Tyler

"Hey Anna." My voice sounds raspy and I clear my throat.

"Hey Tyler, how are you? You sound tired."

Hearing Anna's voice instantly makes me feel better. "I am. Most of the crew left for Oregon yesterday to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the concert tomorrow night." At this point, I don't care much about the concert at all. These next 24 hours can't go by fast enough.

"Oh yeah, the concert."

She sounds insecure, and I hate that she does. She's such an amazing person, yet she seems to be lacking the knowledge or magnitude of that fact. Well, I'll be sure to tell her as often as it takes her to realize it.

"You got the tickets, right?" Panic constricts my chest for a moment, as I want to punch myself for not making sure she's actually gotten them. "Anna?"

"Yes, yes I did. I totally forgot to tell you, sorry. Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome. No need to thank me. You're doing me a favor by agreeing to meet me." I'm starting to wonder if I'm slightly obsessed with her.

I have to admit that I've been fascinated by her from the moment I saw her on the cliffs. Then we started talking, and ever since she's consumed my thoughts almost non-stop. Lots of people I work with have gotten annoyed with me, since I'm constantly daydreaming instead of doing my job. Things have definitely changed since Anna has come into my life.

"Oh, please. You're acting like I don't want to see you too." Her breath catches for a minute, and I'm sure she didn't intend for those words to come like this, if at all.

She's just too cute, nothing like any other girl I've been around before. I can't even remember the last time I've been around someone who makes me feel so alive and happy.

"I'm glad to hear that, Anna. You know how much I look forward to seeing you. I wish we didn't have to wait another day. It seems like forever at the moment." I don't want to think about that right now, or I'll only get frustrated again. "Tell me about your family. I want to be at least a little prepared for meeting them tomorrow. It doesn't happen every day that I get to meet the girl's family on the first date." I know this is probably going to make her blush, but I just can't help myself.

"My family? You want to know about my family?" She sounds unsure and it makes me want to pull my hair out. Where people tell me on a regular basis that I'm too confident, Anna is certainly lacking it. She shouldn't feel this way just because I'm interested in her and her life. Doesn't anyone ever show any interest in her?

"Yes. I'd love to hear a bit about them, only if you want to tell me of course." Obviously I won't force her to if it makes her uncomfortable.

"Oh no, not at all. I was just surprised when you said that, that's all. Let's see. I've already told you a bit about my sister Joanne. She's 14 and just started high school. She calls herself Jet Valentine's biggest fan. I'm still worried that she'll embarrass all of us tomorrow, but I guess we'll just have to deal with it then."

I have to laugh. "Stop worrying about her. She won't be an issue, trust me."

"I hope so. It'll be already nerve-wracking enough without having to worry about her. Anyway, my dad, James, is an accountant, and my mom, Heather, is a preschool teacher. Nothing exciting going on here, i guess." She sounds a little disappointed but i can't be sure.

"Nothing wrong with those jobs, Anna." I can't remember how often I've wished to have normal parents. Instead, I was practically born into this industry. I don't want to make Anna feel even worse right now though, so I keep that little detail to myself.

"I know there's nothing wrong with any of it. My family is great, i really love them. They might be a little bit overprotective at times, but i can live with that. I've just noticed lately how boring my life has been."

I wish I was there right now to give her a hug. She sounds like she needs one. "Anna, you're acting like you're super old and wasted all your life by doing nothing. You're 17, the whole world is at your feet just waiting for you."

"Thanks, Tyler. You're totally right. What we're - " She hesitates for a moment, and I'm on the edge of my seat. "What we're doing is exciting, right?"

This girl makes me laugh like no other. "Yes, Anna. What we're doing is very exciting. So exciting that it drives me a little crazy."

"Good, I'm glad I'm not the only one." She sighs, sounding relieved.

I shake my head vigorously, not that she can see me anyway. "No, absolutely not. We're totally in this together, in every aspect of it." I look at my watch and frown. "Ok, Anna. Listen to me quickly before I have to head out again. When you guys get here tomorrow, I want you to come to the side gate, ok? There's going to be some security guards, but they have your name. Just show them your passes and ID, and they know where to bring you."

She's doesn't say anything for a moment, and I wonder if she's silent because of tomorrow or because she doesn't want to say goodbye either.

"Sounds good, Tyler. Thanks for doing all of this. You shouldn't have gone through all of this trouble to get us in there. We really don't need any special treatment, I promise."

Knowing that she feels that way, makes all of this even better. "It's no trouble at all, Anna. I just want you guys to have a great time."

"I really appreciate it. That's very...that's very sweet of you. Thank you."

"Any time. It really is my pleasure. I'm the one who wants to see you so badly, remember?" I know I'm making her squirm right now and possibly blush again, but I just need her to know without a doubt where I stand before she sees me tomorrow.

"I want to see you too, or I wouldn't have said yes." She whispers into the phone, and a slight shiver runs down the back of my neck.

I can hear the voices outside the door getting louder, and I'm sure I'm needed somewhere. "Ok, sunshine. We're all set then. See you in a few hours."

"Yes, a few hours." The significance of what we're about to do is easily detectable in both of our voices.

"Have a good night, Anna. Sweet dreams." I don't want to hang up, so I wait for Anna to do it after she mumbles 'Good night.'.

I can feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement spreading through my whole body, and I can only hope I'll be able to get any sleep tonight.

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