Page 94 of Wicked Nasty

"Good morning, sleepyheads! I was starting to think you'd sleep the day away," she teases.

As his father descends the stairs, he moves swiftly to shut off the TV, but not before I catch a fleeting glimpse of my house on the news. The images flash across the screen, stark and alarming against the muted background noise of the living room.

Danny senses my tension and pulls me into his arms. I try to put on a brave face, but inside I am crumbling. I look around at his family, trying to find comfort in their warm embrace.

"It's okay," I say with a sad smile. "Really. I've... I made peace a long time ago with the fact that my mother was a monster. Her death is more of a... relief." My voice shakes as I utter these words, memories of a tumultuous childhood flooding my mind. The weight of it all is lifted now.

I feel like a new person, with a chance at a life filled with happiness and love. My father and Katya have become the parents I always needed, providing comfort and support during my darkest moments. And Danny, he is the light that shines through my darkness, loving me unconditionally. His family has welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like I am part of their own.

A genuine smile spreads across my face as I look at the three of them. "I'm more than okay," I say with a little laugh. "I feel like I can spread my wings and fly again."

The weight that had been pressing down on my shoulders for so long feels lifted, replaced by a sense of freedom and hope for the future. At this moment, surrounded by the people who truly care for me, I am filled with a newfound sense of happiness and contentment. It's as if I have found my place in the world, and it feels wonderful.

Ithasbeentwenty-onelong days since my mother's attempt to strip me of this world. The memories still linger like a dark cloud, but I push them aside as I stand confidently in front of my class. Danny stands by my side, his unwavering support giving me strength.

Together, we present our project to the class - a community farm-to-table initiative that we spent countless hours planning and organizing.

As we speak, the teacher stands and gives us a standing ovation. Her words fill me with pride as she praises our hard work. "This is hands down the most impressive community project I have witnessed in all my years of teaching," she proclaims. "You two have brought together farmers, businesses, and government officials to create an integral resource for our community. You have turned a dream into a reality."

I look around at the beaming faces of my classmates, knowing that our efforts will make a positive impact on our community. The room is filled with the scent of fresh soil and vibrant flowers, a reminder of the beauty and potential of our project. Gratitude fills my heart as I realize that through this experience, I have found a sense of purpose and belonging.

The sound of the bell echoes through the school hallway, signaling the end of another mundane day. Danny and I quickly make our way to his car, eager to escape the confines of the school grounds. As we settle into the leather seats, he turns to me with a smile on his face and takes my hand in his.

"You looked fucking stunning up there," he says, admiration in his voice.

I can't help but laugh at his words as his fingers playfully trace patterns on my thigh. "I wanted to just lift that skirt up and-" I gasp as his touch ignites a fiery desire within me, but my cheeks flush with excitement. Danny's wolfish grin only grows wider. "And you would have let me fuck you right there, in front of everyone," he teases.

My heart races at the thought, and I can't help but feel grateful for finding someone so daring and thrilling.

“Eyes on the road,Daniel.”

He chuckles as we pull into my driveway. “Can’t help it when I have you in my passenger seat.” He leans over and kisses me.

The kiss deepens, and I find myself lost in the moment, my fingers tangling in Danny's hair. The world outside fades away, and all I can focus on is the warmth of his lips and the electricity coursing through my body.

Suddenly, a sharp knock on the window startles us apart. I turn to see Katya there, a plate of cookies in her hand.

A blush creeps up my cheeks as we step out of the car. Katya laughs, her voice tinkling like wind chimes on a breezy day.

"Better me than your father catching you," she teases.

I groan but can't help smiling as the three of us make our way inside. "You're not wrong."

Danny chuckles. "I don't know, Katya. You are kind of terrifying."

She laughs along with him, and I feel a sense of warmth and comfort in their presence. But as my dad rounds the corner, a white envelope in his hand, my heart begins to race.

"This came for you, Becca," he says, extending the envelope towards me.

With trembling hands, I gingerly take the thick white envelope and carefully open it. The official letterhead catches my eye and a wave of emotions wash over me as I read the words written on the page.

Tears immediately spring to my eyes, blurring the words on the paper. My heart races with excitement and joy as I read and reread the contents of the letter. Danny notices my reaction and comes over, his brows furrowed in concern.

“Everything okay, Becs?”

"Everything is amazing," I say through tears. "I... I got accepted to Stanford!"

Danny's face lights up with pride and he wraps me in a tight hug, my family joining in with shouts of happiness. Through tears of joy, Danny kisses me repeatedly, whispering sweet words of congratulations in my ear.

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