Seven stared me like I’d grown three heads and a tail. I tried to detect what he was thinking, but his face was spiritless as he gazed aimlessly at me. He seemed like he was in a deep trance and I began to wonder if it was because of what I said. Gulping, I wondered if he didn’t actually love me and just said that to get in my pants.
And here I was, in the cool night's air, admitting my feelings like a fool that most certainly was in love. “Say something -- anything,” I pleaded hoping his voice would break the silence that cloaked us.
Blinking, Seven snapped out of his daze and gradually got up, off the swing.
I stood there in spot as he took slow strides my way. I began to wonder if time was slowing down because it felt like a lifetime before Seven stood in front of me with his lips twitched up into a smile. “I love you too, Anna,” he breathed.
I gripped his shirt to show him how desperate I was. “Then, please, don’t kill him,” I begged.
“Why are you protecting him?!” Seven suddenly snapped and moved back, making me lose hold of him.
I flinched back at his sudden outburst before looking down at the porch floor. “How many more ways can I say it, Seven? I am not protecting him. I'm protecting you.”
Seven grabbed my chin and lifted it, “it is not your job to guard me from danger, Anna.”
Jerking my face from his grip, I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re right Seven, it is not my job. It’s Jenny’s.” With a hard turn on my heel, I marched into the house and towards my room.
“Annabelle! Don’t be like that!” Seven called out as he followed me.
“Don’t be like what Seven? I was merely speaking the truth!” I told him over my shoulder.
“Anna, I might be going to prison for the rest of my life in a matter of days. Are you seriously wanting to argue?” He inquired as we walked down the cabin’s hall that led to my bedroom.
“What am I suppose to do Seven? Love you, tell you that I will miss you, spring a few tears? I told you not to do this. I have repeatedly informed you that this choice to kill Leaven is not wise. But, you refuse to listen.”
“I really don’t see any other opinions,” Seven honestly stated.
“Have you actually considered more opinions?” I questioned as we walked into my room -- or the room I had claimed when we first got here. It was a good size room with natural cherry wood walls and floors. The whole room was decked out in wood furniture that looked handmade...
"Yes, I have and I see no other way out for you or me.”
“... Give me a week and a half ...”
“Huh?”
“I said give me a week and a half. That is when we leave the cabin and go back home. Give me this time here to think. If I don’t have another solution to this problem, then I will allow you to kill him.”
“I’m not asking for your permission.”
“Then, why the Hell did you come here?!” I fired at him with anger imbuing my senses.
“To see you!” He yelled taking a step towards me.
“Well, now you have seen me!” I shouted as I matched his step forward.
Suddenly, Seven busted out laughing as if he found this situation humorous. His face soon turned red as he continued to chuckle violently.
Smacking the back of his head, I glared at him with hopes that he would stop. “This is not funny.”
“Fine you can do it,” he said as he sobered up from his drunken laughter.
“What?”
“You have one week and a half to think of some new plan to get rid of Leaven.”
I smiled before jumping into Seven’s arms and giving him a huge hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, I don’t want you to think too hard. This is a vacation after all,” he said as he hugged me back.
Enjoying how safe I felt in his arms, I snuggled my head in the nape of his neck. Inhaling, I grinned at the fact that he smelled so damn good. “I know, but still,” I spoke as I removed head from his shoulder and my arms from his waist, only to have him still hold me to him. “You should get back home. Jenny will be waiting for you.” I softly stated as I tried to wiggle out of his grasp.
Seven held me tighter and leaned his head down. “She knows I am here. I’ve admitted to Jenny that you were Heaven and I’s childhood friend. Jenny basically packed my bags and told me to come here.”
I looked up into Seven’s sea green eyes. “She wouldn’t be so willing if she knew what we have done behind her back.”
“But, she doesn’t know.”
“Seven, I can’t do this. Not when you are still with her,” I said in a low voice. Placing my hands on his forearms, I removed his arms from my hip and walked over to my bed. Sitting down on the quilted mattress, I bent down and took of my ballet flats that I’d been wearing. “I’m going to bed. You should just go home Seven. No good will come from you being here,” I said without even looking at him.
“I’ve never been one to be ‘good’ or seek it.”
Glancing over at Seven, I took in every inch of him while biting my bottom lip. I tired to look away, but I couldn't. “That is your flaw, Seven and unfortunately it is rubbing off on me.”