The Ride of My Life (an Ansel Elgort story)

Chapter 20

Lucy's POV

It's almost time to introduce my family to Ansel. Not just as a friend, but as a boyfriend. It's been a long time since I had feelings like this for a guy.

All day I've been thinking of hundreds of scenarios that could happen. I've been laying on my bed with Gus, daydreaming about Ansel.

I decide to get ready. I curl my hair, put on some light make up and pick out a dress from my closet. It's a black floral dress. Not too casual, not too fancy.

I haven't talked much to Ansel today, because he's been acting a little strange. He hasn't texted me back all day which is unusual. I hope he's not having second thoughts about tonight.

I go downstairs to see if my mom needs any help, and I find her sitting on the couch. Normally the kitchen would be flooded with scents of delicious food, but instead, there's nothing.

"Mom, where's the food?!" I feel like as a teen I say this a lot, but in this situation, it's necessary.

"Oh honey, I stayed up late last night and I'm tired and I have a headache. We can just go to a restaurant or something." He says. This is so unlike my mom. She'd never back down on a chance to impress her guests.

My dad comes downstairs while she's talking and then says, "We could just order some pizza?" As much as I'd like to object, that actually sounds better than going to some tacky restaurant.

Someone knocks on the door and my dad answers.

"Hello sir," says a familiar voice. "I'm Ansel. It's nice to finally meet you."

They shake hands and Ansel walks in, dressed very nicely. He's holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey, you look very handsome." I say, smiling from ear to ear.

"You look beautiful, as always." He says with his signature smirk.

I give him a little hug, trying not to show much affection in front of my parents.

"Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend, Ansel." I smile again. A real smile.

"Oh, these are for you Mrs. Taylor." Ansel says, handing my mom the bouquet.

"Thank you, Ansel! How thoughtful."

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After some small talk between the four of us, my parents leave to pick up Brandon and his girlfriend from the airport. Brandon went to visit her hometown in Georgia a few weeks ago, although he just said he was 'visiting a friend', since at the time we didn't know about this girlfriend.

"Alright, I'm gonna call in the pizza so it'll be here about the same time they get back. Do you remember what your dad told us to order?" Ansel asks.

"Yeah, he wrote it down." I hand him the paper. He dials the number and places the order.

"It'll be here in 20 minutes." He says as he hangs up.

"Sounds good," I say. "So, it was nice meeting your brother yesterday. He seemed nice."

"Yeah he's alright. You'll like him." He says. Something in his voice sounds distant. Did I say something? What's making him act all weird?

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It's been a while since Ansel ordered the pizza, and I'm wishing time would go faster. Ansel isn't being himself for some reason and it just feels awkward between us.

The ringing of the doorbell breaks the silence. I can tell both of us and our stomachs are relieved.

"Do you want to get that?" Ansel says.

"Not particularly." I say and laugh.

"Fine." Ansel gets up and goes to answer the door, taking the money my parents left for us. "Lucy?" He calls.

"Yeah?"

"Uhh, this guy wants to see you? He says he knows you." Ansel says.

I can't see the door from where I am seated but I don't know who it would be. I don't know any pizza guy. I'm scared but I know as long as Ansel is here, I am safe.

I get up and walk towards the door, I can't see the man because Ansel is in front of him. I can see that he's not holding a pizza box, though. What the heck is going on?