Love within the shadows

ANNIE?!?!??!?!??!

A few days had passed since the night at the club, and Zacky still couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that had come over him since Annie agreed to go out with him. There was something different about this time—something real and grounding. It wasn't just a fleeting connection or a casual flirtation like he was used to. He actually cared about this one.

As the evening rolled in, Zacky found himself feeling a little nervous. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Standing in front of the mirror in his apartment, he straightened his black button-up shirt, staring at his reflection, mentally psyching himself up. His tattoos peeked out from under the cuffs, a reminder of the life he had lived—wild, reckless, filled with highs and lows. But tonight, he felt different. Maybe it was Annie, or maybe it was the fact that he was starting to want something more than just the adrenaline of living on the edge.

His phone buzzed. A message from Annie.

"On my way. See you soon :)"

Zacky smiled, grabbing his leather jacket and heading out the door. He'd chosen a small, intimate restaurant by the beach—nothing too fancy, but with the perfect atmosphere for a first date.

The sun was beginning to set as Zacky arrived at the restaurant, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. The gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore provided a calming backdrop, and the air was warm with a soft breeze. He found a table outside on the patio, the soft lighting from the lanterns above creating a serene ambiance.

It wasn't long before he saw Annie walking toward him. She looked stunning, dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress that flowed with the evening wind. Her hair was pulled back, highlighting her striking green eyes that seemed to light up when they met his.

"Hey," Zacky said, standing up to greet her.

"Hey," she replied, her smile bright and genuine. She hugged him lightly before they both sat down, the nervousness between them easing a bit as they settled into the moment.

For a while, they made small talk—about the restaurant, the weather. But as the night progressed, the conversation deepened. They spoke about their lives, their passions, and the unexpected paths that had led them to this moment. Zacky told her stories about the band, their wild tours, and the evolution from rock stars to something as crazy as performing as strippers. Annie laughed, genuinely entertained by the stories, and Zacky loved the way her laughter made him feel at ease.

At one point, their conversation drifted to more personal matters.

"You know," Annie began, her voice soft but thoughtful, "I didn't expect to meet someone like you in a place like that."

Zacky leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, his eyes focused on her. "Yeah? What did you expect?"

Annie smiled, a little shyly this time. "I don't know. Maybe just some wild rockstar who doesn't take anything seriously."

Zacky chuckled. "I mean, you wouldn't be wrong. That was me for a long time."

She looked at him, a little more seriously now. "But not anymore?"

Zacky took a breath, running a hand through his hair as he considered his answer. "I guess I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. The whole stripper thing... it started as a joke, you know? But now, it feels like more than that. It's weird, but it's helped me figure some stuff out."

Annie tilted her head, curious. "Like what?"

"Like..." Zacky hesitated, searching for the right words. "Like I don't want to just drift through life anymore. I've spent a lot of time not caring about anything. Just living for the moment. But lately, I've been thinking maybe there's more to it than that."

Annie smiled, reaching out and lightly touching his hand. "I get that. I think we all hit that point eventually. It's about finding something, or someone, that makes you want to slow down."

Zacky felt a warmth spread through him at her touch. Her words hit him in a way he hadn't expected, like she was saying exactly what he hadn't been able to put into words himself.

They talked for hours after that, sharing more about their pasts, their fears, their dreams. The night grew darker, and the restaurant began to quiet down, but neither of them seemed to notice. They were wrapped up in their own world, the connection between them growing deeper with every passing minute.

After dinner, Zacky suggested a walk along the beach. The moonlight shimmered off the water as they strolled side by side, their conversation becoming more lighthearted again, filled with laughter and teasing.

At one point, they stopped, standing in the soft sand, the waves gently lapping at their feet. Zacky turned to face her, the sound of the ocean fading into the background as he looked into her eyes.

"This has been really nice," he said softly.

Annie nodded, her smile softening. "Yeah, it has."

Zacky hesitated for a moment, then stepped a little closer, his voice quieter now. "I've been thinking about you a lot since that night at the club."

Annie's breath hitched slightly, but she didn't pull away. "I've been thinking about you too."

For a moment, there was only silence between them, the tension thick but not uncomfortable. It was the kind of tension that comes when two people know something important is about to happen.

Zacky leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to back away if she wanted. But Annie didn't. Instead, she met him halfway, their lips finally meeting in a soft, tentative kiss. It was gentle, almost hesitant at first, but quickly deepened as they both gave in to the moment.

When they finally pulled away, Annie was smiling, her cheeks flushed. Zacky felt a sense of calm wash over him—like, for the first time in a long while, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

"Want to walk a little more?" Zacky asked, his voice still low.

Annie nodded. "I'd like that."

As they walked down the beach together, the waves whispering at their feet, Zacky realized something: he wasn't just drifting anymore. He was moving forward, and for the first time, he wasn't scared of where it might take him.

Annie, her hand intertwined with his, seemed to understand that too. And as they walked into the night, it felt like the beginning of something real. Something lasting.

For both of them.