Chapter 13

The next morning everyone was up very early, Anna had to go to school, Alex to work, and both Sam and Michael went out for a last tour around the city before leaving that evening, while Adam had to finish some work. After a quick breakfast together they left each to their separate way.

At school, Allen was sitting seemingly calm but inside him was a bundle of nerves, he couldn't shake his worry about Anna and the uneasy feeling from his last conversation with Alex, his last. His eyes locked on the classroom door, he could not wait to see her, so he would breathe a bit, and so it was, Anna finally entered the room, only to stop at the door when she felt a wave of anxiety hit her. She raised her head to meet Allen's green eyes staring at her with some tense feelings and those emotions she's always failed in reading. for a second the face of the little boy from her dreams flashed through her mind, it took her by surprise that she took a couple of steps back. Allen saw the shock on her face and felt the urge to cross the steps between them, however, she regained her composer quickly and before he could leave his seat she was taking hers next to him.

In history class, the discussion about the worst wars in the world was quite tense, especially when Anna disagreed with those who suggested that the worst was World War I and II. " In both these wars, there were clear parties, two huge armies fighting against each other, yes a lot of horrible crimes were committed, still somehow both parties were able to defend themselves... However, the worst war of them all was a war where a huge, strong, very well-weaponized army attacked with its most sophisticated and internationally prohibited weapons a bunch of already besieged civilians in a tiny space in a clear attempt to wipe them out of existence, right under the eyes of the whole world, still, no one moved a muscle... that, under any given excuse and by any standards is a humanity shame ". Anna stated ending the discussion, as the bell declared the end of the school day.

The rest of the day flew by for Anna, perhaps cause she would have to say goodbye to her brothers that evening. As evening approached, Anna joined her brothers for a final meal together before heading to the airport. Which they prepared and had together as a family. After the meal, the boys cleaned the kitchen and she went up to change so they could drop them off at the airport. She was brushing her hair when Allen's face came to her vision. She'd been seeing him almost every day for the last year and a half, he bothered her a lot always finding a way or a word to tease her, but still, she'd never seen him like that. And though she couldn't even translate what his looks held toward her, she still felt uncomfortable, she would bet that there was anger and blame in his looks, along with something else, she was failing to decode. Alex knocked on her door and called "Come on Annaliz, your brothers will run late " "Coming" she cried back, grabbed her bag, and ran out to where Alex and the Gilz were waiting for her.

The goodbye was as usual hard on Anna, she hated those moments more each time she had to say goodbye to her brothers, so as usual as well, Alex tried to make her feel better, and to her surprise he took her to their favorite restaurant in the city, to have their favorite cake. The restaurant was new, so though it was located on one of the most crowded streets it was still not famous. Tony, the owner, and Alex were very close friends, so the restaurant held sentimental value as a place where Alex and Anna spent quality time together sometimes they would even get to cook their cake by themselves, consequently, Anna loved to come and spend time with Alex in Tony's restaurant. But this time was different, this time Alex's attention was far more than just spending time with his little Angel, this time he was pushing her down a road which even he couldn't guess its end.

Both Anna and Alex were laughing loudly at something Anna mentioned about Sam when a familiar voice, a voice that's been haunting her for a while now, said "Hi there ". Anna raised her head to meet Alen's mysterious eyes looking back at her, with his sarcastic smile, she wanted to ask what he was doing there, and if he was following her or something but her tongue refused to move, and before she could make it, Alex shocked her even more when he warmly greeted Allen back like a very old good friend" oh, hello young man, what a pleasant surprise to run to you here, please join us " and before Anna realize it Allen was sitting next to her in her and Alex's table, there in Tony's place where their table was always for the two of them, she and her dear brother, there was sitting the last person she thought she would meet outside the school. Allen was politely answering Alex's question about how his studies were going when Anna finally found her voice and cried out loud " How come you two know each other?" a quick look, which Anna missed drinking some water, secretly changed between the two before Allen replied " we met back at the hospital" the weirdness Anna felt about Allen hanging around her back in the hospital overcame her, and for a second she lost her touch to reality taken by the green eyes of the little boy in her dream. Noticing how pale and strange she suddenly looked, both Allen and Alex questioned "Are you ok?" Anna nodded a yes and again missed the angry look Allen gave Alex. Alex pushed his chair closer to her and held her hand in care saying "It is ok Kid, what happened is over already, don't think about it anymore" Anna smiled at the warmth he gave her and said " I am fine" Allen tried to leave saying " sounds like I brought bad memories, I probably should get going" only to sit back when Alex prevented him saying " oh, don't say such stupid things, we're both very grateful for what you did back then and would like to thank you by offering some of our favorite cake, right Anna!!" it was a statement more than a question so Anna nodded saying " of course, please join us" Allen raised an eyebrow at her in question so she simply did what she always does whenever he bothered her, she rolled her eyes on him, and turned to finish her cake.

As the evening drew to a close and they bid farewell to Allen, Anna couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered. Back at home, she retreated to her room, the events of the day swirling in her mind. As she lay in bed, she couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay beneath the surface of their seemingly ordinary lives. With her brothers' departure looming, the uncertainty only grew, leaving Anna wandering in a sea of unswerving questions and unresolved emotions most of her wiped past.