After Scott learned about her never being safe, he tried to push Ana out of it. He wanted to protect her but the only thing it did was piss her off. She walked into school with her two best friends at her side. They would tell her what was happening and then go ahead and keep her out of it. They were talking about their car chase and how insane it was. Ana rolled her eyes, she understood that they were just doing what they thought was best but it was aggravating. She looked to the two before speaking.
"Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. Well, I need to get to the library and get set up. I don't want to be late." She sighed, walking away. Scott and Stiles obviously noticed her sarcasm and looked confused. Ana could her a little bit of their conversation as she walked away.
"Why is she so upset?" Scott asked Stiles who looked at him like he was stupid.
"Well maybe after she told you that she has been dealing with the thought of being murdered her whole and that she had gotten used to it... she may have been pissed when you kept her out of the loop trying to protect her." Scott still looked confused at Stiles' words. "Dude, she literally said that it was normal and you decided that she couldn't help herself and started making decisions for her like she was weak. Of course she'll be pissed." Scott realized what he had really done and mentally face palmed. Ana just walked to class, and set up her stuff. The librarian waved like usual and Ana waved back. The librarian and her had become good acquaintances, and now she wasn't stuck to any struck schedule and if she wanted to leave her stuff while she went to lunch, it didn't matter. She spent the first few classes just sitting there and getting stuff done when she heard Scott starting to panic. Ana stood up and walked out before running to Scott and Stiles.
"How the hell does he know?" Stiles asked as Ana arrived.
"Know what?" She asked.
"Jackson knows about Scott." Stiles replied making Ana's eyes become huge.
"I have no idea." Scott sighed, answering Stiles' earlier question.
"Did he say it out loud? The word." Stiles asked once again.
"What word?" Scott asked completely oblivious.
"Werewolf. Did he say I know you're a werewolf." Ana whispered.
"No. But he implied it pretty fucking clearly." Scott replied.
"Okay, maybe it's not as bad as it seems. He has no proof, right? And if he wanted to tell someone, whose going to believe him anyway?" Stiles asked before Ana laughed sarcastically.
"How about Allison's dad? Hm?" She whispered causing Stiles's eyes to go wide.
"Okay it's bad. Very bad." Stiles started panicking.
"I need a cure. Right now." Scott sighed.
"He doesn't know about Allison's father, does he?" She asked. Scott shook his head slightly no.
"No, I don't think so." Scott answered.
"Where's Derek?" Ana asked once more.
"Hiding, like we told him to. Why?" Scott started before Stiles interrupted.
"I have another idea. It might take a little time and finesse, though." Stiles sighed. Ana rolled her eyes, knowing Scott would try and keep her out of it. She decided she didn't even want to know and walked away frustrated. She sat back down at her seat, still visibly angry. The librarian noticed and walked over to the teenager.
"Ana, what's wrong?" She asked softly.
"It's nothing. My friends just think their protecting me and everything but it's only screwing them over." She shrugged.
"Well, at least they're trying to help and have the best intentions. They are only doing what they think is right and it only means they love you just as much. So try to patient and they'll realize the mistake they made." The older woman's voice was always so soothing. She placed a hand gently an Ana's shoulder for a moment before walking back to her desk.
"Thank you." Ana muttered. The woman always had the best advice and whenever Anastasia's own mother was away for work, she would truly be upset and start to feel alone. The family was very close and they were the only ones they knew that could be told everything. The woman had noticed and tried to offer some motherly advice every time Ana seemed to miss it. She then worked more on her school work, and decided she would "eat" lunch in there. Ana had gotten so focused on her work, she didn't even notice Mae approaching her and sitting down.
"Why are you still in here and not with Scott and Stiles?" Mae asked, startling Ana. Ana jumped before rolling her eyes.
"Scott wants to protect me so that means leaving me out of everything. I don't really care to hear what's going on if there is nothing I can do." Ana sighed. Mae nodded.
"Well, at least we can spend time together. Maybe it's time to take a break and relax." Mae suggested. Ana shook her head.
"I can't. After the Hale fire, my dad wanted us to understand that we were probably one of the only ones who could help defend the people of beacon hills. He knew everyone left alive would leave and we didn't blame them. This is my world and if I don't help and more people get hurt, then it's my fault. I would have known what to do and how to help but because I did nothing people could die." Ana ranted to Mae, not knowing that Scott was outside the library and heard all she had said. He felt bad and knew that she could defend herself and that this was her world first. He entered the room and approached the teenage vampire.
"First, Ana, I want to say sorry. I know that you can defend yourself and that I'm new to all this. Please, come back with Stiles and I. We need your help." Scott told her. Ana nodded.
"Took you long enough to pull your head out of your ass." She whispered before hurting him. She could feel the intense warmth coming off him and the two just stayed there. While they didn't speak, it was almost like they promised to protect each other.
"Now come on. Eat lunch with us." Scott smiled before waving for Mae to join them. The three walked into the cafeteria and sat down next to Stiles. The four were trying to think of how Jackson could have figured out Scott's secret. Ana noticed Scott's head turn slightly. She quickly listened to the room before hearing Jackson talking to him.
"Can you hear me?" She heard Jackson whisper. Ana closed her eyes trying to focus solely on his voice.
"You can can't you? Hold on... is... is Ana listening too?" Ana's eyes open too causing him to quietly laugh. "This just gets better."
"What's wrong?" Mae asked.
"Jackson's talking to us. He not only knows Scott can hear him but now he knows I can too." Ana whispered.
"Look at me." Scott told Stiles. "Talk to me, pretend nothings happening." Ana just closed her eyes again and held Mae's hand.
"Are you trying to pretend you can't hear me Scott?" Jackson said, Ana could hear the smirk through his voice. "Looking for me McCall? I'm right over here." Jackson was really finding teasing Scott entertaining.
"Is Ana like you too? What else can you both do? Can you see better? Are you stronger? More powerful? I knew there was no way you suddenly got that good at lacrosse McCall." Jackson continued whispering, causing Scott to get angry, almost shaking. "Which means you're actually a cheater aren't you?" That made Ana angry, she knew he was hungry for the same power Scott had and was only trying to make Scott upset.
"Can you even play lacrosse?" Jackson almost laughs before Scott whispered a yes.
"Don't let him get to you Scott. All he wants is to get under your skin." Ana whispered. Scott tried to listen to her advice, knowing it was true but the anger was so controlling.
"I'll bet my new co captain is going to score a bunch of shots tonight, aren't you? And while you're pretending you're not a lying cheat, I'm going to ruin your life if you don't give me what I want. You know what I'm going to start with? Her. I'm going to destroy any chance you had left with her. And when I'm done with that... I'm going to get her alone and I'm going to get my hands all over that right little body..." Ana could feel her own anger rising, but it was more disgust. Jackson had crossed plenty of lines but this, this was a new low. Ana knew her hunger was rising so she quickly took a drink from her water bottle. She was so caught up in trying to keep control that she didn't notice the little bit of blood left on her lips. Her ears only listening to Jackson's voice. She kept her eyes closed, knowing if she got too angry, those would be the first to change. She could feel someone staring at her who wasn't before.
"Hold on McCall, let me give you a breather while I figure something out with Anastasia." He laughed slightly. She felt Scott's eyes look over at her.
"It almost looks as if there's something dark red on your lip. What is that?" Ana felt Scott and Mae quickly motioning for her to while her face, Stiles handing her napkins. "Oh, is it what I think it is? This just gets better." Ana quickly wiped it all off before noticing he was talking to Scott again.
"McCall, I'm going to do everything you never got a chance to do, and she's going to beg for more." Jackson continued. She should feel Scott tensing up next to her. She tried to whisper to him to get him to calm down but nothing was working. "I bet she likes to get loud. Maybe she's even a screamer. How are you going to feel Scott... when she's screaming my name?" Jackson teased. Ana gagged at the thought while Scott accidentally caused his tray to jump up slightly and make a loud noise causing most to look their way. Ana opened her eyes knowing they hadn't changed and looked directly at Jackson with Scott. He gave them a evil smile as he continued to eat his apple. He then walked away knowing he had power over Scott. She looked over to her friends before sighing.
"What a fucking douche." Ana said just loud enough for them to hear. They all let out a slight laugh. Scott looked over at her giving a silent thank you. "You wanna know something I think? I think I thinks I'm just a deranged werewolf who eats people rather than a vampire." She whispered the last half. They all looked at her weird.
"Do you actually think he would be able to say he was wrong about what I am and then laugh about it? No he will convince himself he's even more correct because he's a narcissist." She laughed causing them to nodded and agree. "Now, I've got leverage." The bell then rang. Mae smiled and grabbed Ana's hand and walked her to the library.
"Why are you staying here? Don't you have class?" Ana asked.
"No, it's my free period. I figured I would rather stay here and watch you do your super fast classes rather than staying in the hallway or something." Mae smiled. The two sat in a comfortable silence as Ana would take tests or we would work on her plenty assignments. Mae laid her head on Ana's shoulder falling asleep. The two stayed like that until class was over. Mae awoke to the ringing of the bell.
"Sorry, I fell asleep." Mae gave a soft smile.
"It's okay. It was cute." The two then looked away still shy in public. Ana logged off her computer and started packing up her things when Stiles ran in.
"Ana, I might need your help." He said sitting down in front of the vampire. Mae and Ana looked at him confused.
"I think Danny could help us figure out who sent Allison that text but I might need some of your special help." He raised his eyebrows awaiting her response. Ana nodded.
"Yeah, are we going right now?" She asked. He nodded.
"Yeah he's going to be coming over for our 'lab project'. Then I'll have you there just in case I can't convince him." Stiles replied. Ana nodded and finished packing up her stuff. Mae walked with her and Stiles, stopping once they all got to the Jeep. Stiles walked over to the drivers side to give them a moment. Mae wrapped her arms around Ana's waist. The two hugged each other tightly before gently pulling away. Ana went to mutter goodbye but was stopped by Mae pulling her down and placing her lips on hers. The kiss was gentle and sweet. It lasted for maybe a moment before they pulled apart. Both were stunned at the action, especially considering they were in public.
"Goodbye Ana, text me okay?" Mae said, waving as she walked away. Ana nodded and slowly got in the Jeep. Stiles started up the Jeep but glanced over at Ana.
"What just happened?" He asked. Ana still had this look of disbelief on her face.
"Mae... she kissed me... like for real. She kissed me at school." Ana said before a huge smile spread on her face. She looked over to Stiles to see him cheering her on.
"Hell yeah! I'm so happy for you man! Now, let's go find out who the alpha is." Stiles then sped out of the parking lot and raced to his house. The two entered the home quickly and raced to Stiles's bedroom. Ana jumped onto Stiles bed and almost screamed upon seeing Derek behind Stiles's door. Derek placed his finger over his mouth and Ana nodded.
"Hey, Stiles!" The sheriff yelled causing Stiles to turn around.
"Yo-" Stiles started but froze upon seeing Derek. "Derek." He said without thinking. Both Ana and Derek started to panic slightly. Stiles then quickly went to the door as his dad went to open it. "I, um..."
"What'd you say?" The older man asked, purely confused.
"What? I said, yo, Dad?" Stiles tried to cover up. The sheriff nodded before continuing what he was going to say.
"Listen, I've got something I've got to take care of, but I'm gonna be there tonight. I mean, your first game." The sheriff said. Stiles nodded wanting to finish the conversation quickly.
"My first game, gosh, great. Awesome, uh good." He quickly said.
"I'm very happy for you." Noah said smiling proudly at Stiles. "And I'm really proud of you."
"Thanks. Me too, I'm happy and proud of myself." Stiles continued.
"So they're really gonna let you play, right?" The sheriff asked.
"Yeah, Dad. I'm first line." Stiles nodded.
"I'm very proud." Noah continued beaming.
"Me, too. Again, I'm... uh-" Stiles continued to try and cover up but got cut off when his dad went in for a hug. The two pulled away quickly and Stiles continued to try and rush the conversation horribly. "Huggie... huggie... huggie"
"See you there." Noah said before walking away.
"Take it easy!" Stiles called out. Stiles then entered the room again and as he closed the door, Derek slammed him up against it.
"If you say one word..." Derek started before Stiles cut him off.
"Oh, what, you mean like, hey dad, Derek Hale's in my room. Bring your gun?" Stiles said causing Derek to loosen his grip on Stiles's shirt a bit. "Yeah that's right. If I'm the one harboring your fugitive ass, it's my house, my rules buddy." Stiles said. The two stared at each other for a moment and Ana tried not to laugh. Stiles definitely had a little crush on Derek, even if it was just the thought that he was hot and nothing else... it was funny. Derek nodded, and let go of the teenager. Stiles then smirked and went to walk away but Derek sort of jerked towards him scaring the shit out of Stiles. He flinched back.
"Oh, my god." He said before walking back over to his desk.
"Scott didn't get the necklace?" Derek asked before Ana shook her head.
"No. He's still working on it." Ana told him before Stiles interjected.
"But there's something else we can try. The night we were trapped at the school, Scott sent a text to Allison telling her and Mae to meet us there." Stiles started. Derek looked confused.
"So?" He asked.
"So, it wasn't Scott ." Ana said.
"Well, can you find out who sent it?" Derek asked.
"No, not us... but I think I know somebody who can. I'm gonna try and convince him to help us and if all else fails, Ana can make him help us." Stiles shrugged.
"So you guys are letting her help again?" Derek asked as he sat down.
"Well, after Scott pulled his head out of his ass, and I blew him off, he realized his mistake and is starting to let me back in." Ana informed him. He nodded.
"Good, we're gonna need your help." He said before the door opened and Danny entered. Ana tried to pretend like she was helping Derek with homework and he nodded along, getting their cover. The two then started to eavesdrop on Danny and Stiles's conversation.
"You want me to do what?" Danny asked him.
"Trace a text." Stiles replied.
"I came here to do lab work. That's what lab partners do." Danny shot back.
"And we will, once you trace the text." Stiles responded.
"And what makes you think I know how to?" Danny asked him. Ana tried not to smirk, already knowing the answer.
"I... I looked up your arrest report... so..." Stiles answered.
"I- I was 13. They dropped the charges." Danny said trying to excuse the fact he had an arrest report.
"Whatever." Stiles said shrugging.
"No, we're doing lab work!" Danny exclaimed.
"Oh, my..." Stiles seemed visibly pissed. Danny sat down and Stiles got his computer set up to continue doing work and to try and convince him.
"Who is he again?" Danny asked looking at Derek.
"Um, my cousin... Miguel. Ana agreed to come over and help him with some of his classes." Ana heard Stiles reply and tried to hold in her laughter. Derek first glared at Stiles before looking at Ana and rolling his eyes.
"Is that... blood on his shirt?" Danny asked. Ana grimaced, having done so well trying to keep the smell out of her mind.
"Yeah, yes. Well, he gets these horrible nosebleeds." Stiles explained before turning his attention to Derek. "Hey, Miguel. I thought I told you you could borrow one of my shirts." Ana placed her hand over her mouth before closing her eyes. She was so ready to break and start laughing but she knew she had to keep it under control. Derek stubbornly handed Ana the book before walking over to Stiles's dresser. He took of his shirt and Ana rolled her eyes at Stiles but saw Danny out of the corner of her eye watching him.
"So anyway, I mean, we both know you have the skills to trace that text, so we should probably-" Stiles continued to try and convince him before Derek interrupted him.
"Stiles?"
"Yes?" Stiles asked turning around.
"This..." Derek started pulling on one of his shirts. "No fit."
"Then try something else on." Stiles continued, visibly annoyed. "Sorry." He muttered to Danny. Stiles then glanced back between Danny and Derek, realizing what Ana already had. "Hey, that one looks pretty good, huh? What do ya think Danny?" Stiles asked as Derek put on a different shirt. Danny looked at him, caught off guard.
"The shirt." Stiles said nonchalantly.
"It's..." Danny sighed before continuing, "it's not his color." Derek looked visibly pissed but took it off.
"You swing for a different team but you still play ball, don't you, Danny Boy?" Stiles remarked smirking.
"You're a horrible person." Danny sighed.
"I know. It keeps me awake at night. Anyway, about that text..." Stiles whispered before Derek cut him off again.
"Stiles!" He yelled. "None of these fit." He said holding up a shirt. Stiles paused, looking at Danny. Danny finally gave in and turned back to the computer.
"I'll need the ISP, the phone number, and the exact time of the text." Danny said heading straight into helping them. Ana sighed and handed Derek a T-shirt she thought would fit. To Derek's relief it did. He sat down with Ana for a moment, still frustrated.
"Can't believe he thought that was a better way to convince him rather than letting me compel him." Ana laughed and whispered to Derek who rolled his eyes. Ana then jumped slightly at the sound of her phone ringing. She looked up apologizing to the group before exiting Stiles's room and answering it.
"Anastasia Brielle Byron, I'm beyond furious. You and I talked about laying low and trying to keep the Argents off your back." Her mother yelled through the phone.
"What? Mom, I can explain-" Ana started before getting cut off.
"I just lost your father and here you are risking your life, ignoring your own safety. Ana, I can't loose you both." She continued to yell at the girl. Ana knew her mother would find out but hoped it would be later.
"Mom, let me just explain! I can't leave my friends and know I could have helped them. They could be killed and if I don't help then it will hang over my head forever. I know we lost dad and he was the love of your life, but he was my father. I'm dealing with it by helping my friends the way he would have wanted." Ana yelled, not noticing Stiles who had walked out of the door to try and let her know the information they found out.
"Are you serious Ana? Don't pull that card with me. And don't think I haven't noticed the hidden fridge in your room. I looked..." her mom started causing Ana to gasp. Her parents were great and had always given her her privacy and respected her boundaries. "I know I shouldn't have and I crossed a line but Ana, there are blood bags! Human blood! You can't be doing this, you're putting others at risk! What if Stiles gets a cut or someone in class and you haven't had any that day? Hun? The reason your dad never wanted you to have any was so you wouldn't have to worry about getting clean or if you had enough." Her mom yelled.
"Do not even dare to guilt me. Do you wanna know why I had that hidden? You wouldn't trust me or think I knew what I was doing. I went crazy and was so hungry. I could have gone around and murdered anyone but even when I had lost control, I still had enough restraint to end up in the hospital. Did you know that? Stiles even came and picked me up immediately after and I wasn't even tempted to bite him. I have so much more control than you think I do. Just trust me that I can take care of myself and let me just protect my friends. I... can't do this right now." Ana said, hanging up. Tears fell quickly down her face as she stayed silent. She wiped her tears and tried to fix her composure before going to enter the room, her eyes meeting Stiles's. They stared at each other for a moment before Ana fell into his arms and cried.
"What happened?" He whispered. He held her close, able to feel her shaking slightly.
"My mom found out about me helping you and Scott and she's angry and doesn't want me to. According to her, losing my dad was enough and she would rather me stay at home and do nothing. I just..." Ana started before collecting herself and trying to just focus on the task at hand. "Whatever, I can deal with this later... what's the news?" She quickly pulled away and wiped her eyes. Stiles hesitated, giving her a look that said it's okay if you need a moment before finally giving in and telling her.
"Well Danny traced it and it lead us to Melissa's computer at the hospital..." he said causing Anastasia's jaw to drop.
"We need to go find out what the hell is going on." Ana whispered knowing Danny was in the room still. Stiles nodded.
"It's going to have to wait a little cause I have to finish this with Danny and then we can do and figure this shit out. Just keep pretending you're tutoring him okay." Stiles told her before the two entered the room again. Ana quickly went over to her seat next to Derek and pretended she was showing him something in the book.
"I heard everything out there..." he whispered just loud enough for Ana to hear. He hesitated before continuing. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry." Ana looked at him in shock.
"Why are you so shocked?" He looked confused.
"Well... I just, you have had a whole I have vampires thing going on the entire time I've known you and that was really nice and sounds like you care?" Ana started, continuing to whisper quietly.
"Well, you aren't the murdering evil vampire I thought you were, so yeah... I've grown to respect you. Especially considering you continually are risking your life to help us out. Most vampires probably wouldn't even think twice. I also know how it is to loose family to an Argent." He replied. Ana nodded before the two continued back to pretending to study. It was about another 20 minutes until Danny finally left.
"Okay, are you guys ready to go to the hospital?" Stiles asked. Both of them nodded before quickly sneaking Derek into the Jeep. Ana got in and the drove to the hospital and quickly parked. Ana zoned out and hadn't even realized she did so until she heard Stiles's head slam against his steering wheel.
""Ah, what the hell was that for?" Stiles groaned holding his forehead.
"You know exactly what that was for." Derek remarked. Ana stifled a laugh before whispering the word karma. Stiles rolled his eyes before getting out. He waved for Ana to hurry up and she quickly got out.
"I know you weren't paying attention. He said as he started to call Derek. Ana looked at him confused. "I know you don't know the plan. Just follow my lead okay?" He said before walking in. The two looked around upon noticing it was empty.
"Yeah, she not here." Stiles told Derek. Ana continued to glance around before smelling a stronger wolf scent. She shrugged it off thinking it was probably Peter in his room.
"Yeah well, he's not here." She heard Stiles say causing her to look where he was and see the room that once held Peter Hale. Ana paused thinking it could have been him getting treatment or something before she gasped coming to realize the truth.
"Stiles-" both Ana and Derek yelled at the same time. Ana quickly tried to pull Stiles out but was stopped by a nurse and Peter.
"You must be Stiles..." he said before his voice became menacing, "and you must be Anastasia." Ana then felt a needle insert into her neck and could feel the vervain spreading through her body. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as her body collapsed.
Ana awoke as she felt herself being placed on a bed. She sat up with a gas and a hand against her chest. She looked around to see Scott and Stiles sitting with her on Scott's bed. As she looked around, her head started to pound. Ana groaned and tried to rub her temple.
"What the hell happened?" She asked, her voice hoarse.
"Peters nurse Jennifer injected you with vervain. Peter said he needed you out and he got into Dereks head. Dereks on his side." Ana rolled her eyes. She then noticed a strong scent in the air and started sniffing. The boys looked at her like she was crazy. Ana then grabbed Scott's head and pulled it down slightly before letting out another gasp.
"I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch." She muttered, clenching her jaw.
"Why? What does it mean?" Stiles asked. Ana glanced before before she finally decided to tell them.
"Alphas or very skilled wolves can put their claws into a persons neck and it will open their mind. You can plant memories or just witness them or even take them away. It is incredibly risky and many alphas won't do it at all cause it could easily kill you. Did you see anything?" She then asked and Scott nodded, still in shock.
"I-Peter was stuck in the house and it burned. I was on fire and then I was stuck in the hospital trying to scream or move and couldn't. I saw him kill Laura... I don't know... it looked like I was doing it all but I don't know." Scott muttered. Ana nodded.
"He's trying to make you understand why he did what he did and justify what he believes has to be done. I think he got under Derek's skin but using their shared memories but because you guys are complete strangers... he took it to the extreme." Ana said but the boys could see how exhausted she was. They quickly rushed over and grabbed one of the blood bags that Stiles had stolen from the hospital. Scott handed it to her and saw that darkness in her eye as she recognized it. She pulled off the cap and started chugging it, making sure not to make a mess. Stiles hesitated to walk over as Scott sat on the bed again.
"It's okay Stiles, It was more than enough. I wouldn't hurt you." She patted the spot next to her. He sat down and placed an arm around her shoulder, rubbing it lightly. "Hey, um Scott?" She asked causing him to look up at her eyes.
"Would it be okay if we had a sleepover, you know? Like the ones we used to have in elementary school. Maybe we could pretend there wasn't a psychotic alpha out there waiting for us?" She smiled softly at the two who just nodded. They decided to go down and watch a movie.
"You know what we should watch?" Stiles started, he glanced at Ana before him and Scott shared a mischievous look. "Twilight." Both boys said at the same time. Ana groaned, she should have known it was coming.
"First, fuck you both, okay? Second, why the hell would we genuinely watch those?" She complained. The two both shared the same idea.
"Come on Ana, we haven't watched the others and you can commentate on all that they got wrong. Please?" The two then begged the girl until she finally gave in. They decided on watching the second one and while Ana would occasionally make a snide remark, one question Stiles had caused her to think things over.
"Okay so do the vampires have like a volturi or something?" Stiles asked her as Bella and Edward walked to meet with the council. Ana paused before answering.
"I guess there is a royal family, according to what my dad taught me. They aren't usually corrupt at least the king and queen aren't. They are supposedly destined to be the next ruler and get some sort of abilities or something. They usually either are true evil vampires or sometimes they're good people. I'm not too sure about anything. My dad always felt uncomfortable talking about it and my mother has always been absolutely terrified of the even thought of them." Ana felt a deep pit in her stomach as the two nodded, absorbing the information and not noticing the slight hint of fear and curiosity on Ana's face. The three then finished the movie and went to put on something random on tv before they all ended up falling asleep on the couch. Even while sleeping Ana couldn't help the nerves that tangled up inside her stomach.