I'll Do Anything For You: Haleb

12. The Truth Lies Before You

General POV:

The short brunette was worried for her friend to say the least. The poor girl had just showed up at her door, sobbing and alone in the middle of the night. The possibility of -A having done something to her lingered in her mind. The only thing keeping her from bombarding the blonde with questions was the fact that she was here. She was physically okay. And nothing would do her harm while they were in her house, with her parents. She remembered whispering to her mother something about a relationship fight when Mrs. Montgomery gave Hanna a suspicious look. Of course she did, the girl had shown up sobbing and alone in the middle of the night.

The blonde girl couldn't control her shivering, but she wasn't cold. She was still trying to process the events of the night. She didn't know what was going on. She didn't want to know.

She was briefly aware of the girl sitting next to her. She knew Aria was worried, and she knew she owed her some answers. But the girl would just have to wait. She was in no shape to be talking, let alone telling that torturous story that she could barely understand herself.

She didn't know how long had passed, but judging by the fact that Aria was now looking like she'd pass out of concern, she figured it had been a long time.

"Y-you remember... you remember that time," Hanna began shakily. "In the sixth grade? It was just after my parents divorce. I had come to school happy for the first time in weeks."

"Your mom had promised you she'd never marry anyone until she had your permission." Aria finished the blonde girl's thought, who nodded, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"She lied." That was all she had to say. She hadn't even gotten to the bad part and she was already sobbing again.

Aria held Hanna in her arms, rubbing her back, which only caused her to cry harder. She remembers how Caleb used to hold her. It was so similar to this.

By the time she had calmed down enough, she was determined to finish telling the story. She needed to get this out before it ate her up inside.

"Who?" Aria whispered softly, not expecting to get an answer. She was surprised when her friend opened her mouth to speak.

"Pastor Ted." She said, causing Aria to gasp after a moment.

"But isn't that-"

"Sean's dad."

•••

It had been days. She had called, texted and left voicemails. He had ignored her. She had shown up at his door, he hadn't opened it.

She didn't know what else was left to do. She had lost her will to live. She spent her days in bed, crying, listening to sad music, eating tubs of chunky monkey. Aria and Spencer took turns coming over to Spencer's to see Hanna. She was staying there due to her new roommate. Spencer was there most of the time, and Aria came over once in a while.

The girls constantly tried to get their blonde friend to talk. But all that the usually bubbly girl would talk about was the guy she missed to much. The guy who, unbeknownst to her, missed her as well.

He sat there, staring into empty space, thinking about her. Her eyes. Her smile. Her laugh.

He didn't know why this hurt him so much. He was supposed to be the guy who didn't have emotions. He always kept his emotions out. But then he saw her. And everything changed.

Toby came over every day, practically force-feeding his friend. He didn't really pick a side, he didn't understand the situation. Caleb had explained to him. He knew that Hanna had apparently cheated on Caleb, but somehow, that just didn't settle in his mind. He saw the way Hanna looked at Caleb. There was no way she was cheating on him, but he decided to just wait and see what happens. It's not like Caleb was moving on any time soon, and by how Spencer described it, neither was Hanna.

Ashley Marin had gone mad. She was insanely in love. More like in love, and insane. She had completely lost interest in her daughter. She only cared about Ted, and she was oblivious to her daughter's recent sadness.

She was so caught up in the wedding that she really didn't care. She actually expected Hanna to be helping with the wedding, but of course, the girl spent her days at Spencer's house, due to her jerk-roommate.

It was a week later when the girls had practically dragged Hanna out of bed. They all knew that she couldn't just hide at Spencer's forever, and her attendance at school was already really bad.

She had gone home, running up to her room, ignoring the looks she received from Sean and just running into bed.

With the blink of an eye, she was asleep.

•••

She yawned practically as soon as her eyes opened. She frowned. Her mom was standing right in front of her, staring at her.

Hanna sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Mom, whats wrong?" She asked confusedly.

"I've been up all night." Ashley replied. "Making invitations for the wedding. So... I need Caleb's address."

In all her sleepiness, Hanna mumbled out an address before falling back into a deep slumber that was filled with the face of her loved one.

•••

Hanna rubbed her eyes. Silently cursing herself, she got up, walking over to the curtains she had forgot to shut last night and closed them violently.

She vaguely remembered last night.

It was the usual. Four-way phone call. Sleep. She had a weird dream about her mother asking her for Caleb's address for the wedding.

Oh well. Just a dream.

•••

"Perfect." Ashley Marin whispered, handing some of the envelopes to Ted.

"Can't wait." He smiled.

•••

Toby was once again bringing Caleb's mail in. Caleb didn't leave his house at all, unless it was for school. He was totally out of it.

"Eat something," Toby said, throwing an apple at his friend, which landed on the floor.

"I'm not hungry." Was the mumbled response.

Toby sighed and threw the three envelopes at Caleb. He quickly scanned through them.

Electricity bill

Monthly Rent

Ashley and Ted Ackard's wedding.

Wait a minute, Caleb thought. Ashley is Hanna's mother.

And Ted Ackard... The last name rung a bell. He was at the back of Caleb's mind.

"Tobes who's last name is 'Ackard'?" He asked.

"Sean... You know, Hanna's ex?"

And suddenly it was as if all the air had been drained from his lungs.

Hanna had been telling the truth.

The thought I had bitterly laughed at all this time was right.

Hanna's mother was getting married to Sean's dad.

But what if something happened between them? What if since I had ended things with Hanna she had gotten back with Sean? What if she's at a bad spot with her mother and I wasn't there for her?

Shit. Didn't she say that Sean was moving in with her?

•••

Next Chapter:

He was startled by the knock on the door. Who could it possibly be? Toby doesn't knock-ever, and Hanna-well, Hanna didn't come here anymore.

He shrugged to himself and walked over to the door, swinging it open carelessly.

But the face he saw was the last one he expected to see.

•••

I know you guys want them to get back together but were getting there. Soon. Eventually. Hopefully.

SO sorry about my lack of updates. You guys are amazing, I just don't have much time for writing these days. I love y'all and keep being awesome!

Xoxo