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Ever since we found out Sapphire had the plague she has been taken care of constantly. I keep trying to visit her, but it become harder and harder every day because of the crowds of people always surrounding her. She is burning with a fever and apple sized welts cove her skin. Her fingers and toes are blackening. Oh dear God! How I wish it was me in her shoes! She is too young, too innocent, to lovely! I push myself past all of the doctors and nurses in her room.

"Leave!" I shout making sure every single person is out of the room. "Sapphy....." I turn to her, trying to sound reassuring, but I didn't even convince myself. "I'm so sorry...." I look up at her, tears threatening to fall from my eyes, "I wish it was me....oh how I wish it was me! You are far too young for this! I'm so sorry......" I took her hand in mine and began to rub her hand with my thumb.

"It will be okay dear brother...." She says croakily, "just believe in me.....If I can survive 16 years of you, I'm sure I can handle this." I chuckle at that, but it comes out forced. "Listen..." She starts, "if I don't make it I want-"

"Stop. Right. There.....you are going to survive, you hear me? You are going to make it through this, okay? Stop telling yourself lies! You are going to make it through this!" Tears are freely falling from my face. She was too, crying. "Stay with me...." I manage to cry out, "please, stay with me...."
(I was totally not crying while writing this....)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After my visit with Sapphire, my whole day has been thrown off balance. Well, ever since we found out she has this, I've never been able to focus. My duties are becoming more of a chore and I stopped eating. I've even forgot about the ball and all things Azalea and Rowan related. I can only think of Sapphy. I want to see her again, but I do not wish to upset her anymore. I slowly walk into Pearl's room, wanting to see how she is holding up. I'm not surprised to see that she is enveloped in a book. I knock on her door not wanting to startle her. "Pearl?" She looks up at me with sadness in her eyes. She hasn't had the energy to visit Sapphire. I know she is just as scared as Sapphire is. "Are you okay? You seem to be....well....not doing well..."

"Of course I am not doing well!" She snaps at me, tears filling her eyes, "that is my best friend, my sister....one who I hold dear. So I'm sorry if I'm not alright!" She turns around, book in hand.

"Pearl..?"

"I'm sorry Peter!" She says wrapping her arms around me. I do not hesitate to wrap my own around her, "I'm....so-so-rry...." She says as she cries on my shoulder. I don't think I'll ever feel how bad she does, right now. I mean that is her twin. Her other half.

"Shhhh.....it's going to be okay," I whisper in her ear. Although to be honest, I'm not quite sure it is. " You just have to believe....for me...for mom....for Sapphy..."

"I will...I-I promise.....I just can't bare to see her in such a state! I wish she never got sick! Why did God do this?!"

"Pearl...you just need to calm down....come on...lets see mum," I partially carried her down the stairs. She was just...not very willing.

We make our way down the stairs and are greeted by mother. "Peter? Pearl? Is Sapphire alright?"

"Mum..." I say calmly, "Sapphire has the plague. That is not my definition of alright." She looks at me shocked. What? Was it something I said? I smirk at the thought.

"Peter there is no time for back talk. I simply mean, is she doing any better? I've checked on her once, but I, myself do not want to get sick. Can you check on her?"

"Well I did a few hours ago, but she is due another visit. Pearl, stay here with mum, she needs you. I should be back soon." I leave Mum and Pearl standing there and make my way, once again, to Sapphy's room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am surprised to see that someone else has decided to visit her. "It's okay, my darling....just know I am here for you and always will be," the man says lovingly.

She looks at him with tears in her eyes, "I love you."

"I love you too," he places a kiss upon her forehead and begins to walk out. "Peter," he says nodding his head towards me.

"Mitcheal," I nod doing the same. I stop him before he gets too far, "how long has this," I say motioning to my sister, "been a thing?"

He smiles, "Ever since Emilee has invited my family over. So....a few weeks." I look into his eyes and see nothing but love for her.

"I see that you have good intentions, but if you hurt my sister I HURT YOU," I smile at him and all he does is chuckle as he walks away. "Sapphy?" She looks up at me with a blush.

"Did you hear that?" She ask tentatively.

"What? You mean Micheal professing his love to you? No." I smile up at her and she does the same. "How are you doing? Better?"

"A little better. It's nice to have visits." As she says that she looks very sad. "Why hasn't Pearl come to visit?"

"She....she..." Come to think of it I don't really have a good explanation for this. I look up at her regret and sorrow crossing my features, "I'm sorry. I don't know. She is truly worried about you and-"

"I just can't believe this...." She says as she places her hand on her forehead looking down, "how dare she?" She looks up at me tears in her eyes, "how dare she leave me here? Here to wonder where my sister is? Here to ponder what she could be doing that is more important then telling me goodbye!" Sapphire is bawling, her body in tremors. "How could she do this to me? I need my sister right now? How can she leave me here in my time of need?"

"Look at me," she glances at me, "she is just as nervous as you are. She doesn't know what to do with herself. Just....please.....don't be mad at her. She is just trying to do what's best for you."

"What's best for me?" She spat, "what's best for me?! You call ignoring your dying sister, 'what's best for me?'"

"Sapphy.....please.....stop. I know this is hard for you, but you need to calm down. We all want your health to progress, not your temper. Please..." As I say that last part, it comes out weaker than I intended.

"I'm sorry Peter," she simply states after a few minutes of silence.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have been there for you. I should have kept a closer eye on you. I should have been sick, not you. I should have been paying attention to my family. I should have-"

"Peter....please stop this nonsense. There is nothing you could have done better. You are an amazing brother." She pulls me in for a tight hug and how can I deny? I envelope her in my arms making sure not to hurt her.

"I'm so sorry...." I mumble into her shoulder, "I'm so sorry..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I walk back to my room feeling worse than I did before. How could I do this to her? To let Pearl avoid her, to let her get sick to- the guilt is eating me up alive. I feel like I'm caving....I reach my desk and find a letter that has been placed there.
On the envelope it reads, 'Peter.' I open up the letter and read:
'Dear Peter,
You never replied to my first letter that sent you. May I ask why? Is something wrong? Living free without the Devils is wonderful. I know I didn't really say it back there, but thank you. You did so much for me. I couldn't ask for a better friend! Enough about me, let's get talking about you! How are you sisters Pearl and Sapphire?' Reading those words were like a knife stabbing me. But I wanted to know what else she said, so I continue to read the letter. 'My condolences to you and you family. I'm sure the King was a wonderful man. I was wondering if you'd like to meet me at Brooke tomorrow. You don't have too, but I'd like to talk. It feels like an eternity has passed since I've last seen you.' Wait a moment......She misses me!! Yay!! Oh my goodness! Well this is a first! Wait...what Brooke? I better continue reading! 'The Brooke is by the Di Vienna mansion. It lies in the forest after the house. I will be waiting there from high noon til whenever you come! Hope to see you there,
Azalea'
I am so glad that she has asked me to accompany her to the brooke. This should be fun! I look at the time and realize I need to talk to Pearl. Now. I walk across the hall and overhear her talking to someone.

"What are you doing here? If my brother finds out he'll-"

"He'll what? Take me away from you? You know it's going to take a lot more than an annoying brother to take me away from you," he leans down and kisses her softly and delicately.

"This is such bad timing too you know. Which Sapphire and all. Oh but I do love it! The ring is beautiful!" Wait- ring? What the hell?! Are you telling me that my baby sister is betrothed?! Oh hell no! I have to stop this love fest before it starts!

"Hmmm...hmmmm...." I clear my throat waiting for them to notice me. I see the man, who I recognize as Preston, turn around. I then see Pearl peak from behind him, redness covering her face. "Anything you'd like to tell me Pearl?"

"Ummm...well....you....see....."

"We are betrothed and there's nothing you can do about it," Preston states. Well no shit Sherlock.

"When did you two begin courting?"

"Two months, your highness." I looked up to find a somewhat cocky, competitive, sensitive guy. Okay....hmmm....both of my sisters have been in relationships I've had no idea about....hmmmmmm.....how do I feel about this? Untrustworthy! Why couldn't they just tell me? Am I that intimidating? What have I ever done to lose their trust? And when did I lose it? Did I lose it at all? Was I just-

"Peter?" Pearl says waving a hand over my face, taking me from my thoughts.

"Ummm....congratulations. Can me and Pearl have a talk in private please?" Preston looks at me weirdly, but obliges. "Pearl....am I untrustworthy?"

"What? No! Where did you get that idea?"

"We'll both of my sisters have been in relationships that I didn't know about! What did I do to make you intimidated?"

"Nothing! We were just scared that you wouldn't like them. Like Luke and Erik."

"Well in my defense Luke always had a girl around his shoulders and Erik only wanted you for the money."

"Hummmmffff!" She says turning around.

"Sorry to make you angry, but it's true! I only look out for my sisters! I don't want to ruin your life!"

"I'm not angry. Well not exactly. I'm only mad because you are right." I chuckle at her competitiveness and kiss her on the forehead.

"No really. Congratulations!" I say smiling up at her. I walk out of the door with confidence and a new found love of life.

Hey guys! Thanks for sticking around with me! Sorry I haven't updated in like, forever but I try! I will, hopefully, be updating Through The Pixels this Friday! So I know many of you dislike Peter. How about now? I hope I didn't make any of you cry, although I know I did. I just feel bad. Sorry Chrissy! Anyways don't forget to

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