Riverside Boulevarde, NYC
30/01/2016 12:42pm

The air was cold that morning and the wind blew the curtains slightly. Annaliese shuffled out the bedroom and shut the window, but not before staring down at the street below her appartment. She could see the people making their way along the sidewalk and could hear the shrieks and shouts from below. She sighed and closed it.

She had been slouching about for most of the morning, tinkering with weapons. She slumped down in her chair, staring at a gun on the desk. It lay disassembled, its bullets scattered across the table. She lifted the DSR's barrel and analysed it. It was a sniper rifle that George had given her. She had to find some time to fix it.

The doorbell chimed and she groaned. She really wished she hadn't set it to Fur Elise. That same song had played at the Don's funeral. The chime continued and she opened the door. Dani was standing in the entryway.

"Mornin'" She grumbled.

"Morning? It's afternoon." He grinned, slipping past her.

Dani stepped over various weapons and sat on the couch, lifting a machete up to analyse it. There was an inscription etched into the silver blade. It looked like a Japanese Yokai. Dani looked at her and raised a brow.

"Rukia sent them." Annaliese said, and Dani smirked.

"And you've not given them to the Brits?" He asked.

"Considering their history with Rukia, no I haven't." She said, sitting down and lifting the knife.

As though sensing her curiousity, Dani lifted a box up, holding it out to her. Krispy Kreme's. Annaliese smiled at him then, setting the knife down.

"Krispy Kreme's, eh? You sure know the way to a girl's heart." She laughed.

"I do try. I sent Nikki to get coffee from Starbucks, like ten minutes ago." Dani said, sighing.

"He probably got caught up in the tourist queue's." She replied, opening the box and removing a glazed, pink donut.

The door flew open and Nikki appeared. He was clutching three Starbucks cups like a lifeline. He pouted a little and wondered over.

"Hey, you started without me." He whined.

He set the cups down and sat next to the couch, eyes roaming over to the DSR on the table. Nikki was up and over there in seconds.

"Wow, cool, a German DSR sniper rifle." He sounded like a kid.

"It needs some work doen to it." Annaliese said, sipping her coffee.

"Can I help, please, please." Nikki begged.

"Yeah, you can help me fix it, dude." She grinned.

Dani was watching and had stopped drinking. He met Annaliese's eyes briefly. She offered a warm smile.

"What's it for?" He asked.

"Probably to blow Vinnie's brains all over that fancy desk." Nikki smirked.

"Don't even joke about that," Annaliese snapped. "They looked like they were going to kill him last night."

Dani sighed and placed a hand to her arm. Annaliese caught herself and sighed. She had known the brothers for so long now and she and Vinnie had always been indifferent to each other, but she still cared about them like they were her family.

"The four headed demon, eh? Who knew sociopaths could be so pretty." Nikki grinned.

"Andy didn't sound happy either." Dani added.

"Andy's hiding something." Annaliese said, simply.

The two guys shared a look in agreement and continued drinking coffee. All the while, no one spoke much about what was happening.


**********************

GreenView Heights
30/01/2016 13:10pm
Kacee POV

I had been scrolling through my Amazon account for a while now. I needed a dress, which was all fine and good, however, when I said Dad wouldn't give up, I meant it. The invites had arrived this morning, delivered by one of my Dad's PR men.

I had said my thanks and tore the envelope open, not really caring about the crisp, fancy paper they had been in. I had poured the contents of said envelope onto the table. To my shock, not only did the invites land on my table, but so did the phone number of a designer dress store.
Dad always wore the best suits and they were usually Armani or some other insanely expensive designer brand. Mum always looked immaculate in designer clothes too and I guessed Dad wanted me to look the same. It just seemed like one last ditch attempt at control and I wasn't going to rise to the bait.

I glanced at the invites then back to my laptop, searching for the right dress. It was risk to order online, but if adjustments were needed then I'd take it to a seamstress and get it fixed without paying stupid amounts of money.

I scrolled through the dresses, smiling at some and frowning at others. Something caught my eye. A bright blue dress that was decorated with lacy flowers and the top had sleeves very similar to a t-shirt. It was more of a cocktail dress, but it was beautiful and at $20, it was a bargain.

I ordered it straight away and grinned. My eyes flicked to the invites and the gravity of the situation dawned on me. I, a nerd with more knowledge of books, was going to ask a guy to a gala. I knew we wouldn't be alone during the night, but the more I thought about it, the more freaked out I became. How should I ask him? Yeah, how do I ask the assassin that I was falling for if he wanted to go to a gala with me? He'd get the dubious honour of meeting my control-freak Dad.

I shut my laptop and tried to calm my mini-freak out. I hadn't seen John since yesterday and I really hoped he was all right. What was I to him though? Was I a girlfriend, or something far less pleasant? I'd never been in this situation before. It would be really wrong to go to his appartment and ask, especially when I was wearing sweatpants and an old t-shirt.

Screw societal norms though. I got up and opened the door, shutting it and striding towards the appartment opposite. I lifted my hand to knock and faltered a bit. No, I needed to do this. I tapped at the door and stepped back a bit, wondering if he was home. The lock clicked and I nearly ran away.

The door opened and John smiled when he saw me. He looked sleepy and his side swept hair was tousled like he'd just got out of bed. Those familiar square glasses were on and I couldn't help but smile at how adorable he looked.

"You look-" I was about to continue when he cut me off.

"Like shite, I know. I have the hangover to end all hangovers." He murmured, leaning on the door frame.

"Why? What happened?" I asked.

"It's a long, complicated story that actually involves you, love." He replied, but didn't elaborate.

He stepped aside and let me in. I hadn't really paid attention but he was in sweatpants and t-shirt as well. He slumped onto the couch and rested his head on the cushions. I suddenly felt quite guilty for imposing on him like this.

"Would you like a drink, or something." I asked, and his brown eyes glanced over at me.

"Yeah, coffee and two painkillers, please." He said, and closed his eyes.

I smiled and walked through the archway into the kitchen. I opened the fridge to find the milk. There wasn't much food in the fridge and I felt a little worried. I made two coffee's and dug around in the drawers and eventually found the paracetamol in a cupboard at the far end.

I turned and nearly colided with John. His hands gripped my shoulders to steady me and my face went bright red at the contact. Awkwardness was practically my middle name, or it might as well have been because I kept thinking about when we kissed. It never left my mind, but I was too afraid to bring the subject up again.

"S-sorry, I didn't realise you were there." I said, quickly.

"Scared you, did I?" He smirked, and pressed a kiss to my forehead instead.

Once we left the kitchen, John slumped on the couch again and took the paracetamol,
swallowing one then the other and sipping coffee. He patted the couch next to him and I sat down, surprised when he pulled me closer so my head was resting on his shoulder. It was now or never.

"Next weekend is a charity gala that my parents want me to go to," I said, pausing to gather myself. "You can say no if you want, but I'd like if you would accompany me."

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the insta-rejection. I giggled when John tickled my side. My eyes flew open and we were face-to-face.

"I would be happy to accompany you." He said.

"Really?" I asked, sounding shocked.

He shrugged like it was no big deal, but to me it was a huge deal. I really wanted to ask what our relationship was, but I was frightened, however I decided to approach it tactfully.

"It'll be kind of like a date?" I phrased it as a question.

Those piercing brown eyes locked with my own and he didn't reject me instead he smiled.

"Yeah, it will, love."

I smiled and reached up, toying with the glasses. John slid them off and turned them round, putting them on me. Everything became blurry for a minute then I removed them.

"Do you need these?" I asked, and he grinned, mischievously.

"I do, actually. I'm blind without them, or I can't see very well." He said.

I gave them back to him. My own glasses were mostly for reading and writing so I didn't wear them too much, only if the need ever arose.

"Wow, I had no idea." I whispered.

"There's a lot about me you don't know." He replied.

"I think I know one of your biggest secrets." I said, glancing at the bandage on his hand.

"Nah, everyone knows that." He said.

I guessed he meant everyone that mattered. I sighed and decided to leave since I was infringing on his time already. John pulled me closer and I was forced against his side.

"You should stay." His voice was near my ear and it sent pleasant shivers up my spine.

"Yeah, ok." I agreed, and cuddled into him.

************************


Diamond Club
30/01/2016 15:18pm
Abbie POV

I'd got to Diamond a bit earlier today as I had wanted to talk to Andy. Instead, I'd found Jake and CC. It wouldn't hurt to ask them.

"Hey guys, have you seen Andy?" I asked.

CC grinned like he wanted to say something rude, but Jake shot him a look and he set down the speaker he'd been carrying.

"Andy's in the office out back." He said, then looked concerned. "Is everything all right with you two?"

"We had an argument." I murmured.

"A lover's quarrel." CC snickered. Jake shot him a look and he slinked away, whistling innocently.

Jake sat on the stage and I did the same. My hatred for Andy had subsided as the days had passed and I was left with a strange mixture of dislike and wanting to kiss him. It was an odd sensation and it had never happened with any of the other people I'd dated.

"What did you guys argue about, if you don't mind my asking." Jake said.

"Well, he was so closed off and then he kissed me." I whispered.

"It takes Andy a while to get used to people. Give him some time." Jake said, patting my shoulder.

"Yeah, but-" I was cut off.

"Ask him out somewhere away from the club so you can get to know the real Andy." Jake said, standing and grabbing the speaker.

He disappeared, leaving me sitting there. I slipped my guitar off my back and strummed a few chords and sang a little. A hand on my shoulder made me jump.

"Hey, sorry I startled you." Andy was next to me.

"No, it's fine." I murmured.

"Listen, Abbie. I'm really sorry about my behaviour the other day. I'd love for you to stay and sing here." He said, and I smiled. I could ask him on a proper date, but he started speaking again.

"I also think we should maintain a professional relationship." He stated, firmly.

That put a slight damper on things and I glanced away when my eyes stung a little. I had only ever cried once over a guy, but I'd only ever had two boyfriends before. My first boyfriend was when I was twelve. We held hands and kissed each other on the cheek and pecked each other on the lips. It was all very saccherine and sweet.

My second boyfriend was a guy from the twon near mine. He was a year older than me and he was so cool. At aged seventeen, I was completely in love with him and he was my first in every way. I'd sobbed my heart out when he'd cheated on me then left me for the other girl. What else could I say in this situation though.

"Sure thing." I said, nodding to myself.

"Awesome." Andy grinned.

He touched a hand to my shoulder and left. I wanted to reach out a hug him, but I had to fight with myself not to. No problem, he'd rejected me. I took a shuddering breath and swallowed my tears.

Notes