Light In The Dark

Chapter 7- Anaiya

"Home Sweet Home." I opened the door to my house. I haven't been here since Wednesday morning. I didn't leave the hospital grounds once. My parents left to get my stuff, my parents left to go home and sleep. I didn't. I stayed. I didn't want to leave in case something happened.
"Yes. Finally." Julianna stepped through the door and headed straight to the living room to plop down on the couch.
"Someone's tired." I raised and eyebrow at her.
"Tell me about it. You try to stay in a hospital bed for almost two hole days with an IV in your hand. Then scold me for being tired." She gave the the stink eye.
"Right. Well let's hope I don't have to be in a hospital bed." We laughed for a few seconds.
"Yeah I definitely hope that doesn't happen." She smiled at me.
"Want to go upstairs? Or did you have plans?" I didn't really think she would the day she got out of the hospital.
"Definitely don't have plans let's go. We're supposed to be at school though. Do you think we'll have tons of work? It's only the first week of school." She got up from the couch and we walked upstairs.
"I really hope not." I made a disgusted face.
Julianna walked over to the other bed I have in my room. It's only there because Julianna stays overnight so much.
"Oh my gosh. I forgot I left my phone here. I wonder how many messages I have," she picked up her phone and here eyes widened, "I have 3,017 messages. The group chat had 2,000. I have a little over twenty messages from Carson and every single person in my contacts except for my dad texted me," she started tapping through each person who texted her, "They all texted to ask if I was okay. Wow. This is crazy." She smiled and started texting everyone back. I think this was definitely reassuring that people cared about her. I noticed that Julianna was starting to become bubbly like she used to be. This made me really happy.
"Juli! Want to paint each other's nails and toes?!" I feel like this will make her really happy.
"Oh my gosh. Yes!" She squealed.
"Let's go!" I grabbed her hand and we went to find the nail polish.
While doing each other's nails and toes we did some gossip about school. We talked about how this one girl kept flirting with Carson and how badly we wanted to tell her to back off. We talked a little about how we were really lucky to have been gone during the fight an we said maybe Juli fainting was some sort of miracle so we didn't have to experience that scary event. That would have been much harder to see than Julianna fainting. We had a long conversation until our phones went off at the same time.
"It's probably the group chat. Let's check though." Juli said while grabbing her phone.
"Yeah probably." I grabbed mine too.
It was a random number I didn't have saved in my phone.
I read the text; Hi this is Gabby Martin from school! I'm having a party at my house next week Friday at 7 pm. No adults. Don't worry no alcohol either. You can bring anyone you want! Hope you can make it!
"Oh it was a text from Gabby." Me and Julianna said at the same time.
"Did you get invited to the party too?" I asked her.
"Yeah. I think I'm going to go and bring Carson with me . What about you? Who will you bring if you go?" She asked. I really wanted to invite Alex. I'm not sure how he feels about party's though.
"I'm going to go too. I think I'll invite Alex. Hopefully he likes parties." I shrugged.
I decided I would text him now.
Me; Hey! How are you doing? I just wanted to ask you about something:)
Alex; Hey! I'm good how are you? Sure ask me anything what's up? :)
Me; That's good. I'm really good too. I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party with me next Friday at 7. It's just a party that happens every year. Ive been. It's kinda crazy but it's really fun. Want to come?!
Alex; That sounds really fun! I'd love to go! Wouldn't you be going with Juli though?
Me; Sounds great! Yeah me and Juli will still hang out there but she's going to go with her boyfriend Carson. Plus I really wanted you to come with me.
Alex; Oh! Okay! Well I'm definitely down for going. I have to go though :( have to go get my mom some lunch! Thank you for inviting me. See you:)
Me; Alrighty! So excited! See ya! Tell your mom I said hi! :)
Alex; Me too! I'll tell her. Bye! :)
Me; Thank you! Bye!
I was so happy that Alex is coming. And with me.
"He's going to come! I'm so excited!" My smile was probably huge.
"That's awesome! Are you going to tell him how you feel about him?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"I know! Yeah no. Definitely not. I can't do that. He can tell me if he likes me." She crossed her arms.
"Oh boy. You're in for a treat." She gave a smirk.
"Huh? What do you mean." I'm so confused.
"You'll see. I'm done!" I looked down at my toes. She chose teal for my toes and pink for my nails. I chose purple for her nails and teal for her toes.
"Oh my gosh, super cute. Yours are done too!" I smiled at her and started putting the stuff away. We got ready for bed and talked a ton more.
<~~•~~>
School went by so fast, it was really fun the rest of the first week, our teachers let us be on our phones half of the class time on Friday. The weekend also went by extremely fast. Me and Juli went to the movies with Maya, Sasha, Eve and Sky on Saturday and on Sunday we slept in until two o'clock. It was already Tuesday. Two days until I see Alex! We have been texting and Face Timing non-stop. Juli asked for Alex's number, she said "I need to ask him a few questions and make sure he knows something. Don't worry about it." She didn't say anything else about it after that and I just gave her his number. Sometimes Juli joined me and Alex's conversation during our FaceTime's, most the time she just FaceTimes with Carson when I'm talking to Alex.
"Juli! Two days until I get to see Alex!" I was so excited.
"Mmhm." She laughed and gave me a smug smile.
"What are you not telling me?" I pinned her with a look.
"I didn't do anything." She held her hands up.
"Yeah. Okay." I gave her the stink eye.
We went to bed early both being tired after a long school day.
<~~•~~>
I woke up and looked around. Julianna was still sleeping and it was still dark. I looked over at my clock. Two in the morning?! Why am I even awake? How did I even wake up?
I grab my phone and look to see if I had any notifications. Just one from Alex.
Alex; I know it's one in the morning and you're probably sleeping but I wanted to say this so you'll wake up to it:) Meet me tonight at 5:00, Miramar Beach. Wear something nice. :) I'm not telling you what's happening it a surprise:)
I decided to answer the message in the morning and not swipe the notification so I would remember to answer. I really wasn't sure why I'm up this early. I need to sleep. Just shut my eyes.
Gosh Anaiya just fall asleep already.
I looked up at the ceiling and just stare at it.
My eyes are starting to get harder to keep open. I just need to keep staring at the ceiling and eventually I'll fall asleep.
Still not working.
I grab my phone and decide to text Alex back.
Me; Hey! Why are you up at one in the morning? Anyway I'll be there. You're seriously not telling me what's going on? Are you hooking me up with your hot twin I never knew about?
I set my phone back down. I hear a ding.
Alex; I'm up because I can't sleep. Awesome can't wait to see you :) Nope I'm not telling you what's happening and sorry I don't have a hot twin. You're stuck with me :)
Me; Oh I'm sorry. Can't wait to see you either.
Darn I guess I am stuck with you. Just kidding you're great :)
Alex; It's okay. How rude. Mmhm you're great too. Wait. Hold up, why are you still awake?
Me; I know I'm so mean. Thanks :) I'm also awake because I can't sleep.
Alex; Yeah definitely. Of course. Oh that's no fun.
Me; Yeah. I probably won't go to school today and just sleep all day that way I'm not tired later.
Alex; Same. I already wasn't planning on going because I've been so tired.
Me; Yeah probably a good idea. I gtg. See you later!
Alex; Alrighty see you!
Me; Yup!
I finally felt sleepy so I closed my eyes and just decided to bore myself to sleep with my thoughts. I actually have no clue what's happening tomorrow. I definitely do not think this is a date. I don't think Alex likes me. He loves me as a friend but not as a girlfriend. I think. I feel like I would know if Alex likes me. Honestly he probably has a girlfriend. Wait. He did call me pretty. Maybe he just calls everyone pretty? I don't know I just need to sleep.
"Anaiya." A voice whispered
"Huh?" I looked around.
"I love you." There's no one there.
"Julianna?" I was scared now.
"It's okay, Anaiya. I'll see you in heaven. I'll be with my mom now. I'll be safe." Julianna's figure appeared in front of me. Suddenly we were on top of a building and Julianna was standing on the edge.
"No! No Juliana you can't do this! You haven't even lived! I said I would be there for you and I need you to be here if you want me to help you." I sobbed.
"It will be okay. I'll be fine." She looked down at the ground.
"What about me?! What about Maya and Sky and Eve and Sasha and Emma?! What about Carson? What about my parents? You're not thinking Julianna. You're going to hurt all those people if you leave! You can't do this. You can't do this to me! I need you Julianna. If you go I'm going with you. You're not leaving me." Sobs were still escaping my chest.
"Goodbye Anaiya." She stepped off the roof-
"NO!" I was shaking tears streaming down my cheeks. I looked around. Julianna was sleeping soundly on the other bed.
It was just a dream. She's fine.
I glanced at the clock. Crap. I forgot to turn on the alarm last night. I usually turn it off every day but I guess I forgot. It's two o'clock in the afternoon. We missed school.
"Juli? Wake up. We completely missed school." I said loud enough for her to hear me.
"Huh? What do you mean we missed school?" She sat up and looked around sleepily.
" I forgot to turn the alarm on. It's two in the afternoon." I put on my glasses. Woah. It's been a long time since I've put these on. I lost them for a whole month and found them the day before Juli went to the hospital.
"Crap. Well I guess it's fine. Our teachers will probably be fine with it considering we had a lot going on lately." She shrugged picking up her phone.
"Yeah. So I have plans tonight. Will you be okay here by yourself?" I don't want her to be alone and then think about everything going on.
"Plans with Alex? I won't be alone. I'll go over to Carson's." She smiled.
"Yes Juli. Plans with Alex. I guess I get to see him a day earlier! But Give it up he doesn't like me. And good I'm glad you two are finally hanging out again." I smiled.
"Mmhm. Yeah me too. He said he really misses hanging out with me." This girl was head over heals for Carson. I don't think I've ever seen someone so in love before. Actually, Maya might be a close second. She's obsessed with her boyfriend.
"Good. Now I have to find a dress to wear, Alex said to dress nice. I have no clue what's going on." I wonder if Juli knows. She did say she had something to talk to Alex about.
"I may or may not have a dress for you already." She smiled.
"Really? How?" I got really excited.
"I've had it hiding in the very back of your closet for two weeks. I knew you would need a dress for something someday and I found the perfect one." She squealed.
"Girl what? I really need to see this dress." I laughed.
"You can! You just need to brush you teeth and hair first. I'm going to get the makeup out and the curling iron." She jumped up from her bed putting her hair in a messy bun and heading to the bathroom probably to brush her teeth because the makeup and hair stuff is in here. I grab my hairbrush and start pulling it through my hair. I pick up my phone and there's a message from Sasha.
Sasha; Hey! Everything okay? You aren't at school.
Me; Hey! Yeah everything is fine. Just forgot to turn on the alarm last night. Sorry if I worried you.
Maya; Oh Okay! All good. I gotta go I don't want to get my phone taken.
Me; Sounds good! Bye.
I put my phone down and walked to the bathroom. Julianna was in there putting on mascara. She always does so it's nothing new. I wonder what her and Carson are doing when I'm gone.
"Hey. What are you and Carson going to do tonight?" I grab my toothbrush out of the drawer.
"Hey! I don't know. Something fun. He promised me we wouldn't just sit there unless that's what I wanted to do." She had the biggest grin on her face.
"Good. You sound very happy to be with
him." I was so happy to see her excited.
"I am! I love him Anaiya. He's the only person I want to be with for the rest of my life." She looked at me in the eyes.
"Oh wow. You definitely love him." This is crazy.
"Yeah. I do. Now let's go get your hair and makeup done. Quickly brush your teeth. I need to go find the dress." She leaped out of the room. I put my toothpaste on my toothbrush and started brushing. I look up to the mirror. It's been forever since I've seen myself with glasses on. I want contacts. I put my glasses in the corner of the counter and put my toothbrush away.
"Anaiya hurry up!" Juli shouted from my room.
"Coming. Coming. Calm down." I walked into the room. She had a curling iron plugged in and makeup palletes all over my vanity.
"You're crazy. I'm literally going out with a friend and we're doing something fancy that's all. This is not a date. Chill." I pinned her with a look.
"Yeah okay. No I will definitely not chill. You chill. You're moody." She rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me? I'm moody? You're the one who was depressed yesterday and now you're miss bubble sparkles!" I twirled in a circle and did jazz hands.
"Whatever. Just sit down and let me do my thing." She motioned to my vanity chair.
"I'm you're canvas. Dazzle me up." I said sarcastically.
"I promise I won't go too far." She grabbed the curling iron and tapped it lightly with her finger.
"Ow!" She waved her hand around.
"Julianna! You did not need to do that it literally says the temperature on the curling iron." I grabbed her hand and dragged her to the bathroom.
"It's fine. I'm good." She hid her burned hand behind her back.
"Let me see." I pinned her with a look for the second time today.
"No." She bit her lip.
"Yes. Now. I just want to put it under cold water." I grabbed the wrist of her burned hand.
"Julianna! This is really bad. It's going to be a huge scar." The burn was about the size of a quarter. How did that even happen? She tapped the curler. She didn't put her whole hand on it.
"I promise it will be okay but it hurts. Please turn on the sink." She smiled and flinched when I put her hand under the water.
<~~•~~>
Julianna spent about an hour on my hair. She was making her finishing touches.
"Hold on Anaiya. I'm almost done I promise." She tugged on my hair a little. I just say there and let her do her thing.
"Done!" She smiled and turned me to the mirror.
"Woah." I can't believe what I'm seeing. My hair is in a half up half down bun at the bottom of my head. You can still see my part and there are a few loose strands coming out of the hairstyle. My hair is also really curly.
"Julianna this is beautiful. How did you learn to do this?" I gave her a hug.
"Thank you. I don't even know. I just was messing around with my own hair one day and found this hairstyle." She tightened our hug.
Julianna got to work on my makeup. She said I couldn't look until it was done. I just let it go after a while. I was really scared to see how much makeup Juli was going to do on my face. She said it would be natural but she gets carried away when it comes to makeup. Juli kept getting powder in my nose and I would sneeze. Then she would yell at me to stop moving.
"And done! Want to see?" Juli was super excited.
"Yay! Finally. Yes!" I turned around the chair to the mirror. I was completely shocked. I've never worn makeup but this looks really good. I think my jaw might be on the floor.
"Julianna this is so good! I love it!" I had a light and very faded natural smokey eye with a little eyeliner and mascara. I had blush foundation and probably tons of other stuff I didn't know about.
"Thank you! I'm so glad you like it. Dress time?" She was jumping up and down.
"Of course! Dress time!" I jumped out of my chair.
"Okay! Wait here." Juli ran to the closet.
I really wanted to run to the closet with her but Juli said to stay here so I guess I have to.
"Okay! Close your eyes please." Juli was still in the closet.
"Okay." I shut my eyes and hear rustling near the closet. There was probably a lot of junk on the floor.
"Ta-da!" Juli shouted. I opened my eyes.
"Oh. My. Gosh." I clasped my hands over my mouth. This dress was beautiful. It was navy blue, had sequins on it and sleeves. It was so pretty. The bottom was slightly flowy but not very long. It was all the same material. The top looked skin tight. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
"You like?" Juli bit her lip.
"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! Let me put it on." I grabbed the dress from her hands and ran to the closet to put it on. I hear Juli laughing and picking things up. Probably the hair and makeup stuff.
I walked out of the closet and Julianna's jaw dropped on the floor.
"So?" I bit my lip.
"You're already the most beautiful thing on planet Earth but you just got ten times hotter. Anaiya you look gorgeous." She stepped out of the way of the mirror.
"I really need to see this then." I blushed and walked over to the mirror.
Woah.
I couldn't believe how beautiful the dress was. It made my eyes look really pretty. The blue brought out my blue eyes.
"Wow the dress is so beautiful." I turned to Juli.
"No Anaiya you're beautiful," She hugged me and grabbed a pair of earrings off the vanity, "Put these on." She handed me the earrings. They were silver hoops. I put them on and grabbed my phone. It was four thirty. Half an hour until I need to be at the beach. I grabbed a purse, it was silver to match my earrings. Me and Julianna talked until there were ten minutes to five. I didn't technically need to drive to the beach because my house was literally on Miramar Beach but Alex told me we needed to meet by the one restaurant on the water so it would have been a far walk in heels.
"Bye Juli!" I almost ran out the door but then I tripped. I guess that's what happens when you're a total klutz.
"Bye! Be safe!" Juli called as I was halfway out the door.
I turned my car keys in the ignition and drove. It's only a five minute drive to Mr. Crabs, the restaurant on the water. I parked in the lot across from the stairs to the beach and walked from there.
<~~•~~>
"Hey! Woah. Wow. You look amazing." Alex said looking at me like he was a blind man seeing the light. He was wearing a suit. He was absolutely gorgeous I wanted to melt.
"Hey! Oh, thanks. Wow. You too." I blushed and so did he.
"Thanks. How has everything been? Julianna still in a good place?" He bit his lip probably unsure if he should ask.
"Yeah. Everything has been good. She's like a sparkly bubble now. I did have this really weird dream that she -" I cut myself off.
"I'm glad everything is good. We don't have to talk about the dream. It's just a dream it's not real." He offered me a smile.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks. You're right, it's just a dream." I smiled back.
"Yeah. Should we go eat now?" He motioned towards Mr. Crabs.
"There? Shoot I wasn't prepared, I only brought a twenty. I'm so -" Alex cut me off waving a finger in front of me.
"Nope. I was already planning on paying. No worries. You're not changing my mind by the way. It's happening." He smiled and motioned towards the restaurant again.
"Fine. Thank you." We started walking to the restaurant. The waitress led us to one of the tables outside on the deck.
"What can I get you two to drink?" The lady asked.
"I'll have a water." Alex didn't take his eyes off me.
"I'll have a lemonade please." I looked up at the waitress. She was gorgeous. Way prettier than me. Why was Alex still starting at me then?
"Alright. I'll come back with those drinks and then I'll take your orders." She walked away.
"You know Alex, that waitress was looking at you the entire time. You should get her number, she's pretty." I smiled.
"Yeah. That's okay I have another girl I'm hoping will get with me." He smiled and looked down. My heart sank.
Stupid Anaiya. Of course he doesn't like you.
"Really? Who's the girl?" I smiled and raised an eyebrow.
"Well she's really pretty. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She's very sweet too." He looked up at me again.
"Ooh. Sounds awesome." I bit my lip. I hope my eyes aren't tearing up.
"Yeah. She is." He smiled. I just smiled back. We talked for a while about what the best movie was and what we were going to order for food. When the waitress came we both ordered what we were talking about. Crab with a side of melted butter.
When the food came we were quiet because we were both starving and scarfing down our food.
"So. Tell me more about this girl?" I asked as we left the table. Alex already payed for our meal and he said he wanted to take me one more place.
"Well, she's like I said, very pretty. She's a little emotional, but I like that. She cares very much about everyone in her life and she is by far the most amazing girl I have ever met." His hand brushed mine as me were walking and I shivered.
"Dang. Sorry to tell you buddy but, I think you're in love. Are you gonna tell me the name of this girl?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah I know I'm in love. I have been since the first time I saw her. Anyways, yes I'll tell you her name, first come dance with me." He smiled and waved his hand towards a dance floor. There were very few people here. I didn't even know this existed. A slow song was playing. Alex grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dance floor. We swayed back and forth his hands were around my waist. Mine on his shoulders.
We swayed just whispering a little bit until my favorite song came on.
"Oh my gosh. This is my favorite song of all time! Don't let go. It's a slow song." I smiled up at him.
"I love this song too! No worries, this is nice I won't let go." He smiled down at me.
The song got to the chorus and Alex leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"The girl is you Anaiya. I love you. You're the most amazing person on this earth and when I said you looked amazing earlier it was such an understatement. You're gorgeous. No you're even more stunning than that. I love you Anaiya." He came up from my ear and bit his lip.
Oh my gosh. Anaiya say something.
Alex let go of me when I just stood there. After a few seconds I crashed into him hugging him and whispered,
"I love you too. From the first moment I met you I knew I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. I love you too Alex." I felt a tear roll down my face. I don't think a guy has ever liked me once in my life. At least not that I know of.
Me and Alex swayed, still hugging until the song ended. Then he grabbed my hands.
"Anaiya will you be my girlfriend?" He looked me in the eyes.
"Yes! Yes, yes yes!" I smiled so big.
Alex then leaned down to my face and kissed me.
Finally.

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I'm so sorry this chapter took me so long to finish. And I'm sorry it's so long.

Really hope you liked this chapter! My fav so far. My man Alex is doing great guys ❤️

ANAILEX FOREVER ❤️❤️❤️

thx for the support guys. Love y'all ❤️ 🫶🏼