Poor Girl

Chapter 3:

"Morning Stasia!" Cheyanne shrieked as Anastasia made her way through the back room door of the groomers on Tuesday afternoon.

"Hey Chey. How was your weekend?" She asked smiling putting her apron on and moving over to help her friend.

"It was okay. Josh and I went to the cape finally after so many week of planning. How about you, did you do anything?" Returned the tall redhead before adding with a wink "Meet anyone?" Cheyanne was two years younger than Anastasia but much more experienced in the world of boys. Anastasia had only ever been kissed once and never having had a boyfriend at eighteen years old she was always embarrassed when the subject of boys came up.

"I did nothing as usual and when do I meet people?" She laughed it off putting herself to tasks the workplace needed done. "How many are booked for wash today?"

"Don't change the subject, now seriously you've got no excuse. Why don't you ever go out and find someone?" They'd worked together nine months now and had formed a pretty good friendship.

"I just don't have the desire for intimacy right now and besides nobodies taken interest when I did put myself out there once upon a time so why should I bother Chey really?" Anastasia told her hoping she would take his and change the subject but Cheyanne was always persistent and somehow Anastasia knew it wouldn't be laid to rest.

"Because you're lonely Stasia. " Cheyanne said it plainly before exiting the room. She hadn't said it harshly but Anastasia felt a painful truth behind her comment. She was lonely but being lonely was better than getting hurt.

The girl went about her day washing animals and operating the cash register at the front of the store. The sun was slowly starting to go down and there were only forty minutes left of her shift for the night. Shops began to close bustling out the last of straggling customers, mothers dragged children along hoping to grab one las thing before the stores closed, school children lingering not wanting to go home. The town was starting to wind down for the night, even the birds had seized from singing. She stood with her elbows on the counter and her head in her hands as she waited for something to do. She looked out the window into the street. Staring into the store's window was a tall man, built with dark hair and young features. The sunglasses caught Anastasia's eye. The man from the window. He was much younger than she had thought, definitely closer to her brother's age then her mothers. White straight teeth emerged in a smile as he looked into Anastasias eyes having caught her gaze.

He reached up and took his glasses off placing them in the breast pocket of his jacket. Anastasia and the young man stared at each other for long time taking in one another's appearances through the window. He had brown eyes and very strong features and she couldn't help but want to run her fingertips over the definition of his chiselled jaw.

He stared at her too and was more than pleased. He'd been thinking of her since the following morning, wondering what colour those eyes were, what her smile looked like. In her light blue work shirt her skin glowed, ivory hair curling around her shoulders softly falling at its place at her waist. He'd seen her from afar, he'd seen her closer but he needed a better look.

He needed to actually look into her eyes but knew today he'd have to wait, there was too much to do. Another wave was given before, again, the man turned around and walked off out of sight. Anastasia knew it was the man from the garden and found herself more curious about him and the reason he was there and now at her work place. Coincidence? Maybe but Anastasia wasn't the type to let things go.

Although she couldn't help but think back to the earlier conversation with Chey about boys. True Anastasia believed nobody had ever been interested in her but she hadn't really been interested in anyone anyway. Until now. Somehow she found her herself wanting to run down the street after him and ask him who he was. She was curious about him and utterly blown away by his handsome features.

His smile imprinted itself into her mind and as she drove home she felt giddy thinking of it. Maybe it was time for her to branch out and find love, even just step outside of her comfort zone and open her small world to more people.

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Jackson was still smiling as he made his way back to Cam's car, his friends, Robbie and Benji, in the back seat chatting happily awaiting their friends return. Cam turned the radio down as Jackson opened the door and lowered himself into the black BMW. The chatting continued as Cameron pulled his car out of the parking lot into the main street.

"Where to now?" Benji asked leaning forward into the space between the front two seats.

"The hospital once more." Jackson turned to say. "It's the last time."

"So you've definitely decided then?" It was Robbie's turn to ask a question now and he took Benji's spot with his head between Cam's and Jackson's chairs. Robbie was the shortest of the group but was one of the strongest in build. He kept his dirty blonde hair short and sported bright blue eyes girls swooned over.

"Yes he's decided." Benji scoffed leaning his head against his seat facing out the window, annoyance written on his face.

"Who then? The blonde one or the one with black hair?" Cameron asked dismissing Benji's clear attitude. Jackson looked out the window awkwardly avoiding eye contact with his friend.

"Black." Was the only thing Jackson said but still prompted 'oohing' and 'ahhing' from the boys in a childish manner.

"The baby aye?" Robbie winking hitting his friends shoulder from behind lightly. "The blonde seems like a hassle anyway, good choice mate."

"Gee I don't know. The blonde looks like she may know a few things." Joked Cam causing more laughs to fall from the boys as they continued their drive.

Jackson loved his friends and all they were apart of but lately he'd been second guessing himself and his actions. He worried about his task ahead and how it would take a toll on him ever changing his life for the better. There was no backing down though, it had gone too far to quit now.

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She worked all day Wednesday and spent her entire shift hoping the man would stroll past again allowing her to get another glimpse. But nothing. Thursday morning came and Anastasia's curiosity was becoming bigger. She didn't often find boys good looking so to be thinking of a stranger she'd seen twice was crazy but as she showered he relived his smile through her mind over and over.

"What am I doing?" She asked catching herself smiling at the memory of the handsome boy. As she stepped out of the bathroom she looked at the window to where she'd seen him only a few days before. Nobody was there and nobody was home either. Maria was away again so it left Greta with little to do allowing her to come as she pleased to clean and check-up. Gabrielle was out as she so usually was so Anastasia was alone once again.

Slipping into black jeans and a maroon singlet Anastasia walked barefoot down to the kitchen. The task of making breakfast began and various pots, pans and ingredients were strewn across all four corners of the kitchen. It took longer than I should have but eventually the kitchen was cleared up and eggs, bacons and toast lay on a plate waiting to be devoured. Anastasia, having finished her food and returned her plate to the sink, made her way up to her room feeling bloated when the doorbell rang. They weren't expecting anyone so excited to see who it was Anastasia flew back down the stairs from the landing. Her long hair pulled into a pony tail swished as she moved and her bare feet made a soft tap as they rushed across the cold marble flooring. Straightening her shirt before opening the door her mouth opened as a tall shadow fell over her.

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