Freeing Phoenix, part 48

"So, theres NOTHING else that you wanna do, Liz," Travis asks as they sit in Ana's living room.1

"Are you CRAZY??? We've already DONE too much today," Liz nearly shouts.2

"Not really," Chester says, "not for a BIRTHDAY."3

"Being called at 12:01, waking up to Luke, balloons, a party, cake, SINGING, PRESENTS, a movie, a MILLION cameras floating around… that sounds like a HUGE amount of shit to me."4

"Don't forget me NOT giving you a makeover," Ana laughs.5

"Yeah, that too. Honestly guys, I'm wiped-out. Plus, I was ready for this black day to be over before it even started… not that it hasn't been totally AWESOME or anything. Its just… it's always been a day about reminding me of what I am. A mistake, an unwanted THING, a CURSE."6

"Liz, the people who think those things don't matter, and the people who matter don't think those things," Luke says looking pained, "One of these days you'll be able to see that, maybe not for awhile, but you will. And when that day comes, I'll be right there to say 'I told you so'."7

"Yeah, whatever," she says rolling her eyes.8

"You'll see."9

"ANYWAY," she says, changing the subject, "I'm guessing that I'm staying here again tonight, right?"10

"Well, you don't have to," Ana says, "but you can if you want."11

"Sure, where else would I go? I can't go 'home' until they leave tomorrow, and APPARENTLY I can't stay at Chester's… so theres really nowhere else to go."12

"Well, actually," Chester says, "the whole 'no girls can stay overnight at my house' thing isn't true. We just needed to scheme about today."13

"And DRUG me," Luke scowls.14

"We didn't DRUG you," Travis smirks, "you knew what was in the brownies. And we did that so you'd chill out a little bit."15

"Why did he need to chill out," Liz asks.16

"Because he had HUGE plans for today, and they involved spending a TON of his money that shouldn't be spent," Ana laughs.17

"Well, not plans so much as GIFTS," Travis adds.18

"Guys, SHHHH," Luke says through clenched teeth.19

"Awww, come on Luke," Liz pleads, "tell me."20

"Like I said before, you would have thought it was WAY too much."21

"I PROMISE not to say that, just TELL me," she pouts.22

"Fine," he sighs, "I wanted to get you all four of the Twilight books."23

"He wanted to get you all four of the Twilight books in HARDCOVER," Ana corrects.24

"Wow," Liz says, "Well, I'm glad you didn't cuz I like paperback better. The dust jackets on hardcover books annoy the crap outta me."25

"You're so odd, Liz," Travis laughs.26

"That's YOUR opinion."27

"No, he's right," Ana chuckles, "you ARE odd."28

"Yup," Luke adds, "You're nuttier than a squirrel."29

"Gee thanks," she says rolling her eyes, "ANYWAY, back to my original train of thought… I DON'T have to stay here tonight?"30

"Not at all," Ana says, "but you CAN if you want to."31

"Um, no thanks. You're just a LITTLE annoying to be around alone."32

"HA," Chester snorts.33

"Oh, I'M annoying?!?! At least I don't SNORE."34

"I do NOT snore… I've NEVER snored."35

"Yes you do, Love," Luke says, "I've heard you, but its just a few quiet snores once in a while. Its soooo cute."36

"I don't SNORE!"37

"Really you do," Ana says, "And its VERY annoying."38

"Whatever. But you're saying I could stay at Chester's, right?"39

"Um, possibly," Luke says.40

"I'd have to call and ask them," Chester adds, "but they might not mind."41

"Well, go call them already," Liz shouts, "BEFORE it gets dark."42

"Your awfully eager to go to bed, Liz," Ana smirks as Chester goes to call his parents, "Is there something I don't know going on between you and Luke?"43

"Uh, no," she blushes.44

"Ana," Luke growls, "Don't even JOKE like that around your mum. Are you STUPID or something?"45

"Uh, no," Ana snickers, "I just wanted to make Liz blush. Besides, mum isn't even here. She went downstairs to do some laundry."46

"Really? When did THIS happen??"47

"Like a couple minutes ago. Seriously, you're SO observant, Luke."48

"So, we're unattended? We can engage in 'funny business'?"49

"Um, sure," she says, giving him a strange look.50

"Come 'ere you," he says, pulling Liz into his lap and kissing her passionately.51

"It's been WAY too long since you've done that, Luke," she says breathlessly.52

"Its only been since this morning," Ana says rolling her eyes.53

"Exactly."54

"Oh," Luke smirks, "NOW I see why you don't wanna stay here tonight." He kisses her again.55

*FLASH*56