Again, not sure if I like this chapter very much. Hanschen's a bit OOC but he's such a hard character to pin down. I think he's a bit unpredictable. ;) I'm much better at writing Ernst, I think, because he's a little like me (we both like boys!). Hehe. Enjoy.

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I'm sitting sideways in my chair at my desk, eyes closed and head resting on the wall behind me. I rhythmically stroke the thin pages of my open bible, nearly asleep, when I hear Mama's voice from downstairs.

"Ernst! Hanschen Rilow here to see you!"

My eyes fly open. Hanschen? The odd feeling begins in my stomach. Before I even have the chance to put my bible away, there he is in the threshold of my bedroom.

"C-come in?" I stutter. He strides in confidently, although I expect he would have done so even if I hadn't offered.

"Ernst, how are you?" he asks, perching himself at the foot of my bed as if it is nothing.

"We… saw each other yesterday," I say.

He cocks his head to one side. "And?"

I sigh a little, looking down at my hands. I decide to take the bait. "I'm fine. How are you?"

He smirks, happy to get his way. "I'm well."

After the small silence I've begun to grow accustomed to, I ask, "Why are you here, Hanschen?" It's a daring question—I can feel my cheeks burning at my forwardness—but I need to know.

He raises an eyebrow. "Would you rather I leave?"

My voice is small. "That… That's not what I meant." I hear him get up from the bed, and I look away from my lap.

Hanschen is standing behind me, hands on my shoulders. "I just wanted to talk." His hands start moving, just a little.

"Oh…" His hands are stronger now, surer, as he massages my neck and shoulders. This isn't talking, but I don't complain. Hanschen's hands are strangely relaxing, and I begin to doze after a few minutes. Suddenly I'm pulled against the back of my chair, jostling me awake.

"I'm sorry, Ernst. My stomach feels a little… Off. It was nice talking with you."

And before I can protest, Hanschen is gone. How does he move so fast? I sit, mourning the loss of Hanschen's lovely hands before shrugging and re-opening my bible.

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I'm such a tease.

The next chapter is the last!! :( So when do you guys want it up? Soon, in the next day or two… Or, for the ~suspense, in a week or so? Let me know :D