Heart Don't Fail Me Now || Anya/Anastasia

06

❄️In a crowd of thousands.❄️

"I'll be off now," Vlad declared, straightening his bow tie up, "I'm off to see Lily." He gave a grin.

"Okay, Vlad." Dmitri chuckled, standing next to Anya, "good luck."

"Why, thank you," he smiled, tipping his hat, "don't get into too much trouble while you three are at the hotel."

"We won't." Y/N reassured, mindlessly playing with the hem of her jacket.

And then he was off, skipping away, humming something under his breath.

"- Let's go!" Dmitri quickly said, a goofy grin played at his lips.

"Well, isn't someone excited?" Y/N lightly teased. She couldn't help but smile as well.

"I'm beyond excited." Dmitri chuckled. "Think about it. We're all gonna sleep in a real bed. It's something we've all dreamt of for the longest time!"

"I am nervous," Anya quietly said, "but I'm mostly excited!"

"That's good!" The girl wrapped her arm around Anya's shoulder, earning a grin from the brunette.

"Vlad said it's just around the corner," he said, excitement laced his voice. "Come on!"

"It's.. am I dreaming, Y/N?" Dmitri lightly shook his friend by the shoulders, "pinch me-"

"-Gladly." Anya did as he said, but much harder.

"Ow!" He jumped back, giving her a glare.

Anya glared back at him, an amused look graced her face, "I guess you aren't dreaming."

Dmitri sighed, but ended up smiling again while rubbing his arm, "I guess so." He looked around the room then at Y/N, "come on. Let's go see our rooms."

Their rooms ended up being very, very nice compared to their older life conditions. They felt like royalty almost, in fact they even joked about it a few times.

After a bit of chatting and joking around, the three headed off to bed.

Y/N laid down for a while, unable to sleep. It was pretty hard, to be honest. She had so many thoughts racing around her head. Like, she really did care for the two. Yes, hers and Dmitri's friendship only started out because she wanted to find Anastasia. But that was about a year or two ago. She wasn't just using him to find Anastasia anymore, she truly enjoyed his company.

And Anya. Oh how she hoped she wasn't the Grand Duchess herself. She wished she knew Anya before all this, and they would be genuine friends. She didn't like that she was almost using her, but she had to do this. Maybe Anya would understand if she ever told her. No, never mind. She did not want to tell her at all.

A screech coming from Anya's room quickly ridded herself from her thoughts. At first, she was confused. But she quickly shot up once the thought settled in.

She almost ran into Dmitri during the process. He looked just as confused and concerned as she did, "did you hear that?" He quietly exclaimed.

Y/N frantically nodded her head, then turned the doorknob to her room.

The two stood in the doorway to see a terrified looking Anya, rocking back and forth on her bed.

"Anya?" Y/N walked up to her with Dmitri following closely behind her, "a-are you okay?"

She shook her head, now shivering, "nightmare." She quietly murmured, closing her eyes in a small attempt to stop herself from crying.

Dmitri sat down on her right side while he gestured Y/N to sit on her left, "it's just a nightmare. It wasn't not real." He soothed.

"I-I know-" she stuttered, shaking her head, "it just seemed so real.. they knew my name and everything, it was all so familiar." She went on and on, a far away and dizzy look in her eyes.

"Who's 'they?" Y/N lightly asked.

"You'll both laugh at me." Anya miserably said, lowering her head while wiping her tears.

"We won't. Right Dmitri?"

The boy nodded, looking down at Anya.

"Okay. I — my family. Well, Anastasia's family," She paused, tangling her hands in her own hair. "Do you really think I might be her?" She's wondered and asked the question multiple times. But this time, she was more desperate to know than ever.

"Well," Dmitri started, "You remind me a lot of her. You have her personality-"

"You knew her too?" Anya yipped.

"Well, not personally like, Y/N did. But I saw and overheard her a few times." He awkwardly chuckled. "But yeah. I remember when I was a little boy, I saw her in a parade once," he started, fidgeting with his hands.

"Go on?" Y/N encouraged, intrigued by his story.

He glanced at Anya, and she nodded, hinting for him to continue as well, "Well, I don't know why I remember it so well. But there were so, so many people but she noticed me. I ran through the crowd and waved, calling out her name. And then she smiled at me." He gave a small grin, remembering this.

"That's.. that's so sweet." Anya murmured softly, glancing up at Dmitri.

"Uhm," Dmitri continued fiddling with his hands, saying the first thing that came into mind, "—Make it a part of your story. As if you were there too."

Anya blinked a few times but obeyed, "a parade..? Passing by, it was hot. Not a cloud in a sky. Then a boy caught my eye.. he was thin. Not too clean." She lightly elbowed him, "once I saw him.. I tried not to smile? But I smiled." It was then, when a look of shock came over her face and her eyes lit up, "and then he bowed."

Dmitri flinched, confused. A look of hope spread across his face, while Y/N looked upset and sad, "I didn't tell you that, Anya."

"..you didn't have to — I remember." She quietly said.

"I have to go." Y/N stood up, looking distressed, "bye."

"But-" Anya looked up at her, wondering if it was something she said. As if Y/N could read her mind, she shook her head then walked off, glancing back at them one more time.

She closed the door then leaned up against it with a sigh. She wouldn't deny that she was jealous, but mainly upset.

Anya remembered Dmitri but not her. She was hurt, but she wouldn't blame her — she couldn't. She had amnesia.

So, Anya really was Anastasia..? The thought seemingly broke her heart, for she knew what she would have to do.

She felt a mix of emotions. Hate, sadness, anger, jealousy, guilt, and much more. It took all of her willpower not to cry.