Chapter 8:

I frown and stand up, walking towards the door. I open it and see Ethan standing with blood down his shirt and all over his face. I gasp when I see him. "Ana." I frown at him.

"What are you doing here Ethan?" I say angrily. He sighs and walks past me and into my living room. "I didn't say you could come in." Ethan looks at me. "What?" I snap.

"Ana come on, you weren't serious." I scoff.

"I was dead serious Ethan, get out." He walks forward and tries to take my hand but I pull it away.

"Ana-"

"-No, Ethan! Tonight was the final straw! I liked you and I thought that we had a good relationship. But then I realise that you're a shit boyfriend, and a shit person, so we're done. Now get out." He looks hurt and he slumps to his knees. At this point I don't feel sorry for him at all, he treats me like shit and I'm done with it.

"Ana." He sobs. "I love you." I roll my eyes.

"No you don't. Because of you did, you would have stopped calling me yours, you would have understood where I'm coming from, and you would care about me! The stuff that you said to Christian today hurt, Ethan! You sounded like you were talking about a sex doll. It was disgusting to listen to. The fact that I'm screaming your name and not Christian's, or your constant referral to me being yours. Well guess what Ethan, I never was, and I'm certainly not now. I'm sick of relationships, I don't know why I ever thought we could work because we're clearly not compatible." He looks up at me, with spite in his eyes.

"And you and Christian are?" I groan loudly.

"Ugh, will you just get over the fucking Christian thing! This is about you and me." He stands up.

"But it isn't is it? Because he loves you, and you love him. I saw the look in your eyes when he told you, that's why I punched the bastard. Fuck, and now we're not together? I give it a week tops until you're with that rich asshole." Then he takes my face in his hands. "I love you Ana, and we're meant to be together. I will not rest until I get you back." He kisses my forehead and walks out, I shut the door behind him sighing. I walk to my bedroom and just go to bed, which is hard because my phone rings every two minutes with either Christian or Ethan calling me. Eventually I turn it off and go under the covers. This is gonna be tough.

It's been two weeks and I haven't spoken to Christian or Ethan. They've both tried to contact me. They've both sent me stuff. Ethan sent me the usual, chocolates and roses, which shows that he really doesn't know me because I don't like roses. Whereas Christian sent me stuff he knew I'd like. He sent me spearmint polos because he knows those are my favourite candy. He also sent me a little keychain that says 'Keep Calm and Keep Performing Autopsies' I laughed so much when I saw it, but that just made me feel worse. He also sent me more than a dozen lilies, those are my favourite flower. I miss Christian so much, it's killing me that we aren't speaking. I still don't feel bad that me and Ethan are over. I feel hurt, but not because we didn't work out, because I am not a possession, I am not anybody's. I'm Ana's and he can fuck off if he thinks I'll forgive him after what he said to Christian. There's a knock at the door and I open it. Another delivery man is there, with two boxes. "Anastasia Steele?" I nod. "Sign here please." He hands me the clipboard and I sign it. I take the boxes and he thanks me, turns around and leaves. I put them on the kitchen counter and Kate walks in with Elliot behind her.

"Hey Ana. Another gift huh?" I nod. "Well open it." I roll my eyes and open the biggest box. There's a beautifully handwritten note in it.

Dear Ana,

I bought you these in the hope that you'll accompany me to the Coping Together ball tonight like you said you would a month ago. I would love to see you again, and I hope we can go as friends.

Love always,

Your Christian x

I sigh and put the note down. Kate reads it and sighs. "He is so romantic." Elliot nudges her and she giggles. "Sorry." Then she turns to me. "Well, what is it?" I take off the tissue paper and gasp, picking up the silly material and pulling the dress out the box. It is a beautiful grey satin gown that is straight down. "Ana. That is beautiful." I look up and see even Elliot's eyes widen at the present.

"My brother definitely knows women. I don't know why I thought he was a virgin." Kate elbows him and he moans. "Sorry Ana." I smile.

"What's in the other box?" Kate pipes up. I carefully put the dress down and open the other box. Kate gasps. "Are those Jilopa Antispecchio Christian Louboutins?" I shrug as I take out the heels. They're the same silvery colour and absolutely beautiful. "Well you're going obviously. I won't let those heels go to waste and my dress won't go with them." I look down at Christian's note then back up and Kate and Elliot, I sigh.

"Ok. I'll go."

That evening, Kate does my hair and makeup and I have to say once I'm in the dress and shoes I'm pleased with the outcome. Kate curled my hair and braided bits from the front, pinning them behind my head. She then got tiny diamond clips and put them all in the braids. My makeup is natural and I have to say I feel beautiful. I walk out and Elliot does a double take. He stares at me with his mouth open. "Shut your mouth El or you'll catch flies." Kate looks behind her and smacks his arm.

"Don't ogle my best friend!" He apologises then when her back is turned he winks at me and puts his thumb up, nodding. I giggle and Kate turns around again. "Elliot Grey I swear to god-" He dips her down and kisses her passionately. When she comes up she stumbles a bit then giggles. "Ok." Elliot grins at her and I feel a pain in my chest again.

"Right shall we go?" I say, grabbing my clutch. Kate shakes her head and walks forward, fluffing my hair once more.

"Oh no, my beautiful and single best friend, you have your own transport. Outside." I frown at her and open the door. I gasp at the shiny black Audi outside, with Christian leaning on it, holding more lilies. I turn to Kate and Elliot and smile, then I walk down the stairs to him. Christian looks up and gives me a heart stopping smile and I feel a lurch in my chest. When I get down the steps we just smile at each other. He has a small cut on his nose and lip but they're hardly noticeable, I instantly feel guilty for putting him in this position. "Hug him for fuck sake!" Kate shouts from the window. We both look up and see Elliot and Kate leaning out grinning at us. I shake my head and giggle, then look up at him and wrap my arms around his neck, embracing him tightly. He does the same around my waist and I try to keep the tears at bay because Kate would kill me if I messed up this makeup.

"I missed you so much." I whisper in his ear. I can feel him smile into my neck.

"I missed you too." We pull apart and Christian opens the door for me, and I get in as gracefully as I can in this dress. The car ride is silent, but it's a comfortable silence, we're just enjoying each other's company. When we get there I can hear the paparazzi outside waiting for us to get out. He leans over and takes my hand, and I feel a buzz of electricity flow through my hand and up my arm. "Look, I don't expect anything from tonight. The dress, the shoes, the gifts, they were all peace offerings. I want us to go as friends, and then we can have the best night ever. Ok?" I instantly relax and smile at him.

"I'd like that. Come on then bestie." He laughs and Christian gets out, then comes round and opens my door. I get out and am immediately blinded by the camera flashes. Christian takes my waist and walks us down the red carpet, towards the marquee. Once we've been shouted at and blinded we go inside the huge white tent. When we get inside Grace immediately runs up to us.

"Ana! You came! And you look absolutely gorgeous." I blush as Grace pulls me into her arms. When we pull away Christian leads us to our table. We take a seat and I see Mia, Kate, Elliot and Christian's parents seated around the table. Christian pulls out my chair and I smile at him and curtesy, he bows and we both sit down. Mia is smiling at us.

"You guys are so cute." Christian glares at her and I giggle.

"Mia." He says in a warning tone. I nudge him.

"Aw come on, we are cute. We're besties." I say and Mia sighs.

"I want a friendship like you guys." Christian smiles at me.

"No Mia, you're just desperate." Elliot says and Mia kicks him under the table. "Ow! Little shit." She sticks her tongue out at him and we all laugh.

"Children please, behave." Grace tuts. They both hang their heads.

"Sorry mom." They both say like scolded children. That makes us all laugh harder. Our food comes shortly and we all start eating.

"Is your food ok?" Christian asks me.

"It's amazing. I bet one pea costs like twenty bucks though." I say, holding one up on my fork and popping it into my mouth. He laughs.

"Yeah. You can't beat a good old five dollar meal." We both laugh again and all the others share knowing glances at one another. When we're all finished Mia drags Kate and I up on stage for the dance auction. I'm introduced and immediately the offers start rolling in. Christian is obviously the first.

"Five thousand." I smirk until someone else bids.

"Ten thousand." I frown and look around for the face who said it.

"Twenty thousand." Christian retorts, sounding irritated.

"Fifty Thousand." There are gasps and I frantically look through the audience to find out who this guy is.

"One hundred thousand!" Christian shouts, annoyed. There is silence.

"Going once. Going twice. Sold! To the fancy man in the flashy tuxedo." Christian comes to the front and takes my hand, leading me off stage.

"You spent one hundred thousand dollars on me Christian. That's ridiculous." He shrugs.

"It's for a good cause. And I would spend one hundred million for five minutes of your time Ana." I feel that fluttery feeling in my chest again as I smile at him, he pulls me into his arms just as the first song starts. It's Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra, which oddly is one of Christian's favourite songs. He holds me against his chest and starts to hum while we sway.

Those fingers in my hair

That sly come hither stare

That strips my conscious bare

It's witchcraft

And I've got no defence for it

The heat is too intense for it

What good would common sense for it do

'Cause, it's witchcraft

Wicked witchcraft

And although I know it's strictly taboo

When you arouse that need in me

My heart says yes indeed in me

Proceed with what you're leading me to

It's such an accent pitch

But one I wouldn't switch

'Cause there's no nicer witch than you

Halfway through the song he spins me round and I giggle, then he dips me down and back up, swaying more. He leads us all around the dance floor, and all the other couples watch us. He has a huge grin on his face and I do too. It's been such a lovely night so far.

"You look beautiful tonight, bestie." He smiles and I laugh.

"You look rather handsome as well, bestie." He smirks at me and we continue to dance.

"Would it be ok if I asked you to have dinner with me tomorrow?" I smile further and nod.

"With pleasure." I say just as the song ends. We make our way off the dance floor and go to the bar, where we spend the rest of the night. By the end of the ball we're both pretty tipsy. Taylor drives us both home while we giggle in the backseat. We get to my apartment and just as I go to get out the car Christian holds my hand.

"I had a really good time tonight." He says and I smile.

"It was the best night of my life." He grins back at me.

"I could make every night like that if you would let me." I just smile at him and lean over, kissing his cheek.

"Goodnight, bestie." He chuckles as I get out the car. I open the door and once it's shut I sag against it. I have a fluttery feeling in my chest and I giggle at how giddy I feel. And I don't think it's all because of the alcohol. I go to bed smiling and I fall asleep almost immediately.

A/N - Hi guys! Hope you enjoy this chapter. One thing I will say is, please stop saying that my Ana is a bitch and a ho and a whore because it's getting ridiculous. I understand if you don't like this story but come on, it's obvious I'm going to keep writing it so why say it? Anyway, thank you to all the people that love this story :)

Sophie x