Hello everyone! New AU coming your way. It will be both Anna/John and Mary/Matthew. This will be a first for me where there are two storylines that interconnect, but Mary and Matthew's story will be their own...they don't just exist in the story to facilitate Anna/John's story. So this is different for me. It was requested for me to do a story with more M/M, so I am doing so. I do hope I am able to pull it off well enough. ;) Enjoy!

Lucky One

Biting down on the corner of her lip and bouncing her knees, Anna glanced over her upcoming bills once again. She was trying to determine which bills she could possibly push back one week without getting anything essential cut off. The problem was that she was down to the bare essentials. She'd already cut everything that could possibly be taken out of her budget.

A loud sigh passed through her lips. She would have to find a second job. Before, her hours had been enough to make do. But they had been cut almost in half and she was struggling. It was frustrating.

Her doorbell rang and Anna checked the time on her watch and cursed under her breath. She had lost track of the time.

Quickly, Anna hid her bills and stood to open her door. On the other side stood her best friend Mary looking sharp, but with her hair pulled into a messy bun and a bag of hair ties in her hand.

"You will do my hair, won't you?" Mary asked, entering Anna's small flat.

"I…."

"And you're not wearing that?" Mary's eyes fell over Anna's ensemble. Anna just chuckled and shook her head. In her desperation while looking over her money situation, she hadn't gotten herself ready for their big night on the town. Mary's little sister, Sybil, was getting married and so they had a small bachelorette party planned for the evening.

"No," Anna promised. "I am not wearing this."

"Good," Mary replied. "Worn leggings and an oversized t-shirt isn't quite bachelorette chic."

Anna glanced down at the large hole in the knee of her leggings. It only reminded her that she was in need of some new clothes that she couldn't afford. She didn't dare tell Mary of any of this. Mary would insist she let her help out. But Anna was too prideful. She'd been taking care of herself since she was fifteen years old and she wasn't about to need someone else, not even her best friend.

She went into her bedroom and grabbed the dress off her bed and slid it on. Behind her, Mary made an approving sound.

"I always love that dress on you; hugs you in the right places." At Mary's comment, Anna's cheeks flushed slightly. She wasn't one who was used to compliments, nor did she bask in them. They often made her uncomfortable.

Mary's phone dinged and Anna turned, curious. Based on the way Mary's lips pursed tightly and they moved to one side, as she inhaled sharply, Anna had a good idea who had messaged her. Instead of typing a response, Mary slipped her phone back into her purse.

"You aren't going to reply to Matthew?" Anna questioned. Mary's eyes shot up and she let out a huff.

"Why would I?"

"He loves you, Mary, that's why. You love him. Tell him the truth," Anna implored, though she knew it was pointless. She'd been trying to convince Mary to speak with Matthew for over six months now about what had happened and Mary refused. Instead, she kept pushing him further and further away, breaking both of their hearts.

"I'm not sure what good that could do," Mary simply stated. Anna could see the sadness that seeped in Mary's eyes, however, and she didn't know why Mary felt she had to continue on like this.

"Why…"

"Will you just do my hair, please?" Mary curtly stated.

"Yes," Anna softened. Tonight was supposed to be a fun night. She gathered it would be best to table this discussion for later. "Let's get ready for our evening."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The night had been fun. Anna had been put in charge of paying the final bill at their final stop at the bar: Lucky's. Mary and Sybil had specifically selected this bar because a dear family friend, John Bates, owned the bar.

From across the way, Mary, Sybil, and Edith had all waved at the man. Anna was sure he was the one organizing the glasses in the corner. He seemed to be a bit of a brooder; always glancing around the bar as though he was in search of trouble.

Anna counted over the bills in her hand, making sure everyone had given her the right amount for their part. Anna had to save up for over a month for just tonight, but it had been worth it. It was rare that Anna did something special for herself.

She asked the bartender for the bill and quickly handed him over her cash. Right as she did, a man slid in the stool beside her.

"That's a lot of cash. Did you rob a bank?" The man slyly asked. Anna shook her head, a small smile growing on her lips.

"No, I did not."

"Could I buy you a drink?"

Anna glanced at the man and twisted her lips. Generally, as a rule, Anna did not accept drinks from other men at bars.

"I'm not sure I need one," she began.

"Oh, come on," he lightly pleaded, flashing her a charming grin. Anna looked over her shoulder to see her friends all gathering up their belongings to prepare to head home for the evening. She would be walking with Mary to her place, where Mary, who was still completely sober, would be driving home.

Before Anna could say anything else, Mary was beside Anna and eyeing the man next to her friend.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Um…." Anna started. "I think I might stay." The man's eyes lit up.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, you go on with the others."

Mary's eyes narrowed slightly, but she then nodded.

"You'll call me if you need a ride?"

"I will," Anna promised. "But it's a short walk."

"Alright," Mary gave Anna a quick kiss on her cheek. "Text me when you get home."

"Okay."

When Mary was gone, Anna looked at the money in her wallet. She didn't have enough to buy herself another drink. She sighed.

"Alright, you can buy me one drink," she compromised. She was barely tipsy and one drink wouldn't cause her to become drunk. It would give her time to see if this guy was worth her time or not. Then she could walk home. It was only a block over and right in the CCTV path with plenty of light.

The guy grinned and insisted she go and find them a table.

Anna did as she was told and a moment later, the man had brought her a drink. He set it down in front of her, before sitting across from Anna.

"Hi, I'm Anna."

"Alex," the guy said, winking. "Alex Green."

To be continued...

Probably won't be able to update for a few days with it being Easter this weekend. But I wanted to get the opening chapter to you with Carry You Through being completed today :) Thanks for reading!