We keep them...

It's been weeks since Rosy's assault, and things were going back to normal in room 202. Little gists flew across the room, Gina still with her phone, Queen still working on her final project and Rosy, well she was quiet but her warm smile was gently reappearing on her face.

Ann, still in shock at the event still very much silent, she just gave a little smile when the gist gets funny but she would take several glances at her phone. She had refused to speak to Henry after the incident. And the poor boy had been calling and texting but she wouldn't bulge.

"I don't know what to say to him" she convinced herself as she once again busied his incoming call.

Chuks on the other hand got what was coming to him. He was now in jail. He got caught up with some really bad guys and they were all arrested. The news shook the tiny room with laughter and praises and a sad smile from Rosy. He was out of the way and would never lay his hands on her ever again.

"Ann can you please stop pushing the young man and at least pick his call" Queen pleaded, she was worried, always worried for all of them. She was like the mother in the room. Ann hadn't been herself since the incident and it affected her, seeing Ann all sad and all alone in her own world.

Ann looked up to her from her tiny bed, her eyes were swollen caused from lack of sleep and probably crying.

"look at you girl" Gina dropped her eye glasses and stretched out in bid to get Ann's phone. Ann rushed to stop her but she her effort were futile as she fell hard on the fall and Gina was with the phone.

"25 missed calls Ann. It's unfair you know" Gina wide-eyed, scrolling through her phone. She redialled the number and in a second, a worried voice, loud rang from the other end of the phone.

"Ann are you alright?, where are you please?, Are you okay?" series of questions rained, Gina had to keep the phone far from her ears and put it on loud speaker. Still surprised at what she was doing, she was never in support of love. But seeing how torn up Ann had been for the past week was starting to irritate her.

"Hi Mr man, please can you come to the front of her hostel" Ann already getting herself up from the hard floor, stood still at what her roommate were about to do to her. Gina dropped the phone, fully fulfilled with her actions, she took back her glasses, leaving the remaining work for her friends.

Ann remained silent cause she was in for their troubles. No matter how strong she was, she couldn't fight them. She just slumped into her bed.

"And you better put a smile on that face of yours cause it's happening". Rosy snapped at her.

In a few minutes Ann was all ready to see him. Queen had helped her with her hair which was now flowing down on her shoulders and Rosy had given her an off shoulder cute gown. In no time she was outside in front of the dark prince that stole her heart.

He was all frown and narrow eyed, but that didn't stop his shine. His body glowed in the sun and he looked like hot chocolate. Ann gulped down her anxiousness and just stared back at the eyes that refused to leave her body.

Henry dragged her by the hand and yanked her all the way to the building complex that was close to her hostel, right up to the balcony, their place of meeting. Ann just remained quiet and tried her best to keep up with his fast moving feet.

He lead her right in front of him and continued staring, his look portrayed several emotions, anger especially but behind that there was a hint of fear. Fear that he could have lost her to some sickness or maybe an accident.

"aren't going to explain" his deep voice interrupted the silence.

"I got nothing to explain" she glared at him, gently rubbing her wrist that was violated just a moment ago. The fury in his eyes melted as he gently stretched out his hands and took her wrist and massaged it.

"I'm sorry. I was worried Ann. You can't decided to..." he was short of words, he lowered her tiny wrist, and turned his back at her, trying to keep calm and convince himself that Ann was alright after all.

Ann just stood there, gazing at the man in front of her, he was worried for her, or was it just an act. But it didn't feel like an act. It was real, raw emotions could be felt from just the heat from his body.

"What happened?" after a few seconds of awkward silence, Henry turned around, his eyes were dull and there were sleep bags round them. He looked a mess tho.

He looked straight into Ann's eyes, searching for the answers himself since Ann wasn't much of a talker. That was one of the reasons he liked this weird girl that stood in front of him.

"I.. I.." Ann struggled to find the best words to explain how she felt. She was never one with the words, her feelings were usually all bolted up in her. But this feeling of being too scared to be with someone, your body and soul yarns for, was pretty new to her.

"You look okay" he paused, running his hand through her hair, down to her face. He's eyes could pierce a watermelon at this point. "or did I do something, it's being weeks Ann. You refused to pick my calls, Ann" he too was struggling with his words, but he had to get it out there, someone should.

"No, you didn't. You didn't do anything to me Henry"

"did I scare you away, was it about what I asked. If it's because of my request that made you want me this far. I really don't want it anymore. I just need you here, even if it hurts that your just my friend. Please..."

"It's not that Henry" her voice growing from her whisper, it was louder this time. Henry's hands lost feelings almost immediately as they dropped from her face. A puzzled look took over the serious, scared face he once had.

What could be wrong with this girl?.

They just stood there in silence. Lucky for the couple people were scarce in the complex, so they had all the privacy they could get. The place was usually busy, with different spheres of lovers, choosing a corner for themselves. There were the short couples, the tall basketball couples, the giant and the dwarf couples. It was a sight to behold especially at night. Giggles from different areas of the balcony but yet each couple fixed to each other like magnet.

But today it was just Henry and Ann standing in silence and pondering on the next step.

Should I just leave this girl.

Should I just let him, love me.

"Alright. At least your fine now. I can now rest. I will be going now, I need sleep" Henry patted her shoulders and turned to leave, to leave for good.

"Please, please wait" Ann voice finally escaped from her throat without her consent. Were her organs really going to disobey her now. They didn't seem to listen, they went on..

She held his arms and drew him back, facing her. She saw the tear that was trying to escape from his eye, which he quickly blinked away.

"I don't want to make you suffer, Henry. Am not..." she sighed and closed her eyes, letting go of his hand. "Am not normal."

Henry chuckled and Ann raised her lowered head with a huge frown on her face. "Is it funny? Is it funny to you Henry. Is it funny that am scared that I am falling in love with you," her voice was almost high pitched now. Henry just left her, he wanted to hear every word, cause he probably won't hear it again for a long time.

"yea, you can laugh all you want. But I don't want this shit to blow off on my face at the end. I don't want you waking up tomorrow and beating me like I ain't your love anymore." Henry froze.

"I don't want to love you Henry". She finalized and made her way right pass Henry, hands folded, tears flowing down her cheeks. She obviously said too much. She always feared being angry, cause that was when left her words flow.

Henry ran after her and stopped her. "Ann. Please wait"
This running and waiting is getting tiring now. He gently guided her by her waist and lead her back to their spot.

"I don't think there anything I could say that can change your mind at this point" he lowered his shoulder in defect. He had wanted to hear Ann talk, at least a little more. But this was more that he expected and he wanted to find out the root of it and to do that he has to be close, closer than a friend. He wanted to help, cause the damsel that just screamed at him was indeed a damsel in distress.

"But I promise you, Ann. I would never, ever hurt you. Not in that way. I know you won't believe me but I want you to let me try and I will prove to you, each step of the way. I prove to you that I love you cupcake." he held her face this time, using his thumb he wiped her tears. Her eyes were swollen as well but the hollowness of them were still visible. The young girl was broken.

" There will be fears Henry"

"it won't be all glitters girl. I never said so. But I will be here. I will be right here with you. I too need fixing, so do you. But we can fix each other. I promise."

Ann let out her last tears and slumped into his warm embrace.

A/N: All things well? ..
Would things work out?

Votes? 😙😙😙