Anchored ? Harry Hook ?

t i

Three days later, I found myself sitting at my nightstand, staring at the hook necklace that was given to me by the man who seems to haunt me in my dreams, and now, my reality. A sigh left my lips, it's been three days since I last saw him. I can't bring myself to see him in a hospital bed, barely alive, because of me. My heart thudded painfully while a shaky breath left my lips. Suddenly, a knock resounded on the other side of the door. I slammed the necklace back into the box before closing the drawer.

Another knock sounded from the door, my feet hurrying down towards it. I pulled the door open, a surprised look evident on my face at the person behind the wooden block way.

"Oh! Greetings, King Ben!" I greeted the handsome King, curtsying in front of him. "How many times did I tell you to call me Ben, Erina? We've been friends since we're just babies" He said, giving me a charming smile, that I'm sure could make every princess fall from their feet.

But not you.

My ever-so-smart conscience replied smartly. I rolled my eyes at Ben before ushering him inside my room. "Whatever. To what do I owe this pleasure, oh handsome Ben?" I sarcastically said, drawling out his name. He raised his eyebrows at the nickname before chuckling at me.

"I'm here to make sure my best friend's all right" he commented, surveying my room with a jolly in his step.

"I'm fine, Ben. You don't need to worry yourself, you'll get bald" I teased him, nudging his shoulder when I bypass him. I went to my balcony, watching as the student milled among themselves.

"About Harry..." he started.

"How's he?" I immediately asked, turning around to face him. "Why won't you see for yourself?" he retorted, looking at me curiously.

"I-I"

I'm scared.

I didn't answer him. Biting my lips, I heaved a deep sigh before putting my head in my hands. Suddenly, a pair of arms pulled me to a warm chest, making me relaxed. How you wished it was him holding you now.

"You know, 6 months ago, I received a very interesting letter" he suddenly said out of nowhere. "It was very interesting that I couldn't help but write back at the sender of the mail" he continued.

"Ben, please stop" I begged, not even understanding where this story will go. "Don't you want to know where or whom the letter came from?" he asked me. I shook my head, burying myself in his chest. I'm not interested in some stupid letter when I'm bawling my eyes out because of my stupidity.

"It came from Harry"

"Wh-what?" I asked in disbelief, pushing him away from me. Oh so now you want to talk.

"What did you say?" I asked him again, feeling lightheaded. Ben grabbed my shoulders and led me inside my room for more privacy, we sat down on my bed. I looked at him expectantly while he was smiling at me sheepishly. "Ben..." I narrowed my eyes at him in a warning.

"Listen, after everything went, you know, downhill. A letter from the Isle came stating where it came from and who wrote it. Then, to my shock, it came from the son of the Pirate King" he said, taking a deep breath, he continued, "So it got me curious, what did Hook want from me? And you know what's inside the letter?" I shook my head.

"You"

What did he say?

"Every letter was about you, Erina. He was asking about you every time and he even told me everything" he gave me a pointed stare at that.

"He told me about Uma, and what he did. Everything. And how he left Uma after you got back in Auradon" My eyebrows shot up at what he mentioned.

"He-he left Uma?" I asked in disbelief, my eyebrows scrunched together. Ben smiled at me, "He really loves you, Erina. And he's very sorry for whatever he did. God, feel's great to let it out without him threatening to hook me"

"He threatened to hook you?"

"Yeah, so many times, when I told him that I'll tell you he loves you and whatnot," he said as if it doesn't mean a thing. "Ben, I-I don't know what to do"

I confessed, burrowing my head between my hands. No, I didn't cry, I think I was too numb and cold to even let a few tears come out. My head was messed up. I don't know what to think anymore.

"Just do what you always do. You're Erina. The bravest and craziest person I've ever known" is all Ben said before squeezing my shoulder and standing up. Hearing the door shut behind him, I stand up before walking towards my nightstand, again. Opening the drawer, I pulled the necklace out. Staring at the glimmering gold as it shines under the sunlight. Looking at my reflection, I took a deep, deep breath.

I hope I'm making the right decision.

|Φ|

Edited [06/14/22]