Page 8 of Journey to Love

ANYA: I need to get out

JOE: “You okay?”

ANYA: “Not really, but I will be as soon as I have some alcohol in my system”

JOE: “Okay, wanna meet at Rave?”

ANYA: “Actually, can you pick me up a few blocks away from my house, I can’t let my parents hear me leave?”

JOE: “Aren’t you a naughty girl ;-P”

ANYA: “Not right now Joe, please?”

JOE: “Okay, my bad, I’ll be there in 20 minutes”

ANYA: “Thanks”

Chapter Three

Anya

I swiftly change out of my clothes, hastily applying makeup to conceal the telltale signs of tears on my cheeks. Determination courses through me like a surge of electricity. If they refuse to treat me like the adult I am, then I'll find a place where I can be respected as one. It's a decision tinged with irony—I'm about to resort to what might seem like a childish act, yet they've pushed me to this point.

Rummaging through my closet, I unearth the luggage bags I used during our trip to Greece four years ago. Without hesitation, I begin stuffing them with my belongings: clothes, makeup, shoes, and a handful of cherished books. Each item I pack feels like a step towards freedom, a declaration of my autonomy.

With my bags packed and ready to go, I reach for my phone and send a message to my grandmother.

Anya: "Hey Nana"

Nana: "Hey sweetie, what's wrong? Why are you texting me so late?"

Anya: "I’m sorry to wake you, but can I live with you?"

Nana: "What’s going on Anya?"

Anya: "I’ll explain later, I just need an answer"

Nana: "If that’s what you want Anya, you know you are always welcomed here."

Anya: "Thanks Nana, I’m going out with friends tonight but is it okay if I come straight there after?"

Nana: "Of course, you know where the spare is"

I take a moment to write a note to my parents, explaining my decision to move out and stay with Nana for a while. I reiterate my need for independence and the desire to be treated like the adult I am. Folding the paper neatly, I place it on my bed where they're sure to find it.

With my phone safely stowed in my purse, I gather my bags and slip out of my room, tiptoeing past my parents' bedroom to avoid waking them. Carefully navigating the familiar path, I reach the window and quietly open it, breathing a sigh of relief as I climb out into the cool night air.

I walk around the house and open the gate slowly, then walk down my street. Joe picks me up halfway to our meeting place, he gives me a confused look as he stares at my luggage and back at me. I put my bags in the backseat and hop in the passenger seat. Joe looks back at the luggage again and then at me, his brows raised as if he’s waiting for an explanation. “What?” I ask trying to act like I don’t know what he’s referring to. “Listen, babe, if you wanted to move in with me all you had to do was ask” he playfully says. I slap his arm and laugh, “I don’t want to move in with you, dummy. I’m moving in with my grandma” I playfully slap him again. We both laugh and leave it at that.

As we pull into the Rave parking lot, Joe turns to me, concern flickering in his eyes. “Hey, in all seriousness, are you okay?” I take a deep breath, gathering my resolve. “Yeah, I’m okay. I’m finally taking control of my life.” His gaze lingers on me for a moment, assessing. “Alright then, let's go have some fun,” he says with a hint of reassurance. He walks around and opens my door, a playful grin on his face. “Wow, if I had known you were wearing that, I would’ve taken you somewhere private,” he jests. I roll my eyes and playfully shove him aside. “In your dreams, Romeo,” I retort, trying to lighten the mood. “Oh, trust me, I will be dreaming about you in that dress,” he says with a smirk, his tone laced with playful flirtation.

As I glanced down at myself, I couldn't help but realize that getting dressed in the dark was probably not my brightest idea. I had managed to fish out Lana’s dress from the depths of my closet, where she had hidden it to keep her parents from finding it. The dress was a striking red, with delicate spaghetti straps and a form-fitting silhouette that hugged my chest and hips snugly. It would have been perfect if I were Lana's height. But being a few inches taller, the dress only reached the top of my thigh.This was definitely not the kind of attention I wanted to draw to myself tonight, I grumbled inwardly.

Joe's hand on the small of my back guides me through the bustling club entrance. We settle into a booth near the bar, and he rises to order our drinks. Attempting to adjust the hem of my dress only results in revealing more cleavage. Oh well, might as well roll with it. At least Joe's here with me; maybe guys won’t bother me too much. Besides, Joe's not bad to look at. He returns with a Long Island iced tea for me and a beer for himself. I narrow my eyes at him, “Are you trying to get me drunk, Joe?” He chuckles, “Only if you want me to get you drunk, babe,” he says, winking. At this point, I'm not sure if he's joking or being serious, but I don't really care anymore. I'm determined to have a good time and celebrate my newfound freedom.

After we finish our drinks, I’m already buzzed,freaking lightweight,my inner voice teases. I pull Joe with me to the dance floor; he pulls my back toward him and wraps his arms around my waist. I rock my hips along to the song, my ass rubbing against his pants. He starts moving his hands lower toward my hips and pulls my ass tighter against his groin. I feel myself getting hotter, I’m not sure if it's because the club is packed like sardines or if it’s the heat coming off of Joe, but I feel my sweat dripping down my chest. I lean back my head to give some air to my glistening neck, Joe then leans down and starts kissing the sensitive part between my shoulder and neck. The softness of his lips sends shivers up my spine and down between my legs. I feel his tongue lick my skin as he moves up and down my neck. He brings his one hand lower to my inner thigh and slides it between my legs, teasing the side of my core. His other hand moves up between my breasts, he squeezes and sends a jolt down to my core. I’m breathing so heavily and hard, and then I feel Joe’s hand move underneath my thong. My eyes go wide and I push away from him. I run straight to the bathroom and splash water on my face.What the fuck are you doing ANYA?I slapped myself to snap out of whatever that was between Joe and me.You can’t trust guys, even guys as hot as Joe ESPECIALLY guys as hot as Joe!I say pointing to myself in the mirror. I dry my face off with a paper towel and take a breath before walking back out.

I see Joe sitting at our booth and he is texting on his phone. I sit across from and he still doesn’t look up. “Hey?” I say to get his attention, he just puts up his index finger to tell me to wait. “Okay, that was rude,”I say to myself,well you did just walk away from him when he was about to-I shut down the inner voice in my head before it continues that thought. “Joe?” He finally looks up and he has a hard look on his face. “Joe, I’m-“

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