Chapter Seven

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Falling asleep crying took all the energy out of me the following day. I didn't have anyone to talk to and sat isolated and alone. Mom left for work, Luca was working, Austin was at his girlfriend's house, and dad was out on a hike. I had Mouse and Mars but they couldn't talk back. They were good company and comfort though. Oliver also had work and so I couldn't talk to him. It seems like everyone works these days and now that my Mrs. Gram gardening days were over, I was getting bored. I decided to go visit Oliver at work, I needed a coffee and something sweet to give me a boost.

"Thank you so much, have a wonderful rest of your day!" He said handing a lady some change. She had just ordered my favorite decaf iced caramel latte with three pumps of vanilla syrup. "Order for Megan?" He shouted as he placed a cappuccino on the counter. I laughed at how professional he sounded.

I walked up to him, "May I have a decaf iced caramel latte with three pumps of vanilla syrup?" I asked in my sweetest British accent.

"Ann, what are you doing here?" He smiled.

"Just needed to get out." I lied. "Could I also get one of those everything Bagel breakfast sandwiches pleases?" I scanned the next row, "Ooh and a blueberry muffin too please?"

"Ann you normally hate breakfast and never eat at this time." He laughed.

"Just hungry," I said. I really was, I didn't even have dinner last night. He typed in my order and then handed me the receipt. It said that the muffin and coffee were free. "Ollie? You didn't charge me full price," I said scanning back over it.

"I have a work discount." He smiled, "It'll be right out." I felt bad but decided I couldn't add anything else to my already sorrowful situation. I walked to one of the chairs and sat down. There was a home decor magazine sitting on top that I decided to pick up. I mindlessly flipped through some dull pictures of cups, mugs, plates, and forks.

"Annalise Parker." A voice said sitting next to me and I dropped the magazine, "What a surprise to see you."

"Miles hi, what are you doing here?"

"Getting breakfast for my sister and me, she's waiting in the car." Miles says pulling out one of the chairs at the table and sitting down in it.

"Oh cool," I said. I couldn't have sounded more uninterested. I kicked myself once again. There should be a rule that nobody's allowed to talk to me when I'm not feeling my actual self.

"Hey," Miles rested his hand on my shoulder, it felt warm and comforting. Like someone was there for me. "Ann, you okay?" He asked with concern in his voice.

"I'm just hungry," I smiled sadly, "I'll get over it."

"Hungry Annalise!" Oliver called and looked down at the orders in front of him, "And Extra Mayonnaise Miles." Miles and I laughed and got up together.

"Didn't have to say it that loudly Oliver," I say grabbing my stuff. Miles reached in front of me grabbing his to-go order. It was like he was hugging me from behind. My eyes widened as I caught my breath and caught Oliver's expression as he looked on trying to understand the situation. "Hey hang on, how do you know Miles?" I asked.

"He comes here often while I work." Olive says.

I widen my eyes at him, "Never told me that." I whisper.

"Uh Ann, not like you would want to know right." Oliver looks up at Miles then back at me. I remember Miles is there and still listening. "Well I better get back to work." Oliver emphasizes.

"Yeah that's probably a good idea." I awkwardly smile. Miles probably doesn't even know what we're talking about, I hope he doesn't.

Miles and I said bye to Oliver and walked out to his car, my dream car.

"Did you manage to talk to your parents about the trip?" Miles asks, I wish he hadn't asked. All I could think about was my parents and how upset I was with them. Especially with how my dad had been acting recently.

"Not yet but I will soon," I say. I didn't want to talk about the conversation I had the night before. As we got to his car his sister leaped out to hug me.

"Annalise!" She squeezed.

"Hey Cami," I squeezed back. She was like the little sister I'd never had. Her warm hug and Miles's comforting arm around me made me feel a lot better. Just what I needed. They were there for me, no explanation was needed.

"Wanna ride home?" Miles asked. I had walked here and I wasn't wanting to walk back so I accepted the offer. I hopped in my dream car we drove back to my house. The wind blowing through my hair and as we raced along it lifted my spirits and made me determined to turn this summer around and live my best teenage life.

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