Chaos part 6
Anna’s POV
Anna told herself she wasn’t nervous.
She was lying.
She and Abby had spent time together before—a lot of time, actually. But this was different.
This wasn’t just another cast outing, or a casual hangout with the group. This was the first time it was just the two of them.
The first time Anna had to keep herself together without Dre there to whisper unhelpful encouragements in her ear.
Abby was right next to her. Walking beside her. Close enough that their arms almost brushed every few steps.
And Anna could not for the life of her stop thinking about it.
“So, Anna,” Abby said, breaking the silence between them. “Where are you from?”
Anna panicked.
"Wilmington, Delaware!" she blurted. Then, cringing slightly at how enthusiastic she sounded, she quickly added, "Where are you from? Probably somewhere more interesting, huh?"
Abby didn’t seem to mind the weirdness.
"I’m from Chicago," she said easily. "It’s pretty cool, I guess."
Anna nodded aggressively. Too aggressively.
“Cool. Yeah. Chicago’s cool.”
They reached the restaurant, and Abby smiled. “I’ll put the orders in. Can you find us a table while we wait?”
Anna forced herself to breathe.
"Y-yeah! Sure! Anything for you!"
Oh.
Oh, that was too much.
She could feel her face burning as Abby gave her a slightly amused look before heading to the counter.
Anna exhaled sharply, turning away to find them a table before she could embarrass herself even more.
She spotted an empty one near the window and made her way over. Just as she was setting her coat down, a voice behind her made her stiffen.
"Hey now, if you want this table, you’re gonna need to give me a little something."
Anna turned.
A man—older, taller, too close—was staring at her, eyes raking over her.
She took a step back, but he followed.
"Come on, babygirl," he murmured, grabbing her wrist. "Sit with me."
Anna’s breath caught.
Her skin crawled.
She tried to yank her arm away, but his grip tightened.
Her voice felt stuck in her throat.
People were around them, but no one noticed.
No one to help her.
No one except—
"Anna, sweetie!"
Abby’s voice was bright, cheerful—but her smile was sharp.
She slid an arm around Anna’s waist like it was second nature, pulling her in close.
“Oh, and who are you?” she asked, turning to the man with a polite but dangerous smile.
The man frowned, still gripping Anna’s wrist. “Just offering this kind lady some company.”
Abby’s grip on Anna tightened.
“Oh, well, that’s sweet,” she said lightly. "But, see, that lady happens to be my girlfriend.”
Anna’s heart stopped.
The man hesitated.
“I don’t believe it,” he said after a beat.
Abby raised an eyebrow. “Not that we have to prove anything to you, but…”
Then, without warning, she spun Anna around, placed one hand on her neck, the other gripping her waist—
And kissed her.
Anna’s brain shut down.
Abby’s lips were soft, firm, warm.
The man muttered something under his breath and finally let go of her.
But Abby didn’t pull away.
Not immediately.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss.
Anna felt her knees buckle.
It was an act. She knew that.
So why did it feel so real?
Abby finally pulled back, lips just barely brushing against Anna’s as she whispered, “Believe me now?”
The man huffed, hands up in surrender, and backed away toward another table a couple feet away.
Anna’s pulse was thunderous.
Abby turned back to her, smirking.
“Looks like we’re not done with this,” she murmured before kissing her one more time.
It took a full five seconds after Abby pulled away for Anna to remember how breathing worked.
She was blushing furiously. “Th-thank you… baby.”
Abby smiled. “Of course, angel.”
Anna’s stomach flipped.
They sat down, still holding hands across the table.
Anna swallowed hard. “He’s still watching.”
Abby squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”
Anna exhaled shakily.
And then, before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in and kissed Abby softly on the cheek.
Abby blinked.
Anna smiled, ignoring the way her own heart was racing.
“I’m just… happy I have you,” she murmured.
For a moment, Abby didn’t respond.
Then her expression softened.
"You could thank me with a—"
Their buzzer rang.
Abby chuckled, standing. “Our food’s ready.”
Anna nodded, standing up—not letting go of Abby’s hand.
As they walked to the counter together, something unspoken hung in the air between them.
Something that neither of them could name yet.
But it was there.
The walk back to the rehearsal building was quieter than Anna expected. Not awkward—just… charged.
Her mind kept replaying the kiss.
It had been fake. Obviously. Just a quick, impulsive way to get that creep to back off. Abby had done it without hesitation, and Anna had gone along with it because—well, what else was she supposed to do?
But now?
Now, Abby was walking beside her, hands in her pockets, looking… smug.
Anna narrowed her eyes. “What?”
Abby glanced at her, innocent. “What?”
Anna huffed. “You’re smirking.”
Abby shrugged. “I think you liked it.”
Anna choked. “Excuse me?!”
Abby laughed. “Relax, I’m joking.”
Anna’s face burned. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
They walked a few more steps in silence before Abby nudged her lightly.
“So, are we gonna pretend we’re dating now, or what?” she teased.
Anna froze.
Abby stopped too, raising an eyebrow. “Anna?”
Anna didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even know why she was hesitating.
It was a joke. It had to be a joke.
Right?
Abby’s expression softened. “I mean, we could always go on a real date.”
Anna stopped walking.
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “I—I—”
Abby grinned. “That’s not a no.”
Anna groaned, covering her face. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
Anna sighed, dramatic. “Fine. One date.”
Abby beamed. “Good. Friday night?”
Anna exhaled sharply. “Yeah. Friday’s good.”
Abby bumped their shoulders together. “Looking forward to it, babe.”
Anna hated how much she liked the sound of that.