Chapter 14

It was a bright new day، Anna was in her room making her usual morning call with Michael. They kept chatting for about 10 minutes about everything and nothing exactly. Finally, Michael remembered to ask about his uncle Alex, saying, 'So auntie, how is brother Alex doing?' Michael asked, 'I'm not sure,' Anna said "he's all the time outside working since the accident. I barely see him. Last night he came home when it was about three or something in the morning. So I'm not sure how he's doing either," Anna answered his question with a bit of frustration. "Oh, okay, as long as he's coming home every day, safe and sound, it doesn't matter. You know, it's nature of his work, you know that," Michael tried to comfort her a little bit. "Yes, I know," Anna said, ending the discussion. "All right then," Michael replied. "I'll call you tomorrow morning, auntie. Hope you have a good day. Take care." he said, finishing the call, Anna replied, "Sure buddy, you take care too. Wish you a good day. Say hi to your father and uncle." Anna hung up the phone, dropped herself on her bed, looking at her roof, and for a second she felt sad. "It sounds like something is different about Alex," she sensed that there was something wrong, It's not that he's not always around like he usually was, just that it seems like he's keeping a distance between himself and her.Anna shook her head trying to get rid of those thoughts, it's her dear brother she would never question his love and care for her, she stood up and took her bag leaving for her school.

On the other side, back at Alex's office, he and his team were gathering around a board where a lot of photos and notes are hanged. They were discussing something that sounds very important, until Alex's angry voice was raised while his fists hit the board so hard. 'That can't be' Alex roared, "We're talking about someone's life and we're talking about a criminal who tried to kill me right in front of your eyes. There is no way he could escape if you guys have taken all the precautions not to allow him.'" A second of silence and heavy breaths hang around in the office before Liz replied " you are right it was our fault,and we're working on fixing it, our informants are everywhere, as soon as he move a muscle we'll get him" "let's hope that happens before it's too late , my last resolution is the worst, do your job, don't let me get there" Alex ordered with harsh voice, everyone noded in obedience, so he signed them to leave and dropped himself on his seat, closing his eyes with tiredness, to see Anna's smiling face, and an old memory attacked him. A beautiful face that looked almost like Anna's except from the age lines shown on the pale lady covered with blood saying to him " please Alex protect her!!". Alex's eyes opened wide, and he breathed heavily saying to himself "I will, I promise".

Back at school, Anna was having her lunch sitting on a rocky chair at the school back yard, when Allen carelessly dropped himself next to her saying " It feels like I was beaten up" Anna looked up at him, he was wearing his basketball clothes, she raised her head to face the basketball playground, other players were leaving too, some to continue their school day and others back home. This is why she liked the place here, she could seat here and watch the training all day long, and this was also the common point on which she and Allen had been agreed on, their love to the game, but with one difference he actually played for the school team. He was one of the most talented players, whereas she is just a fan of the game and of the team and a fan of his too. She liked the way he plays it reminds her of herself she watched some of the games she played before the accident and she could tell they both played with the same joy and spirit. She didn't notice that she moved her eyes back at him, it was only when Allen's eyes met hers, and his voice rang in her ears asking " is there something on my face?" Just then she realized that she was staring at him. She looked down quickly at her lunchbox saying " lunch time is almost over, you probably should change to get back to class" Allen wanted to know what was it that she was thinking but he knew it was still early to such curiosity. They barely started a kind of friendship, and she barely started to be more at ease around him, he won't ruin that. He ignored his curiosity and snatched a sandwich from her box heading toward the sport building again. Anna wanted to object but somehow she just shaked her head in despair, knowing that he can't help but teases her everytime . However somehow she started to get used to that,moreover she didn't find it provoking like before,just the opposite she actually started to enjoy being around him. She can't tell why was that, was it a kind of gratitude for being there for her when Alex was shot, or because of his mestirious friendship with Alex, or maybe it is just the effect of her strange dreams about the little boy with the green eyes. She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a light touch on her shoulder, she raised her head to meet Allen's eyes again, and his voice saying with a worry tone "are you OK? I've been calling you, the bell rang, you should have been already in the classroom!" Anna stood up gathering her things in a hurry and saying " ow, I didn't notice, come on we'll be late" . He followed her calmly till they reach the classroom for their next class, they took there seats Calmally each lost in his own thoughts.

Anna lost in her questions about Allen and Alex, and how smoth their relation turned suddenly. While Allen was confused by his joy to see that he is getting closer to her. And his fear of causing more damage if he kept pushing her to remember like Alex insisted. Like he himself wished for so long now. What if she knew who he was? What if she forgot everything once and for all? What would he do if she just kept forgetting him? The teacher started the lesson to wake both of them up from their daydreams. They each looked at each other and a smile found its way to both of them, ending their confusion temporarily. While the school day continued calmly.