Henlo friends, I have more to say at the bottom.

Weeks flew by, and before I knew it, I had auditioned for the role of Little Red Riding Hood. I was curled up on the couch next to Alex, waiting for Eliza to text me the results of the casting. I would go to the company myself to find out, but everyone with a car was busy. Eliza's car had broken down, so Angelica had given her a ride to work and they hadn't had time to pick me up. Not that I minded much. If I was actually at the building waiting for the casting results, I would chew my nails down to stubs.

"I'm proud of you, Lo," Alex murmured, planting a kiss to my head. "I know how hard it must have been for you to audition, and you did it anyway. I'm sure you were amazing. Hell, anything you do is amazing."

"You're embarrassing me. I'm not that great." I blushed and picked at the edge of my dress. Eliza had helped me with every part of the audition process, from picking a song (I decided to sing Blue Wind from Spring Awakening, since it had been my first choice for a show and I felt I owed it something) to helping me with my clothes and makeup. It was her idea to have me wear red to "get into character", which was how I ended up wearing an old red dress I had forgotten I even owned. The only good thing about that time in the hospital was that I had finally managed to lose some weight. I didn't know what had caused it, but I felt better than ever. As long as I ignored the occasional aches I got.

"Someday you'll see how amazing you are, love," Alex murmured, nuzzling into my hair. "When you're on stage, accepting your first Tony, I'll be right there saying 'I told you so'. Just you wait."

"You'll be waiting a long time." I grabbed my songbook from the table in front of us and started flipping through it. I hadn't used it that much, which meant that it was only about halfway full. I knew that the most recent thing in it was the song that I had written for Alex, and that was a few months ago. I paused on a page towards the beginning. The handwriting was shakier than anything else in the notebook. This song was one that I'd written in my darkest days, when I was recovering in the hospital the first time.

"What's so important about this notebook?" Gil asked as he gently placed it in my lap. I uncapped the pen he had given me and turned to the first blank page. I didn't miss the anxious way Gil was looking at me. Like he was scared I would try to kill myself with a pen. Everyone was treating me like a child. I'd overheard George and Martha arguing over whether or not to send me off to a mental institution. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help it. They were the ones loudly whispering in my hospital room when they thought I was asleep.

"...I just needed to write something down." That was the most I had said the past few days. Gil didn't even attempt to hide the surprised look on his face and cleared his throat awkwardly. My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to articulate my thoughts into words. My mind felt like it was running at a sluggish pace. An effect to the medication the doctors had put me on. I huffed as the IV tugged at my hand slightly. The bandages on my arm stiffened my movement.

"What are you writing?" I covered the page with my arm as Gil tried to read my practically illegible handwriting. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. I knew I should be happy that I'm still alive, but that wasn't what I'd wanted. I didn't have a plan for what happened if I had failed because I didn't plan on being alive. I felt hopelessly lost.

"None of your damn business," I snapped, slamming the notebook shut and tucking it underneath my blanket. I couldn't help but be a bit annoyed at how nosy my brother was being. If it wasn't for him, I would be blissfully dead. If he hadn't been nosing around, he wouldn't have found me when he did. It was his fault I was alive. It was his fault I had to deal with scratchy hospital gowns and shitty hospital food and irritating doctors constantly checking on me.

"Lorin-"

"Can you leave me alone? I know that'll be hard for you, seeing as everyone has me on suicide watch, but I'd like some time to myself." I didn't miss the hurt expression on Gil's face and sighed as he left. I just wanted an hour or two alone. Was that too much to ask? It felt like I couldn't do anything without someone breathing all over my back. I was sick and tired of it.

I snapped back to reality as the front door burst open. The Schuylers marched in like they owned the place, huge grins on their faces. Peggy skipped over to me and Alex and set something down on the table in front of us, batting at Alex's hand when he tried to peek underneath the checkered towel that was covering it. He pouted and cradled his hand to his chest. I rolled my eyes. My boyfriend was such a child.

"Do you have a reason for breaking into our house?" I asked, looking at Eliza. She was rocking on her heels and clapped her hands together happily. She nodded towards Peggy, who uncovered the thing she had set on the table with a flourish. It was a cake. To be more specific, a red velvet cake. I blinked. Was there something I was missing? It wasn't my birthday or Alex's.

"What's the occasion?" Oh thank goodness. I wasn't the only person confused about what was going on. Alex eyed the cake curiously, still holding his hand. Eliza and Angelica shared a glance, and I noticed for the first time that they were hiding their hands behind their backs. I craned my neck to try and get a better look. "It's a bit too late for a birthday party, you know."

"You got the part!" Eliza blurted out, removing her hands from her back to reveal a party popper. The Schuyler sisters popped them almost simultaneously as I struggled to take in Eliza's words. I picked a piece of confetti from my hair and laughed excitedly as Peggy pulled me from my seat to hug me. I did it. I got the part! I don't know how or why, but I did it. I felt like a huge weight was lifted from my chest.

"I knew you could do it, Lo!" Alex practically ripped me from Peggy's arms and spun me around. I was giddy with excitement, my head buzzing. Out of all the people who had auditioned, I had gotten the role! I wanted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming, but I didn't want to let go of Alex. He peppered kisses all over my face and set me down on my feet.

"The director said he liked the energy you added to the character," Eliza said as she walked over to me. I glanced over at Angelica as she walked off to the kitchen. She was probably getting plates and forks for the cake. Eliza put her hands on my shoulder and smiled. "It probably helped that you were one of the youngest people to audition. And your freckles make you look even younger."

"See, Lo? Your freckles aren't a bad thing after all." Alex grinned triumphantly and traced his finger over the bridge of my nose. I felt myself melt underneath his gaze. His eyes were filled with so much love, and it was all for me. I had no doubt in my mind anymore. He loved me. For some reason, he loved me. He didn't care about my many flaws. He didn't care that I wasn't the prettiest girl in the world. All he cared about was that I was me.

I truly don't deserve him, I thought as he planted a soft kiss on my lips. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer. I closed my eyes happily. Two years ago, I had lost all hope of ever smiling again. I had lost all hope of things getting better. I was the worst I had ever been. I thought that I was destined to be miserable forever. A year ago, I was in an abusive relationship. I did everything they wanted me to, but it wasn't enough. It took a lot for me to realize that enough was enough and that it didn't do me any good to stay with them. So I left, no matter how hard it was for me.

And now… Now I realized how truly wonderful life truly is. Sure, it wasn't perfect and it sucked sometimes, but it was up to me to make the most of it. I had amazing friends, a handsome boyfriend who actually loved me, and a supportive family. I wasn't completely back to normal, of course. I still had tons of therapy to go through. I still had to learn how to love myself. It could take months or even years to get to that point. But I would have help every step of the way. I wasn't alone. I had never been alone. I only wish it hadn't taken me so long to realize that.

"Are you alright, love? You've been staring off into space." I blinked as Alex patted my cheek and took the cup he was holding out. Someone must have gotten drinks while I was lost in my thoughts. I smiled and nodded. I had never been better. I took a sip of my drink, which was thankfully just soda. I wouldn't be able to handle everyone getting drunk again.

"I've just realized how amazing y'all are."

Surprise, surprise, my note is at the bottom this time around! I have a lot to say, but I'm kind of awkward so this will probably be word vomit. As much as it breaks my heart, this is the last official chapter of this story. I've had a blast writing it, but I feel like Lorin's story has come to a close, and I don't want to extend it with a bunch of filler crap because like, this isn't an anime. Never fear, though! I'll have a few epilogue/futuretakes/whatever the heck you want to call them. And well, this isn't the end end, because I've had the idea of a sequel brewing for awhile now. I can't bring myself to part from these characters just yet. They've honestly helped me through rough times in my life. I originally got the idea for this story around the time hurricane Harvey was due to hit, and writing it was my way of dealing with all the crap I was dealt. When my family had to ration food and water until the flood waters went down, I used this story as a form of escape.

Before I go, I'd like to thank every single person who's followed or favorited this story. Even if you never reviewed, I value you from the bottom of my heart. And speaking of reviews, every single review lifted my spirits and motivated me to keep going. And I've managed to make some friends who, for some reason, enjoy reading my word vomit. Y'all know who you are. So again, thank you guys so much. Hopefully you stay around for the few bonus chapters and hopefully the sequel? I'll see you lovelies later! ~Shaymie