looked at the librarian with a plea in her eyes.
The woman nodded. "Of course. She took out a piece of paper and pen and jotted down a quick note. She handed it to Annie when she was done.
"Thank you." Annie said. "Your welcome any time." She started for the door turning to me.
"You ready to bring me home?" She asked. I nodded and followed her out. We drove to her house in silence. When we pulled into her driveway she paused before getting out.
She turned to me and leaned over and kissed me. She pulled back with a smile on her face. "Goodnight." She said and got out of the car. The door closed before I could say anything.
I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair. "Yeah goodnight to you too." I shook my head and backed out of Annie's driveway. Things were going to be different now. I drove home pondering the whole time what that goodnight kiss not only meant but what it revealed about me and Annie.
I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. I felt shaky but in a good way. My mom came into the hallway.
"Did you two get a lot done?" She asked. I looked up in surprise. She smiled.
"I had a talk with Mr. Birchwood and thought I would trust you." I blinked.
"Well that's a surprise, I mean I even got a note from the librarian to prove to you that I was there." My mom winced.
"I guess you could say that I should trust you more from now on." I sighed.
"Well that's a relief." I said. My mom rolled her eyes.
"Go to bed Annie, we'll talk more in the morning." I nodded and walked past her.
I smiled as I closed my bedroom door. I had almost forgotten how good it felt to have my parents trust me. It had definitely been a long time since they did. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to change my bad habits after all. I went to bed that night with Jace on my mind.
I knew things were going to be different from now on, but just how different could things get? Morning came and I woke up early. Even though it was the weekend, I still wanted to get some of the paper done. I got dressed and crept into my parents room. I shook my mom.
"Hey mum can I use the car I want to go work on my paper?" My mom mumbled something and then gave me the thumbs up. I grinned and gave my mom a kiss.
"Thanks mom." I said running to go grab the keys off the rack then went and got into my parents Lexus.
I started the car and relaxed at the welcoming purr of the engine. I missed my car which was an electric blue mustang with twin black stripes. We still had it but I couldn't drive it until I got my act together. Hopefully that would change now. I pulled out of the driveway and headed east to the trails that Jace had mentioned he had saw the guy.
I stopped at the gas station to get directions and a snack. The guy at the counter had given me a weird look. I stared back at him.
"Is something wrong? Or do you just have a problem with the way I look?" I asked the guy who quickly looked away.
He gave me my change and I left. I got onto the highway and followed the guys directions. When I got to the trails Jace's car was already there. I looked into the rear view mirror and made sure I looked presentable.