Chapter 10: "Don't leave…"
I woke up around 7 in the morning. I decided to go in my bedroom, because honestly, I didn't want to see anyone. So I quietly made my way through everybody and to my room. I got there and fell on my bed, slowly drifting to sleep.
(Carlos P.O.V.)
Getting up around 7:30 in the morning was not my specialty. I tried going back to sleep, but it was unsuccessful.
I looked around the room to see if anyone was up. Everyone was sleeping, except for Anna. Crap! I thought. What if Wesley came in and got her? I started to panic. I was gonna get up and look for her but Kendall was in my way. I tried to think of a way to get around him, but then I thought of something. What if Anna somehow has her phone on her? I quickly texted her, asking where she was and if she was alright.
I was just about to get into my deep sleep, when my phone buzzed. Ughh! I groan.
C: Anna! Where are you? Are you alright?
A: My God Carlos, chill! I'm fine.
C: Oh, ok.
I sighed. A: Carlos, I'm sorry I snapped. I'm just really tired, and last night doesn't help any.
C: It's ok. But are you sure you're ok?
A: Yeah, I'm sure. I'm just in my bedroom trying to sleep.
C: Do you mind if I come in, and just talk? Everyone is still asleep and I can't fall back asleep.
A: No, I don't mind. I have to tell you something anyways. Better now than later.
C: This doesn't sound good.
He came just when I got his last text. He came over and sat on my bed next to me.
"So, what do you have to tell me?" He asked.
I looked away for a sec, then back at him. I could feel tears coming. "Carlos, please don't hate me."
"Anna, what's wrong?" He was already looking hurt.
"I'm…going home." He backed away a little bit. "I called my parents last night, and told them I couldn't take it anymore. They're coming in a few days."
He looked away from me this time. I could tell he was about to cry. "You can't. Please. We can…"
"I know! You guys can protect me." I paused before continuing. "Even if you do protect me, that won't stop him. He'll do ANYTHING to get to me." I slowly looked at Carlos and said "He'll torture you guys. I don't want that to happen.
We stayed silent for a couple of minutes until Carlos finally spoke. "Please Anna…just stay…I don't want to lose another friend."
"Carlos I'm sorry, but I have to." He kept on looking at me with this saddened look. Tears started to swell up. I couldn't help it. I started to cry. He saw me, and put me in this huge embrace. He started to cry too. We stayed like that for a while until he spoke up.
"I'm gonna go back out into the living room. Do you want me to tell everyone?"
"Everyone knows except for James. But please don't tell him. I wanna be the one to."
"Ok. Well, I'll talk to you later." He gave me a kiss on the cheek and left.
(Carlos P.O.V.)
I didn't know what to do. One of my best friends was going back home. But if that's what she wants to do, that's what she wants to do. No one's stopping her. Well, not that I know of at least.
When I got back out into the living room, I noticed that everyone was awake.
"Hey Carlos." Stephanie said.
"Hey."
"What's wrong?" She could tell I wasn't happy. The guys could too. I just made something up so they wouldn't know the truth. Well, so James wouldn't know the truth.
"Nothing. I just have a headache that's all."
"Oh ok."
"Where's Anna?" James asked.
"In her bedroom. I just came from checking up on her. But don't go in. She's sleeping. Plus she doesn't feel good."
"Poor Anna. I feel so bad for her. She's too nice of a person for this to happen to her." Camille said.
"Yeah I know." Stephanie agreed.
"Well, I think we should head back to our respected apartments for now, and then come back later." Logan said.
"Ok. But I'm coming back right after I get changed and showered." James said. And he left.
"We should do the same." Kendall said. And the rest of us followed Kendall out.
After Carlos left, I couldn't go back to sleep. There was so much to think about, it hurt. Instead of trying again to go back to sleep, I started to pack.
Half an hour later, I had most of my stuff packed. I went and put my suitcases out by the front door. Just when I was about to go back and take a shower, I heard a knock on my door. I looked, and saw it was James. I didn't want to tell him, but I knew I had too. Just thinking about it made me cry. I opened the door, trying to look like I wasn't crying. He looked at me and frowned. He noticed.
"Anna what's wrong?" I shook my head, fighting back the tears. "Please, tell me. You know you can tell me anything." I kept on shaking my head. He took my face in his hands and said "Babe you're starting to scare me." That killed me. I walked away from him, heading towards my room, but he caught me. I turned around and hugged him. "James I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." He hugged me even tighter and said it's gonna be ok.
"No it's not! He looked at me, and I could tell this wasn't gonna be good. "James…I'm going back home." He backed away, like he was star struck. "My parents are coming in a few days to get me." He couldn't look at me straight in the face. He just kept shaking his head in denial. "No, you can't be."
"Well I'am. I'm really sorry James. But I've had enough of Wesley. I just…need to go home."
"Anna please! Don't! I…I don't know what I'll do without you."
And there's another thing he said that killed me. I weakly smiled, and said "I'm sure you'll find something. Before I was here, you did stuff. Why don't you do that?"
"It won't be the same. Everything's changed."
"James, I need to do it. I need to go. If you really loved me, you would let me do it."
"And if you really loved me, you would not leave and stay."
*A COUPLE DAYS LATER*
It was the day I was leaving. Camille and Stephanie were with me the whole time. We talked about everything that's been going on.
When it was time for me to head down to the lobby, I could tell they were gonna cry. I pulled them in for a group hug and told them I'll try to stay in contact. They nodded too, saying they'll try to too. They grabbed my stuff and went down to the lobby with me.
We got down to the lobby and saw the guys there. They all had a look of sadness on their faces. Each of them had a gift of some sort for me. I gave a weak smile and went over to them. The first one I hugged was Logan. He gave me a book for all the stuff I needed to know if I got sick. I smiled and hugged him. "I'm gonna miss you Dr. Logan." "I'm gonna miss you too Anna." I gave him a kiss on the cheek and went over to Kendall.
Kendall's gift to me was a big stuffed Spiderman. I had to laugh a little at this one. This would totally remind me of Kendall. I hugged him, and said "Thanks for everything Kendall. I love you brother." "You're welcome Anna…and I love you too sis." I also gave Kendall a kiss on the cheek. The next person I went to was Carlos.
Carlos was gonna be hard to say goodbye to. I quickly went up to him and gave him a big hug. He squeezed me tightly but gently. "Anna, you have no idea how much I'm gonna miss you. You're one of my best friends. You'll always will be." "Thanks Carlos…" We pulled apart and he gave me his gift. It was half of a Yin-Yang necklace. I got the Yin part, and Carlos got the Yang part. "Thanks so much Carlos." I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Now on to James.
I couldn't look at James. He looked too hurt for words. I ran up to him and embraced him like no other. He returned the embrace even more than I did. "Anna…You know I don't want you to leave. But if you have to because of Wesley, I guess that's ok. But please…don't stop talking to me." I looked straight in his eyes, and said "James, I will never stop talking to you, you know that. I will keep on talking to each and every one of you guys." We pulled away, and he gave me his gift. He gave me a bouquet of roses, my favorite kind of candy, and a bear, that said "I love you." I smiled, and then kissed him. He immediately kissed back. After we pulled apart, I grabbed my stuff, weakly smiled, and left the Palm Woods.
I got outside and found my parents waiting for me.
"It's good to see you sweetie." My mom said, hugging me.
"Same here." "Hey dad." I went up to him and hugged him.
"Hey honey. You ready?"
"Yeah." We got into the car and left.
After a half an hour drive, we, for some reason, arrived at this hotel. I was utterly confused.
"Uhh, what are we doing here? I thought we were going home."
"We'll tell you later. You need to go and rest." Dad said.
"Fine!" We walked in, checked in, and headed up to our room.
After a couple of hours of relaxing and then having some food, I had to ask my parents why we were here.
"Ok so tell me. Why are we here?"
"Sweetie, we were gonna tell you, but we decided someone else could. They're coming tomorrow." Mom said.
"Oh no. Please tell me it's not one of the guys!"
"It's not. You'll just have to wait and see." Great!
That night, trying to go to sleep was horrible. I just couldn't fall asleep. I sat in bed for hours before I felt remotely tired. But before I dozed off, my phone buzzed. I looked and saw that I had 2 messages. One from Carlos and the other from Kendall.
C: Hey Anna. I miss you so much. :(
K: Hey Anna…
A: Hey Carlos. I miss you too. I'm so sorry… ;(
A: Hey Kendall.
C: No, don't be. I understand what you're going through.
K: All of us miss you very much.
A: You do?
A: I know…
C: Yeah. I have a general idea at least.
K: It's really dull around here. And it never is usually.
A: Oh ok.
A: That's not good.
K: No it's not.
A: I'm sorry Kendall. It's my fault.
K: Anna, don't say it's your fault, because it's not.
A: Yes it is! I never should've came to the Palm Woods!
K: Anna! Don't blame yourself.
A: Kendall, I can't come back.
C: James is different. He's been acting quiet and such.
A: Oh James. I feel terrible Carlos…I don't know what to do.
C: Anna, we can help you get through this. We're family.
A: Thanks Carlos. ;)
A: I don't know what to do.
C: You're welcome. :) I'm really sorry but I have to go. We have to be at the studio early and I kinda want to get some sleep. I would keep talking to you if I didn't have to go.
K: Anna listen to me. We will help you. No one will EVER hurt you again. I promise!
A: No that's fine. Night Carlos.
A: Thanks Kendall. ;)
C: Night Anna. Love you.
K: You're welcome. :)
A: Love you too.
A: I'm really tired so I think I'm gonna go to bed. Night Kendall.
K: Night Anna. :)
When I woke up the next day, I find my parents gone. I find a note taped to the TV.
"Anna, we went to the store to grab some food. That someone we talked about is coming over today."
15 minutes later, someone knocks on the door. I go over and open it, and find Gustavo standing there.
"Gustavo what are you doing here?"
"Talking to you about something." He goes over to the chair in the corner and sits.
"But Carlos told me they were supposed to be in the studio today. Why aren't you there?"
"I'm having X teach them dances for their next couple of songs."
"That explains things." I paused, before asking "What do you want to talk to me about?"
"It's about you coming back."
"I already told everyone I'm not coming back!"
"I know. But just hear me out. I talked to Mr. Bitters and told him to not have anyone move into your apartment."
"Why?"
"It's your apartment, until you make it not yours."
I shook my head. "Do the guys know?"
"No. The dogs know nothing of you hopefully coming back."
I thought about it for a minute. "But Gustavo…"
"A week or so from now, you're gonna want to come back. You're gonna miss everybody, and you'll come back even though Wesley might be there."
"I don't want anyone getting hurt for me."
"I know that…but at least think about it." And he left.
A couple of days after Gustavo visited me, I got a text from him, saying possibly the greatest news I've ever heard.
"The police found Wesley. They've taken him to jail until further notice. More details will come."
I did a little happy dance. I happy danced with my mom. I happy danced with my dad. I happy danced texted Jo the news.
J: That's amazing Anna! I'm so happy!
A: ME TOO! Gustavo told me more details will come!
J: You should tell me when they come.
A: Oh I will!
J: I would love to continue to talk but I have to go back to set.
A: Ok! Talk to you later Jo!
J: Bye sis!
I happy danced even more after I got done talking to Jo. I was gonna text the guys the news but I'm sure Gustavo told them. Ahhhhhhhhh!
*ONE WEEK LATER*
I remembered something. I never went on that friend date with Carlos. I even promised him we would go on one. So, to make it up to him, I devised a plan. I called Stephanie because she would be very helpful in this plan.
"Hey Steph!"
"Hey Anna! How's it going?"
"It's going great! Ok, so do you think you can help me with something?"
"Yeah sure, of course."
"Ok. Well, a while ago, me and Carlos were planning on doing a friend date to the arcade me, Camille, Logan, and James went to for the double date. We never got around to doing it SOOOO…I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to do it now…tonight perhaps."
"You're coming back?"
"Yes…I'm coming back."
"Ahh! I'm so excited Anna!"
"Me too! But don't tell anyone else yet."
"I won't. So how's the plan going down?"
"Well, you tell him to meet you at the arcade, just for some fun. But, the person meeting HIM there will be me."
"Ahh! Devious. I like it!"
"Me too! So tell him to meet you at 7."
"Ok. See you when you get back to the Palm Woods!"
"See you then too!"
*TONIGHT* (Carlos P.O.V.)
Stephanie wanted me to meet her at that arcade that Anna told me about. I thought Why not! I love games, and having fun!
I get to the arcade and look around for Steph. After a while I couldn't find her. I texted her asking where she was. She replied soon after saying she was in Laser Tag. So I headed over to Laser Tag, got ready, and went in.
I was on the Red Team. I was doing so good, dodging here, dodging there, until I ran out of ammo. I started heading back to the Red Team base. As soon as I was about to get ammo, someone shot me multiple times. I turned around to see who it was…and I found Anna behind me, pointing her gun at me.
"ANNA!" I exclaimed. I got up and went over to her, to give her a HUGE hug, but she ran away, laughing.
"Come and get me Carlos!"
I smiled, knowing 2 things. 1, I was having fun, and 2, my best friend was back. I got ammo and went after her.
I looked for her for the rest of the game, but had no luck. The game ended and I had to head back to base.
Carlos! You couldn't find me! I said to myself. I started to laugh, remembering his face when he saw me and when I ran away from him. Already good times have happened and I haven't even been back for more than an hour.
I got all my gear off and went outside into the rest of the arcade. I looked around…and spotted one of my best friends…Carlos.
(Carlos P.O.V.)
I got outside the Laser Tag and started looking around for Anna. It didn't take me long. I spotted her, just a couple of feet away from me. "ANNA!" I exclaimed again. I ran over to her and picked her up into a GIGANTIC bear hug. "I've missed you so much!"
"Ahh Carlos! Squeezing…too…tightly…can't…breath!"
"Sorry…"
"It's fine."
"I can't believe you're back!"
"Me either. But after hearing that Wesley went to jail, there was no other reason that could make me not come back."
"Yeah I know! Gustavo told us. That's great news Anna!"
"It's very great news Carlos."
"So when are you moving back to the Palm Woods?"
"Tomorrow. I was gonna tonight but I don't have anything packed."
"I see. Well, I'm very excited that you've came back. Hey, I have a good idea to tell everyone else."
"Let's hear this good idea."
"Well tomorrow is Friday and we have a concert tomorrow night. I say we do it then."
"Ahh! Good idea my friend. But one question."
"Yeah?"
"How am I gonna be able to bring all my stuff back to the Palm Woods without being detected?"
"I'll figure something out and text you tomorrow morning."
"Ok. Great! This should be fun!"