It's Not All Roses

Chapter-01

ANASTASIA'S P.O.V

It was raining heavily. I stared out at the rain crashing on my window and sighed softly. I pulled the curtains over and plopped on my bed. For the first time, I regret being a De Luca. It has just been three months since I finished college and Papà already decided which university I will attend. I have three days to pack my things. I roll over towards my nightstand and stare at my mom's photo. Many people say I am a total copy of her. I agree both of us have the same hair and eye color but are we really alike? That night I didn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning and by morning I looked like a half-dead person. I showered and got ready for the day. I decided to buy some new clothes for my first day at my new university to create a good impression. I trudged out of the room and bumped into my twin sister. Bianca Lynn De Luca. She was born three minutes before me. She is the total opposite of me. As people say I look like my mom they say Bianca takes after my dad. Both have the same jet-black hair with the same eyes. She gives me a cold glare for bumping into her and walks off, rolling her eyes at my clumsiness.

I sighed sadly. I have been sighing a lot lately. I went down and sat at the table for breakfast. I always eat alone. Ever since my mom died this house lost its warmth and became a desolate place. We all did our own things. After mom's death, I don't think we ever had a meal together. Just thinking about it is making my eyes well with tears. I thank for the food and dig in the pancakes savoring the sweet taste of the syrup drizzled on it. After breakfast, I drive to the shopping mall and get a new wardrobe. I don't like to waste money, I never did. I reached home and found my dad in the living room on his phone. I nod at him when he notices me and then I continued towards my room. I take down my suitcases and start with the clothes and shoes. By the end of the day, I felt like crap with a bent spine. I fiddle with the ring in my finger thinking what my life will be in the states away from everyone. Even though we weren't close and rarely talked, they were still family. I think I will miss Zachary the most. Zachary Ace De Luca. He is eleven years younger than me. He was the only one who gets me and was there for me. He may be young but he is a bright kid. I will miss him very badly.

Tomorrow I will take him out and spend the entire day with him. I just have one more day left before I leave and I want to spend it with him. I look at the mirror and sigh. The girl in the mirror looks back at me blankly; there is a hint of sadness hidden deep in her blue eyes. I close my eyes and back away from the mirror and do some more packing.

The night before my flight I came home around eight with my brother. We were both laughing about some stupid joke he said when we stumbled into the living room only to be greeted by a very angry papa. I sent Zach to his room and greeted my dad, a bit scared that he might shout at me.

"Dove sei stato?", he asked a bit sterner than usual.
(Where have you been?)

"Ero al parco divertimenti con Zach." I gulped as I looked down at my feet.
(I was at the amusement park with Zach.)

"Domani te ne vai e stai sherzando senza nemmeno finire di fare I bagagli!?" He came closer and lifted my chin with his finger and glared at me with his cold eyes.
(Tomorrow you are leaving and you are fooling around without even finishing packing!?)

"There is not much left...I will be done soon, sir." I whispered my body shaking with fright.

"Finiscilo velocemente. devi partire la mattina presto, quindi dormi presto anche tu."
(Finish it quickly. you have to leave early in the morning so sleep early too.)

I nodded and scurried to my room. I quickly finished packing, tears streaming down my eyes and my hands shaking. After I was done, exhausted, I went to sleep. I have a long day tomorrow. As soon as I reach I also have to meet my fiancé at some café. Thinking about him and what he might look like I don't know when I fell asleep.