To Protect Each Other ~ A Haleb Story

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A/N: Before you read this chapter, just know that the Zack story line is still ongoing but I don't want every chapter from here on to be about him. So there will be a few filler chapters... including this one. Also, I've had this chapter written since 4th April so it's quite weird for me to read over it. Kisses, -R

Caleb's POV...

I pulled up outside of the Marin house on a Friday morning like usual, about to pick up Hanna. She usually picked me up for school on a Monday and Tuesday and I do the same for the rest of the week. I got out of my car, leaving my backpack and walked to the front door and knocked three times, just like always, to be greeted by Hannas mother.

"Hi Ashley, is Hanna ready to go?" I asked as she gave me a sympathetic smile.

"She can't go today, I think she has some sort of flu... I'm gonna have to call in to work to look after he--"

"I'll look after her." I cut her off, sort of nervous about what I was getting myself into. Sick Hanna isn't a very nice Hanna.

"No Caleb, you've got school and you'll never get anywhere in life if you're skipping out all the time." She said, turning into that motherly figure I never had but also loved.

"I'm not 'skipping out' necessarily, all I have today is Spanish, which lets be honest is never going be be a part of my future, and triple Technology studies which, according to the internet, I've already got a an A* in." I ranted.

"Well if I say no I know you're gonna climb through Hannas window again." She muttered and stepped aside to allow me in. The sweet scent of their house always makes me feel at home. This is the only place I've ever felt at home at. Then I analysed the sentence she said.

"Wait how do you know I climbed through her window?" I asked, confused. I did it once when she was really mad at me and wouldn't speak to me. I literally decided the only way she'd realise that I'd do anything for her, was to do something stupid. So I showed up at her bedroom window at 11pm just to make sure she was okay. Then she was shit scared that I'd fall and she let me in. It was a genius plan, really.

"Make sure that there's no one outside before you shimmy up the drain pipe." She chuckled slightly with her eyebrows raised as she walked out the door. "Tell Hanna I'll be home at nine." She called as she closed the door. I made my way up the stairs and to the furthest door which was Hanna's. Slowly opening the door, I looked over to her bed, only to see a huge ball of blanket and a small strand of blonde hair hanging out if it.

"Han?" I whispered, not knowing if she was sleeping or not.

"Go away, Caleb." She slurred. Her voice sounded all raspy. She didn't even lift her head.

"No." I replied as I sat on the edge of her bed next to her. Her phone began to ring. It was Aria. Shit. I was meant to pick her up after Hanna.

"Who is that?" She asked, finally pulled her head out if of her cocoon. Her eyes were all puffy and red.

"Aria."

"Go pick her up you idiot!" She said, raising her voice slightly but for it to only break.

"No, I'm not leaving you." I decided.

"You're gonna' have to anyway, you've got school." She whispered.

"Your mom said I could stay. She wanted to stay off work to look after yo-"

"Shut up. Call Aria, please." She said and rolled over onto her stomach. Charming. Better not speak for the nest hour at least, then. I went outside of the room and pulled my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans and clicked 'Aria' at the top of the list.