Something Simple

Everybody changes, that’s fact. No matter what, it is inevitable that people changes. Nobody can stop the transformation that is bound to happen; all one can do is accept the modification. No one will stay the same. That is how life is supposed to be like. A person can change drastically in one year. Things could do a complete one-eighty from what they used to be. A person can go from being the head cheerleader, popular and known to a complete nobody. Another person could go from the nerdy guy who was picked on to being famous, wealthy, and the guy who every woman wanted to be with. Change was a part of life and Jordan Staal knew that. He knew that very well. In one year, he watched his older brother, Marc, go from being a single bachelor to now be the groom at his wedding. Marc was once the man who said he’d never marry because he was into more his career than his relationships and now he was the second Staal to walk down the aisle. Jordan, on the other hand, was once the man who saw women as flings but instead fell for a girl who left him with a broken heart. Jordan Staal actually fell in love.

Annabelle, or Anna, James was the love of his life. She had light brown hair that fell just to the middle of her back and curled at the end in various directions yet it framed her face oh so perfectly. Her warm brown eyes reminded him of hot chocolate and he’d find himself getting lost in them often. She also had a cute little nose that he loved to kiss, making her laugh. Her laugh was infectious. Whenever she started laughing, Jordan found himself laughing as well. Even when she’d start laughing at something as stupid as one of those corny infomercials, he’d soon be laughing with her. Her smile was one of his favorite things about her. A small, simple, little smile would creep up on those full lips that he was obsessed with kissing. He wanted to make her smile as much as he could because he knew she was happy when she smiled. He loved running his fingers along the smooth warm beige of her skin. Anna was tiny compared to him, a petite five feet four inch girl that looked so small compared to his six feet four inch body. Yes, she was a foot shorter than him but Jordan loved it. He loved being able to wrap his arms around her small frame and rest his head on top of hers. He loved it when she’d bury her face in his chest, planting little kisses on his skin, when they laid in bed together. He loved everything about her but more importantly, he loved her. Jordan Staal loved Anna James.

Anna came to Thunder Bay, looking to heal. She was staying with her cousin, Ashley, who ironically happened to be the woman who would soon be Mrs. Marc Staal. When Jordan first met Anna, she was recovering from an alcohol addiction. Her parents didn’t care about her so she sought out attention in other places. She felt neglected and abandoned in a home where her parents couldn’t care less about her. She wanted to be loved but never got it so she started acting up, rebelling those who tried to control her and enforce their rules on her. She hung out with people that didn’t care about anything except the taste of alcohol or that feeling of being high. Anna never did drugs because she was too scared to try it but she drank alcohol. She drank to go off to a fantasy land where someone actually cared about her. She drank to escape the misery and sorrow that she had come to associate with reality and her life. She drank to escape the loneliness that had become her only form of company.

Finally after one too many run-ins with the law, Anna was sent to a rehab center but that did nothing for her. Being sent away just made her realize that she was unwanted and being sent to the rehab center was a way for her parents not to deal with her. Yet somehow, her aunt and uncle knew that wasn’t for her. Her cousin, Ashley, had apparently mentioned what she’d noticed about Anna and voiced her concern to her parents. They tried to get Anna’s parents to actually do some parenting but that didn’t do anything. Finally, they were able to do something. Since Anna was twenty, she was definitely not considered a child and was able to make her own decisions so they offered her the choice of moving to Thunder Bay to live with them. Anna was hesitant at first but she knew her aunt and uncle. They were kind people and Ashley was possibly her only friend. She accepted their offer and moved from Colorado to Thunder Bay.

Ashley and Marc had been best friends and at that time, were starting being a romantic relationship. They were always together because everything was so natural for them and that is how Jordan and Anna met. He remembered that day so clearly. Marc was taking Ashley to lunch and she insisted on bringing her cousin who just arrived days prior. Not wanting to make her feel like the third wheel, Marc decided to bring Jordan to keep her company. They were the same age so he figured that out of all his brothers, Anna might get along with Jordan the best. Walking into the restaurant, Jordan didn’t know what to expect. From what he gathered from Marc who was informed by Ashley, Anna wasn’t much of a talker. That alone made me believe that this was going to be incredibly dull but his mind changed as soon as he saw the girl sitting with his brother’s girlfriend.

Mentally, his jaw dropped and his breath hitched as he looked at the girl. To this day, Jordan can describe what she was wearing. A simple grey tank-top that appeared to be a size too big for her, dark blue jeans, and red converse. Her hair was shorter then so she had it up in one of those hair clip things but that didn’t stop locks of her hair from framing her face perfectly. She wore no make-up but he came to learn that Anna wasn’t a big fan of it. On her left wrist, she had a simple black watch. She had no other accessories but Jordan was just too amazed at the girl who dressed so simply and looked so amazing. Yet, he couldn’t help but notice the lack of expression on her face. To be honest, there was no expression. It was as if he was looking at a mannequin who just so happened to be breathing. Those brown eyes that he’d soon find to be captivating were dull and empty. No smile was on her face, just a blank expression. It was as if she had completely checked out mentally.

Marc and Jordan were not aware of the reasons why Anna came to Thunder Bay or why she was the way she was. Ashley said that it was not her place to tell and that it was up to her cousin. It was the simple curiosity that made Jordan want to get close to her. He wanted to get to know her and to understand her. It wasn’t the looks, though she was a looker, but the mystery. During the whole lunch, Anna said nothing and just stabbed her salad with her fork. She didn’t even take a bite which caused Ashley to scold her about her lack of eating. Instead of saying anything, Anna took a bite of her roll and resumed her salad-murdering. Marc would ask her questions to at least attempt to learn about his girlfriend’s cousin but Anna would just glance at him and then return her attention to pieces of lettuce that was once a grilled chicken Caesar salad.

That night, Ashley asked Jordan if he’d watch Anna for her while she went on a date with Marc. He didn’t mind it but he was curious why a girl his own age needed a baby-sitter. Ashley said that she didn’t feel comfortable leaving Anna by herself and since her parents were working, no one was left to keep an eye on her cousin. She informed him that Anna had medication to take and it was already in a plastic bag in the cabinet so all he had to do was give it to her. Jordan promised that he’d take of Anna for her and that evening, he came to do just that. Ashley left her cell number on a sticky note on the microwave in case anything happed but it was not needed.

The evening started off very slow. Anna was in her room, doing whatever she was doing. Jordan found himself watching TV but checking up on her every hour, just to make sure she was okay. He ordered pizza and asked if she wanted any but as usual, Anna said nothing. Finally, around seven o’clock, Jordan went to her room to do his hourly check and to give Anna her medication but instead, she wasn’t in her room. The window wasn’t open so she was still in the house but the question was where. Just as he was about to start freaking out, he heard the shower running and walked across the hall to the bathroom. The door was opened but he knocked and stared at his feet, trying to avoid any awkward situations. He said that she had to take her medication and got no response. Nervously, Jordan walked to the bathtub and pulled the curtain back. There was Anna, just sitting there in her clothes with the shower running. She was hugging her knees and even though she was sitting under the shower head, he saw that she was crying.

For some reason, Jordan turned off the shower and sat down next to her, wrapping his arm around her wet shoulder and pulling her close to him. She shivered as she cried but Jordan knew that she didn’t want to move, not just yet, so he held her close to him, trying to warm her up with his own body heat. He just held her as she cried into his shoulder and he didn’t know why she was crying in the first place.

After that night, Anna slowly became more comfortable around Jordan. She’d occasionally answer his questions or speak to him but that was rare. He knew better than to push his luck but he was happy that she was more at ease when he was there. Ashley and her parents realized that and were completely fine about it. In fact, they were noticing little improvements in Anna thanks to Jordan. She was eating again and sometimes, that little mischievous spark was seen in her eyes. They even noted that occasionally, Anna was seen in the backyard with one of her old sketchpads in her lap. They were thankful that Jordan came into her life but he still didn’t know her reasons for coming to Thunder Bay in the first place.

Jordan had taken her to the pier and they just sat there, enjoying nature and each other’s company. It was then that Anna told him why she came to Thunder Bay and about her past. She told him about her alcohol addiction, encounters with the police, and of the lonely feeling she constantly felt. She told him about how her own parents didn’t care about her and often called her a mistake, making her seek attention and escaping her own misery in other ways. She also told him why she was crying the first night they met. She was jealous. Anna was jealous of Ashley because she knew Marc cared about her and she had nobody. All she wanted was someone to hold her hand and tell her everything would be okay. Jordan placed a hand on the either side of her face and looked into her eyes. Tears were forming and he’d wipe them away with her thumbs. He saw the sadness and despair in her eyes. Anna had been so lonely for so long that it made him sad to see her sad.

He wanted to be the one to hold her hand and tell her that it was okay. He wanted to be there when she needed someone. She needed someone to actually show her that she is loved and that people did care about her and Jordan wanted to be the person who showed her that. He just wanted to her to know that he did care.

Instead of saying anything, Jordan lightly pressed his lips against hers. He felt her hands grab his shirt as if to pull him closer. Slowly, he pulled away but his lips were only centimeters away from hers. His ice blue eyes stared into her chocolate ones, seeing that he was the only one she felt safe with. His voice was a whisper as he told her that he’d be there to hold her hand as long as she wanted him there. For the first time in a long time, Anna put her trust in Jordan when he said that and allowed him to kiss her again, only this time, he kept his lips on hers longer, silently promising that he would not break his word.

They spent every day together. Marc was amused with the fact that his little brother had fallen for a girl that happened to be his own girlfriend’s cousin while Ashley was just happy that Anna was happy. In fact, Anna on the path to returning to her old self. The more time she spent with Jordan, the happier she became. She even was smiling when Jordan’s attempt to go fishing ended up with him falling in the lake. When she held out her hand to help him back into the boat, he pulled her into the lake, causing her to be annoyed with him. That went away as soon as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and kissed her. They kept kissing until Anna pulled away and said she was cold, making Jordan laugh but also comply with her wish.

He loved her company and he loved being with her but Jordan knew that he had to return back to Pittsburgh. Hockey season was approaching fast which also meant that he’d be leaving Anna in Thunder Bay. Marc would be leaving as would his brothers and Ashley would be returning to school in California. Anna would be completely alone and that didn’t sit well with Jordan. In the few short months, he realized that he was completely in loved with her. He loved everything about her and accepted her past. For all he cared, it was her past and the past was behind her. Anna had changed from the emotionless girl he first met to the love of his life.

No, he wasn’t going to leave her in Thunder Bay. Jordan wanted Anna to go with him to Pittsburgh. He wanted her to move in with him and be with him. He couldn’t bare it if he left her and knew that this was meant to be. Anna was going to live with him where he could take care of her and also prove to her that he was unconditionally in love with her.

But he didn’t get the chance.

The day before Jordan was leaving for Pittsburgh, he was going ask Anna to go with him. He knocked on Ashley’s door when Anna didn’t return his phone calls and she told him that she left. He wanted to believe that she was lying or playing a practical joke on him but the tone of her voice said otherwise. Ashley told him that yesterday night, Anna told her and her family that she was leaving and that they weren’t allowed to tell anyone where she was going, meaning, she didn’t want Jordan going after her. He asked why she left but Ashley didn’t know why. All she knew was that Anna left this morning, where she was going, and that she was supposed to give Jordan something.

He stared at the folded up photograph in Ashley’s hand and took it, opening it. He bit his lower lip, trying not to let the tears fall. His younger brother, Jared, had taken the picture. Jordan was sitting on the couch with eyes closed, content with life, and there, curled up next to him was Anna. She had her head resting against his chest and her arms were wrapped around his torso. Jordan’s own arms were wrapped around Anna’s shoulders, holding her close to him. It was her favorite picture and she left it for him.

Jordan looked at Ashley as she said that Anna would come back and find him when she’s ready. He’d be returning to Pittsburgh with a broken heart. The love of his life left him for unknown reasons and he never got the chance to tell her that he loved her.

A year later, Jordan stood next to his brother Marc. It was summer, once again, and he was standing as one of the groomsmen. Marc had proposed to Ashley four months back and now they were getting married. He looked at his older brother, seeing how happy he was. Sure, he deserved happiness but Jordan couldn’t help but be jealous. Marc had Ashley whereas he had no one. Anna hadn’t come back in a year so there was no chance of her coming back. He was going to be just as miserable as she was when she first came to Thunder Bay.

Jared muttered something as the best man, Eric, came walking down with the maid-of-honor. Jordan didn’t think much of it. He figured it was Jared being Jared and it was his reaction to a good looking girl but he looked up anyway. His eyes widened at the sight of who was walking next to his brother.

Her dark brown hair was done up in an elegant knot with curls framing her delicate face. Warm chocolate brown eyes were filled with the feelings of being anxious and nervous as if she was scared to be there but there was that familiar hint of mischief in them. Full red lips were turned into a small smile as a light red blush filled her cheeks. She wore a beautiful dark purple dress that complimented her figure so perfectly. She obviously wore heels which added around two inches but that still didn’t take away from the fact that the best man was still much taller than her. She was absolutely stunning but she was always beautiful to Jordan. She was the epitome of beauty in his eyes.

Finally, she stood opposite Jordan as the music played, signaling that the soon-to-be Mrs. Marc Staal was arriving. Anna turned her head to watch her cousin walk down the aisle with her father, smiling, but also avoiding Jordan’s gaze. He knew that she was scared to face him and in all honestly, he was scared to talk to her but he desperately wanted to know why she left in the first place.

During the whole ceremony, Jordan kept his attention on Anna who tried with all her strength to avoid his gaze. She looked so perfect that he couldn’t help but look yet he wanted to keep her in his sight, just in case she tried to disappear again. Anna was able to do it once before, what’s to stop her from doing it again? He wanted to know why she left in the first place and what she had been doing in the year she vanished off the face of the planet. Anna tried to keep attention on Marc and Ashley as they were reciting their vows. She knew that Jordan was looking at her and it made her incredibly nervous. He could see it by the way she was holding that bouquet that she wanted so badly to disappear.

Cheers and applause came as Marc kissed Ashley, sealing his vows to the woman he loved forever. People started filling outside, heading towards the reception but Jordan didn’t care. He looked for Anna who had disappeared again. Just his luck. He had a feeling that she would pull the Houdini once again but he still had to hope that he’d be able to catch her. Instead, he failed. With a heavy sigh, he headed towards the reception.

As he entered the ballroom, Jordan saw Anna walking towards the balcony and he followed her. There she stood, against the stone railing, staring into the night sky. He remembered that she loved looking at the night sky; it seemed to have the calming effect on her. A little smile crept onto his lips as he thought back to a year ago, when he took Anna to an open field and they laid there, looking into the black canvas and pointed at various constellations. That night was also the night that he realized that he loved her and that he had made love to her.

“Hello, Jordan,” Anna greeted, not even bother to turn around.

“Anna,” was all he could say.

“I suppose you want to know why I left,” she said, plucking the petals off a rose, one by one.

“Oh enlighten me.”

Jordan was letting his anger get to him but he was trying to restrain it. As much as he loved her, Anna had upset him by just leaving. She just left without a word to him and he wanted to know why. Was it something he said or did? Did he do something to upset her? He just wanted to know why she left.

“I knew you were going to ask me to go to Pittsburgh with you. I heard you telling your brothers that. Part of me wanted it, it really did. I imagined being able to wait for you in your apartment, ready to welcome you home and be in your arms every morning. It was a nice little fantasy but the other part was scared. I was scared that once I came to Pittsburgh, I’d be easily forget. You could do so much better than me and I was afraid of that. I was afraid of being abandoned, like I have been before. So I left. I returned back to Colorado, got a job, and I’m going to school.”

“I love you,” Jordan simply said.

“I know you did-”

“No,” Jordan immediately said, cutting her off, “I love you. Not loved, love. I love you. I am still in love with you. I always loved you. I wanted you to come to Pittsburgh because I wanted to be with the woman I love.”

Jordan stepped closer to Anna who stepped backwards. They continued this little movement until she bumped into the railing with Jordan cornering her. She couldn’t escape or run this time. She turned her head to the side, trying to avoid the piercing ice blue gaze of Jordan Staal.

“All I wanted was for someone to tell me its okay,” she whispered as the tears started falling, “I wanted someone to hold my hand and tell me its okay.”

“I’ll hold your hand and tell you its okay,” Jordan whispered back as he took her small hand in his, “I’ll also tell you that I love you. Always have, always will.”

He leaned closer to her as his lips caught hers in a kiss. Jordan’s arms wrapped around her small figure, bringing her as close to him as he could. Their kiss deepened as her arms reached around his neck, trying to lessen the already little space between them. Oxygen was eventually needed and Jordan pulled away but only inches away. Anna looked in her hand to see a single petal on the rose she was picking at. Jordan raised an eyebrow as Anna plucked it and whispered, “He loves me.”

Jordan smiled as he took hold of Anna’s hand, smiling, once again. Tears fell down her cheeks but they were happy tears. Like he had done before, Jordan was able to do something simple and Anna was happy. All she wanted was for someone to hold her hand and that person was Jordan. She looked straight into his eyes as she added, “And I love him.”