Stronger

Surprise Dinner

I'm sorry for the long wait guys. Hope your all still here! <3

****

The bell rings to signal the end of the day. I gather my books and wait for all of the students to file out of the room. I get up and slowly make my way to my locker to put my school books away.

I shut the locker and head outside to wait for Harry. I put my headphones in to listen to music while waiting. After fifteen minutes, I sigh and start to walk to Harry and Ann's house. While walking, I think about what to do to thank them for letting me stay at their house until I find out my next move. An idea to make dinner pops into my head and I change direction to head to the grocery store.

After picking up all the ingredients for making spaghetti, along with Italian bread, I head up to an open check out isle. A girl about my age is there and she starts to check out my items.

"Hey, I've seen you around before! You go to my school, right?" She asks. I look up and study her face. She has long, curly brown hair pinned back with a few bobby pins. She has pretty brown eyes behind glasses. I look down at her name tag and it reads Lux.

"Oh, yes. You are in my forensics class, correct? You sit in front of me" I remember.

She laughs, "Yes, forensics. I really hate that class"

"But don't you have the highest average?"

Lux smiles "Yes, but I really do not enjoy all of the homework Ms. May gives us" I laugh with her and I notice that she has another customer behind me. I start to gather my items and she quickly writes something down on a post it note.

"Here's my number" she hands me the paper and I look at it. "We should hang out sometime" Lux smiles warmly at me and I couldn't help but smile back at her. I nod exit the store.

****

I just finish setting the table when I hear the front door open and keys hitting a glass bowl. A few moments later, Ann enters with a bunch of grocery bags in both hands. A look of surprise fills her face as she takes in the scene in front of her.

A big bowl of steaming spaghetti with meatballs sits in the center of a large round table. I had set three placemats with plates and silverware and the Italian bread already sliced with the butter next to it. I set the lighting at a low level and had lit candles to create a comfortable mood.

"Amber, did you do this all by yourself? It looks wonderful!" Ann sits all of the grocery bags on the counter and pulls me into a tight embrace. I return the warm hug and smile.

I pull away and look at her, "You really like it? It's not too much?" I begin to panic, looking at the table. Searching for any flaws.

"Oh no darling, don't be absurd. It looks delicious" she beams at me. I instantly return her smile, immediately feeling relieved.

I help Ann put away the groceries and we sit down. "Where is Harry?" I ask.
She looks puzzled for a moment as she fills her plate with food.

"Harry isn't here yet?" She asks, confused. I shake my head. "No, I waited after school for him but he never showed"

"That's odd" Ann thinks out loud. We continue to eat in silence for a while.

"How was work?" I say. Ann laughs to herself and says, "It's just another day in paradise" I laugh with her.

"How was school?"

"It was okay, same as always. I have a project that is due at the end of next month. I am not looking forward to it at all"

"I hear you, I disliked school as well. But you're gonna wish you could go back when you're older" I laugh.

"Ha! That'll be the day" I grin at her.

We soon finish dinner and I help her clear the table and load the dish washer. Ann thanks me again for dinner and I head up stairs to get ready for bed. After changing into my pajamas and make sure my alarm is set, I close my eyes and drift to sleep.

****

I feel something brush against my nose softly and I swat at it and turn my body in a more comfortable position. I feel it brush against me again. My eyes snap open in surprise and I see a figure leaning over me in the dark. I shriek and sit up to try to protect myself.

"Woah, woah. Amber, it's just me!" I stop and wipe my eyes to clear them.

"Harry?"