Anyone who has seen the movie Notting Hill knows the song that was played in the beginning of it. The song that perfectly describes the lead character and the actress herself. The song that Anna wishes that her future first boyfriend will sing for her. A song that Anna fears William will sing for her, the freckled new chick with red hair.
Isabella Taylor. The new girl who moved in to their town with her family from England. The talk of the town babe they met one week ago during their High School freshmen orientation. The 'she' in William's every sentence for a week now when he talks about a girl. And the lady he is sitting next to now in the church while she is up at the balcony with the rest of the choir getting ready for the mass.
"Is that her?" Carlo, their common friend since elementary and the town mayor's only son, whispers from her side. Knowing very well what he means, Anna nods without leaving her eyes on them. "Oh, her hair stands out."
"Wait til you see her face." She says while smiling but she can hear herself sounding so sad. She just needs to admit that the girl was really pretty everyone in the school literally turned their heads when she entered the auditorium. Carlo was just unfortunate enough to still be in another country that day of the orientation so he didn't get to see her.
"That pretty?"
"Very pretty."
"Oh, no wonder William got smitten."
"Very smitten."
She has to say because that's the truth. She has seen William crushing over a lot of girls before but this one is different. He had his choir schedule changed to be next to her.
"Alright guys, get ready." Their choir leader suddenly shows up which means that the mass is about to start. Carlo and Anna look and smile at each other before they move into their places, Anna in the middle of the choir members line as today's lead singer and Carlo behind the piano as their pianist.
The commentator begins the mass by introducing the priest presider and on their leader's signal, The choir starts singing the opening song.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you,
we adore you, we glorify you.
We give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son
The entire mass runs as peacefully as it always does except Anna's eyes can't help but glance at the two people she wishes aren't sitting next to each other and obviously chatting softly while the priest is doing his homily.
How disrespectful. Her mind screams and how she hopes she could actually shout those words out loud to them. But she can't. She can't even as she stands in front of them outside the church while waiting for their parents who are talking to the parish priest.
"So Isa," Isa? Anna's mind furrows while she keeps her fake smile after hearing her best friend call the new girl with a nickname. "This is the girl I was talking to you about, my bestfriend Anna."
"Hi! Pleased to meet you." She says in her sweet European accent and smile as she offers her hand for a shake that Anna accepts half-heartedly.
"Hi. Nice to meet you, too."
"So you were the one singing solo in the choir earlier."
"Yup."
"You sound like an angel."
"T-Thanks."
"She's also not so good at taking compliments but she's really grateful."
"Ah."
"And this is Carlo." William extends his hand to where Carlo is. "One of our closest friends and the mayor's son."
"Oh, hi. Please to meet you Carlo."
"Same here." Carlos says after their quick handshake. "Welcome to our town."
"Thanks." And they all see her looks at the opposite direction where Anna and Carlo are looking. "I-I'm sorry. my parents are already here. It was a pleasure meeting you all. I'll see you tomorrow."
She waives her hands to all of them before she runs to where her parents are waiting. They watch them talk probably about them because her parents look at them after a few seconds and waive at them, too. They politely smile at them and return their hand wave before Isabella and her parents get in to the car in front of them.
"Isn't she lovely?"
Carlo and Anna turn around to see William look so smitten and still looking at the already distant car. Carlo chuckles.
"She is." and agrees with him.
Anna sighs softly and pretends to smile.
"She is."
And the song starts to play in her mind as she follows where William's eyes are looking at right now.
She
May be the face I can't forget
A trace of pleasure or regret
May be my treasure or the price I have to pay