*This is, in my opinion, the chapter of all chapters. ;D Feedback is NEEDED because I'm dying to know what you'll think. Thanks a trillion times over for reading.

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            I chose not to believe Marion, though somewhere deep inside me I knew she might be correct. However, my boyfriend came before my friends. So I put all my trust in Phillip, throwing myself into our dates and conversations over the next several weeks. I saw little of Brandon. When I did we would pass each other on the street, offering a wave. I began to shut everyone but Nana and Phillip out. It was easiest that way.

            Phillip had looked especially nice that evening, when he came to pick me up for a midnight picnic by the brook. Nana seemed excited about something, making sure I was wearing my best clothes and had my hair done up beautifully. I felt uneasy, as if something awful were going to happen.

            “You look marvelous,” Phillip said as he took my hand and walked us toward the designated area. He brushed his lips against the top of my head. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet, pulling away for a moment. His extra affection was making me nervous.

            “Can I meet you there,” I said suddenly, stepping away. “I forgot something back at the house.” I pointed back in its general direction with my thumb.

            “I’ll go with you,” Phillip said at once, turning around.

            My eyes widened. “No!”

            He froze in his tracks, looking at me with wary eyes. “Is something wrong?”

            “Just…please, let’s meet there! Okay?”

            “If you insist,” he said, surrendering with a shrug. “I’ll see you.”

            I waited until he disappeared in the trees before taking off in a different direction. I dashed into the woods, a roundabout route, arriving at our spot before he did. My heart was racing and I felt sick. What was he planning?

            I got to my knees beside the pond, splashing my face with excessive amounts of water. My head reeled as I stumbled off the path, should he arrive, and hid behind a tree. I tucked my legs under my chin, trying to rationalize with myself.

            It wasn’t certain that he would do what I thought he would, so why should I be worried, or nervous? I could always say no. But what if he broke up with me because of it? I didn’t want that, either.

            I heard footsteps crunching behind me, but I didn’t peek out at him. I heard things being unpacked, and then all quieted. When I looked back, he wasn’t there.

            “Ellie?” Someone said in front of me, making me jump. Two arms slipped past my shoulders, Phillip’s hands bracing themselves on the tree. Our faces were awfully close. I sighed and looked down.

            “Did I do something to upset you?”

            “Not yet,” I whispered.

            “It’s getting dark and…” Phillip looked past me at something. “This isn’t going how I wanted it to.” He looked me in the eyes. “Eleanor, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

            I was already shaking my head as he got down on his knee. “Don’t say it, Phillip! It’s just not an option.”

            “What do you mean?” He asked, taking my hand and kissing it. “I love you more than anything in this world. Please consider the fact that we belong together.”

            “I’m not ready yet,” I protested, pulling away. “I’m sixteen!”

            “You’ll soon be seventeen.”

            “And you’ll be twenty-six.”

            “Don’t you see?” Phillip said, standing up. “Age doesn’t matter. I’ll love you for all of eternity. Love me back.”

            “I do,” I said weakly, ducking under his arms. “But not enough to marry you.”

            “I thought we had something!”

            “Phillip-“

            “I don’t want to hear it, Ellie. I’m not getting back together with you until you accept my proposal. It took everything to bare my heart like that to you. And then, I’m refused? Unacceptable.”

            “Don’t break up with me,” I said, crying a little. “Don’t be like that.”

            “You’re the one who ruins everything. You’re a child!”

            I squared my jaw. “I’ll see you later. I’m going home.”

            I began running, hearing him call after me. But I paid him no mind. He was being unfair and disrespectful. Take it or leave it? I wasn’t one to bargain with.

            The house was dark as I came upon it. I slipped upstairs, sniffling as I wiped my eyes and climbed under my sheets. I didn’t bother removing my dress, undoing my hair, or taking off my makeup.

            I slept.

            Time didn’t seem to pass, and the night was freed of dreams. I woke in the morning, much later than usual, to the sun shining. I felt refreshed, and new. Certainly I could work something out with Phillip. If he really loved me…

            I made my way downstairs, surprised that Nana had yet to be up at this late hour. I cooked breakfast, my mood rising, and still when she didn’t come down I put her portion on a tray, along with a cup of coffee, and took it to her.

            I pushed the bedroom door open with my foot, setting the tray down on her dresser. Carefully I went over, shaking her shoulder with my hand. Panic rose in my throat as she didn’t respond. I touched her hand.

            Cold.

            “No, Nana,” I said softly, and the tears began. I sank against the wall, rocking back and forth, trying to see some sign of movement in her chest. But there wasn’t. I swallowed heavily, trying to hold back a scream. This couldn’t be.

            “No,” I said a little louder. “No! No! No! NO! NO! NO! NO!” I buried my face in my hands, sobbing harder than I ever had before. Harder than when mom and dad had died. Harder than when Marion had been taken to prison. Harder, because she was the last part of my world.

            The windows must have been open, and I must have been screaming pretty loudly, because the door creaked below. Brandon came into the room. I didn’t have the thought to realize why he started crying, too. It should have only been me.

            “Ellie,” he said, kneeling beside me. I stared past him, not seeing anything. I didn’t know if I was crying or screaming, or completely silent. I think I kept going between the three.

            Arms enclosed around me, lifting me from the ground. I buried my face in Brandon’s arm as he helped me outside and down the road. I must have been heavy, but he wasn’t one to complain.

            A house came into view. It must have been his house, because Phillip’s face appeared over mine next.

            “I’ll go and take care of her grandmother. You…stay here.”

            I heard a chair scraping along the floor, and I realized I was in a bed. I looked to the side. Brandon was sitting beside me, shoulders shaking, sobs quiet. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I wanted to tell him something. I just didn’t know what.

            “Ellie? Can you hear me?”

            I didn’t respond.

            “If you can’t then, I have a lot to tell you.”

            I would listen.

            “I love you. Like, a lot. I guess I always have and I should’ve told you before you became involved with Phillip. I saw the ring. Did you accept his offer?”

            I closed my eyes, so he must have thought me to be asleep. I tried to absorb this, but my mind wasn’t able to work around his words.

            “I know you probably can’t hear or understand me, but it’s true. I bet I love you more than Phillip does. I bet I love you more than the world itself. Remember when you were nine, and I was ten? I was awfully mean to you that year. Marion stuck up for you, and I made fun of you for being a baby.” He laughed. “Then you punched me in the nose, and broke it in three places. For that, I gained a healthy level of respect for you.

            “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, inside and out. Over the years, my like for you grew. When I was thirteen, I was absolutely smitten. I’m surprised you couldn’t tell. I was the one who wrote all those love notes and sent you that weird valentines card. It was the last one the store had. I wish I would’ve gotten you a nicer one. But you seemed pleased that you had such an admirer.

            “When you left, the world came crashing down. I read every letter you sent a thousand times, and they meant more after dad left. When you came back, I was so happy. Then Phillip stole you away.” With that, his voice hardened.

            “He did it, Ellie. He stole the necklace. Marion told me she told you. She’s hurt you didn’t believe her. I’m afraid of what he would do if I confronted him, or told you. I’m afraid for my sister, and Nana, and you. I think she knew, too, Ellie. She knew before she died. You don’t seem to understand how dangerous he is.

            On the last night of her life, I stopped by to say hello. She had something in her hands, and she seemed afraid. She told me to take you away. I intend to keep my promise. I’ll marry you myself, if I have to. I’ll confess all this while you’re awake. I’ll do whatever it takes.

            I love you, Ellie. Please believe me.”

            I heard someone stand, and then footsteps walked form the room. I hardly dared to believe what I’d just heard. They were all liars. Phillip wouldn’t hurt anybody, no matter what. He loved me. And I loved him.

            I was so blind. So, so blind. And that’s why, when he came home and after a long nap, I took his hand in mine.

            “I don’t have a place to go, or live. So, seeing as we love each other, and seeing the situation I’m now in, I think we should get married.”

            In his room, Brandon cried.