I felt pity for Ace for loving such a certified bitch. She practically lives in a dreamland where Bryan loves her. Ha, at least he’s upgraded to the topmost level!
“I knew he would call the police so I told him to wait for a few days. By then I gathered these four gang members, my bodyguards and some new people who had just started. I knew if you joined this gang even Ace would too, you know to protect you and shit. He is good at this stuff and the gang would soon reach its heights. This gang gave me life, it will not end. Never.” She vowed fiercely.
“That’s dumb.” I snorted and immediately shook my head at her death glare. “Not your fierce loyalty to this dumb gang but the fact that you think I would join this. Now if this was some charity club I would think about it but it’s about drugs and killing so no thanks. I would prefer to take my leave. Have a great life ahead with your dogs. Tada bitches.” I waved and turned to the door but Mr. Unfamiliar stopped me. “Not so fast.”
I sighed looking at him, I was kind of looking forward to my exit after ‘Tada bitches’. “Aww c’mon. I just need some fresh air.”
“If you don’t join, you die. Ace would join again after your death, you know under depression and Dylan and Max too, probably Sean as well. Oh wonderful! Your death is the solution to all.” Anastasia said happily like she had just solved the toughest math question ever.
I stared at her blankly, wondering which mental institute was the nearest. “Killing me will only result in Bryan getting extremely pissed off and killing you along with your dogs.” I stated flatly.
“Oh no! Bryan still loves me.”
I rolled my eyes at her idiocy as I sighed dramatically. “Bryan loved you, loved. Do I spell it now? Fine. L-O-V-E-D. And that also the Anastasia who was nice and ready to leave the dumb gang not the Anastasia who is crazy and ready to kill to promote the gang. Jeez use some sense or are you on drugs?”
Her eyes flared and she stood up. “You just asked for your own death Joanna Williams.” She thundered, her hand going back and coming out with a gun, pointing straight at me.
My eyes darted in terror to Ian who was looking at Anastasia with similar horror, completely helpless. The realization that I could be dying soon finally sunk in. My lips quivered and my heart beat went into frenzy. Holy mother of roasted marshmallows, I would never be able to eat them again.
Suddenly my whole life scanned in front of me. The sleepovers with Janice and Brittany, ganging up on Logan and Alan, trying to make cookies which would always ended in a food fight. Late night chats and then sleeping until noon. Going to malls and trying on dresses to make ourselves feel good. Pillow fights with my brothers. Kian always blaming me for things and getting away with it. Dad swinging me on the swings as the wind caressed my face. Mom scarifying her sleep when we were unwell. Connor never approving of any guy I was friends with. Mrs. Finn ordering me to tutor Ace. Our kisses, our fights, our sarcastic comments and arguments over little things. Max and Dylan always fighting over Pretty Little Liars and Supernatural. Ace’s romantic proposal. Our dates.
In that moment I suddenly realized I had a lot to do. I had to tell my mother thanks for protecting me the nine months and then loving me despite my innumerable faults. I had to tell my dad thanks for trying his best and succeeding in being an awesome dad. Well almost. I had to slap Connor for not telling about June sooner. I had to go to Kian’s grave and remind him I still loved and missed him.
I had to hug Janice and Brittany for being with me even in the craziest times, I wouldn’t trade them for a million dollars. Well a million dollars is a lot, I might think about it. I had to tell Logan to forget Marie and concentrate on his non-existent future. I had to slap Alan for betraying me and asking why he did it. I had to make Dylan and Janice fall in love. I had to make sure Max wouldn’t hurt Brittany again. And most importantly I had to tell Bryan that I loved him, with my whole heart, the veins, arteries, the boobs, the butt, everything.
It’s funny how the closer you are to death the more your to-do list increases.
That moment I realized, you never know what happens in future so grab the opportunity and hold on to it tight. I had so many opportunities to tell the people I love what I love about them but I never did, leaving it for later. But later never comes. The people never know that you loved them or what you loved about them. You never know what you have until you watch it go.
We don’t fear death, we fear the absence of life.
I wanted to shout out to the world that I loved Bryan. His anger, his scowl, the way he let out a frustrated breath every time I said something stupid, the way he kissed me making my toes curl, his possessive nature, the ways his eyes turned to sweet brown chocolate when he was happy and to dark chocolate when he was angry and how those hazel specks turned brown when he was aroused. I loved the way I felt secure and safe in his arms. I loved the fact that I showed him his path. I loved that he had indirectly proposed me for marriage. I loved how his cheeks turned pinkish when someone mentioned him and me in a sexual way. I loved everything about him. Period. And I wanted to yell it out to him so he would say it back and we would kiss passionately with Mufasa and Kian grinning from heaven.
He was like junk food for me, unhealthy but necessary and so damn addictive.
The sound of Anastasia’s gun broke my daze. It was pointed at me and I felt a pang in my chest. I love you all. I thought desperately hoping the message would reach their hearts.
It’s in times like this, you realize a person’s worth. So don’t be afraid to express your love.
“Not so fast.” My head snapped to the voice who was holding a gun, pointing at Anastasia.
Alan fucking McCarthy.
There were shocked gasps, the biggest one coming from me.
Suddenly we heard footsteps outside and the door burst open. Stumbling inside came Bryan, Dylan, Max, Logan and Connor all armed with guns or long poles. Everyone looked at each other in shock and surprise. Swallowing the whole situation.
And then hell broke loose.