and then she was gone.

III

I was anxiously staring out the living room window, waiting for Anna. My eyes glanced at the clock impatiently. Letting out a heavy sigh, I lifted myself off the couch and headed for the kitchen.

The delicious smell of chicken blessed my nostrils as I stepped into the kitchen. My mother was stirring soup while my father sat at the table, doing something on his phone. I walked over to him and rolled my eyes the instant I laid eyes on his screen. My father was playing Flappy Bird.

"Hey, son. Could you help your old man pass his high score?" I nodded. "What's your high score?"

"Three." Swallowing my laugh, I grabbed his phone and started to play. "That should be easy..."

A couple moments of playing Flappy Bird and reaching twenty, my body got goosebumps when I heard the front door shut and sickenly sweet voice.

Anna Grey has arrived for dinner.

"Oh! Why hello, Anna! Your right on time, how pleasing!" My mother exclaimed and gave Anna a big hug. Anna awkwardly hugged her back and said, "Hello, Mrs. Crow." Turning to my father who already had his hand out, Anna gave him a firm shake and said, "Hello, Mr. Crow." He nodded in approval. "Good evening, Miss Grey."

Then she turned to me and just stared for a little while, I stared back. "....Hello, Matthew....," She mumbled. I waved uncomfortably and muttered, "Uh, hey..."

My mother started to squeal behind me, apparently she high key ships us. I don't know how to feel about that.

Overall dinner was pretty awkward. My parents tried making the best out of it, but Anna and I just squirmed in our seats. Soon, it was time for Anna to go.

My mother forced me to walk her out even though Anna literally lives next door.

Bracing the chilly breeze, I snuggled into my jacket. To my surprise, Anna grabbed my hand and grinned. Slowly, a smile started to tug at my lips as I gazed at her beautiful face.

I shook my head, remembering that dream I had last night. I needed to find answers so I brought it up, "So, something weird happen last night..."

"What happened?"

"I think I had a dream, you were in my room. It felt very real." My green eyes examined her expression. I tried to keep in my gasp when I witnessed something awful. Her eyes looked dead just like I remembered.

Anna looked at me with a weird smile. It wasn't warm like earlier, it was cold and fake. "...Are you asking me if I was in your room? Nonsense!" She laughed, a laugh that didn't sound natural.

I awkwardly joined in once we reached her front door. My hand reached for the door knob, but froze when Anna grabbed my wrist. "What are you doing," she asked.

"Uh, opening the door for you...?"

"Thanks, but you don't need to. Good night, Matthew..." Anna was about to close the door on me, when I said, "Wait, where are your parents? It would only be fair if I met them since you met mine...," I nonchalantly muttered.

"They're at work..."

"Really? Both of them?"

"Yeah, that's why I gladly came over to your house for dinner..."

"Oh."

"Good night."

"Good- " She slammed the door shut. I curiously stared at her front door for a moment, but then shrugged.

I started to head back home, I stopped after only a few steps, because I felt something watching me. My head hastily glanced over my shoulder, only able to catch a glimpse of Anna Grey before she closed her curtains.

My body got goosebumps.

an;
how do you feel about Anna Grey? do you ship them?