Her breakthrough

Developing feelings

"I've taken a few sips now pumpkin. And I can't help but notice you've been all smiles and blush since you came back. I guess something wonderful happened today."

Anastasia blushed again, nodding. "Today was actually really beautiful, and shocking. So.. I met a boy.."

Frederick immediately opened his mouth surprised and glad, tears immediately coming to his eyes that his daughter was finally going to have a chance for love.

He blinked many times to keep the tears away from falling.

"..He's my seat mate. His name is Raven. He's a new student and I didn't even realize he had resumed or even sat beside me." Anastasia bowed her head feeling dejected before saying, "I guess I was too busy avoiding people to notice him."

Almost immediately she raised her head shaking the feelings of sadness before resuming. "He invited me to have lunch with him today."

"Wow, that's so sweet. Please tell me you went and didn't chicken out." Frederick whined.

Anastasia laughed out loud at what her father said. "You know I actually wanted to do that. In my defense, I don't think he knows people don't talk to me or I'm the one who's always picked on."

"Come on darling, you shouldn't define yourself that way. You are a beautiful woman and any man would be lucky to have you as his girlfriend."

"But what if people start picking on him because he's talking with me?" Anastasia asked concerned .

"I'm actually quite concerned about that dad. He's a handsome guy and he gives the bad boy vibe and many girls would love him. Relating with him would only bring more attention to me and I really don't need that." Anastasia added.

"You know, what if he's the breakthrough you need? What if he's the one who would finally make you belong and help you have more friends? Better still, what if he becomes your boyfriend?."

"Okay , let's cool down a bit," Anastasia immediately said, letting out a nervous chuckle.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We just started talking today, I mean come three to four days , he'll realize what a big mistake he made and stop talking to me."

"Or he would keep talking to you, you both fall in love and possibly get married."

"You watch a lot of romance movies, dad." Anastasia told Frederick, chuckling. "Well he did say , he was going to meet me in school tomorrow," she added blushing.

"Now that's what we're talking about," Frederick cheered. "Now love, let me tell you something."

Frederick placed his now empty mug on the table.

"I know your mind would keep telling you to move away from him to protect him. You would probably also want to run away into your corner. But please promise me for the next one week , you'll expose him to danger. The danger of relating with you. The implications of what might or might not happen. Let him experience it and let the choice be his to make."

Anastasia looked at her fingers, picking at the corners of her nails.

She took a deep breath , mentally preparing herself. "Okay dad. I'll do it. But if after this first week, I see any signs of rejection, I'm leaving first."

"But.."

"No dad, please. Let me be able to save my dignity and leave first. I think I like him, And I wouldn't be able to cope with myself if he rejects me first."

Frederick sighed, finally giving in. "Fine , but I hope you'll decide properly and not based on one or two things."

"Yes daddy, thank you." Anastasia hugged him tightly before sitting upright again. "But you should go to bed now, so you have enough energy for tomorrow . Remember you're having a cold."

Anastasia felt his forehead before nodding, "Your temperature seems to be coming back to normal. That's really good. Come on, I'll help you to your room."

She stood up, helping her father to stand. "Come on, I'm not that old yet. Besides, you haven't eaten tonight."

"I am not really hungry dad. I had a snack at work today. Also you're not allowed into this kitchen tomorrow morning unless it's to eat, agreed?"

"Then how would you get breakfast tomorrow?" Frederick asked her concerned.

Anastasia raised her eyebrows with a sly smile before saying, "I can cook, remember?"

"Well that's true. I just enjoy making your food."

"And I really appreciate that daddy." Anastasia blushed, adding, "I also don't want to eat tomorrow so I'll eat lunch with Raven."

"Ohhh, now I'm getting the memo," Frederick teased, "Don't worry, I'm definitely not cooking tomorrow. Isabel will make my food tomorrow. So I won't stress myself at all."

"That's great dad. Now it's time for bed."

"Aww , I feel like a child. I'm just in my early forties you know. I still have a long way to go for you to pamper me." Frederick jokes.

Anastasia rolled her eyes, holding her dad's hand as they walked to his room, "Ha ha , very funny."

They got to Frederick's and Isabel's room and Anastasia hugged him good night. She waited till he entered the room, catching a glimpse of her mother.

She saw she was still awake and wondered if to bid her goodnight but she knew her mother would ignore her.

"Good night mum." Anastasia said so quietly that even someone next to her wouldn't hear.

She walked to her room hoping her father would be better the next day. She showered and slept immediately mainly because she was excited for the next day.

She prepared early as usual, wanting to make breakfast, even though he had said her mom would. She hoped they would all eat together as a family.

As she got to the kitchen she wondered if it was a good idea.

Her sister rarely ate anything at home apart from salad. She didn't even know what her mother liked eating. She only knew her dad loved pancakes like she did.

She sighed as she settled on making pancakes for only her dad. As she started she decided to prep the ingredients her mom uses to make her sister salads.

She only hoped she wouldn't throw it away because she had touched it.

She was done with the ingredients prep and was on the third slice of pancake when her mother came into the kitchen.

Isabel stopped looking at Anastasia.

"Uhm morning mum. I prepared the ingredients for Rochelle's salad, you know, just to assist."

Anastasia looked at her mother, not sure what to do or say next. "I'll get back to the pancake I'm making for dad. He's not feeling too well."

As Anastasia made her pancakes, she prayed her mother wouldn't leave the kitchen but rather join her.

After almost a minute, Isabel started to make Rochelle's salad using the ingredients Anastasia prepared.

Anastasia let out a low breath of relief. She had just finished with her dad's food as he entered the kitchen.

Frederick was surprised to see his wife and first daughter in the kitchen, not tearing at each other.

"I think I should get Ill more often." He said but got a glare from his wife and daughter immediately.

He raised his hands into the air laughing, "I'm just kidding."

Anastasia placed his food on the table. "Your breakfast dad." She kissed his cheek and carried her bag.

"Have a lovely day everyone."

"And you to pumpkin." Her dad said. She slowly walked away hoping her mother would say anything last minute.

As she closed the door, she let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She was sad but happy. Her mother might have not bid her goodbye but she cooked with her.

She happily walked to the bus stop wondering if life was finally taking a positive turn for her.

She got to school just in time. She stepped into the class and her eyes caught Raven first. She wore a bright smile as she walked happily to her seat which she noticed was clean.

"Good morning princess." Raven greeted her with a bright smile.

Anastasia who was about to place her bag on the floor beside her chair froze mid way. She couldn't believe someone was calling her a princess. What if things were going to go like her dad said?.

She caught herself, smiled shyly and sat down.

"Good morning Raven. Hope you had a lovely night?"

"Yes princess, I did. To be honest, I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Anastasia chuckled saying ,"Are you this quick to make a move on every girl you meet?".

"Oh no. I'm surprised myself. I've never called a lady princess the second day I met her but you're just so unique." Raven admitted.

"Oh so you do call many ladies princess," Anastasia teased with a smile.

Raven placed two of his right fingers on his chin saying, "If we're to count my sister and my mom, then yes."

Anastasia laughed, nodding, "It would be difficult to win a battle against you."

"If I'm competing with a beautiful lady like you, then no, it would be very easy."

Anastasia blushed and faced the window. She had gotten extremely shy.

Raven couldn't help staring at Anastasia. He wondered if she grew more beautiful by day. He suddenly remembered he hadn't asked her about her night. He wondered if she had thought about him at all.

"Oh I forgot to ask, how was your night?"

Anastasia faced Raven wondering if to take the leap her father would have wanted her to.

After debating if to reply with a simple fine or be honest about thinking about him , she said , "It was fine. I thought about you for a long time before I slept."

Raven's cheeks immediately turn red . He couldn't hide his pleasure . He chuckled nervously, smiling.

"That's really great. Guess I wasn't the only one who couldn't keep you off my mind." He told her.

At that moment, Anastasia decided to ask something that had been on her mind.

"You know , I wonder why you talk to me. Haven't you noticed you're the only one who does?"

"Yeah. I kind of noticed. I wonder why though. You're so beautiful, you have a beautiful voice." Raven said as his eyes traveled around Anastasia's body.

Anastasia took a deep breath before saying, "Well for some reason, no one wants to relate with me because I'm being bullied, lest they get sucked into the bullying system."

"That's crazy. Because why would someone want to bully such a goddess like you?"

Anastasia, taken aback, not used to anyone except for her dad complimenting her, began to fall in love despite the battle in her mind.