A Song for a Soldier

(Anna's P.O.V)

When I finally got home that night I simply couldn't hold back the smile that kept making its way onto my face any longer. I was finally Zacky's girlfriend, not just some girl in the Army he had suddenly grown feelings for, I officially had a title to me in his life. "Did you have a good time tonight?" My aunt asked as I walked in the door, making sure I shut it behind me. "Yeah it had its moments but it was all in all a good time." I sighed trying not to remember the stupid remark that Matt's girlfriend had made about me at dinner. "I'm glad. Your sister is already asleep so you don't have to worry." She smiled at me. I nodded before giving her and my uncle a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for letting me go out tonight, goodnight." I said as I headed into my bedroom. I quickly changed down into some pajamas before turning off the lights and quietly going to sleep.

The next morning I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing violently on the nightstand beside my bed. I rubbed my eyes an yawned loudly before answering it. "Hello?" I said groggily. I guess I still hadn't fully woken up yet. "Hey, it's me." I snapped myself out of my sleepy state and grinned once I figured out whose voice it was. "Hey, good morning. Sorry, I just woke up. What's going on?" I asked with a slight yawn. I heard him chuckle softly, he sounded so cute when he did that. "I just wanted to see if you had time today and wanted to go to breakfast with me and Matt and....Val?" I couldn't help but to roll my eyes at the mention of his friend's girlfriend. After the shit she pulled yesterday I couldn't even believe that he was seriously asking me if I wanted to go anywhere near her. "Um, are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean, she did go overboard on me yesterday and I didn't really appreciate it." I heard him mutter a few things to someone else before returning to the phone. "I know and I'm really sorry still but Matt insisted he make up for it. Please?" I mentally smacked myself, shaking my head. "Alright, I'll go get ready and then you can come get me."
What the hell am I doing?!

(Zacky's P.O.V)

"I can't believe she actually said yes." Matt said as we proceeded to drive from his house to go and pick up Val. But he was right, I actually couldn't believe it myself. "Yeah I was sure she'd lose it, but we're really trying to get the hang of things, so that includes getting over stupid things people's girlfriend's like to say without thinking." I stated matter-of-factly while changing the radio station. "I told you already, I'm doing this so things can restart. Plus Val knows that I'd do anything for my friends, so getting along with your new girlfriend is a must." I still hadn't gotten used to the idea that Anna was actually my official girlfriend. but I knew that things were only going to get better from here on out. We both started singing loudly when Metallica's "One" came on as we neared Val's neighborhood.

I waited anxiously as Matt went to the door and decided to text Anna that we would be arriving shortly with her new best friend. "Great -_____-" She replied and I couldn't help but snicker at that. "Ready to go?" Matt asked once he returned with Val in tow. I nodded before waving a simple "Hi" to her as she climbed in the backseat. The drive to Anna's house was nerve wracking simply because I knew from the start that this was a bad idea but Matt insisted that it would be a good way for the girl's to start over. Once we pulled up in front of the driveway, I could already feel the intense desire to just turn around and go back home. "I'll be back." I muttered to the both of them as I got out of the car and made my way to the front door. I knocked swiftly until I was greeted by a small child. This must be Anna's sister, perfect. "Hi, is Anna home?" I asked in a calm tone. Her wide eyes stared up at me before she roared Anna's name loudly. "Sorry I was just finishing up some stuff. Are you ready?" She asked once she appeared in the doorway. I nodded, saying my goodbyes to her sister and aunt who I didn't get the chance to formally meet.

The entire ride to the pier was a complete disaster. Val and Anna hadn't said a word to each other except a few mumbled "Oh's" and "Mhm's" and Matt kept jabbering on about some stupid show he watched on t.v the other night. I was just happy to get the hell out of the car and get to spend time with Anna. I still hadn't officially told everyone that we were a couple, but it was only obvious seeing as we held hands and exchanged the occasional small kiss at the table during our breakfast. The waitress seemed bothered by the look she gave us the moment she had sat us down and took our drink orders. "Why are we even here? I hate this place." Val groaned as she took a small sip at her water. I saw Anna give a slight eye roll but quickly smile as Matt had asked her questions about life overseas. "It's no walk in the park." She chuckled, making me grin. "All I ever saw was sand, sand and more fucking sand. Or the occasional camel and dust storm. I only ever was in combat a few times, the first time I almost lost an arm." Matt's mouth dropped open slightly once she had lifted up her sleeve and showed off a large scar. "Sniper rifle, rooftop." Val scoffed loudly and continued to pick at her napkin. "That's disgusting." She finally blurted.

Anna just sighed before taking a drink of her Coke. "I could say the same about your attitude, but seeing as I'm only here because Zack and Matt insisted on us starting over, I'll let it go." The sassy tone in her voice made Val's eyes grow big. "It's not like I wanted to be here either doll. I'm only here because my boyfriend forced me to be nice to some random groupie who has an obsession for his best friend." Val shot back quickly, making Anna's face turn bright red. "Guys please can we not do this?" Matt practically pleaded. But it was already too late, the war was just about to begin. "Listen, I'm not just some random slut he picked up off the side of the road, Zacky is the one who wanted to keep in contact with me. it was a mutual feeling. So before you go and pass judgement at me, I suggest you get your facts straight." I couldn't believe how much of a nightmare this was turning in to. So much for starting over, Matt. "I'm just saying that we don't know anything about you and yet here you are suddenly acting like you're everyone's best friend because Zack feels sorry for you and asked you out of pity to be his girlfriend." But before Anna could say anything back, I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the restaurant.

She kept shaking her head violently from side to side. "I told you, I told you this was going to be a bad idea." I stayed quiet as we started to walk down the pier towards the ocean. She was right, I knew this was going to end exactly how it did. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to you get to know everyone and become closer." I said sadly, giving her hand a light squeeze. "I honestly care about you a lot, I want everyone to know that." She simply shrugged her shoulders before turning to face me. I put a hand to her cheek and smiled. "You're really something, you know that?" She laughed softly before giving me a small kiss on the lips. "I could definitely say the same about you."