It had been a few weeks since Anna and Action had begun going out. Most days, Action would go over to Anna's after school. They would go into Anna's room, where she would begin doing her homework while Action would try distracting her. It usually worked.

Henry hadn't found out since Velma was doing a fantastic job on distracting him. Once, however, Velma and Henry had gotten home earlier than usual, and Velma walked in on Anna and Action. Velma began to giggle upon seeing them. Anna got up and pushed Velma out of the room and rushed to close the door.

So, Henry hadn't found out yet. And Anna was feeling guilty about it. Really guilty. She dreamt about him finding out from Richard or Snowboy. Then Henry would get really angry and he would begin throwing stuff around a room or get in a car and crash it into a building.

Anna knew that these were all unlikely situations, but she couldn't really control her thoughts and her dreams. So Anna decided to finally tell Henry and stop her mind from going crazier.

She told Velma that her distraction powers would not be needed for the day, and Velma immediately understood what Anna was going to do. She nodded and let Anna take Henry up to their apartment.

"Henry," Anna said once they got in their living room, "I need to tell you something."

Henry's eyes immediately widened. He looked at Anna who was nervously fidgeting.

"Hey, cool it! I haven't even told you yet."

"Well that ain't a way to start this off then if you don't expect me to flip out!"

"Well how do you want me to start it? 'So, how about that walk home? I was pretty cold. Oh, and I gotta tell you something!'"

"Just tell me, Anna."

She took a deep breath and spoke quickly.

"I'm seeing someone!"

"What?"

She took a deeper breath and spoke again, this time more slowly.

"I'm seeing someone. As in I'm going steady with someone."

Henry was quiet for a few seconds before he spoke. "That's it? You got me all worked up for nothin'?"

"But I haven't even told you who I'm seeing!"

"Well he can't be that bad. You ain't stupid enough to date anyone bad. I trust ya'. You're growin' up and I know that you're gonna make good choices."

Anna, no longer able to stand his talking, blurted out, "I'm dating Action!"

Henry was quiet yet again. His eyes flashed with confusion which quickly turned to realization and fury. He suddenly got up and stormed out the door. Anna sat quietly for a second, before realizing with horror that Henry wasn't going downstairs.

Anna ran out the door and began sprinting up the stairs after Henry. She caught up with him as he was about to approach the door.

"Henry, wait!" she yelled out.

Of course, she was a little late, as usual. Action had already opened the door and Henry had already punched his face. Action stumbled back a little and put his hand up to his mouth. Henry stepped into Action's apartment and grabbed him by his collar, pushing him up against the wall.

"Dammit, Action! I told ya' to stay away from her! Now you better listen!" He raised his hand to punch Action again, but Action squirmed out of his grip and used his height to his advantage by ramming his head into Henry's stomach. He tackled Henry out into the hall.

When Henry was on the ground, dazed, Action landed a punch on the taller boy's jaw. Soon, the boys were wrestling each other around the hallway. Anna, who had been standing there for a few minutes, watching the scene unfold in horror, decided it was time to intervene.

She stormed over and took Action's shoulders. Using all her might, she pulled Action off her brother. She then stepped into the two boys who were breathing heavily and glaring at each other.

"Are you guys done now?"

They both looked up at her and nodded.

"Good. Now when are you going to grow up and realize that hitting someone probably isn't the best way to solve your problems?"

Henry looked down into his lap, not speaking, so Anna continued.

"What is so wrong about me dating Action? He treats me fine, if that's what you're worried about."

"He ain't right for you. You deserve better."

"Don't you think that's my choice? I think I am perfectly capable of choosing who I should date. Weren't you saying before that you trust me?"

"Well that was before I knew you were with him."

"Why should that change anything? I'm still the same person whether I'm with Action or not."

"Anna, I don't trust him."

"Hey man, I'm right here!"

Anna had forgotten that Action was there. She went over to him and pulled him up, not letting go of his hand once he was standing.

"You don't have to trust him, because I already do. You just need to trust me."

Henry shook his head. "Anna, I can't let you date him."

"I wasn't asking your permission. I am dating Action. So you're just gonna' have to deal with it."

Henry waited before reluctantly nodding. "Fine. I can accept it." He turned his gaze to Action. "But if you hurt her, I swear I'll…"

"Yeah, I think he gets it. Now you guys better apologize to each other."

"Why do I have to apologize? He hit me first!" Action said this with an incredulous look on his face.

"You hit him back."

"Well I wasn't gonna' let him keep hittin' me."

"Action," Anna said in a warning tone.

"Fine."

The boys walked up to one another and said sorry quietly.

"What was that? I didn't hear you guys."

They said sorry a little louder and shook hands.

"See? That wasn't so hard. Now I have to go upstairs and work on some homework. I'll see you tomorrow, Action."

She contemplated kissing him, but she decided that she probably shouldn't in front of her angry brother. She gave Action's hand a squeeze before going back up to her apartment. Henry soon followed her and was sitting across from her at the kitchen table.

"How long have ya' been with him?"

"About three weeks."

"And are ya' happy?"

"Yes. I'm very happy."

"Good."

"Henry."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for letting me be with him."

"I thought it didn't matter what I say."

"Of course it matters. I don't think I could've stayed with Action if you absolutely wouldn't allow it."

Henry nodded at this. "Well, if you're happy with him, then I guess it's okay. Just be careful. He's older than ya'."

"I know. It doesn't matter though."

"Maybe not yet. But it will when he turns eighteen."

"Well, he's not even seventeen yet. So it's okay for now."

"Still. You gotta be careful. Promise me you will be."

"I promise."

With that promise, Anna went into her room and shut the door. She opened her window and went up to Action's room. She looked into the window and was him with ice on his lip. She knocked on his window and waved at him once he looked at her. He got up and opened the window.

Action's arm went around her waist, getting ready to pull her into his room, but she shook her head.

"I can't stay. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Ya know, I've been hit by two Jets since I've been with ya'. You're a lot of trouble."

Anna laughed at this and leaned down to kiss him. "I'm sorry about that. You're okay, though?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Okay."

Not knowing what else to say Anna kissed him again before pulling away.

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See ya'."

Anna didn't know why she said what she did next, but it slipped off her tongue before she had a chance to filter it and think about her words.

"I love you."

She turned around quickly once she realized what she had said and ran up to her room. She was about to close the window before she heard that Action had followed her and was climbing into her room.

"Anna," he said.

"Shhh. Henry's gonna' hear you."

He walked up to her and held her and spoke quieter.

"Did you mean what you said?"

Anna nodded. "Yeah, but I don't know why I said it. I was just going to wait until you said it first. Oh God."

"Hey now," he said, taking her chin in his hand and tilting her face towards his. "Why are ya' upset about it?"

"Because this is so embarrassing. It just slipped out. I'm sorry."

"Well I ain't sorry. I'm glad ya' told me."

"Really."

"Yeah."

"Well, okay."

He walked to her window and was about to climb out, but looked back and said, "I love you, Anna."

He got out and went up to his room. Anna was stunned for a moment. She closed her window and flopped onto her bed and thought of everything that had happened in the past half an hour. But only one thought consumed her mind completely.

He loves me.