Found Along The Way

Chapter nineteen

The dreadful night that ended with a flicker of hope stayed in the back of Anya's mind over the next few days, she worried for Lina despite knowing she was now getting help. She'd been talking to someone, and taking antidepressants, and was seeming more like herself. It was progress.

But something else had progressed, and that was Anya and Lucas's relationship...

The nights must have been the best part if she had to choose. Nights of conversation, painting, writing, and laughter. Oh, the laughter. The way Lucas could light up her soul with his words and his smile.

Their relationship was new, and exciting, filled with days of adventure and nights of passion between them.

There were no tears, and Anya didn't feel threatened or unsure, she felt safe. Finally safe after everything with Daniel, and this time it felt so different.

Yes, there were happy nights with Daniel that she felt completely overjoyed with, but they all seemed to have darkness hidden between their shadows. For every good night there was a bad one, for every laugh there was a silence, and for every gentle whisper there was a shout. She'd considered this normal, every relationship has it flaws right?

But now it made sense.

Lucas brought back her worth and made her realise she was so much more than what she thought.

The spring in her step had returned for the first time in a while, which was gladly noticed by Amanda.

"I know that smile on your face Anya."

"Yes, yes you do." Anya sighed contently, arranging her bright paints in front of her.

"I'm beyond happy for you child." Amanda said, standing by and watching what Anya was about to create. Her joy resonated in her art as she sketched and painted a sunrise, with butterflies and baby animals framing the open sky. Sunkissed streaks beamed through cracks in trees and grass seemed to sway despite being frozen in time in this picture.

"It's for a new start Amanda."

A new start that Anya had so longingly been waiting for.

"So what's triggered this new start?"
"So much Amanda... Lina's baby, the museum, and Lucas!"

"Ah yes, the joy of new love. I wish you well Anya, no taking any crap from any more men though, you understand?"

"Of course, Lina would have my head for it." She chuckled.

"And I'd have HIS head for it." Amanda laughed in return.

Anya checked the time, gasping and quickly putting her brushes away,

"I have to go! It's an exciting day today!"

"Ah yes! The letter! you call to tell me as soon as you receive it!"

"I will!" She shouted with excitement, running out of the classroom and almost taking out a small college student as she went. Nothing could stop her today.

The letter was meant to come today, the letter that would tell Anya if she'd been accepted into her dream school or unfortunately rejected. Anya prepared herself for both outcomes, trying not to get her hopes up but simultaneously being unbelievably excited.

Her walk home seemed longer than ever, despite her walking at twice the pace she normally would. The open, blue sky and cold, fresh air made Anya feel even more uplifted. She felt as if she was walking on clouds, going through the empty park, across the field, and down the tree-shaded alleyway. She arrived at the bottom of the street and ran up to her house, jumping into Lucas's arms as he waited at the door. They laughed their hellos and kissed through their smiles, Lucas lifted her inside and closed the door behind him. He put her down and she noticed one hand behind his back,

"Lucas is that...?"

"Yes." He smiled, "I haven't opened it, don't worry. But you're going to take a deep breath, and know that whatever is in this envelope, doesn't change how incredible and talented you are, okay?"

"Okay, yeah." She took the deep breath and exhaled it with a laugh. He took the letter from behind his back and they began to open it. Anya began reading,

"Dear Miss Whelan, thank you for all your efforts towards art in your community, and for your speech at the ceremony. We are delighted to inform you that we can offer you a place at Castleford arts in the new academic year, half the tuition paid, and will be very happy to see you attending our school-"

She stopped, and began to tear up with happiness. Lucas smiled ecstatically, mirroring her joy.

"You got in... Anya you got in!"

"I did! Oh my god Lucas I got in!" She ran into an overjoyed embrace, and they both yelled as if they'd won the Olympics. "I know it's far away, almost 9 months, but I can't wait. This is the start of what could be a huge career! If I'm dreaming..." She chuckled.

Lucas took Anya's face in his hands, looking at her eyes, bright as daylight,

"Always dream Anya, never stop."

She kissed him, it felt magical, fuelled by the ecstasy that was today, everything felt magical.

This magic didn't stop over the next month, when she told everyone she knew her amazing news, and was met with gasps and hugs of amazement. Anya felt on top of the world, and it radiated from her in everything she did.

Her heart was glowing, and her days were full of appreciation for everything beautiful in her life. She spent time with Rosie, watching her grow and seeing her begin to notice the world around her, She talked to Lina who had finally gotten into a routine with her new little family and was looking much brighter, she continued to have incredible times with Lucas, and her art was flourishing.

Lina had decided to throw Anya a party at the bar she and Lucas had first spoken to each other outside of, sat on the wall. This brought back nostalgia from that day, where Lina was dancing till her feet ached and Lucas first gave Anya his smile. Seeing the wall, she took his hand and walked to the very same spot they were in almost a year ago.

"We'll join you in there in a second Lina." She said, stepping away from her mini-crowd of friends who were all heading inside.

She sat with him and looked into his eyes. "Lucas, thank you for going on this journey with me. Even if we've only been together for a month of it."

He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and moved closer toward her.

"Thank you Anya, for letting me."

After a shared moment of appreciation they quickly hurried inside, hand in hand, and Anya's entry was met with a wave of cheer. She didn't expect the bar to be decorated with pictures of her artwork, and gold stars weaved across the ceiling beams, but Lina had gone all out for her best friend.

"LINA OH MY GOD!"

"You deserve nothing less lady, you're our star."

She hugged Lina tighter than ever before. It wasn't long until Joey joined in holding Rosie, and Lucas added himself to the group. Anya had never dreamed of happiness like this and found herself crying, overwhelmed from it all.

"Anya sweetie, are you crying?" Lina chuckled, wiping the tears from her flushed cheeks. Anya couldn't bring herself to say any words, she just laughed and nodded, keeping hold of her favourite people and never wanting to let them go.

That evening, while the sun began to set into a cold February night, the four content adults (and Rosie) sat in Lucas and Anya's living room, mostly being entertained by Rosie's adorable little movements and discoveries, but ultimately enjoying their time together.

It wasn't at all uncommon for them to spend an evening together, the group could never really be apart for more than a day, but tonight felt special. It felt peaceful and happy, truly happy.

There was an unexpected knock at the door, not alarming because it was still light out, there was a glowing sunset streaming in through all the windows. But Anya wasn't expecting any deliveries or visitors.

She opened the door, and there was a girl standing there.

A clearly upset girl.

It was Tricia.