𝙶𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚃𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛

≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ Chapter 2- Pink Hibiscuses and the in-laws≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫

    After looking around to see where Five was I saw him in front of a big portrait of himself. Woah... Okay. Obsessive much? No okay, don't be rude. If I hadn't seen one of my children for so long I might do something similar. It didn't seem like Reginaald really cared though. I walk towards him looking at him as he wears his uniform.

    "You have the whole schoolboy vibes going." I say and he turns around eyeing me up and down. I'm guessing he's looking at what I'm wearing. I finally don't have to wear those business outfits. I decided to wear something that would fit the body I was in. This is totally something thirteen-year-old me would've worn. I'm wearing a white strapless shirt that ends a little above my chest, you can't see it though because of the hoodie jacket I wear on top. It has an average-looking drawing of a pink hibiscus, it says the name of a beach on top in writing that looks like something to be carved out of a tree. I wear a pair of (short) jean shorts and leg warmers which are completely useless because I have most of my legs out.

    "What are you wearing?" He asks, the way he said it made it sound a little rude but I'm sure he didn't mean for it to come out that way.

    "I used to wear stuff like this all the time when I was thirteen! That was like a while ago but still. I remember this outfit as clear as day." I stand next to him marveling at the beautiful painting. They really captured how he looked- I mean looks. How nice. A small smile grows on my face I turn back to Five noticing he was staring at me. He doesn't stop looking at me, instead, he makes eye contact and keeps it. I bet I look really fucking good. Lol.

    "Nice to know Dad didn't forget me." I wonder if he's talking to me. I hear footsteps and see that Five turns more in Vanya's direction, I do the same.

    "Read your book by the way," Five says finally completely turned towards Vanya. Oh, he's talking about the book he brought in when he had just joined the commission. I read it too... It sure was something.

    "Found it in a library that was still standing." He's being sort of cold. I'm sure he's not upset. I mean she exposed all of the family's secrets, I'd be a little cold as well if I was a part of the family.

    "I thought it was pretty good," He walks around taking in the surroundings I'm sure he hasn't seen in a long time. "All things considered." I stay in place but reach out to grab Vanya's hands, wrapping both of mine around hers and bringing them upwards almost as if I'm extremely excited to meet her; causing her attention to go to me.

    "As an outsider in the situation, I thought it was good!" I say eagerly trying to comfort them. "It was... brave?" I question the last word I said. "Of you to just go out and say all that." Sure what they did was sort of shitty, but if not them, who else. Someone needs to talk about the trauma these kids- well adults, went through. "Yeah, definitely ballsy." Five says almost like he wanted to correct what I said earlier.

    "Oh my stars!" I finally realized something. "I never properly introduced myself!" I smile widely at them tilting my head. They seem almost soft and fragile. Like a delicate vase or like a weapon... I don' know. "I'm Anastasia! I used to work with Five at his old job." I don't give them time to think and just continue talking. "I heard so much about you! You're just like he said. But I also read your book. Even with everything it was still pretty good..." I let go of her hands putting mine by my sides and my whole demeanor changed. "umm giving up the family secrets-" Five didn't let me finish. I hate it when he does that.

    "Sure that went over well." I don't know if he's being sarcastic or condescending. I step aside cause I feel like I'm interrupting if I don't.

    "They hate me." Their voice was soft and serious. Maybe I was too... light-hearted before.