Sorry for not updating yesterday, I was extremely busy.
APOV
Summer is officially here, and I couldn't be happier. This means short shorts, tank tops, and most of all flip-flops. Although I'm a little worried. Christian has been a little distant with me ever since his graduation and I don't know why either.
…..
Last night Kate texted informing me that Grace and her will be at my house around noon to pick me up to go dress shopping for the coping together gala that she is holding in her backyard.
I've never been to anything like this before. I'm also nervous because I think I'm going to tell Christian that I love him. I know I've already told him that I have strong feelings for him. I've also been thinking that maybe we should take our relationship to the next level. He is everything to me. He makes me feel special and wanted. Every morning I get a text from him saying "Morning beautiful" it always brings a smile to my face. I really can't see giving myself to anyone else but Christian.
Looking at my phone I see that it's 11:55. Kate and Mrs. Grey will be here any minute. Going downstairs my dad is sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Hey dad Mrs. Grey will be here soon to pick me up to go dress shopping"
"Ok honey. You guys have fun. Is there anything you need from me before you go?"
"Well now that you mention it" I smile. "Can I have your credit card?"
"Of course. Just try not to make me go broke" He jokes. I always hate asking him for money. Most of the time when he offers I turn him down.
He pulls out his wallet from his back pocket and opens it. He takes out his visa and hands it to me.
"Thanks Daddy"
"Your welcome. Anything I can do to put a smile on your face is worth handing this over"
Just as dad handed me his card the doorbell rang. Next the door opened reveling Kate with a great big smile on her face.
"You ready to go Steele?" I wave the credit card in the air and say, "Yup"
"Awesome let's go" I turned back to my dad. "Bye dad. See you later" He doesn't break his attention from the TV. All he does is wave. He is too interested in his TV show.
I follow Kate outside, making sure I shut the door behind me. When we get to Mrs. Grey car I open the back door but she stops me.
"Ana honey why don't you sit in front with me" I frown slightly. It's not that I don't mind sitting in front with Grace. I just wanted to talk to Kate about what's been going on with Christian and myself.
"Ok" I leave the door open so Kate can get in. I go to the front and get in, while we are driving to the mall I can see every so often she will look over at me and smile like a loving mother would. It's something I've missed over the years.
Arriving at the mall Mrs. Grey parks her car and the three of us step out. Walking into the mall I'm completely amazed by my surroundings. I've never been to the mall before. I'm one of those people who always shop at Walmart. I never understood why people would spend over a hundred dollars on a pair of jeans.
I'm off to go find myself a pair of shoes. You know they say that shoes are what make the dress. So if I find the right pair of shoes I'll find the right dress" Says Kate.
"Have fun with that Kate" I said to her. Grace laughs at my comment.
Grace takes me into a lovely dress shop. There are rows and rows of beautiful dresses. I don't think I have ever seen this many before. Luckily for Grace she finds her dress in no time. As for myself I'm having a hard time finding something.
"Ana, have you found anything you like?"
"No, not yet. I'm not sure what type of dress I need. Long, short, strapless. I've never had to buy a dress for an event like this"
"It's a black tie affair. I would suggest something long and flowy. Maybe even strapless as well" Grace suggests.
"What do you think Christian would like to see me in?"
"When it comes to you sweetheart I don't think it'll matter. Christian will love anything you wear" That earned a blush to my cheeks. Trying to hide my blushing I turn around and that's when I spot it. It's a sliver chiffon strapless floor length evening gown with a gray sash that goes around the waist. It's beautiful.
"What do you think about this one Grace?" I take the dress of its rack and hold it up against my body.
"Ana" She gasps. "That is perfect. Go try it on" She ushers me to the dressing room. "I'll go see if I can find some shoes to go with it while you're putting it on"
While I'm trying on the dress Grace put's the perfect pair of shoes under the door for me. I'm guessing she wants to see the full effect. I was surprised when I put the shoes on. They fit perfectly. I open the door and walk out. Grace stands there with a stunned expression on her face. Maybe it's not the perfect dress for me.
"What's wrong?" I ask. "Does it look ok or should I find something else?"
"Oh Ana. It's perfect. You look perfect in it"
"Do you mean that?"
"Of course I do Ana. People won't be able to take their eye off of you. Especially Christian" Another blush creeps to my face but soon I'm reminded of the distance between Christian and me. So distant that he hasn't even looked me in the eye when talking to me.
After paying for our dresses and shoes. I send Kate a text letting her know that Grace and myself found out dresses and will meet her at the food court.
While waiting for Kate. Grace and I both get something to drink. We find a clean and empty table to sit at, and that's when the questions starts coming from Grace.
"Is everything alright Ana? You seem…a little off"
"Me off? No I'm ok" I lie. She must sense that I'm lying.
"Is there something the matter with you and Christian"
"Sort of I guess. I mean, he just seems off lately. Not himself at all. It's just….maybe…I don't know, maybe he doesn't like me anymore" I really don't know anymore and it's breaking my heart.
"Ana you mustn't think that. Christian loves you. He is going through something right now. He also has a lot on his mind. He'll be leaving for college shortly and I know that one of the main things that's bothering him" I try my best to believe her. I really am.
The both of us remain silent and continue to drink our drinks. Kate comes walking over to us with both hands loaded with bags. Kate is the type of person who would say she is just going to the store for some milk, but then comes home hours later with the half the store.
Grace and I grab our bags and start to walk with Kate. As we are walking we hear someone call out to Grace. The three of us stop and start to look around and see who it is. It's Elena. Grace's face goes from a pale pink to ghost white.
"Elena" Grace gasps.
Small GPOV
"Elena" What in God's name is she doing here, I thought Carrick had her arrested.
"Grace it's so lovely to see you" I have to play it simple, Christian hasn't told Ana yet and I promised him I wouldn't say anything. He wants to be the one to tell her.
"Elena what are you doing here" I say through my teeth.
"Grace you don't see too pleased to see me, I can't imagine why" Elena says with a devilish grin.
"You know damn well why"
"Of course I do, but did you really think they we're going to keep me. I know more people than you and Carrick give me credit for," She laughs.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh Grace come off it. Your husband might be one of the best lawyers in all of Seattle but he isn't the only lawyer in Seattle" How dear she.
"You listen here" I point my finger at her. "You stay away from me and my family. You are nothing but a…." Before I even get a chance to finish what I was going to say I hear Ana say,
"A bitch troll" Oh lord no. I turn around to look at Ana. I shake my head and widen my eyes. She needs to stay out of this.
"Oh really Anastasia. Is that what you think I am? Well sweetheart, you have no idea what kind of trouble you just got yourself into"
"You leave her out of this Elena. She's done nothing to you"
"Oh but she has. Maybe if it wasn't for her we wouldn't be in this little predicament now would we?"
"He would of said something to us one way or another" Elena steps closer to me. I thought she was going to get right up in my face but instead she turns her body towards Ana. Poor things she hasn't a clue of what's going on.
"Don't you dear stand there and look at me as if you don't know what's going on Ana. You're the reason this all happened. You think he may love you but your right. You're dead wrong. He doesn't love you. He'll just do the same thing he has done all the other before he met me"
"Grace, what is she talking about?" Ana asks me.
"She doesn't know Elena. Now get out or I'll have you arrest for harassment"
"I'm leaving anyways" Elena turns around and starts walking. She only gets a few steps away before she turns around and says,
"Just remember what I said Anastasia. Just like the other. See you around" I don't know what game she is playing but it isn't going to work. I can't even begin to think what Ana must be thinking.
Ana and Kate are both shaken by all this. Little does Ana know that most of this is all because of her and Christian being together; I feel like I could break down any second, but I can't I need to remain strong.
"Ana are you alright?" I ask.
"I-I think so. What was she talking about Grace?"
Nothing you need to worry about. Elena has made some poor choices and is no longer a friend. Come on girls let's get you both home"
As soon as we get into my car I send a quick text to Carrick informing him on our encounter with Elena at the mall.
*Elena was at the mall today
*What happened are you alright are the girls alright?
*Yes we are fine, I'm a bit shaken and Ana doesn't know what's going on she is confused
*I'll have a talk with Christian letting him know what happened
*Ok see you soon
Small Carrick POV
I put my phone down after I was done texting Grace about her encounter today. I can't believe this shit. Why is she not in jail right now? I need to have a talk with Christian
"Christian" I call out for my son. Minutes later he walks into the kitchen.
"Yeah Dad, what's up?"
"Christian there was a problem at the mall today with your mother and Ana" I begin to tell him.
"What happened? Are they ok, is Ana ok?"
"I don't know all the details. All I know if that your mother, Kate and Ana had encountered Elena.
"What did she say?"
"I don't know your mother didn't tell me" I hand him my cell phone so he can see what his mother had told me. "Son I think it might be time you say something to Ana about all of this"
"I know dad" He sighs. "I will"
