Present Day . . .
Lost in her thoughts, Ana didn't even notice that the door had swung open and her overly enthusiastic roommate had burst in. Kate was the only friend Ana had kept through high school and even college. She felt a sisterly bond to the blonde bombshell, but sometimes also overwhelmed by her crass attitude.
"Can we please go out tonight Ana? I'm so tired of sitting at home..." Cried Kate, her dramatics something Ana had become immune to.
Ana stole a glance at the magazine cover once more before letting her eyes drift to Kate. Her blonde waves bounced as she walked towards Ana, and her lip jutted out into a pout. With a giggle and a roll of her eyes, Ana shook her head.
"Call Jose...I'm really trying to write this Kate, you know that." She replied, tucking her legs beneath her.
Kate flopped on the couch, grumbling about something beneath her breath. She spread her legs out in front of her, her bare feet resting on the coffee table. Ana watched as her roommate picked up the Forbes magazine and flipped through it absentmindedly before her eyes lit up.
"Did you know Christian Grey has a new night club opening tomorrow night?" Kate exclaimed, flipping the magazine over to show Ana.
Right there before her the words read: ... along with his other ventures, Christian Grey will also be opening up his new night club "Ice" September 29th... She stared at the words, reading them over and over. She felt Kate watching her and her cheeks burned beneath her stare.
"Do you want to go?" Kate urged, nudging Ana on the shoulder. The happiness on her face evident as she awaited her friends reaction.
"But... but what if we see him? He won't recognize me. I haven't spoken to him in ten years Kate." Ana said lightly. She felt her nerves creeping in, but also noted the bubble of excitement she also felt.
Ten years prior . . .
While their fellow classmates attended class, Ana and Christian were meeting for the second time, skipping their last period. Their ice cream trip had been uneventful, but it seemed both teenagers just wanted someone to spend a little time with that could understand them.
They sat at a picnic table in the park that lay on the block parallel to the school. Ana's elbows were propped up against the wooden table, her face in her hands. She watched as Christian explained that his sister, at the age of five, was becoming quite the hellion.
"But of course... Grace and Carrick don't really yell at her because she's the baby." He finished, rolling his eyes and mimicking Ana's position.
"Why do you call them Grace and Carrick? Why not mom and dad?" As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she regretted them. She watched as Christian tensed up, and his eyes went blank. Reaching a hand out she touched his arm to which he jerked away. "Christian... i'm sorry, it's none of my business.. So what's your favorite class?"
And just like that he was back to normal and continued to speak about his love for science, and how he would one day change the world.
Three week's later . . .
"I think you're my best friend Ana." Christian said so quietly Ana was sure she misheard him.
Together they sat on the bleachers, staring out at the football and track field. The previous three weeks had made her transition between both schools easier. They helped each other with homework. She found out he didn't like to be touched, and that he had been adopted. He learned the reasoning behind her move. They were both two lost souls, trying to figure out their place in the world, and were able to get clarity together.
She turned her head towards him, pushing her glasses up. "I think you're my best friend too Christian..."
Later that night, Ana found herself being awoken by a rapping against her window. She stood, blinking the sleep from her eyes and walked to the window, glancing out. There stood Christian, throwing rocks again and again. She noted as he threw them, he stumbled.
Ten minutes later, she found herself outside in jeans and a white t-shirt, her hair thrown up in a messy bun. "Christian! What're you doing?!" She whispered, looking back to be sure her father's light was still off. It was apparent from not only his posture, but also his breath that he was drunk. Taking another look at him, she noted his fist was covered in blood. "What did you do? Did you get into another fight?"
"Ana... you look... good." He mumbled, taking a step towards her to which she ignored. She immediately grabbed his hand, and though he tensed up he allowed her to.
"We need to get this cleaned up... come on... be quiet!" She walked into the house once more, tip toeing up her stairs and looking back to make sure he was following. Once she passed her Ray's room and could hear his snores, she felt calmer. After bringing him into the bathroom she shut the door, turning on the sink and thrusting his hand beneath it.
"I want some answers. Why are you drunk? And why were you fighting?" Ana said as the water ran red.
"I got into my dads liquor cabinet. Seemed like a good idea..." He slurred, "Some jocks were having a party so I crashed it and knocked out the captain of the football team..." He grinned, as if he were proud. "They started chasing me... so I came here..."
"You thought the best place to go... when a bunch of jocks were chasing you... was my house?" She squeaked, raising her eyebrows. Noticing the water was now clear she turned off the sink.
"I wanted to see you... you're my best friend..."
Her features softened, and in return so did his. "You have to stop this Christian... this drinking and fighting-"
"Can I sleep here?" He interrupted, his eyes beginning to droop.
Ana bit her lower lip, assessing the situation. Here was the most gorgeous boy she had ever known, her best friend, standing before her... drunk and wanting to stay the night.
"Please?" He murmured. "I can sleep on the floor."
And that's how they fell asleep, Ana on her bed, and Christian laying a foot away from her on the floor.
Present Day . . .
"Steele... you look hot." Kate exclaimed.
Ana observed her figure in the mirror. She could admit, she did in fact look hot. Her brown hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders down to her breasts. Blue eyes were lined in coal, and the black dress that hugged her curves made her feel attractive. The difference in her high school appearance and now was obvious. She had, at the age of seventeen, finally developed. After high school, she had finally accepted contacts instead of her black rimmed glasses. Overall, she looked like a woman.
Kate, on the other hand, had always been developed. She had men from college hitting on her when she was still just seventeen. Tonight her blonde curls were piled high on her head and her figure was wrapped in red material. Her influence from her father was able to secure them two VIP passes into Ice, and her father had rented them a limo.
It was only an hour later that they were dropped off, stepping outside of the limo to be greeted by flashing lights. Just as any grand opening of a business opened by Christian Grey, the photographers waited. How that shy, scared boy became this, Ana would never know.
Kate, in her element, posed for the cameras. Ana, on the other hand, pulled away trying to make her way inside. The lights continued flashing, and she found herself brought back to another time.
Ten years prior . . .
Five months after Ana and Christian met.
The flash of a camera dazed Ana, small lights appearing in her vision. She stood in the foyer of Christians elaborate home in front of his parents in a silver tea-length dress. Ray stood next to them, his own disposable camera flashing away.
"Oh! Christian! You forgot..." Christian's mother Grace exclaimed running into the kitchen. Ana liked her immediately. Though it should have been obvious from her profession as a pediatric doctor, Ana found that in person Grace was the most caring person she had ever met.
"Mom..." Christian began, rolling his eyes. He had stood next to Ana through the pictures for their Spring Dance, but both made sure not to touch one another.
His mother appeared again, a small plastic box in her hands holding a white rose corsage. After much fumbling and a few giggles and exasperated sighs, it now sat snug on Ana's wrist.
"Did I miss it? Did I miss the pictures?" The voice came from the entrance and in walked a blonde woman, her hair done in a bob. Her features were sharp, and she was quite beautiful. Ana watched as she immediately walked towards Grace, giving her kisses on both of her cheeks.
"Elena! You made it! We are just finishing up." Grace said, her eyes falling on her middle adopted child.
Christian, uncomfortable with the attention, gave Ana a look that she was learning well. Let's get out of here.
"Dad... we're ready."
Ray, excited to be a part of the festivities, waved good bye to Christians family and walked out to start the car.
As they tried to leave, Ana couldn't help but notice the look Elena was giving Christian. It was greedy, territorial almost.
"Oh, Christian!" Elena said, reaching a hand out to get his attention. "Don't forgot, tomorrow afternoon... the yard work."
Christian made no movement towards her, nor did he answer. Ana walked out behind him, taking one last glance at Elena. She couldn't help but notice the knowing look on her face.
Later in the evening, Christian and Ana sat on a dock, overlooking the water. The dance hall, rented out by the school had a great view. They both noticed the other students sneaking out into the darker, more intimate areas, but ignored them. They had danced together, only through fast songs, Ana making sure to respect his space. Once the slow songs would come on, both would make their way towards the food and drinks.
"Ana..." Christian began, staring out at the gentle waves. "I just want to tell you how much you mean to me. It's always been hard coming from where I came from... being with my family... not having friends. Thanks for asking me out for ice cream." He looked at her then, gray eyes staring into blue.
A blush crept through her cheeks. She smiled at him, vaguely happy that they were in a darker area. "Thanks for punching that guy..." She giggled, biting her lower lip.
"Always be my friend?" Christian asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Always Christian... always."
And while she was sure it must have hurt him to do so, she felt his fingers intertwine with her own.