9

"You look different."

I raised my eyebrow at my mom.

"What do you mean?"

She smiled and set down her cup of tea then rested a hand on my knee.

I wanted to push it off but I could see out the corner of my eye that Dr. Adren was watching us.

So instead I forced a smile and waited for my mom to answer my question.

"You just seem happier, sweetie."

"That's because she is happy, ma'am."

I looked up, blinking in surprise.

Rose and Shane were standing next to us, wearing big smiles.

I narrowed my eyes, instantly knowing that the two were up to no good.

My mom, who seemed to not see the mischief in their eyes, beamed.

"She is?"

She looked at me, waiting for confirmation.

All I supplied was: "Mhmmm."

"That's just great, sweetie! I knew bringing you here would help you!"

Shane sat next to my mom and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"She's also made some friends here too."

If possible, my mom's face seemed to brighten even more.

"Really? Ana! Why haven't you told me about your friends?"

I shrugged.

She gave me a look and I shrugged again.

Rose threw her hand out for my mom to shake.

"I'm Rose. I'm her best friend here basically."

"Don't push it, Ro."

"Oh, shut up, An."

My mom watched our friendly bickering with bright, hopeful eyes.

Shane grinned and wrapped me up in a hug.

"I'm Shane. Her other best friend."

I made a face.

"We are not best friends, you idiot."

"Ana! Be nice!"

"But mom! We're just friends! Not best friends!"

Rose interrupted us before we could argue any more.

"But I'm sure you want to meet her boyfriend, right?"

My eyes widened and I sent Rose silent death threats.

Actually, they weren't even death threats.

They were death promises.

Because I had just promised myself the moment my mom left, I was going to strangle the life out of that red head.

"Ana! You have a boyfriend?"

I laughed nervously and looked at my mom and shrugged.

Shane jumped to his feet, grinning widely.

"I'll go get him for you Mrs...."

"Mrs. Daniels."

Shane nodded and then disappeared down the hall.

"Mom, I'll be right back. I just need to have a word with Rose in private."

I grabbed Rose's arm and dragged her into the hallway, glaring at her.

"Yes, Ana? Is there a problem?"

I wanted to punch that smug look off her face.

"I don't have a boyfriend!"

"Are you sure about that, Ana?"

"Um hmmm, let me see, last time I checked I do not have a boyfriend!"

Rose laughed and began to tease me in a sing songy voice: "Whatever you sayyyyy."

I gaped at her, wondering how she could act so completely childish.

Before I could knock her out, my mom was calling us back to the living room.

I sighed, forced a smile then rejoined my mom out in the living room.

We both sat in silence until Shane returned.

With Gordon.

I felt a scream form in my throat and my eyes widened.

I felt like tearing my hair out.

Gordon looked just as confused and panicked as me.

"So this is your boyfriend, sweetie?"

He looked at me, his eyes nearly popping out of his eyes as he gaped, confused.

Rose spoke up for us: "Yes, ma'am."

I cleared my throat and forced a smile, pleading Gordon with my eyes to just go along with this.

"Yeah, mom. This is my boyfriend. His name is Gordon."

Gordon sighed and smiled weakly at my mom.

"Hello..."

"Hi! It's nice to meet you! How long have you and Ana been together?"

We met eyes then both blurted out: "Not very long."

And so how the rest of my mom's visit went.

She would ask us questions about our "relationship" and one of us would blurt out an answer.

I was exhausted by the time she finally left.

I slumped against the wall outside of Rose's bedroom, closing my eyes.

"That went well, don't you think?"

I opened my eyes and glared at Rose.

"Why would you do that?"

She sat next to me, smiling.

"It was just for fun, Ana. And it wasn't even my idea. It was Shane's."

I made a mental note to strangle Shane later.

"Yeah well, now my mom thinks I have a boyfriend and now Gordon must think that I'm one of those kids."

Rose frowned and asked: "What do you mean?"

"You know the types of kids who will do anything to please their parents and acts perfect just for their mom and dad."

"Oh. But that's not like you at all. You're a horrible kid."

I laughed, leaning my head on her shoulder.

"Indeed I am, Rose. Indeed I am."

She leaned her head against my head and ran her fingers through my hair, humming.

It was peaceful and quiet and I felt myself getting sleepy as Rose played with my hair.

It was moments like this when I began to wonder why my brother ended his life.

He had voices and hallucinations telling him to kill himself, I understand that.

But what I don't understand is why he didn't get help.

Why he didn't think about how life would've got so much better.

Because he didn't know. We made him believe there was nothing left for him to live for.

I looked up and locked eyes with Kylie's identical dark eyes that were full of guilt.

I didn't say anything.

I didn't want Rose to tell anyone I was still seeing things.

I waited for her to say more.

You know it wasn't my fault, right?

I gritted my teeth.

I didn't believe her.

It was the others, Ana. Not me. I loved your brother. I love you.

I was screaming internally.

She didn't love him

She didn't love me.

She couldn't.

She was a hallucination.

You should talk to someone about how're you feeling, Ana. I don't want you to hurt yourself.

I nudged Rose, tearing my eyes away from Kylie.

Rose murmured and curled up, obviously sleeping.

I smiled softly and poked her.

"C'mon, Rosie. Let's get you into bed."

I didn't have much muscle so I made her stand up and helped her walk to bed.

Once she was tucked in, I walked back to my room.

"Hey."

I paused and looked up.

Gordon was sitting next to my door.

I smiled softly.

"Hey. Why aren't you sleeping? Alison will skin you alive if she sees you out here."

"You're awake still too."

I nodded.

"Okay, touche."

He smiled at me and I smiled back then sat next to him.

"I'm sorry about what happened with my mom today."

"It's okay. I could tell it was just as painful and awkward for you."

I laughed, tilting my head back against the wall.

"It was kind of awkward, wasn't it?"

"Kind of? It was more than kind of awkward, Ana."

I laughed again and he did too.

After we were done laughing, we sat in silence.

A few minutes passed before he sighed and stood up, holding out a hand for me.

"Come on. You need to sleep."

I stood up without his assistance.

"I'm not tired though."

"Then try to sleep at least."

"Don't start acting all boyfriendy like on me now."

He smiled and opened the door to his room.

"Goodnight, Ana."

"Goodnight, Gordon."

I walked into my room and curled up on my bed, scrolling through my phone to keep myself occupied.

I didn't know how long I was up when I heard it.

The crying.

I frowned and sat up.

I had never heard anything over Gordon's music before, but now I could hear it clearly.

Someone was clearly crying in the room next to me.

I bit my lip, considering if I should check on Gordon or not.

If I got caught I'd be in a lot of trouble but I really didn't think it would be fair to leave him if he was crying.

I sighed and got out of bed and tip toed out into the hallway.

I hesitated before pushing the door open.

My eyes widened.

Gordon was sitting in a corner, with his arms wrapped around himself, sobbing.

I ran over to him then dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"It's okay. It's okay. Whatever it is, you're okay."

He buried his face in my hair, still crying.

I murmured soothing words and rubbed his back.

I knew I shouldn't have been there.

I knew I should've been in bed, sleeping, incase someone came to check on us.

But I also knew that I couldn't leave Gordon like this.

He needed someone.

And I was going to be that someone for him tonight.

Finally, his breathing slowed to a steady pace and quiet snores escaped his mouth.

I smiled and stroked his hair away from his face.

When he was sleeping, he didn't look as sad or anxious or mean.

He just looked peaceful.

I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, feeling sleep begin to pull at me too.

I didn't care who found us like that.

I didn't want him to wake up alone tomorrow and I was too tired to move anyways.

And so I drifted off to a peaceful sleep, curled up against my new best friend. 

a/n: ana above again :)

have a good day.