The Lost Princess

Chapter4: Anna

As soon as we entered the house my parents walked over and greeted Leora and I.

Leora, darling we havent seen you in ages! You look as beautiful as ever! Anna you are so lucky to have such a beautiful best friend! My mother cooed. Her and my dad were always at work whenever Leora was over, so they didnt see her often. I say parents loosely because Im adopted like Leora but unlike her my adopted parents couldnt bother to put in the time to spend time with me. Sometimes I wonder why they even adopted me in the first place.

Anna, honey we got your report card today and I must say I was quite disappointed to see you had a B- in Social Studies. My dad said looking at me sternly. Not only was my dad a history professor at the local university but her expected me to always have straight As.

Im sorry dad we had a really hard final this semester the only reason it wasnt lower was because Leora and her boyfriend helped me cram as much as they did. I said with my head down. Leora always had straight As and was the picture-perfect child its like she could do no wrong in anyones eyes including mine. Sometimes that annoyed the s**t out of me but its also the reason I loved her so much!

Thank you for helping her Leora! Youre such a good friend for helping her and sticking by her for as long as you have! My mom was gushing over her. I once heard my mom tell my dad that they wished they had the opportunity to adopt her over me, ever since then I stopped trying to get close to them.

We are going to head upstairs to get my overnight bag and then we are heading over to Leoras for the night. I said while pulling Leora behind me.

Okay have fun! My dad said while looking at his laptop and my mom was back into her phone. I shook my head and continued up the stairs and went to my room.

I dont see why you are always so distant towards them. Leora says while plopping onto my bed.

Well for starters if it wasnt for you they would probably not even speak to me unless it was about school. I think allowed in my head.

I dont want to get into it. I say while packing my bag.

Okay but I think your parents are like any other set of parents maybe a little strict but not too bad.

Good enough to stay here and not leave to meet your biological family? I ask.

I was thinking on that maybe it doesnt have to be a permanent thing I dont want to leave behind the people who have raised me my whole life. Perhaps my bio mom and dad will make an exception. Leora had a point her parents were great. Hell, they were like a set of real parents to me I didnt even want to leave them behind, but I also wanted to leave this place and never look back!

Whats on your mind. Leora asks while standing beside me looking at me sternly.

What do you mean? I ask while putting my pajamas into my bag.

You have that look on your face like you have already made up your mind about something you just dont want to say anything because youre waiting to hear everyone elses opinions first! Leora pointed out. I took a deep breath and stood up. I walked over to my bed and sat down grabbing the stuffed bear Leora bought me for my thirteenth birthday.

I want to go. I want to go and never look back! I hate it here the only good thing about this damn place is you. Screw traveling the world when we can go to a whole different realm where we can start a new life! Im sure The King and Queen will let you visit your parents. I start breathing hard trying to catch my breath after my rant and Leora is just looking at me in bewilderment.

You really dont like it here? Leora asked looking serious.

No, I dont! I held my ground and kept my eyes trained on her.

Then we will go. I will tell my parents Im going on a trip with you and the boys and we will give it a trial run but, if you really like it there and I dont then we will need to figure something out. I let Leoras words sink in and a huge smile spread across my face.

Thank you, Leora thank you thank you thank you! I started hugging her tightly and trying not to cry. I was finally going to get away from this awful place and with my best friend no less! I finished grabbing the rest of my stuff and we headed out the door. We headed straight over to Leoras house and her parents greeted us at the front door.

Leora! Anna! Its so nice to see you again! How was the date? Were they gentlemen? Was it romantic? Did you eat enough? I can make you a snack! Leoras mom Ruby was bombarding us with questions as her dad Tom just shook his head smiling as he watched her, and Leora and I busted out laughing. Tom brought me into his arms for a big hug and I nestled into his fatherly arms. If only they could come with us that would make it perfect.

How are my two favorite girls? Tom asked.

We are good daddy. And the date went perfectly! I think Anna may even have a future boyfriend. Her and Nick got along beautifully! Leora told him.

LEORA! I try not to scream. Yes, I like Nick, but we havent even defined our relationship yet. I know where he stands but I dont know where I stand yet. Its a lot to take in all at once. Tom laughs at us and Ruby just smiles.

Take your time Anna you have all the time in the world still for boys. Your still young have fun and enjoy life! Ruby brings me in for a motherly hug and I relish in it. Its the only time I get hugs like this.

Oh mom is it okay if I go on a spring break vacation with James tomorrow? Anna is coming with, and Nick will be there too. Leora asks. Ruby looks to Tom and he smiles and shrugs his shoulders.

Okay but you two stick together and be safe. Ruby says sternly.

We will! Leora and I say at the same time. Leora hugs her parents, and we head off to her room upstairs. Once the door is closed, I plop into Leoras beanbag chair and she sits on her bed.

Are you going to message James? I ask her and she nods her head while grabbing her phone. I grab mine as well and message Nick.

Hey! Its Anna are you still awake?

Hey beautiful! Yeah, but barely I just laid in bed. Whats up?

Weve decided to go.

What?

Weve decided to go to the Star Kingdome with you. Leora and I both.

Thats amazing! James Just came in and shouted the same thing and Is trying to pack his cloths up.

Leora is packing as well Im already packed.

I didnt bring much with me. Im extremely glad you decided to come with us!

It wasnt a hard choice for me. Do you think the King and Queen will let Leora visit her parent here or let them come live in the Star Kingdom?

Im not sure but it doesnt hurt to ask but, it must come from Leora!

Im going to help Leora pack Ill see you tomorrow. Good night!

Good night, Anna!

Need any help? I ask Leora as I put my phone down smiling.

Tons I need to bring only 3 outfits and Im not sure which ones would be best! I laugh and help her out once we are finished and she also has all her necessities we head to bed. The next morning Leora and I brush our teeth and get dressed in our best traveling cloths. James said to be prepared for a lot of walking so we put on out sneakers and went down for breakfast with our bags in tow.

Good morning girls! Already ready for your trip? Ruby asks.

As ready as we can be. Leora Had difficulties deciding on which outfits to bring. Everyone started laughing as Leora and I sat down to eat.

It was a hard choice! You know how many clothes I have! Leora tried to defend herself but that just caused another round of laughter.

Hey mom, dad, would you ever think of moving somewhere else to be closer to me if I ended up moving far away? Leora asks and I look at her with wide eyes.

In a heartbeat sweetheart. Tom says without looking up from his plate.

Without a doubt in my mind! Youre our baby girl! Nothing will take that away. Ruby said while putting her hand over Leoras. Leora smiled and went back to eating. Knowing that they would pick up and move without a second thought made me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I love Ruby and Tom like they were my own parents and sad because I know my adopted parents wouldnt do the same for me. They would move for Leora and Leora alone!

After breakfast we double checked our bags to make sure we had everything. Leora ended up running upstairs because she forgot something and stuffed it in her bag before anyone could see and then the boys showed up.

Hello again Mr. and Mrs. Miller! How are you today? James asks politely.

We are well! Ruby replies.

Now you better take care of our girls. Dont let anything happen to them got it! Tom tells them in a stern voice before giving both Leora and I hugs good bye. Then we give Ruby a hug goodbye and we head out the door. James and Nick put our back in the trunk of the car and we get in.

So how exactly do we get there? I ask both boys.

Well first we must get away from prying eyes, so we are going to do a little hiking thats why we told you to pack light. James says while looking at me in the rearview mirror.

Then we have to create a portal from this realm to the Celestial Realm. Nick explains.

How do we do that? Leora asks.

Youll see my princess! James says while kissing the top of Leoras hand. I was curious but, I didnt ask anything more regarding the topic. I put more focus on Nick and I and the relationship we are building.

So, what do you and James do? I know you were sent to find Leora. Are you guards or something? I ask Nick.

Junior knights actually! My dad is head knight. James Well, I let him tell you, his story. Im just trying to follow in my fathers footsteps. Besides losing a princess. My dad was one of the knights on guard the night Leora was taken. Nick starts to explain how his dad has been racked with guilt since that night because they never caught who kidnapped Leora and why it is so important to him to bring Leora home so his dad can finally have some peace.

Well Mr. junior knight are we going to have time to get to know each other while you are training to be an actual knight? Im trying not to visibly shake while I wait for him to answer.

Of course! We will still have evenings and lunch time to spend together if your not to busy with the princesses or falling in love with the prince. Nick jokes.

As if some prince could compare to you! No offence Leora I know he is your brother. Im sure hes great! Leora smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

I just home him and my sister welcome me with open arms. You have always been like a sister to me so I never craved for a sister but, Ive always wanted a brother and now I find out I have both! Im sure they will welcome you too! Leora starts rambling and I smile knowing she does this when shes nervous.

Hey! Calm down its going to be fine! They are going to love you and I know that because I love you! I reassure her and put my hand on her shoulder. We smile and nod at each other before I sit back into my seat.

Next thing I know we are pulling up to a parking lot outside of a rental car building. James gets out and goes inside while Nick goes to the trunk and starts to grab our bags. Leora and I get out and go to Nick.

Are we walking from here? Leora asks him. He just nods his head and puts a finger to his lips so, Leora and I keep quiet. James come out of the building grabs his bag from Nick as Leora and I grab our bags from the trunk and swing them onto our backs. As soon as everyone is ready we head towards the forest. Looking at Leora I see she recognizes it, but I dont know why.

Is it safe to talk? I ask no one in particular. James looks back to me and smiles while nodding yes.

I was enjoying the quiet you know. Leora jokes.

You might have but I missed her beautiful voice! I could listen to it all day long. Nick practically cooed. I dont know if he was sucking up or if he was serious.

Calm down lover boy! You still dont know how she feels. James warned. I smiled at him and sent a silent thank you his way. Not much longer we came to a clearing and Leora stopped.

Everything okay? I asked.

This is it! Was all she said and we all turned to look at her.