To Protect Each Other ~ A Haleb Story

A is for Awful

A/N: Just want to point out how much the picture above breaks my heart :( Caleb leaving for Ravenswood killed me, I swear. Their reunion was worth it though :D

Hanna's POV...

I woke up on a Sunday morning to brightness blairing through the wide open curtains. Thanks mom. I thought. I looked to my left at the clock on the bedside table, 9:27. Just about managing to pull myself out of bed, I went straight to my closet and pulled out a blue lace dress and my 5 inch white heels and put them on. I began my makeup which was simply a thin layer of foundation and some mascara. I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Mom?" I called. No answer. I glanced around as my eyes settled on a small slip of paper on the counter. It read:

Han,
So sorry I can't be home today! My boss called me in as there's an emergency. I've left $30 on the counter for lunch and dinner with your friends. Love you xx

Obviously. She's never home anymore. There's been an increasing amount of 'emergencies' lately and it's getting to me. But for once I'm not thinking it's because of me but, I'm thinking it's because of finances. Maybe she had to work more because she's done something stupid again at the bank? I mean, it's not like it hasn't happened before. Stop over thinking everything Hanna!

Now what am I going to do all day? Homework? Ha. No way. Everyone's busy today; Aria's out with , Emily's on a swim trip with Rosewood Sharks, Spencer's in Washington for the weekend and Alison's being Alison. Besides, I can't stand her on my own. Too much work. And Caleb's helping Toby with some carpenting work that he's doing with his dad. Mona? I haven't properly spoken to her in a while. Maybe she wants to hang out.

"Hey Han!" Her chirpy voice said down the phone as soon as I clicked call.

"Hey Mona, I was thinking, we haven't hung out in a while. Do you wanna meet?" I tried to sound casual and not desperate.

"I can't, sorry. I'm actually with my mom in Hawaii." What? Hawaii? The amount of times we've talked about going to Hawaii! I can't even count! Has she just forgotten about me?

"Oh okay then. Have a good time. Bye." And I hung up. As I clicked the home button of my iPhone, I had 17 missed calls and 1 unread message. I clicked on the calls.

15 missed calls: Caleb Rivers

2 missed calls: Toby Cavanaugh.

Then I opened the message:

Something bad's happened. I really need you Han.

I immediately clicked 'call' but I got no answer. What if 'A' has got him? No, surely not. Caleb doesn't express his emotions, especially not over text unless it's something personal. Besides, if 'A' has him they'd make sure that he couldn't contact anyone. But what if he was able to? It's a possibility.

Before I could think any longer, I jumped in my car and sped towards Toby's loft, where he and Caleb are supposed to be working.

●●

"Toby?! Toby where the fuck are you?" I yelled and he suddenly emerged from behind the house. I had tears in my eyes and my face was bright red.

"Hey Han wh-" He began