Saving Anne [Complete]

Chapter Nine (Unedited)

"Hey Laurelli, how have you been"

    "Ok, I miss you...I miss Mom and Dad, Care.  I keep hoping that it will get better, easier, but it doesn't."  I know Laurelli needs to talk about this, but it is so hard.  The vice that grips my heart squeezes a little harder hearing her sad voice, knowing that I can't be there to comfort her.  Unlike when I was away at college, when we had daily chats, this is my first one since I moved to Bar Harbor.  My baby sister has been through too much.  She lost all of her family and it was of no fault of her own.  I choke down the guilt that consumes me when I think about what her life could have been like I would have listened to our parents warning to begin with.

    "I know, me too.  So...um...school should be starting soon.  I can't believe you are going to be a sophomore!" I forge a chipper voice trying to steer the conversation into less painful waters.

    "Yea...but I don't know anyone here.  All of my friends are back home.  School starts in a couple of weeks, but I feel all alone"

    "I hear ya, but think of it as an adventure, a new beginning.  You can totally reinvent yourself."

    "Have you? You know, reinvented yourself."

    "Well, it has only been a week, but I have made a pretty good friend and a sort of enemy." I continue to divulge all of the events since I moved.  I even included the hosing to try to get a laugh out of her.

"You have had quite a week, Care!"

"I know, right?!"

"Care...when will I get to see you again?  I know why you went away.  I just miss you so much."

"Soon, Laur.  Soon."  Thank God we are on the phone and not skype, to keep my tears are hidden.  Forging a brave voice, I tell her that we will get together as soon as possible and to be good for Grandma and Grandpa.  As soon as I hang up there is a sharp knock at the door.  Peaking out the window as I approach the door,  my heart leaps and the fluttering return to my stomach, Liam.

"He's not calling you." Liam says flatly as I open the door.  My eyes snap to his as I try to register is annoyed tone. "Hey, what's wrong?" My eyes slide shut as he wipes a tear from my cheek, sending shivers through my body that center in my core.  Just one slight touch can nearly send me into overdrive. When he drops his hand I finally release the breath that I didn't know that I was holding. "Anne, you okay?"

"I'm fine.  I just got off the phone with my sister.  I miss her." I glance away from him to wipe away the tears I had forgotten were still falling.  He was the last person I wanted to see me like this, vulnerable.  "Anyway, why are you here?  Who's not calling?" I speak with a little more bite that I intended.

"Mike.  He just asked for your number to piss me off."

"And why exactly would that piss you off.  You have Miranda, and you can't stand to be near me." I challenge him with a stare that says, try to deny it, I dare you mother-effer.

"You jealous." He crooks a cocky grin.

"Of what would I be jealous of exactly?" Without giving him time to answer, I shoot back, "Liam, I don't have the willpower to do this today."

"You called me Liam." Good god, he was flashing that knee melting smile at me.  My cheeks instantly heat up and my neck and chest flush.  Damn him and those dimples. 
"Yeah, don't get used to it. Good bye." I could hear him chuckling as I closed the door.  Going up stairs, I decide that a nice hot bubble bath was in order and what a bubble bath it was.  A glass of wine in one hand and visions Liam played out with the other.

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