Tomorrow, There'll Be Sun

I remember sitting in my room, singing that stupid 'Annie' song over and over. The sun will come out, tomorrow. Even though I wasn't technically an orphan, it sure felt like it. My Dad had primary custody of me, and his fiancée was a horrible person. She hated kids, and planned to send me off to boarding school the year Dad met her. That's when I knew I had to get out of there, so I ran away. I was eleven. But that's not where my story ends. In fact, it's just the beginning. Little did I know, my life was about to become something out of a fairytale storybook. I traveled from Simi Valley California, all the way to Hollywood. Yes, Hollywood. Somewhere along the way, my life changed dramatically.

It all began when I stopped a little short in the street, and was nearly run over by a car. Luckily, the girl behind the wheel saw me just before she hit me. She ran out of her car and came to my aid. "God, are you okay?" She asked, with an angelic voice. I knew that voice. And then, when I looked up, I saw a face that I only dreamed I would see in person. It was the face of Shay Mitchell. I was speechless for a long while. I couldn't believe my eyes. Only managing to nod my head as a sign that I was coherent, I smiled widely. "I'm so sorry!" She told me. She looked like she was about to cry. That was her alright, sweet onscreen and off. "No need, I'm fine." I paused, then continued. "May I say you're awesome?!" Shay smiled at that. "Awe, you must watch PLL, huh?" I nodded vigorously. 'PLL' stands for Pretty Little Liars. It was, and still is, my all-time favorite T.V. Show.

After a moment, Shay continued talking. "Well, as flattered as I am by that compliment, I'm really more concerned about you. What's your name, sweetie?" I took a deep breath. Here it goes. I was about to introduce myself to my hero, in the flesh. "I'm Ava. Ava Michaela Bennet." Shay stuck out her hand. "I love the name Ava, and Michaela just happens to be the name of my very best friend." She paused, inspecting the pre-teen that stood before her. "May I ask, are you Italian?" I smiled. "Yeah. Well, my Mom's side of the family is anyway. She gave me my name. I hardly see her anymore though." I answered. That was the first time I saw Shay frown. She hesitated a little before asking me the next question. "Is your Mom alright?" When I didn't answer at first, she said, "I'm sorry if that question was too personal." I shook my head quickly. "It's not, honest. No one has ever really been this interested in me before." I continued. "I don't live with my Mom. She's an alcoholic." I saw a look of distress on Shay's face when I told her this, so I tried to reassure her.

"My Dad has custody of me. He's okay I guess, it's his fiancée that's the problem. She wants to send me to boarding school next term. When I found out what she was planning, I decided to run away." My hero listened intently as I continued to talk. I always knew that Shay was caring, but it seemed she was even more so in person.

We sat in her car as I told my story. At first we went around a few blocks, but then we decided to park in the shade. "So, here I am now." I said, when I was finished. "Wow, that's some story, sweetie." Shay pauses, taking my hand. "Are you sure we shouldn't call your Dad or something? Let him know where you are?" I panicked a little when she asked me this. "No, please…. I just can't go back there!" I looked at my hero with a desperate plea. "Can I live with you for awhile?"

Shay frowned for the second time when she heard me ask this. "Oh squirt, I'm sorry, but it's not a good idea. You see, this was supposed to be a secret, but I have wedding plans to attend to. I'm getting married in three months." I was shocked at the news. "To who?" Shay smiled. "I'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone until the time is right, okay?" I agreed excitedly. "Okay." My hero was silent for a moment, and then, a huge grin spread across her face. "I'm going to marry Ashley. Ashley Benson!"

I nearly jumped out of the passenger's seat when she said this. I'd never been so happy about something in my entire life! Even though I always knew that those two would end up together, I couldn't help but envelop Shay In a gigantic hug. "I'm so happy for you!" I said. After another moment, I decided to speak again. "I promise that if you guys let me stay with you, I won't get in the way. I'll do the dishes, and take out the garbage, and everything. I'll even walk your dogs, honest!" "Whoa, Ava, slow down." She told me. I could tell she was in deep thought. Finally, Shay spoke. "Alright sweetie, you can stay with Ash and I, but you'll have to go home the day after the wedding. There's gonna be alot of paparazzi outside of our house then, and if they find out about you, it will be a mess."

I was so grateful that I nearly crushed Shay while hugging her. I think she was a little startled when I kissed her cheek, but she bounced back quickly. "Thank you! I love you, Shay." I told her. And I could have sworn I saw I tear of joy run down her cheek. "I….I love you too, Ava. Now, let's go to my place and surprise Ashley!" I squeezed her hand. "Sounds like a plan to me." I answered, excitedly.

So that's where we went.

The Sun will come out, Tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that Tomorrow… There'll be Sun.