Coping was probably a strong word to use for my recovery. But I was doing better. I was eating, sleeping more without dreaming of Nick. And I even started on some of the school work I had missed. The school ensured us that because there were only two more weeks left, I could stay home and focus on my mental health as long as all of my work was completed and as long as I came in for testing. Plus, I was even starting to feel better enough to contact Mr. Grimes about the book we were to co-author. He said I should be resting, but I made sure he knew that if he wanted to help me, the best he could do was let me smother myself in work. Which is exactly what me and Amanda did in a time of stress.
Amanda took more overtime at work, and I did more school work then needed in a day. Eve stayed by my side, except for when she had to go to school and had to go home to sleep. But other than that, she was with me at all times.
And today, I had another visitor at the door.
I lied on my couch, the time read 2:45. Fifteen minutes after school got out. Eve was to be expected at my doorstep any minute. I focused on my homework, waiting for the noise of the lock to click and clank before the door swung open. I was excited because me and Eve were supposed to watch a scary movie together, so when the doorknob turned, I dropped what I was doing and ran to the door myself to swing it open. What I saw, was not when I expected.
"Luke?"
Eve and Luke stood in the doorway, Eve grinning, Luke blushing. "Hey, Annie."
I quickly wrapped him in my arms. "You don't hate me?"
"Trust me. I knew our relationship would never hold." He laughed. "You and Eve always had something we didn't. Even if you yourself didn't know it yet, I did."
I pulled away. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "I'm okay. I'll find someone, some day. Plenty of fish in the sea."
I smiled. "Come in. Me and Eve were going to watch a scary movie, but I think we can arrange for that to happen another day. For now, why don't we hang out?"
Eve and Luke came in, Eve kissing my cheek and Luke walking straight to the kitchen. Of course.
In the kitchen, things were mostly the same. Although, I did put the pictures of Nick back into the frames. His face never actually made me sad, believe it or not. I smiled every time I saw his.
Me and Eve followed our friend to the kitchen, whom was raiding my fridge.
"Find anything you want to eat?" I asked.
"Duh." He came back leftover pepporni pizza.
I rolled my eyes. "As long as there's enough for me and Eve, it's fine."
"Of course. There's like, a whole box left." He rolled his eyes. "You guys are so unhealthy."
"Well, Amanda's been burried in work. She doesn't come home much, and when she does, her and Carisi are usually hanging out." I said, popping two pieces of pizza in the microwave for Luke.
He raised his eyebrows. "Carisi and Amanda? Woo."
I rolled my eyes. "I think he may be a rebound. Or a stress reliever. Because I'm pretty sure you caught my drift when I said 'hanging out'."
Eve gagged. "We all did."
I laughed. "It's okay though. She has to move on, and I think Carisi really does like her. And I like him. I think he'll be good for her."
Eve wrapped her arms around me. "At least the two of you have someone."
Luke also gagged. "Ugh. Lovey-dovey crap was always your type wasn't it, Annie?"
I shrugged. "Maybe."
Suddenly, the door swung open once more, reviealing Amanda and Carisi. "Hey guys. What's up, where's Aria?" Carisi announced.
Aria. Another topic. The court case hadn't really gone over very well. Although, Aria had won against her parents, his father threatened her death in the court room. Olivia got so scared, she sent the girl away from New York for the month. Aria had told me this about a week ago, and said we couldn't keep in touch until she got back.
After relaying this to Carisi, he looked expectedly glum. "That sucks. Poor girl."
I nodded. "But she'll be safe. Liv knows what she's doing."
"Hey, I mean, as long as she's safe. Right?" Luke said, mouth full of pizza.
"Right." I agreed, trying to block out the gross sounds coming from his oral orifice.
"Hey, any more of that pizza?" Carisi walked over to the half empty box. "Score."
Amanda came over to me, and kissed my forehead. "How are you doing?"
"Good. You?"
"Just as good." She smiled.
"Why are you home so early?" I asked.
"Liv told me to go home. An order." She rolled her eyes. "I worked about as much as a week in a minimum of two days."
"Am I surprised?"
"No." She sighed. "But at least I'm home, with you. Right?"
I nodded. "Right."
"So," Carisi said, also with a mouth full of pizza, "how's school."
I cringed.
"Terrible." Eve replied. "So sick of all the teachers. Except for Mr. Grimes. He's always been cool."
"Oh yeah! How's that going, Annie, the book thing?" Carisi asked.
"Good." I replied. "We're talking about the plot, characters. After we set up our step up, we can start writing."
"So how is that gonna work?" Luke asked.
"He'll write a chapter, I'll write a chapter, so on and so forth." I answered.
"I'm really proud of you." Amanda announced. "My baby sister is doing big things."
"Thanks." I blushed. "But I'm not sure this is what I want to do with my life."
"What do you want to do then?" Eve asked.
"I wanna be a detective," I smiled, "like you, Mandy."
She raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
"Really." I replied.
"Well you'd be a great one." She said.
I shrugged.
"Anywho." Luke sighed, placing his plate in the sink. "I've got homework."
"Me too." Eve groaned.
"I already did your homework." I laughed.
"Wanna help us?" Luke offered.
"What else am I supposed to do with my life? I mean, I am your servants and all." I said, sarcasm lacing every word.
Eve rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the living room. "That sarcasm will bite you in the butt one day."
"I'm sure you're right." I agreed.
Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Also, like I had mentioned before, about the new book. I will be writing another one, without any connection to this fanfic. But I do want to know if you'd like to see a mini-fic pertaining to Annie's adult life? It wouldn't be so many chapters, probably around ten. Tell me what you guys think in the reviews!
Thank's,
Sam
