“I wouldn't have even been able to impale you by surprise if I wanted," she moaned in abject misery. "I'm too small. It wouldn't have fit.”

“I think we were just in too much of a hurry," I reasoned. "I should've taken the time to stretch you out before we started. This is my fault.

I should've slowed you down."

“This is MY fault. I was the one who insisted you just hammer it in."

“We'll do better next time. There WILL be a next time. I'm not going to go into vapor lock and try to say you're like a little sister to me anymore. I can't hide behind that shield any Longer, because it's time

I admitted the truth to myself. I LOVE you. I've always loved you.

Fuck, I've been in love with you my entire life. You're my Annabelle."

She was still crying, but the sobbing slowed and eventually stopped, and her whole body went still for a second. Then, the petite strawberry-blonde in my arms started to turn around, Looking back at my face through bleary eyes. "Wait, what did you say?"

"I Love you. You're my Annabelle," I repeated.

“No, the other part. You're in love with me?"

“What? No. I've always loved you, and I always WILL love you."

“No, no. You specifically said you were IN love with me."

I snorted and backed away from her a bit.

“That's just crazy, B. I think you misheard me."

Belle frowned and furrowed her eyebrows as she completely turned around to face me.

“You're lying. You're not a very good liar, and I can always tell."

“Belle, seriously."

“How Long have you been in love with me?"

"I'm NOT. I'm not in love with ANY of the girls. That would totally ruin the BTC. We've had this conversation before."

“Then why did you say it a minute ago?"

"I didn't."

"Yes you did," she said seriously. "You said you've been in love with me your entire Life.”

I sighed. "Yes, I had a crush on you when I first knew what a crush was. I've told you that already, back when you were infatuated with

Taylor Guazelli."

“And you've been in Love with me all this time?"