The Ride of My Life (an Ansel Elgort story)

Chapter 34

Lucy's POV

It is early in the morning and I am yet again woken up by my loud brothers. The only thing different this time is they have a legitimate reason.

It's 4th of July.

Daniel has been shouting "MERICA!" And "OORAH!" and various military chants since he woke up, which I don't even know how long ago it was.

4th of July is a very big deal in the Taylor household.

Every year, we go to my grandparents' house for a cookout. We swim, eat, hang out and watch fireworks. My whole family comes- cousins, aunts, and uncles.

This year is an even bigger deal because Daniel is home, and I get to introduce Ansel to my family.

I am actually glad I was woken up this early. Now, this great day can start even sooner.

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I decide to go to Ansel's apartment and surprise him. I haven't seen him since the day he moved in. I wanted him to have time to adjust to his new place.

I walk up the steps to his door and knock. A few seconds later the door opens and it was not who I was expecting.

Standing in front of me is a young woman, only a little older than I. She looks familiar but I can't put my finger on why.

But what really disturbs me is her clothes. What is a girl doing in Ansel's apartment wearing nothing but a sports bra and some very short pajama shorts?!

"Hi, uh, sorry. I think I have the apartment number." I say. I know for a fact this is Ansel's apartment but I feel too confused and hurt to stick around until he comes out. I turn and start to walk down the stairs.

"Wait, are you.. Lucy?" I hesitantly turn back to face the girl. "I thought so. I'm sorry we had to meet this way. I'm Ansel's sister, Sophie." Ah, thats why shes familiar. She reaches a hand out for me to shake. I extend my arm to her, still confused. We shake hands and she gives me a warm smile. "Come on in! Ansel's in the shower."

I walk into the apartment. The smell of air freshener with a hint of Ansel's cologne wafts through my nose.

"I bet you're wondering why I'm here. My boyfriend and I got in a fight and I wasn't really looking to go home to my parents. I like to be independent. After all, now that my baby brother is out of the house, I can't just go running back to my mommy and daddy." She says in a silly voice. She likes to talk, it seems.

"I get that." I say. She sits on the couch and I sit on the love seat. "Sorry, I'm still a little shaken up. I thought Ansel was cheating on me." I laugh. Now that I say it out loud it sounds ridiculous.

She laughs with me. "He'd never do that to you, you know? He loves you so much. Head over heels. Last night we had a heart-to-heart and he would not stop talking about you! It's great to finally meet the legendary Lucy." She smiles.

"Wow, well I'm not that great."

"Yes you are!" says a voice coming from behind us. I turn around and see Ansel walking down the hallway with a towel wrapped around his waist. Holy cow. He sits next to me and kisses me. "Hey, babe." He gives me a flirty smile. "Guess what? We're on the loooove seat." He winks and Sophie rolls her eyes.

"I guess that's my cue to take a shower, huh?" She gets up and leaves the room, leaving us alone.

"Have I ever told you how mesmerizing you are without a shirt on?" I flirt.

He laughs, "I get that a lot."

{Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans!! }