WHEN THEY FALL IN LOVE

chapter:6

ANNABETH:

In the morning, I came downstairs to find my parents and brother giving me strange, scrutinizing looks. It felt like I had walked into an interrogation room. As I made my way down the stairs, memories of yesterday flooded my mind—Lucas, the event, the unexpected emotions that had unraveled everything. Oh my gosh, Lucas Caldwell dropped me off! I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety creeping in. What had I gotten myself into?I reached the bottom step and sat next to my dad at the kitchen table, trying to appear nonchalant despite my racing heart. Without missing a beat, he leaned in and said, "Listen, you need to make sure you don't break up with him at any cost. If you do, it could create serious problems for my business." His words hung heavy in the air, mixing with my frustration. I felt a surge of anger; even though I liked Lucas, I hated my dad for dictating my feelings and relationships. Did my happiness not matter?After a few tense moments, I excused myself to change into my dress for school. I looked in the mirror, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety in my stomach. I wanted to feel confident, to embrace the fact that I was dating Lucas, but my dad's words echoed in my mind, dampening my excitement.Once I was ready, I stepped outside, and my breath caught when I saw Lucas waiting for me by his car. He looked so effortlessly handsome, leaning casually against the vehicle, a relaxed smile on his face. I approached him, unable to hide my surprise. "What are you doing here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.He straightened up, grinning widely. "I came to pick up my girlfriend and drop her off at school, like an ordinary boyfriend would." My heart fluttered at his words. There was something incredibly comforting about that, a normalcy I craved amidst the chaos.I climbed into the car, and as soon as I settled in, he placed his hand on my thigh. A jolt of electricity shot through me, sending chills up my spine. I glanced at him, and our eyes locked for a brief moment, a connection that felt both thrilling and terrifying. "Are you ready for the day?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting. I nodded, trying to ignore the butterflies flapping wildly in my stomach.Feeling bold, I pulled out my phone and snapped a quick picture of us, capturing the moment. "Say cheese!" I teased, and he laughed, leaning closer for the shot. I posted it online with a simple caption: "Off to school with my favorite person." As soon as I hit "post," I felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with apprehension.When we arrived at school, the hallway felt electric. The moment we stepped out of the car, I noticed everyone's eyes on us—some curious, some envious. Whispers followed us as we walked together, and I could feel the weight of their stares. It was a mix of excitement and anxiety; I was proud to be with Lucas but also overwhelmed by the scrutiny.lucas left for his college after dropping me at school.As I made my way through the hallway, I caught snippets of conversations. "Is that Lucas Caldwell? He's dating her?" and "I can't believe she's with him!" Each comment made my cheeks flush. I smiled, trying to project confidence, but deep down, I felt the pressure mounting.seline squeezed my hand gently, grounding me in the moment. "Ignore them," she whispered, leaning closer. "They're just jealous." her reassurance helped, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my dad's words loomed over me. How would I balance my feelings with the expectations around me?We reached my locker, and I paused, taking a deep breath. "Can we talk later?" I asked, glancing up at her. SHe nodded, her expression serious. "Of course. I want to make sure you're okay with everything."As the bell rang, signaling the start of classes, I let go of her hand. The day ahead felt uncertain, and I knew I would need to navigate not just my feelings for Lucas but also the complexities of what our families expected from us. With a mix of hope and anxiety, I stepped into the classroom, ready to face whatever the day would throw at me.

LUCAS:

On my way to college, my thoughts were consumed by her—her touch lingering on my skin, her smile lighting up my day, and the sweet scent that filled my car, making everything feel right. I couldn't ask for more; being with her was intoxicating. But as I drove, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I noticed her eyes had a hint of sadness, a flicker of frustration that didn't match her usual bright demeanor.The thought of anyone making her angry stirred something protective within me. I wanted to kill whoever had upset her, to confront them and make them understand that she deserved nothing but happiness. I just wished I knew what had happened, what had brought that shadow to her face.During break, I decided to text her. "Hey, I'll be picking you up after class. Can't wait to see you." I hoped my message would bring a smile back to her lips, even if only for a moment. I wanted to be there for her, to figure out what was bothering her and help make it right.As I hit send, I felt a mix of anticipation and determination. I wasn't going to let whatever was weighing her down ruin our time together. She deserved to feel cherished, and I was ready to do whatever it took to bring back that light in her eyes.