Anna is 15
"Get dressed for school." Ward scolds walking into his middle daughters room. "I don't feel good. Can I stay home?" Anna whispers sitting up. "No. You're going to school. Sarah and Wheezy are downstairs. Go with them or take the bus. I have a meeting with a client in twenty. I have to go. Have a good day. Love you Bug." Ward sighs feeling flustered. He heads downstairs leaving Anna in her misery. She pulls herself out of bed and it takes every ounce of her energy to not throw up all over her carpet. She tosses on a hoodie and sweatpants feeling cold which didn't really happen in the Outer Banks. Stumbling downstairs she slams into her big brother. "You look like shit." He dead pans scanning over his favorite sibling. "I feel like shit." She mutters walking past him and heading downstairs. "Ew. What happened to you?" Wheezy questions. "I'm sick." Anna scoffs annoyed. "You're sick?" Rose questions. Anna nods sitting next to Sarah and resting her head on the cool marble to soothe the boiling fever. "What did your dad say?" Rose questions sympathy crossing her for the sweet girl half asleep at the kitchen counter. "That I need to go to school." Anna whispers tears pricking her eyes. It wasn't that she was upset she was just over emotional from the fever and wished her Dad would show some compassion. "That sucks. Are you ready? I need to get there early to see Topper." Sarah questions also showing zero sympathy. "No. I'll take the bus or have Rafe drive me." Anna says not wanting to get up yet. "Ok. Feel better." Sarah says grabbing her keys and heading out. "I'm going to my room. See you later." Wheezy says walking up the stairs. "Can I get you something to eat Honey?" Rose questions. "No thank you." Anna whispers. "Alright. You have like a half hour till the bus gets here. Why don't you go lay down on the couch for a little?" Anna nods and pulls her self up. Instead of going straight for the living room she grabs a bowl from under the cabinet. "Oh honey... Give me a call or just yell for me if you need anything." Rose says feeling guilty. She wasn't her biological Mom but she took care of the girl the best she could. Anna mumbles a thank you before flopping down on the couch.
Ten minutes had passed when Rafe was walking down the stairs about to head out. He was planning on going to the gym when he saw his little sister throwing up in the living room. If it were Sarah or Wheezy he would probably grab a water bottle for them and then head out but because it was Anna he immediately dropped his gym back and jogged to the couch were she was sitting. He placed a comforting hand on her back and clasped the other hand around the puke bowl. Her entire body was shaking and Rafe wanted to prevent the mess when she dropped it all over her lap. "Breathe Anna. You alright?" Rafe questions when the puking stops and the rapid gasps of air don't. "Mhm." She hums out trying to control her breathing. "Are you going to throw up again?" She shakes her head and Rafe quickly placed the bowl in the sink returning with a water glass. "Thank you." Anna mumbled taking a small sip. "Yeah. What's going on?" Rafe asked pressing his hand to her forehead. He pulled away feeling how hot and sweaty she was. "I think I'm sick. Can you please drive me? I don't want to take the bus." She whispers giving him pleading eyes. She looked terrible. It was clear she was sick. "No. You're not going." Rafe sighs. "Dad said I have to." She whispers. "I don't care what Dad said. You just threw up. You are burning up. I can tell just by looking at you that you feel like shit. You're not going to school." Rafe says sternly. Anna had a slight issue with her blind faith in her father. She hated going against anything he says because she is afraid he will hate her. "I don't want to get in trouble." She whispers. "You're not going to get in trouble. Do you want me to stay with you today?" She nods not really wanting to be alone. "Ok cool. I'm just going to text Kelce." Rafe mutters. "You don't mind?" Anna whispers. "Mind what?" Rafe said confused. "Staying here. With your puking sister. Instead of going out with your friends?" Rafe chuckles and stuffs his phone in his pocket. "Not at all. You're my favorite sister and i don't want you home alone till your fever goes down. I'm going to grab you some Tylenol. Do you wanna pick a movie?" Rafe says handing me the remote. "Thank you." Anna smiles. "Yup." Rafe says heading to the kitchen and returning with two pills. "I love you." She says grateful to have her big brother. "Love ya too little sis." Rafe chuckles tossing a blanket over the two.
