Stolen Youth

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Anna Pov*

“All of us?” I c**k an eyebrow as I ask my question.

“Yes all of you. Hmmm this place is gunna be quiet tomorrow night.” We both let out a small chuckle.

“Quick give me that back. We’ll surprise the girls at dinner. Which is almost ready.”

I slip the bracelet off my wrist and hand it back to her and she quickly stuffs it back in the box and closes the lid.

“Mary is gunna be so excited. She was talking about it earlier.” I look at Joy with a smile.

“All of them are.” She smiles and then we both jump, startled as her timer on the oven goes off. A small giggle escapes her as she sighs. “Can you grab the potatoes and bring them to the dining room?”

I nod and pick up the bowl of mashed potatoes she’s placed on the kitchen island. I head down the hall avoiding running children. Ms.Frey is setting out the last of the cutlery with a few of the girls. I place the bowl in the middle of the table as Mrs. Leavitt rounds the corner into the dining room holding a meatloaf with another girl in tow holding a bowl of carrots.

“GIRLS DINNER.” She yells before a stampede of 15 girls come running into the dining room from every direction. Some from outside. Some from upstairs. Everyone grabs a chair around the table and sits. Mary plops herself down beside me.

After everyone’s seated properly and quiet Joy motions for us to start dishing our food.

The meal is delicious as always and when every girl is finished Mrs. Leavitt stands up.

“Okay after we clear the table I have a surprise for you all.”

“What is it?” One of the girls questions.

“Help clean up and you’ll see” she gives a smirk.

The girl nods her head as the rest of us jump up quickly and start bringing our plates and such to the kitchen. A couple girls wipe down the table and then everyone sits back down.

Joy drops the box on the table and everyone looks at her startled.

“So I got this package today . . . From the palace”

Murmurs and whispers come from around the table.

“Girls. . . You’ve all been invited to the twins' birthday party”

Gasps and cheers come from the girls mouths. Smiles beaming from everyone.

Joy takes the lid off the box and pushes it to the middle of the table.

“Each of you grab a bracelet. It’s your ticket into the party.”

Each girl quickly jumps and grabs a bracelet. Passing them out to other girls around them.

Joy reads out the letter that came with the box. I missed half of it but it basically it explained where and when the royal staff would come get us and take us to the palace. One girl orphanage and one boy orphanage had been chosen to attend, which made sense as it was to be a masquerade ball. Then we would get to spend the night in the palace with a breakfast in the morning. I imagined an extravagant party with music and dancing but my mind kept drifting to his face. Which brings her back to running into the Prince earlier that day. His eyes were so green they were almost unnatural. His hair was a dirty blonde that had no curl to it at all, unlike my hair which was dark brown and wavy. He was handsome. Everyone knew he was handsome, the entire royal family was. They all had the same green eyes and blonde hair with pale skin that mimicked porcelain. That was part of their charm. I think if they were a bit more average looking we wouldn't give them as much stock, like calling them the royal family and still giving them power over what happens in town.

Mary walks up to me and hands me a bracelet. “It matches mine” she smiles as I take it and slide it on my wrist. “You’re good feeling was right.”

“I guess it was.” I remember our conversation from earlier.

“What do you think the party is gonna be like?” Mary's voice breaks my daydream. Everyone is starting to disperse from the table. Girls fiddle with their bracelets and chat as they leave.

“I don't know. I'm sure it'll be glamorous.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her in for a side hug.

“Annabeth” I hear Ms. Frey call me from behind me. She is the only person to use my full name. I turn around at the sound of my name. “Would you mind helping me get the kiddos ready for bed?” She asks.

“Of course.” I turn back and motion for Mary to start heading upstairs. Mary lets out a grunt of disappointment.

“I won't be able to sleep tonight. I'm too excited.” Her eyes staring up at me with a pout on her lips.

“ Well you'll just have to try because the sooner you go to sleep, l my the sooner you get to go to the party” At that Mary kinda perks up and begins running upstairs.

I walk around from room to room helping girls get dressed into their pajamas and nightgowns. I help a couple of the younger girls brush their teeth and comb their hair. I walk into the last bedroom, which is Mary and I's room (along with two other girls), Mary is standing in front of the chest at the end of her bed putting her hairbrush back into it. She turns and sees me and quickly shuts it and jumps into bed. The other two girls are already tucked into their beds either fast asleep or really good actors. I walk up and throw the covers over Mary and lean over to blow out the candle she has at her bedside.

“Anna, do you think they'll have cake tomorrow?”

I laugh at Mary's question, at the innocence of her question. “Yes Mary, I think they'll have cake.” I blow out her candle, lean down and kiss her forehead, then leave the room shutting the door behind me. I walk down the hallway making sure each door is shut and candles blown out, then head down the stairs. I check the kitchen and Joy isn't there. It looks as if she's already finished cleaning the kitchen, which I usually help her with. The hallway had gotten significantly darker since she had gone upstairs to help with the kids. The door across from the kitchen was slightly open and she could see the flicker of a fire coming from it. Joy's bedroom/office.

As i open the door I see Joy sitting in a highback arm chair in front of the fireplace. An empty matching chair sat beside her with a small round end table in between. An unlit candlestick sits on it with a book beside it. Joy has her elbow resting on the arm of the chair with her chin in her palm. She seems deep in thought. I lightly knock of the door as I open it startling her out of whatever thought she was in.

“Do you need any help before I head to bed?” She looks up at me and smiles as i ask the question.

“No dear. But come sit with me a bit, I could use the company.” I walk over and take seat in the armchair with my feet tucked under my bum. The fire is warm and crackles in the silence that has taken over the building.

“Are you excited for tomorrow?” Joy looks at me with a half smile on her face.

“I'm not sure. I kinda feel indifferent to the whole thing. I understand that I should be excited but I guess I was just hoping to spend my birthday with you.” Joy puts her hand on my knee and gives me a look that shows me that that means alot to her.

“I wish I could celebrate it with you too. I'm sure you girls will have so much fun though that you completely forget I'm not there.”

“Are you excited to have this place to yourself? It's gonna be so quiet.” I smile as she lets out a chuckle under her breath.

“I think I'll spend most of the time just worrying about you girls. Maybe it's my imagination or maybe just anxiety about my girls being away from me for the first time in forever but I just don't feel great about this party.” She looks away from me and to the fireplace. Her face has an expression somewhere between concern and sadness. “Can you do me and favour and keep an eye on the girls as best you can?”

“Of course. I'll do my best.”

“Thank you....Oh before I forget I got you something.” Joy gets up from her seat, walks over to her dresser, and opens the top drawer. I can't see what she's getting but when she turns around i see a brown paper wrapped package. She walks back over and hands it to me. “Happy Birthday Anna.”

“It's my birthday tomorrow not today.”

“I know but tomorrow is gonna be so crazy I didn't want to forget giving it to you.”

“Thank you. What is it?” I examined the package in my hand looking for the opening to rip it open.

“Open it and find out”

I find the seam held down by tape and slowly undo it before giving up and just ripping the paper off. After the paper is off I examined the book it revealed. Incantations and Other Magical Spells. I start to flip through the pages.

“I know you're into that sort of thing. Of course it's all hogwash.”

I glance through the pages. Potion of truth. Spell of disguise. This was exactly I book I would enjoy. She knew me so well. I love anything paranormal. Not that I believe in any of it. I just find it fascinating.

“Thank you so much. I love it.” I get up and wrap my arms around Joys neck giving her a hug as best i can seeing as she is still sitting.

“No problem dear. I love you.” She whispers in my ear.

“I love you too.”