Poor Girl

Chapter 2:

The day progressed with no sign of her mother and sister and though it was cool, the sun was shining beautifully giving Anastasia the light she needed to paint the giant pine tree they had at the back of her home. The birds sang quietly creating a serene moment for Anastasia, just to paint and let her cares float away. Her hair still black as ever fell down her waist in sheets of loose curls that blew in the wind tangling together ever so often.

Anastasia held her canvas to the light and admired what her careful precise brushstrokes had created. Painting was her escape from all around, she needed the release it gave her and the feeling of control. Her art was the only thing she believed she controlled.

She would be starting college soon although studying law as per Maria's 'request'. Anastasia was excited for this new chapter and though not learning anything of her own choice was hoping college would be a step to independence.

The following morning Anastasia woke in a better mood having actually slept that night and as she made her way into the kitchen Gabrielle was already seated at the counter with a mug in hand and looking rather displeased. Gabrielle's blonde hair was pulled neatly into a low bun, loose strands falling around her face and brow giving her an older look. Accompanied with a grey pencil skirt and tight pale pink shirt tucked in lightly, she looked much older than her young twenty two years of age. She worked as a receptionist at the hospital needing a hobby and a place to gossip rather than money as she just say the world and Maria would give whatever cash was wanted.

"Good morning." Anastasia greeted Gabrielle self-consciously walking up and taking a mug from the cupboard, poring herself coffee.

"Morning." Gabrielle nodded eyeing her sister's pyjama shorts and long sleeved shirt with a raised eyebrow. "Why aren't you dressed yet, it's like nine in the morning." Her tone more than unpleasant.

"I just woke up, I have nothing on today." She answered quietly feeling even more self-conscious. She felt she was always disappointing her sister and felt utterly inferior compared to her. With that she grabbed her mug and hurriedly left the room returning up the stairs, down the corridor, around the bend, through the door into the safety her room provided.

A sigh left her lips as she placed the mug on her messy desk, thumping down onto the wooden chair that was patiently waiting underneath. She needed to check her roster at work that had been sent through her email. It may not have been a lavish job but Anastasia loved working at the pet supply and groomers in the centre of town and enjoyed the animals as they no longer had any pets in the home. Maria had been reluctant to allow her daughter to wash others dirty animals especially people she believed were of lower class then them but her daughter was defiant and eventually Maria had no choice. Although she bought both girls brand new cars before Anastasia started as if to show they were still superior and didn't need the income. It became something Maria later boasted about, that her children despite their wealth still got good grades and wished to work for society, unlike herself. Maria beamed and took pride she'd maintained the 'perfect family' despite the departure of Albert. On the outside that is.

Anastasia nodded to herself reading her hours, confident she'd remember for the week. Sliding off the chair she tidied her desk and room before carefully selecting her clothes for the day. 'We mustn't upset Gabrielle' she thought to herself sarcastically placing blue skinny jeans and a black shirt on her bed. Selecting underwear and socks from her top drawer she threw them next to the other items on the bed before going into her bathroom turning the shower dialling the right temperature.  After her clothes were thrown thoughtlessly into a basket in the corner of her ensuite she welcomed the warm spray of water over her body. The water trickled over her bare skin, emphasizing the beautiful natural curves of her body. Slim like her mother, though bustier than her sister and close to Theodore's height who had been a short six foot. Her hair now came below her backside and she moved it to sit over her shoulder, emerging her face in the water. Safety. The safety and ease of anxiety the shower brought her was bliss and she often spent up to an hour just indulging in the quietness.