Chapter Twenty One

"I'm home!" Annabelle called as she entered her new flat, forgetting the possibility that Michael could be asleep as it was just gone midnight. Michael, however, then entered the hallway where his daughter stood.

"I was just about to head off to bed. Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah thanks. You weren't staying up waiting for me, were you?"

"In all honesty, yes, but I did have paperwork to be getting on with anyway."

"Well, I can tell you that I am a very responsible daughter. I only had one cup of vodka and then I got a taxi home." Annabelle stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Ah well you'll have no problems with me if you ever want to go to another party then!"

"Thanks, dad." Dad. It hit Michael for the first time. His beautiful, precious little daughter whom he never got the chance to raise, after all these years calls her 'dad'. She feels the label she used for her biological father was wasted on him and now Michael is worthy of taking his place. All he will ever want to do is protect his daughter and love her eternally.

"How many parties are there?!" A remark which made Michael laugh.

"Quite a few! Just only go to ones your friends go to, and clear it with me first, yeah."

"Course."

"Well I'll see you tomorrow then, or later today actually. It's the weekend as well obviously, so no rush to get up or anything!"

"Yeah. Well I'll head to bed too then. Night."

"Night, Anna."

True to her word, Annabelle headed to her room and proceeded to remove her makeup in front of her vanity mirror. The past few months were the worst she'd ever experienced, and hoped no one would ever have to experience anything like it. A sort of sadness engulfed her as she realised that it is the harsh reality for other people, not just herself. This got her thinking about all of the people who had helped her through it: Sian, Michael, Tom, Scout and all of her other friends. She also thought back to when she was in hospital. It was the wonderful Camilla and Louis who'd helped her there. She hoped that after her GCSEs and A-Levels that she could go on to help others too, just like they had.

The weekend came swiftly, and Annabelle and her father had decided to go bowling together, spend some quality time but also have fun. Three strikes were scored by the daughter, of which she was very surprised having only gone bowling twice in her lifetime. None were scored by the father, after all he was a science teacher not a PE teacher, however surely his knowledge in physics could be used to determine the perfect force and angle? Annabelle did not miss out on the chance to rub her victory in on the car journey back.

Sunday was spent with a little bit of school work for the both of them in the morning, and an afternoon of board games due to the torrential downpour outside. Monday was to come next, a new week, a new Annabelle. As much as what had happened had scarred her not just physically and was bound to take some recovery time, the one thing Annabelle hated the most was pity. She couldn't stand loads of people's sympathy. If she were to be the centre of attention, she would only want it to be because of an achievement or similar circumstance. She just wanted to move on.

Monday came as quickly as the weekend did, and Annabelle knew that before she were to embark on the new week, her new life, there was one particular person she had to thank, and something she wanted to tell them. She approached the science lab and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Sian setting up for what was to be a practical for her first class. Annabelle raised her fist to the wooden door and placed two gentle knocks upon it. The teacher looked up from her equipment and smiled as she saw the familiar face at the door.

"Come in." She said in her usual manner as the girl pulled down the metal handle and stepped into the spacious room. "What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to say thanks for the help and that. I've decided I want to become a doctor so that I can help other people. If you know, this, has taught me anything it's that I wouldn't have got through it without any help."

"That's excellent news Annabelle. I'm just happy I could help. You're bound to need a bit more support in the coming weeks, so how about we catch up in my office once a week from now, and of course any problems whatsoever you can always come to me, okay."

"Thank you. I was also wondering if you could, you know, help with the grades? I'm not sure I'll get what I need to get into med school."

"You're brighter than you think. But of course I'll help."

"Thank you miss, for everything."