Truth be told, if someone told me that when I woke up today, and saw the hottest guy in school had texted me I would have told you you were an absolute maniac. But, I did. I did wake up today, and the hottest guy in school did text me.
I think I sat on my bed for a good fifteen minutes just staring at the text I got, mouth open wide, eyes matching. 'Hey Anastasia. I just wanted to say hi and that im so sorry for all youv been thru bc i know that youv been thru alot. Eve told me what she did, shes a mess, cries during every lunch break.'
Finally, I decided to text him back. "Hey, Lucas. No need to apologize, it's not your fault. And is she really? I have a hard time believing that. Sorry, don't mean to sound harsh.'
He quickly responded. 'u can sound as harsh as u want. ur a good person, dont deserve any of the crap she does to u. its not fair at all. and im apologizing for myself too, cuz i didnt stand up for u wen u were hurting the most.'
My eyes filled with tears. "It's okay. I'm used to it."
'u shouldnt be used to that shit! its terrible that u even have to say that. listen, im goin to this fireworks thing with the fam tonight and i wanted to know if u could com? it would mean a lot.'
My mouth gaped open again. The hottest guy in my school just invited me to watch fireworks with him in his family. Is this even happening?
'I'd have to ask my sister, but I'm sure she's going to say yes!' Oh, maybe I shouldn't use the exclamation point. Makes me sound too excited. I quickly changed it to a period.
'ok cool beans! ill see u soon then?'
My breath got stuck in my throat, I let out a weird gargly sound instead of the squeal I was hoping for and face planted on my bed. He said cool beans too!
'Lol, I'm glad I'm not the only one that says cool beans! Yeah, you should see me soon. What time will you come?'
'cool beans. ;) also, 7 pm and it ends at 8 30.'
I made the same weird ass sound again.
'Okay! See you then! (hopefully)'
'Kay!'
I ran out of my bedroom almost tripping over the carpet out in the living room and ran straight into Amanda's bedroom where Nick and Amanda were both watching television.
"Guess what!" I had to try hard not to make the noise a third time.
"What?" Nick looked at me, concerned.
"The hottest guy ever just asked me to go see fireworks with his family and I really really really really really wanna go and his parents will bet there and it's going to be okay, and he's so hot and-"
I took a deep breath.
"Okay. Okay." Amanda laughed, looking Nick in the eyes. Nick still looked concerned.
"Can I go, Amanda I'm literally begging you!" I got onto my knees, giving her the best puppy face I could muster up.
"Okay, who is this boy?" Amanda said.
"I already told you-"
"I got that he's hot." Amanda noted, "But who is he, because he's obviously more than just a pretty face if you're this excited."
I bit my bottom lip and sighed. "We used to be friends when I was 10. Sort of, we spoke a lot, and we hung out during lunch and recess. But then we grew apart, we had a huge crush on each other, it was obvious."
"Okay." Amanda took a deep breath. "His parents will be there?"
I nodded.
"Okay. You can go." She smiled. "What time is this going on, and what time will you be home?"
"It starts at 7 and he's coming back to get me at 8:30." I replied, a grin reaching up to my ears had suddenly appeared on my face.
Nick groaned.
Amanda covered his mouth. "Go get showered and ready for the day. Aria is coming over today."
I nodded. "Can I take a bath in your bathroom, though?"
"Of course."
And so I did, and after my amazing bath I threw on some black leggings and a purple knit sweater.
Aria came at around two, and sat on the balcony with a bowl of salsa and a bag of tortilla chips.
"So...I'm going to court next week." She said.
I looked up at her, my face softening. "You okay?"
She shrugged. "Scared shitless."
I wrapped her in a side hug, and she rested her head on my shoulder. "That's okay. It's okay to be scared shitless."
"I don't want to see him again." She said. "I don't want to look in his eyes."
I rubbed her arm. "I'll come. I'll come and watch, it'll be okay. Don't look at him, look at me the entire time."
"Are you really?"
I nodded. "Well I'm certainly going to try. It's not like I'll be in jail or something."
Aria laughed.
"So guess what happened to me." I said.
"What?" She pulled away from our embrace.
"Lucas texted me."
"Super hot, I wish he was my boyfriend, Lucas?" Her eyes buldged.
I nodded. "He apologized for not standing up for me against Eve, and hes taking me to see fireworks tonight with his family."
"You lucky girl." She swatted at my arm.
I laughed. "I know."
"Well have fun for me. Olivia and I have to meet with Barba to 'discuss matters'." She rolled her eyes.
"I will." I patted her head. "I will."
When Lucas picked me up at 7, Nick handed me a bottle of pepperspray. "If he hurts you, you kick him straight in the balls and spray him with this."
I sighed. "Yes, dad."
I saw his eyes glimmer at the idea of me calling him dad, and that made me happy to see him happy.
"Go." He kissed my forehead. "Have fun."
I met Lucas outside of the apartment building, a smile plastered on his face.
"Hey, Annie-Candy." He said, using the nickname he gave me when we were so much younger.
"Haven't heard that one in awhile." I gave him a smile as well.
He linked arms with me. "To the car, shall we?"
"We shall." I nodded and he lead me to the black SVU.
We got into the back seat, a babies car seat seperating us.
"Aww, she's so cute." I cooed, looking at the baby that sat in the seat.
"Her name's, Annie." He chuckled, rubbing his neck.
"It was Lucas' idea." Lucas' mother looked back at me with a smile. "He was inspired by your name."
"Ma!" His face went red.
I laughed. "That's okay, Luke. That's really nice actually."
He sighed.
"It's so nice to see you, Anastasia." Her mother spoke once again. "It's been so many years, how have you been. How's your sister?"
"We're doing good." I smiled at her. She hadn't changed a bit.
"Well, as good as you can." Her smile lightened. "I heard what happened to you with, Eve."
'Did she tell everyone?" I glanced at Luke.
"I told my mom." He replied. "It kinda scared me at first. I couldn't imagine Eve ever doing that to you. I know she was nasty, and mean. But...That's just taking things to a new low."
The rest of the car ride was silent. And so was most of the fireworks show. But the fireworks show was a nice quiet, aside from all the BANG! BANG! BANG!'s. Luke wrapped his hand around mine.
I smiled, biting my lip to keep myself from making another weird sound. It seemed to be something that happened to me any time anything had to do with Luke...
He scootched closer, pressing his lips to her cheek, leaving it a rosie red color.
"You know, I had a lot of fun." I said.
The night was over, and he had walked me up to my apartment.
"Me too." He replied, grabbing both of my hands.
"I really hope we can do this again soon." I mumbled.
"As do I."
"Well, I'd better go in, before my sister thinks I've died." I laughed, grabbing the doorknob.
"Wait."
"What?"
Before he could respond, he grabbed me with both of his hands and pressed a long kiss to my lips.
My eyes widened.
"That was for the many, many times I wanted to kiss you, but didn't have the balls." He whispered into my ear. "Goodnight, Annie-Candy."
And he left, leaving me standing there speechless.
The door opened, Nick looked pissed. Amanda looked pissed too.
I furrowed my eyebrows. "Did you see that?"
"What? What are you talking about? No. Just come in." Nick sighed, rubbing his face.
I was starting to become concerned at this point. "Guys, what's wrong?"
The two split apart from each other, Olivia along with two other police officers stood in the living room.
"Annie, we have a bit of a problem." Olivia announced.
My heart sunk to my stomach.
"Anastasia Phoebe Rollins, you're under arrest for the murder of Randy Walkers-"
He contintued to marandize me, but I could hear none of it. Tears spilled from my eyes. I couldn't say, hear, or see anything. I only felt. I felt sick.
