𝙲𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚌𝚎𝚊𝚗 - ᴀɴᴛʜᴏɴʏ ᴠᴏʟᴘᴇ

15 : Fireworks

"Finally the babymakers are arriving! Welcome, Welcome! " Juan shouted as Anthony and Aria approached the bonfire. The two slightly embarassed, just laughed and shook their head at him.

The sun was just setting with not a cloud in the sky. Rizzo handed them a beer, and everyone sat around the bonfire, talking story and and taking pictures.

"Dude, that cake is the booomb." Rizzo watched them take turns taking a bite of it. It was a lemon flavored cake with some kind of lavender cream cheese frosting. The flavor reminded Anthony so much of Aria. It was bright and happy, with a hint of sass.

Aria stared out at the sunset, still trying to build confidence to talk to Anthony about more serious matters. Until finally Anthony broke the ice for her.

"Ar? Can I ask you something?"

He was feeling everything at once and had to get some things off of his chest. Everything seemed to be moving so fast for him. He loved it, but was equally terrified of it all. In the back of his mind he knew there would be a day he wouldn't have it anymore, but the thrill of it kept him coming back for more.

Aria's face turned serious, and she had absolutely no idea where this conversation was going. She had her hopes up for a certain way of course.

"Fire away." She held her composure well, Anthony had no idea she was panicking inside.

"Why did Margot say that you were in love with me? I mean, I know she didn't mean it like, literally. But I always wondered why she said that..."

She had an easy answer for that.

"Well besides the fact that you are like, really, really, really, ridiculously good looking," He laughed, picking up on the Zoolander quote.

"So actually, I've had the hugest crush on you since I took my brothers to watch a Somerset game. Just watching you do what you love doing. Seeing how much effort and passion you put into the game shows how much you care about the things and people you love. Annnnd, you play with so much swag but you're so humble about it. It's so incredibly sexy Ant." She was little embarassed to admit all of this. But then she remembered he'd seen her vagina already so no big deal right.

"That means so much to me. Like, for you to see my love for baseball through my playing means I am living my dream out. To inspire the next generation and have fun doing what I love. Sometimes I put so much pressure on myself that I forget to see the all the good things that I've accomplished so far. It's tough when you're your own worst critic and cheerleader at the same time."

"I got you..." Aria kissed his cheek before pulling her legs up to her chest to get a little warmer.

"I wish you could come with me to Anaheim..." Anthony said wistfully looking down at the sand he was playing with in his hands. He didn't dare to look at her, for fear of her not having the same feelings about it.

"So I was thinking..." She said completely adjusting her full attention to him.

Anthony couldn't put into words how elated he felt at that very moment. The day started off with good news and it just kept getting better. All he wanted to do was keep his body as close to hers as possible. He snuck glances at her in candid moments when she was focused on her surroundings, studying every curve of her jubilant face. It was these kind of moments he found her extra beautiful, extra lovely, extra perfect for him.

:•:•:•:•:•:

"So I was thinking..." Here goes nothing Aria. He's either going to think it's the most amazing idea ever and it'll make him the happiest man alive. Or, he's going to think it's absolutely insane and obsessively clingy of me, and want to completely ghost me forever once we leave this bonfire.