Princess Treatment

Annabelle

October 3rd

Running down the stairs with the last box I wonder how it'll fit in the already overflowing car. I know my dad will find room but I just can't see how that'll be possible, it's only a Mini!
"Anna, how much noise can you make, I'm surprised you haven't put a hole through my staircase". whoops, that'd be my father. he's a kind man who works far too hard, my best friend through thick and thin we've stuck together like glue. He's a miner for a private coal company, good pay but I send prayers for him every morning he leaves the house.

"This is the last box papa, it's got all the essentials in it," I say with a hint of excitement.

For a moment he's speechless, looking up at the clouds for a sign of help. once composed he calmly asks "if this contains the essentials... then what did the other four thousand boxes have in them".

"Good point, they are all important in my eyes," I said cheerfully. with a roll of his eyes, he laughs telling me to hop in the passenger seat.
For the longest time I have always dreamed of going to Huntingdale university, I worked my socks off getting the grades, the extracurricular activities and the money to go! Thankfully my Father could pay some of the fees too otherwise I would be in a lot of debt right now. We aren't poor by any standard, in fact, we lead rich lives, but money hasn't been the easiest hurdle to overcome.

While dreaming about my new dorm room I'm disrupted by the sound of the driver's side door being opened and a huff as my father sat down looking exhausted. chuckling, mostly to myself, I half shout "you can't be tired now it's only 8 am! We have a whole day of exploring". Gleaming from ear to ear he looks like he could do with some sleep. "well Anna, you have a day of exploring but I do not, therefore, I do not need as much energy" he comes back with a cheeky but also very sassy grin. after a moment of silence, we both let out a small chuckle of laughter before setting off for the beginning of my future.

The whole drive had been filled with laughter, sight-seeing, pit-stops, snack-stops and toilet breaks but finally, we were nearing the gates to the university. Being in my first year as a law student the university places you in halls of residence, for safety reasons mainly but I don't mind, it's less a distance to walk to classes. The entrance was grand with twisting pillars and gates that looked centuries old, I could definitely get used to this.

"Look at this Anna, just wonderful"

I didn't have it in me to reply so I simply nodded my head while craning my neck in every direction for every detail the view in front of me offered. Then I saw the sign for students to follow and knowing my papa's eyesight it'd be best to point it out, discretely of course.

"Hey, is that a sign papa? maybe we should drive that way no?"

He hummed agreeing and once passed the sign, we came to this gravel space slowly piling up with other families' cars, saying goodbye to their children as they start their next chapter.

After fighting with the boxes to get them all out of the car we approached a man who gave us my room key, doctor's information and many more not-so-important leaflets. thankfully he helped carry a couple of the boxes to my room which wasn't very far! I was on the first floor of a stunning 18th-century mansion. I felt like a princess. . .apart from the sweat dripping down the back of my neck.

" Look Papa I have a fireplace! oh my gosh, and such detailed woodwork isn't this exciting!"

He can't help but tear up but before I can offer help he gives me a quick hug before shooing me off to explore while he sorts my room out. Always the gentleman but I wasn't going to refuse.

~~~~

So far I've explored my new home and its surrounding gardens, safe to say I won't miss home too much. everything was magnificent and was all in-keeping with the 18th-century home. considering I've done about 10,000 steps on this alone I feel like I've deserved another snack stop. taking my phone out I quickly message my father telling him I'll be back in a little bit, he doesn't feel the need to respond considering i'll go out either way. i make a b-line for this cute cafe i passed on the way here while i was nosing around in the car.

'Maria's Spot'

ooo cute, my spot now too.

opening the door I'm instantly greeted by a stunning blonde-haired girl. My jaw sort of hung in the air for a few seconds before realising she was talking to me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch any of that"

laughing she started again " I'm Emma, Maria's granddaughter can I show you to a table or are you expecting someone else?"

"You're beautiful, you know that right?". I was gone, my mind in another universe, I couldn't quite comprehend her beauty. long blonde hair, bright eyes, one blue, one green, a button nose and her height was a show-stopper. 5'8 easily!

"ah well girl, you are too kind, are you new around here? I swear locals are never this nice, come, let me show you a table and we can chat". She wastes no time spinning on her heels picking up two menus in the process and starts leading toward the window seat. Thankfully it was quiet, only one or two more tables were occupied.

"POPS I'M TAKING MY LUNCH BREAK NOW" the girl rips her apron off and sits opposite me eagerly handing me one of the menus she grabbed on the way.

"My grandfather is the chef here, I don't go calling random men pops I promise, anyway, hi I'm Emma I'm 18 starting law at the university just down the road" my eyes lighten at the news "oh wow hello I'm Annabelle, it looks like we're on the same course. I've just moved down here"

She holds a knowing smile before telling me she knew that by the way I complimented her. "That's insane we must sit together. Seriously Anna, I can call you that right? Anyway, seriously, people here aren't the nicest, only the minority but they can ruin it for the majority you know" suddenly she looks quite focused almost diving into a state of philosophical madness.

"Yes you can call me that it's fine, I hope I meet the good people then," I say with a light laugh.

Soon enough she's placing my order for me before I've even looked at the menu, good thing I'm not vegan I may have been heavily disappointed. Turns out she ordered the blueberry pancakes, my ultimate favourite food ever. A woman after my own heart.

"I'm sorry Anna I can be quite confident and all that comes with it but I promise you, these pancakes are just out of this world"

"no please, there are my favourite thing to eat! you have great taste" I compliment her again to wink she just raises her eyebrow with a slight friendly smirk. out of nowhere she breaks character " NO WAY OH MY GOD WE HAVE TO BE BEST FRIENDS, WE ARE ON THE SAME COURSE, HAVE THE SAME FAVOURITE FOOD AND YOU ARE JUST THE CUTEST LITTLE THING" I can't help but laugh at her outburst but agree to her offer anyway.

As the food arrives, the doors chime open and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. My arms have goosebumps and I'm aware of my surroundings now more than ever. Don't do this Anna, not when fresh pancakes arrived. Instead of looking at the source of my reaction, I stuff my face with the pancakes moaning at the taste of it instantly. Emma joins in, her love for pancakes was no joke she's already scoffed half of it down. We look at each other with a new sense of security both assured that they will be good friends for time to come.

~~~~~

hello lovely,

if you spot any mistakes please do let me know!

You will have to give me a chance to warm up to writing, I'm not the best but I will improve as I go on I promise. Any and all advice is welcome just please be kind. this chapter was designed to give you a snippit of her personality while also getting some more boring settings, scenery and introductions out of the way. <3