nna was thrilled at the way her students excitedly presented

town’s park. Trucks began arriving all week carrying what would soon be concession booths and small

ould barely get her gardening done as she handled the flowerpots and other equipment she’

made reality easier to manage. She had done it often when she lived with her ex-boyfriend, Alan, who often criticized her. But tonight, her i

ity after a few minutes, l

the altar,” she said aloud to herself. “You need to stop with th

r teeth, and went to bed, her black fl

*

ation, but Anna still wanted to look her best, especially as she wondered whether Ethan Greenfield would be there. She’d put on her favorite su

waved back, walking through the crowds of kids running around to be sure they were first in line for the carnival rides. There was a happy sense of ex

she plopped down next to Kel

e ready for a while. I was just thinking abo

ok like a

” Kelly exclaimed with a

I do,” Ann

r surroundings. She couldn’t find her parents, but didn’t expect them to be there anyway, since they pre

dware store encounter with Kelly yet, even though she usually shared everything about her life with her best friend. She didn’t want to admit that s

nna a fluffy blue stick of the treat just when Kelly’s

r me?” J

ing late,” Kelly said to him,

his car,” John explained.

t warm,” Anna laughed as the rest of t

e looked incredible, in tight jeans that hinted at his muscular frame and a short-sleeve t-shirt that revealed the wel

elt about Ethan was just part of a silly daydream. She tried to enjoy the

ou alright?”

hot out here,” Anna answered

you one,” o

y.” Anna felt like she needed to get away from the friend

lly with a smile before she turned b

he’d seen Ethan. She kept telling herself that he would never remembe

d offering cool drinks, a smooth, con

et in the hardware s

Ethan Greenfield in all his muscular gl

,” Anna managed to say.

y. Can I buy you a

eaked. She felt the warm flow of blood flushing

nto two paper cups and filled them with the colorful drink. Ethan gave t

aid the young cashi

place on Road 50. I’m new to Belleville, but everyone’s b

ised here. I teach sixt

ally do shape our future.” He smiled at her, me

” Anna answered. “Oh, and tha

eally looking forward to tha

ey continued for a while with polite small talk, looking into each other’s eyes. Anna was nervous

g off in the distance with short brown hair, his green eyes s

he could stand there for a second longer without doing something embarrassing like tripping over herself

I’ll see you around more, I’m sure,” Ethan said

e said, instantly regretting how desperate she

Anna smiled and walked away, feel

ed a familiar look on Kelly’s face. ‘Oh, no

out the word, “that looked

new in town.” Anna gave her friend a furrowed br

et’s move on, nothing to

s face turned beat red, and she

or this,” she whispe