Painful Redemption | T. R.

Chapter Nine

A/N

Hello guys,
before we start, I would like to kindly ask you to leave any kind of feedback, whether positive or negative. It's important for me to understand if you're enjoying the story or not, if I should continue or leave it alone. It's a slowburn, so I understand that the fact that there aren't too many glaring things happening can get tiring, but please let me know.

All the love,
G.

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"Good morning princess."

As Anastasia opened one eye and then another, she realised that, for the second night in a row, she had fallen asleep on a filthy, uncomfortable plastic chair in the Hospital Wing just to check on Isidore.

Xavier was standing on the opposite side of the bed, his back to the large window through which strong rays of warm sunlight streamed, illuminating all the beds. He had an amused smirk on his face as he watched the girl stretch and yawn. "Where's Druella?" was the first thing she asked.

"I sent her off to take a shower. It's early, but I knew I'd find you two still here. It's about six o'clock, you're in time to get ready and go down to breakfast."

Anastasia grunted at even the thought of having to pick up books and take classes for interminable hours. After the events of the last few days, her mind was too tired to focus and study as it should. Certainly not a good time for her GPA. "The others, what happened to them?"

Xavier seemed unable to hold back his laughter. "I've got a juicy scoop for you," he admitted, making his way around the bed so he could approach the girl, and sit down next to her with the expression of someone who knew more than the devil. "You know, when we got here yesterday, everyone was a bit shaken up. Orion and Walburga were consoling each other, Druella and you disappeared, Abraxas was freaking out, Marcus was leaving Isidore for dead, and... Who's missing?"

Anastasia's eyebrow arched, the confusion clearly visible on her face. She raised a hand, counting on her fingers everyone in the group. When only two fingers remained raised, her eyes widened. "Penelope and Tiernan."

"Bingo!" he exclaimed, but then had to shut up because the girl tapped him on the arm, reminding him that Isidore was still asleep. "Sorry! I was saying... Tiernan felt bad about drinking too much and not being around you. Penelope has nerves, we know that by now. And they found each other."

Anastasia giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand. The thought that a catastrophe had served to bring the two of them closer made her calmer and happier. "And what happened next?"

The boy rubbed his hands together, as if he was practically the architect of whatever had happened. "Well," he began, proudly. "I left the two cuties alone. Later, I found them hiding in the stairwell, talking about life. What incurable romantics."

Anastasia couldn't really believe it, thinking back to when Tiernan had spoken to her in a low voice a few days ago about how he wished he could invite Penelope to the dinner instead of her. As much as she might regret not having a date for the next dinner, it made her happy to know that they had finally decided to get a move on.

"Although," the boy resumed, tightening his lips for a moment. "They're an odd match. Tiernan's no good with women, and Penelope's... So many things all at once."

"Hey!" the girl hit him in the arm again. He was forced to move to avoid receiving yet another punch as he rubbed his arm for the punch. "Forget about them, it was time for them to do something. Tiernan didn't even want me with him at the dinner!"