Good Luck Anna

New Methods

Thomas

My heart sank this morning when I saw the few belongings that they both had in that half empty van but now Anna has filled this room with striking vibrant personality, I'm quickly realising that it's not about having a lot of things but the right ones.

Anna digs in the last box revealing a long string of silver snowflake fairy lights she glances at the floor to ceiling window with its high curtain pole -that's way out of her reach- before thrusting them into my hands. I can't stop the laugh that erupts from me as she nods to where the lights are to go.

I hang them around the window with ease and turn to Anna's tight little ass bent over in the wardrobe. Her tiny little shorts just barely covering her fantastic arse. Jesus Christ, I keep forgetting how dangerous this woman is.

Catching a glimpse of my grans bracelet on her wrist has an instant grin lifting to my face, it looks perfect on her. Gran only had a few valuable pieces of jewellery all of which were left to me. Her mothers ring and the delicate necklace to match Anna's bracelet are all safely stowed in my room.

Grans only stipulation for leaving them to me were that I give them to the one I love, if the world should allow it, all those pieces will adorn Anna throughout this life.

That first day we spoke when she was emotionally destroyed in the hospital, from our first conversation it was painfully obvious that I was completely wasting my fucking time with Sofia. Anna was so mind blowingly beautiful that for a second I completely forgot all the other shit ruining my life.

Even with tears streaking down her face and pain shredding through her I was captivated. I needed to know her, help her. Luckily in return she helped releasing me from some of the crushing pressure that has weighed me down for years.

I'm completely stunned that she thought everything we have shared over these past few months has been strictly friendly. Every time I stay over, we end up wrapped in each others arms by the morning as if our bodies are naturally drawn to one and other.

More than once I've caught her wriggling away from me in the morning but if she has assumed that I have a girlfriend until today, it's now totally understandable behaviour.

It was so easy to forget about my relationship since neither of us were that invested in it to begin with. After years of nagging from my mother and her father we caved going on a few dates before settling into an instant rut of the same shit each week. I hoped that in time somehow, I would grow feelings for the obviously stunning Sofia but sadly you can't force love.

"Did you see any of my pictures today?" Anna finally straightens up saving my horny side from taking full control.

"Nope, I'll ask Alex if he has seen them," it's so fucking hard to keep my voice casual when all I've wanted to do for months is pin her against the closest flat surface and worship her incredible body until she is gasping for air or preferably screaming my name.

Leaving her room, I'm instantly in the living room with the kitchen in full view, showing Alex hunched over the counter he seems focused on whatever is in front of him so I make my way over without talking knowing how hard he can be to reach when he dissociates.

The closer I get the more it's obvious that he is not dissociating but dealing with some sort of PTSD episode. His eyes flutter rapidly while tears flood the counter beneath him. A picture frame lays on the counter and even from the brief glance I get it looks like people in water.

Dragging his statuesque body from the picture, I forcefully say "Alex, it is December 10th you are in your home, you are safe." I remember Anna telling me that, that seemed to be the best way to get him back when the flashbacks take hold.

It definitely works since Alex jolts in my hands then crumbles into the panic attack, I knew would accompany it. Forcing his swaying body to the ground - to make sure he doesn't crack his head off the counter if he blacks out- we sit on the kitchen floor, thankfully behind the breakfast bar, blocked from Anna's view.

Alex can barely catch a breath, dropping deeper into panicked horror. Making sure to keep my voice gentle when I suggest the best method that I've ever come across when dealing with this.

Kneeling before him I say, "Alex, I need you to focus on five things you can see in this room." my words seem to bounce off him so I repeat myself firmer, this seems to work as his eyes slowly drift around my face and the kitchen behind me.

"Good, now focus on four things you can touch." Alex's fingers rub the tiles below us, then his jeans, the wooden cabinet behind his back and finally my hair.

"You're doing great Alex, now three things you can hear." his eyes close chest finally rising and falling at almost a natural rhythm, though this does nothing to stem the tears dripping off his jaw.

His eyes open wholly invested in my next command, "focus on two things you can smell." Alex takes in a few long breaths before his eyes meet mine again. "Well done, lastly one thing you can taste."

A hard swallow moves his throat, then he mutters "blood." Now he seems mostly fine I relax sitting next to him. Alex's head rolls toward me, Jesus he is so broken, I've never seen such crushing torment in anyone's eyes. "Thank you" is all he whispers then turning his head back to glare at the oven in front of us.

We remain in silence until he speaks again. "Don't tell Anna about this, please."

I wrestle with my conscious, obviously my loyalty is to Anna, but would this do her any good to know or will it just ruin a rare good day.

Nodding decision made I answer, "fine, this can stay between us but give me your phone so I can add my number." Alex fishes his phone out of his pocket and I don't miss the tremble wracking through his body when he hands it to me, "if this ever happens again phone me. I'm serious doesn't matter what time of day or night, call me."

He nods numbly taking his phone back from me, I have no doubt that he will never phone me but now that I've got his number, I feel more at ease knowing that there now is a direct link between us if anything should happen to Anna.

Alex stumbles to his feet mumbling out another 'thank you' before swiftly walking to his room, locking the door behind him. I take in a few calming breaths before also getting to my feet.

I pick up the picture that triggered him. It's beautiful, Alex, Anna and their mum in knee high crystal clear water. All of them have massive smiles, ones that I have yet to see on either of their faces beam through the frame at me. It must have been taken a few years ago, since the tiny girl I'm infatuated with is even more dinky than now.

Now I completely understand why Alex used to mistaken Anna for her mum because aside from a few wrinkles they are the spitting image of each other. Alex only shares the same eyes and hair as the twins so I assume he takes the rest of his intense features from their dad.

The open box at the end of the counter contains all the pictures that I almost forgot was my whole reason for being out here in the first place.

I dump the box on Anna's monstrosity of a bed making her jump from her perch on the other side. "Bloody hell Thomas are trying to give me a heart attack." She gives me a soft smile causing my heart to bounce around in my chest. Damn she's so beautiful.

"Thought you two had ran off and left me." she says while distracted by rummaging through the box.

"Yeah, Alex needed my help with something." I mean it's not technically a lie.

The beach picture is still in my hand, so I place it on her bedside table. "Think this one will be nice here." Anna's smile widens revealing her two adorable dimples.

"Yes, Thomas it's perfect."

And so are you.