Rick was leaning on the top of the banisters as I headed upstairs. I could feel a sense of dread wash over me. What was I doing basically falling around with him? He is my closest friend here and I didn't need to go back to the way I was before moving here. I let out a forced breath and took another step towards him. Just as I was nearly up I felt a small tug on my arm. I turned to spot Harry, looking cute and innocent as usual.

"Anna, can you read me a story? Everyone else is watching TV. Rick you too; you want to hear a story write?"

I helplessly looked at Rick; I had never been in this situation before. Did you read to a kid or did that cause them to become clingy.

"Umm…sure Harry. I bet Rick doesn't want to though. Let's let him get back to his football."

"No Harry, it's alright I would rather hear a story then watch football any day."

Harry beamed up at me and stretched out his hand. I took it and let him lead me to his room. Rick followed behind a grin on his face. Just as we were about to go in, he leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"You're not getting out of this Anna. We do really need to talk."

All I could do is gulp and go and sit down next to Harry on his bed. I pulled my knees in close to my chest and leant back against the head board. Harry climbed onto the bead next to me with a book in his hands. I had been expecting something easy but I was under estimating Harry's age. He handed me a copy of harry potter. Rick climbed on to the end of the bed and stretched his legs out so the poked me. Completely ignoring his act I stroked the battered book, I remembered the excitement of reading this as a kid. Believing every word, thinking that one day I would be there with the Trio. Edging Ron and Hermione together and fighting Voldemort. I believed it so much and then all of that changed. I opened the book to Harry's bookmark and started to read.

I closed the book once I felt Harry's head rest against my shoulder. Looking up I had the same effect in Rick. His head tilted back slightly and his eyes were tightly shut. I stifled a laugh as I got up leaving the boys to their sleep and walked back to my room. I slipped a large shirt on and crawled into bed. I really was shattered.

I heard my name said and was pulled back to consciousness. Rubbing my eyes I noticed they were damp but ignored it to hear who was talking. Carmen sat on the edge of my bed and Rick was sat on Carmen's bed looking at me. Suddenly feeling very self-conscious I sat myself up and pulled the covers with me.

"Carmen? Rick? What going on?"

Carmen spoke up first, surprising me completely.

"I came back in after watching the movie and you were screaming and crying. Like you were being tortured or something. It was terrifying so I ran and got Rick and he tried to wake you up. This was like our 6th time at waking you. I'm going to go get ready to sleep, listen I hope you're okay Anna."

With that she left, leaving me more stunned. Was she being nice?

"Anna?"

I turned to face Rick; his hear a mess from trying to sleep. Suddenly he leaned forward and pulled me into a hug. Holding me tightly in his arms. I must have scared him pretty badly; he was clearly shaken by my screaming.

"Rick I am ok I promise you. It's just a memory, a dream."

"A memory Anna, it was like you were being tortured. It was nearly killing me hearing those screams. What did they do to you in that old house Anna?"

"They would beat me up Rick; force me to make out with them. Luckily they never took that any further. The beating though is another story. They took me from my bed once and tied me up to a tree in the middle of winter. They would hit me and then leave me there. I screamed and screamed but no one not even my god damn parents came to help me Rick."

The tears were welling up; I promised myself I wouldn't bring that up. I wanted Rick to like me not pity me. Pity was all I was going to get now.

"Have you ever told anyone? Done anything about it Anna? Look what it has done to you? This isn't the real Anna. I know she is different, I have seen her on occasions. I want to see her the whole time because this hurt Anna deserves the real one."

"I know Rick and trust me I am getting more like the real Anna. You are making me remember her. I can't just get rid of these memories though. They are tattooed to my brain. I can remember everything even the smell in the air of how heavy my hair felt. Stupid things that make it so much more real."

"We can make it stop Anna. I know we could, look what I wanted to say earlier is that I really like you and well I want to be with you. Which I guess we would have to keep secret here but it could work Anna."

"Rick are you asking me out? Or is this just pity?"

"This is real. About a month ago Johnny asked me what I wanted most and I said a girlfriend. I didn't just want a girlfriend I wanted someone who I knew I could fall in love with. Then that girl walked into my life and literally has been driving me crazy. So yes Anna I mean this. Will you go out with me?"

I couldn't help but laugh; I reached forwards and punched his shoulder.

"Did you really need to ask, of course? Or secret girlfriend as you put it."

Then I kissed him, after all of that craziness he had witnessed he hadn't changed his mind about me. He was still willing to like me. The dream seemed just like that as we kissed; it laid forgotten the ink slowly becoming erased.

Thank you guys for reading! I am hoping to update as soon as possible but this was my last pre written story so I am going to have to get writing for you all!

Wanted to say a massive thank you to my reviews and followers and favourites means so much to me! Although CBBC burst my bubble with all the Carmen, Rick stuff going on! Was not expecting it! Still standing my ground with Anna! Any way thank you!