Dear Christian,
I know I'm just a stupid kid that follows you around but I love you. Ever since I was ten and your family moved in next door. I use to watch you from the window working on your chevelle after school and on the weekends. You were the one thing in my life that brought me light. Even though You're leaving for Europe and I'm just a silly 17yr old teenager with a crush i will love you forever.
Yours always Anastasia.
I folded the note into the white envelope and headed out the door to wherr james was packing up his dads pick up
"Hey Kid, came to say goodbye" he slammed the tailgate shut and i jumped.
"Yes, this is for you, Igot to go i have homework to finish" Thank god my long hair was covering my face so he couldnt see me holding back the tears i quickly turned and headed for home. Christian reached out and pulled me imto his arms
"Thanks kid, stay out of trouble, make sure my dad doesnt drive the beast and keep in touch, i got to go my flight is in two hours" i quickly nodded and ran into the house. Christian was leaving for a internship in Europe some huge construction firm hired him and his team right out of college to build hotels.
Five Years Later
"Ana!" Kate my best friend from childhood ran into the bakery i owned
"What im back here" I hollered from the kitchen
"Guess who i just saw" Kate ran in out of breath
"No idea since i'm trying to finish these cupcakes"
"Christian Grey" I froze dropping my tray of cupcakes that name hasn't been spoken since i was seventeen confessing my undying love to a 22 year old who looked at me as the nerdy neighbor kid
"My Christian? " I whispered. I always referred to him as mine even though I knew he wasn't and he never would be last I heard he was engaged to some Brit after working overseas for three years and was suppose to be getting married in New York where they currently reside
"Yes,that one. He's single Ana, he told me she left him. Thats when he decided to move back home to help his dad at the office"
"Oh god" I had no words
"He even asked about you"
"What did he say" I reached into the fridge and pulled out the frostings I made earlier
"He said and I quote, how's Anastasia I haven't seen her since I left, every time I was home she was away at college or elsewhere"
"And.."
"I said shes good, he didn't ask anything else and told me to tell you 'hey', hey are almost done frosting those your parents anniversary party is in a few hours and you need to get ready"
"Shit I know, box these while i run upstairs to shower ill frost them there." I undid my apron and went up the back stairs to my tiny apartment mom and dads fortieth wedding anniversary party was tonight and if james was back the odds of seeing the neighbor were pretty high i ditched black trouser and pant ensemble and pulled out a purple dress sitting in the back of my closet.
Kate and I pulled up at my parents the chevelle was out i looked over to see someone under the hood and my heart stopped i hadn't seen james since the day he left five years ago and I did a really good job hiding or being unavailable when he was home, the stint in France for baking school was probably part of it. Was he still the gorgeous boy next door
"Ready Ana?"
"Yes" I opened the car door and made my way around the back handing Kate boxes
"Hey do you need some help" a deep voice called. Kate winked and made into the house without being noticed i froze when i turned around there he was all 6'2of him his copper hair was longer than i remembered and his grey eyes were vibrant. He was more muscular too he was pure male.
"Sure, I stuttered out" he grabbed the boxes and headed in the house "just drop em on the kitchen" I grabbed my large canvas and followed him
"So how do you know the Steele's?" he asked while rounding the corner into the kitchen before I could answer I heard my mother
"Anastasia! You're finally here" my mother came rushing in "oh Christian thanks for helping Ana bring those in" my mother beamed, I blushed, Kate smiled in the background, and Christian looked lost
"Anastasia?" He bent his large frame down to look me in the eyes
"Hey Christian"
"Wow" was all he said. "It good to see you" he cleared his throat
"You too, I heard youre back"
" oh yes darling Christian moved back I thought I told you " my mother butted in "now go change Christian you are not wearing that to our anniversary party"
"Yes ma'am, i'll see everyone later" before i knew it he was gone as quick as he entered. My mother disappeared and once out of earshot Kate squealed
"Oh god Ana he was checking you out I can't believe he didn't recognize you"
"Bec, i had black and pink hair was overweight and hung out with nerds"
"Hey I wasn't a nerd"
"You know what I mean"
"I know, hey good choice on the purple dress i bet twenty bucks he'll be chasing after you all night"
"Very funny, ill take that bet but if you lose you have to open the store monday morning"
"Deal! Victory will be mine" Kate and I shook on it then I started decorating all the cupcakes.
People were coming in n out, my parents went all out with the backyard a dance floor was put in along with tables chair and twinkle lights and lanterns it was absolutely beautiful. They were expecting close to a hundred people.
Finally close to six people started arriving Kate and I just finished with the dessert table when a hand poked me on the shoulder I turned around to see Christian. He was in black dress pants and a green dress shirt which brought out his eyes.
"Hey Christian" i smiled doing my best to keep it together and not regress into my stupid 17 yr old self
"Wow did you do all this? Your mom mentioned you opened a bakery not far from here"
"Yes, just downtown been open. Less than a year"
"Nice I'll have to stop by, i'm sorry about earlier Anastasia"
"What are you talking about?" I was thoroughly confused
"For not recognizing you, gosh….. the last time iIsaw you was... I dont know iI think right before Europe you have definitely grown up" Christian ran his hand through his hair and smiled
I leaned in closely so no one could hear "i'm not the little girl that lived next door to you anymore" I smiled "oh excuse i need to go catch Jose before my mom sweeps him up, great talking to you hope we can catch up later"
I lifted my had to flag down my very gay baker /business partner Jose but Christian didnt need to know that.