A/N: Hey everyone. So this is a story very close to my heart. I know it's stupid to say that about a fanfic, but its true. I'm kinda baring my soul here by sharing this. I debated for a long time about whether or not I should. I decided to do it, figuring it would give me a bit of closure. So if you find this fic and decide its worth your time, then please enjoy.

Chapter 1: Crazy World

Back sore from carrying books all day, Chrysanthemum made her way up the stairs to the sixth floor apartment. It had been a long day and the pricks of a migraine were beginning to surface at the base of her head. All she wanted to do was take a hot shower and curl up on the couch with her boyfriend. Maybe he would even be willing to put on a movie and she could do a bit of drawing while it was on. Reaching the front door, Chrysanthemum fiddled with the keys, grumbling until she was able to slide the correct one into the lock and push open the door.

"David?" she called, sighing as the warm apartment soothed her chilled body. "I'm home."

"Hey babe," a voice inside replied. "Where you been?"

Chrysanthemum kicked off her shoes and set her bag by the door. She wandered into the living room where she found David lounging on the couch, scrolling ceaselessly through his laptop.

"I've been at work, David," the girl replied, plopping next to him. "Like I am every day."

"Oh yeah," her boyfriend said absently, not really paying attention. Chrysanthemum bit her lip and tried not to feel like she was being brushed off.

"What about you?" she asked lightly. "How's the business?"

David made a face, still not looking away from his screen.

"Eh, fine I guess," he said. "Had a super boring phone conference I could have skipped. Sounds like we sold the few systems to some loser small-time companies. The usual."

Chrysanthemum rolled her eyes at the disinterest he was showing.

"That's great honey," she said, trying to sound sincere.

David Charles Jones was the heir to a security system firm that had been making good money for decades. It wasn't a billion dollar corporation or anything, but it was large enough so that David had always been very well off his entire life. He was currently shadowing his father in preparation to take over the family business. Or at least, that's what he was supposed to be doing. He preferred to go to parties and sporting events with his friends rather than learn about the company he would soon be inheriting.

Chrysanthemum rose from the couch, stretching. "Well, I'm going to take a shower and head to bed. You can join me later if you want."

"Oh, actually babe," David said, looking at her for the first time since she had arrived. "The guys are coming over tonight to watch the football game, so could you make dinner and some snacks?"

"David, I'm tired," Chrysanthemum replied, trying not to be annoyed. "Can you just order some pizzas?"

David looked at her incredulously. "What's the big deal?" he demanded, closing his laptop and standing. "I'm not asking for much, just a quick meal and maybe some sandwiches."

"I told you, I'm tired. It's been a long day."

"So? You should never be too tired to help me out!"

"God, really David? At least let me go take my shower first."

"No! What's the matter with you lately?"

"Me!?"

"Yes you! You're quiet now and you've been so distant, like you have better things to do than spend time with your boyfriend!"

"It's called having a full time job and being exhausted by the end of the day! And what are you talking about? You're the one who doesn't want to spend time together! You barely even acknowledge my presence unless you want something!"

"Shut up, Chrissy!" David yelled, losing his temper.

Chrysanthemum bit her lip again and turned her head away, hot tears pricking at her eyes. The two of them stood in silence for a while, neither one looking at the other. Then David unclenched his fists and took a step forward, embracing his reluctant girlfriend in his arms.

"Is that how you feel?" he asked softly. "Like I'm ignoring you?" Chrysanthemum didn't reply. "Tell you what," he continued. "You go take your shower or whatever, I'll order pizza, and tomorrow, we'll go on a date."

Chrysanthemum looked up at him, brown eyes wide.

"Date?" she repeated. They hadn't been on a date in forever. If she was being honest with herself, she was forgetting what it was like to be in love with David. A date would be good for them.

"Yeah, a date," David said firmly, as though he was convincing himself of it. "We'll go to that sushi place you like and then maybe a movie. Sound good?"

Chrysanthemum gave him a small smile and tried to move past her bad feelings from before. "Sounds good."

"Cool," David said with his signature goofy grin. He leaned down and caught his girlfriend's lips in a kiss. She wasn't really feeling it, but she kissed him back anyways.

. . .

After taking the longest shower of her life, Chrysanthemum put her long brown hair in a messy bun and climbed into the king size bed she shared with David. Down the hall she could hear him and his buddies booing loudly at the referees in the football game. Sighing as she nestled into the blankets, Chrysanthemum scrolled through her phone absently. Once she replied to a few messages and checked her social media accounts, she briefly browsed some news headlines. One in particular caught her eye.

SUPPOSED TERRORIST ATTACK ON LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER

The shopping center itself was one that Chrysanthemum frequented and it wasn't too far away. Curious, the girl opened the story and began reading:

Authorities are baffled by the large explosion that decimated approximately half of the local shopping center. Several injuries have been reported, but thankfully no deaths have been made known to the public. What made the explosion strange was that it didn't seem to be targeting anything and it left a massive crater in the north parking lot, something a regular bomb would not do. An official field expert stated that the crater was something a collision would have made, like a meteor, but no debris was found on the scene. Police have not ruled out freak accident, but are currently acquitting the destruction to a minor terror cell. There have been several reports of a group of people leaving the scene of the attack, all wearing black and red clothing. This group is the prime suspect of the attack and authorities are interested in all information on this potentially dangerous group of individuals.

'Wow,' Chrysanthemum thought to herself, turning off her phone and putting it aside. 'Crazy world.'

Hope you liked the first chapter. Please let me know what you think.