Hello! I loved the FSOG books and decided to have a go at writing another take on the Ana and Christian story. This is my first writing attempt, all constructive criticism taken on board. Hope you enjoy - ryetjo :)
A/N All characters belong to EL James. I do NOT own the characters or lay claim to them.
Chapter One:
One more long sweeping look around the Sydney Airport International Departures lounge does not change a thing. Well, maybe it does, the change is a further crushing blow to my chest, if that is at all possible. Breathe Ana, Breathe. I didn't think it possible but my self-esteem is further crushed and I feel a sense of emptiness. As my thoughts start surfacing, it hits me all at once in an overwhelming moment of clarity. Breathe Ana, Breathe. It is true, not one member of my family cares enough to send me off, I have no family weeping, no 'congrats kid look at what you are doing', no wishes of safe travel and hopes of return left behind. I have no friends patting me on the back, no hugs, no farewells to send me off. Just me, as always. Breathe Ana, Breathe.
Watching the unfolding emotional scenes around me, of loving parents hugging their child about to embark on an adventure overseas, of friends gathering for last-minute chats, is like a surreal world that I am not a part of, simply a feeling of looking in like an outsider who doesn't belong. I so desperately want what I am watching, almost crave it, someone who cares about me for the sake of it, not because they are supposed to or feel obligated to, and not because it means they will benefit.
Running from my life here in Sydney, my suitcase that is now entrusted to the baggage handlers, my trusty back pack and the ticket I clutch is all that my new life will start with. A new life, across the globe on a different continent. I can not escape my mind, however distance will hopefully allow me to breathe again and live my life. Allow me to discover me, Anastasia Rose Steele, who I am, what I want and my true limits in life.
Nerves start to build, I am really doing this. I listen intently, the words over the loud-speaker catch my attention as I hear my flight number. Calling all first class passengers and priority boarding. Ha, first class, wouldn't that be nice I think! After scrimping and saving every last dollar, selling my beloved car and all my possessions I had just come up with enough money for a one way ticket to America, economy class no less.
I am snapped out of my wandering thoughts of red tape, embassy visits, paperwork upon paperwork, the efforts I went to in obtaining my Green Card and entry to a new life in America by a flurry of activity. Dark suits, two covert, tough looking men flank the most perfect male specimen I have ever seen, jaw dropping perfect. The arrogance and air of proficiency emanating off this man in the 30 seconds it takes him to stride passed me is almost suffocating. The focused eyes and look of determination, yet, the contrasting unruly shock of hair that seems to defy everything this man projects, he is... holy, get a grip Ana.
My thoughts are again distracted when I hear my flight number being announced for general boarding. Giving myself a shake and a firm dose of reality, I put the dream man out of my mind. Yes, that is it, my mind is playing tricks, no man could ever look that good, my mind is running at a million miles an hour, nothing makes sense, let alone a reaction to a man. Anastasia Steele and men just do not happen, it is a laughable joke. Clumsy, awkward, too studious, too gangly, the bookish student that no one ever glanced at twice. With that sobering thought and again, one last look around the airport departure lounge I make my way to the boarding gate. This is it. No turning back. I watch my ticket run through the machine, verified, this is real. The gate attendant sensing my hesitation in grabbing the ticket for myself takes pity, with a huge smile she hands me the ticket and with the wave of her hand guiding me towards the tunnel I am off on the adventure of a lifetime, the search for my own inner peace and the chance of a new start away from my family and the multitude of secrets and hurt they hide.