To Be Loved

21 - Annalise

I've been staying with Rylee for one week and I was starting to miss Rory and Haven. I don't know why I missed them. They both yelled at me the last time I saw them. I decided it couldn't hurt to see them.

I got off the couch and walked to the door.

"Ann, where are you going?" Rylee asked, waking up from his nap on the couch.

"Um... I was going to see Haven."

"Okay, have fun." he said and pulled the hood of his hoodie over his eyes.

I got in my car and drove to the castle. I was walking down the hall to Haven's room when I heard coughing on the other side of Brookes' door. I knocked on the door.

"Please go," I heard him say immediately after coughing. It sounded painful so I pushed the door open to see Brookes sitting on a couch, blood covering his hands. I quickly ran over to him and sat next to him. He coughed again... more blood spilling into his hands.

"Brookes you should go to a doctor, you clearly need to...Brookes.?

"No! I can't- I can't cause them more pain."

"What?" I asked.

"I can't give Rory and Haven any more problems. I can't hurt them. Rory is finally happy and Haven will be in time if I don't give her another thing to worry about."

"Brookes, they'll be more hurt when they find out you kept this. Please Brookes, you're coughing blood, you need medical help."

"No! Ann, no! I can't. If I go they'll find out. If I go, it will make Haven's life a thousand times harder."

"Please Brookes, it will only get worse. Also, I care. Look at you-" I said picking up his hands, "-you are covered in blood. It hurts doesn't it?"

"Of course it does. Why do you care?"

"Brookes, I have lived here for thirteen years- you are my brother too." I said, and he hugged me and I hugged him back. I helped him up and to his bathroom. He was very shaky and could hardly walk. I helped him over to the sink and I helped him wash his hands of the blood. When I was done, I hugged him,

"Brookes, please get help." I cried as I hugged him.

"Ann, I can't. I don't want to cause them anymore pain..."

"Brookes, please?"

"Ann-" he said.

"Okay, but if it gets worse, or if they don't know by the wedding: I'm telling them." I said.

He hugged me and then I helped him to his bed. I told him he needed sleep. He was so pale and thin. When he finally fell asleep, I walked down to Rory's room.

"Anna!" Rory happily yelled.

"Rory!" I yelled, running to hug him.

He picked me up and spun me around in the air.

"You're home! You're finally home. I missed you so much." he said and kissed me.

I kissed him back and let my hands run through his hair. I was insanely happy to be in his arms and to just be with him.

"You're home. Please say you'll stay. I missed you. You mean everything!" he said, and kissed me again.

"I'll think about it," I said, pulling away.

"Good, I missed you." he said and pecked my lips.

"So where were you?" he started, "I tried calling your grandpa's. He said you didn't come home and that he thought you were here. He said you came, got your stuff and left."

"Umm... I uh... was staying at a friends," I said

"Okay, well I think Haven would love to see you. She felt really bad after she yelled at you." he smiled, "I missed you." he said and kissed me.

"I missed you, too." I said, pulling away.

He grabbed my hand and we walked down to Haven's room. He did one of their fancy code knocks. She opened the door with an annoyed face but when she saw me standing by Rory, her face fell to shock and guilt.

"Oh, hey Anna. H-how are you?"

I smiled, "I'm good, how are you?"

"Better than I was." She smiled back, "Come in."

I couldn't help but notice that this conversation was very awkward but Lawrence and I walked into the room anyway.

"Well, this is awkward." Rory voiced my thoughts and I hit his arm. Haven just giggled and sat at the couch that was in front of the fireplace.

I sat beside Haven while Rory sat in the chair beside the table. We sat there in silence before Haven finally spoke, "I'm sorry I got angry at you. It's just: seeing you and Rory together- it's hard because it reminds me of...him."

"It's ok, Hav. I know it's hard."

After an Hour or two Rory and I went down to the dining room. But as we walked, I couldn't help but think about Haven. She seemed distant; guarded almost. She barely showed any emotion when she talked. It was like she had none... Like she flipped a switch that wouldn't let her feel anymore.

"So, Anna, I love you and I want you to stay. Please, stay." He says sitting next to me.

"I think I might just stay... maybe." I said holding his hand.

"Please, Ann."

"I don't know? I love you." I said and kissed his cheek.