WHEN THEY FALL IN LOVE

CHAPTER:12

[A YEAR LATER]

ANNABETH:

I could hardly contain my excitement as I rushed over to Lucas's apartment. When he opened the door, I immediately threw my arms around him in a tight hug, feeling the weight of my emotions spilling over. He lifted me effortlessly and placed me on a nearby table, leaning in closer. "Calm down, sweetheart. Now tell me what happened," he said, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "I got admitted to Vista University!" I exclaimed, my voice bubbling with joy. "The number one law school! It's my dream come true!" "Wow, Ann! That's incredible!" He beamed, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I always knew you could do it! You've worked so hard for this.""Thank you! I can't believe it's finally happening. It feels surreal," I said, still buzzing with excitement."So, how are we celebrating this monumental achievement?" he asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, looking all too charming."I was thinking we could hit that fancy Italian restaurant we love. You know, the one with the amazing tiramisu?" I suggested, my heart racing at the thought."Only if you promise to share dessert this time," he teased, raising an eyebrow."Fine, I promise! But you'd better save me a dance later," I shot back, unable to hide my grin."Deal. Now let's get going before I change my mind," he said, playfully rolling his eyes.We hopped into his car, and as we drove, the excitement in the air was electric. "So, law school, huh?" he began, glancing at me with a smirk. "You're going to be surrounded by all those smart, sexy lawyers. Better watch out; they might sweep you off your feet."I laughed, swatting his arm playfully. "Please, they'll have to get past me first! I know how to handle myself. Besides, I'm only interested in one person.""Oh really? Who's that?" he asked, feigning ignorance, his grin widening."Hmm, let's see... He's tall, charming, and definitely knows how to handle a woman," I said, leaning in closer, savoring the tension between us."Sounds like my kind of guy," he said, his voice dropping an octave as he turned to look at me, his eyes darkening with mischief. "What if I told you he has a thing for smart girls who are about to become lawyers?""Well, then he'd better step up his game," I replied, biting my lip playfully. "Because this smart girl is not going to be an easy catch."As we arrived at the restaurant, Lucas parked the car and turned to me, his expression softening. "I'm really proud of you, Annabeth. You're going to be amazing at Vista. Just remember, if you need a study buddy or someone to celebrate with, I'm your guy.""Good to know! And just so you know, I might need a little distraction from all that studying," I winked, stepping out of the car."Count me in for distractions anytime," he said, following me with a playful smile.Inside the restaurant, the ambiance was perfect—soft lighting and the tantalizing aroma of Italian cuisine surrounded us. We were led to a cozy table in the corner, and as we settled in, I couldn't help but admire the way he looked in the dim light, his confident demeanor making my heart flutter."So, what's the first thing you're going to do once you start classes?" he asked, his eyes fixed on me, as if I were the only thing that mattered."Honestly? I want to make a name for myself. I want to be that student everyone looks up to," I said, my voice steady. "But I also want to enjoy the experience. Maybe even explore a few... extracurricular activities," I added, my tone suggestive.Lucas leaned closer, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Extracurricular activities, huh? I can think of a few that would be quite... enlightening," he said, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. I felt a warm flush creep up my cheeks as I met his gaze. "Is that so? Well, I'm all ears," I said, leaning in as well, savoring the playful banter.As the waiter arrived to take our orders, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment—celebrating not just my achievement but the connection we shared. It was just the beginning of so many new adventures, and I was ready for every single one of them.

LUCAS:

After our delicious lunch filled with laughter and celebration, Annabeth and I headed to the mall. She was on a mission to shop for some new clothes, and I was more than happy to accompany her.As we strolled through the stores, Ann tried on various dresses, each one more stunning than the last. I couldn't help but compliment her as she twirled in front of the mirror. "Wow, Ann! That dress looks incredible on you!" I said, my eyes wide with admiration as she emerged in a flowing floral sundress that danced around her legs. "You've got to get that one!""Really? You think so?" she replied, a hint of shyness creeping into her voice."Absolutely! You'd turn heads in that for sure," I said, giving her a playful nudge. She grinned and tried on a fitted little black dress next, which hugged her curves perfectly. "And what about this one?" she asked, posing dramatically."Now that's a classic! You look like you're ready for a night out on the town," I said, leaning against the doorframe, trying to hide how much I was enjoying this. "I might need to keep an eye on you if you wear that one out.""Oh really? What are you going to do? Follow me around with a sign that says 'Taken'?" she laughed."Maybe I should! You're a catch, and I can't let any other guy think otherwise," I shot back, making her laugh even more. After an enjoyable shopping spree, we headed back to my apartment, bags in tow. Once inside, Annabeth looked at me with that playful spark in her eyes. "So, are you hungry? I'm in the mood to cook something delicious."I leaned against the kitchen counter, pretending to consider her offer. "Cooking sounds great, but how about we switch things up a bit?" I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her in. She looked up at me, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What do you mean?" With a smirk, I leaned in closer, whispering in her ear, "How about eating you tonight?"Her eyes widened in surprise, and a soft blush crept across her cheeks. "Lucas! You can't just—"I interrupted her with a teasing grin. "Why not? I think we'd both enjoy that kind of meal a lot more." I pulled back slightly to see her reaction, my heart racing with anticipation. Annabeth bit her lip, her expression shifting from surprise to a mix of amusement and intrigue. "Well, that's one way to skip dinner," she said, a playful smile forming on her lips. "Dinner can wait," I replied, my voice low and teasing. "I'm more interested in a different kind of feast right now." She laughed softly, shaking her head but not stepping away. "You really know how to distract a girl, don't you?""It's a talent of mine," I said, leaning in even closer, letting my lips hover just above hers. "But I think we both know there's a spark here that's hard to ignore."Her breath hitched slightly, and I could see the excitement in her eyes. "You might be right," she admitted, her gaze locked onto mine.With a soft smile, I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "So, what do you say? Do we go for the cooking or skip straight to dessert?"She grinned, her cheeks still flushed. "I think I can be persuaded," she replied, her voice a sultry whisper that sent shivers down my spine."Good," I said, my heart racing. "Let's see what kind of trouble we can get into then." With that, the air around us crackled with anticipation, ready for whatever the night had in store.