This chapter is a bit shorter than the rest I'm afraid. I read the reviews, and while I have not written Hans' blog, I might do it eventually. For now, I am focused on finishing this story as quickly and to the best of my ability.
As always reviews and criticisms are always appreciated, the next chapter will be up Saturday.
Enjoy!
Anna looked out her window as she woke up. The sky was lit in a variety of colors as the sun set.
She sat in her lounge chair, knees drawn up to her chest, replaying that scene again and again in her head.
I shouldn't have said all those things. She wiped away her tears. It's not her fault I'm about to be evicted.
"Some of us didn't have nice things like mansions, servants or parents!"
Anna groaned at the memory. She probably thought I was crazy.
She fished around the pockets of her black jeans until she found an array of quarters.
Just enough. Anna wiped away the last stray tears and headed out the door.
The redhead walked into the all-too familiar lounge. She walked up to the counter, happy to see her employer behind the counter.
"Hey boss! Just came in for the usual."
"Sure thing you little runt!" She braced for his usual ruffling of her hair and looked up when her hair was unscathed. "You alright?"
Right, I've been crying for the past couple hours.
"Oh, yeah I'm fine, don't worry. I've just been a bit run down," Anna put on the most convincing smile she could muster.
"You sure?"
Eventually the balding man's gaze softened.
"Alright if you say so. And how many times do I have to tell you, your money is no good here!"
"I always have to try!"
She searched for a table. Her eyes stopped on a familiar blonde in the corner.
I should just let her be.
Or you could apologize, you know, for blowing up like a timebomb on her?
Well she did call me stupid, we're even.
She didn't actually call you stupid, stupid. You know what the right thing to do is.
… Sometimes I really don't like you.
Anna approached the table, and when the blonde looked up, the redhead gave a small shrug.
"May I sit down?"
The blonde's bags under her eyes were visible.
"Of course. Please, sit."
They sat in silence. Eventually Anna mustered up the courage and cleared her throat.
"I just want to apologize for today. I shouldn't have assumed you were calling me stupid, although you might think I'm stupid now that I went all crazy on you," Anna tucked some hair behind her ear.
"Oh no, I should apologize. I can be a bit impatient at times, and that was very unthoughtful of me. I shouldn't have expected you to sign a legally binding contract moments after I handed it to you."
"No no no, we had already agreed before, I don't know why I felt like I had to read it so carefully."
When she saw that the blonde was staring, Anna continued, "I'm saying I shouldn't have doubted you."
"Why wouldn't you?"
"I'm just a broke college kid with a camera. What could you possibly take away from me? On the other hand, you're a young billionaire. Given your position, I could see why you wanted that signed so bad."
Elsa looked down at her tea.
I've done nothing for her. All I've done is take from her. And yet, after all of this, she's still trying to understand me rather than hate me for it...
"Oh, I should do this before I forget," the ginger opened her bag.
"I won't need these anymore... Would you do the honors?" Anna smiled as she passed the camera to Elsa.
Elsa was taken back by the picture. The light balance, color contrast, even the slight tilt of the shot (whether intentional or not), all seemed to compliment each other.
"This is very impressive, Miss Hudson. You have quite an eye for photography."
"Oh you think that's impressive?" Anna pulled out her portfolio. "Look at these!"
The redhead went from picture to picture, describing each scene with animated motions and gestures. An hour became three, and before Anna could move onto the next picture, a loud rumbling sent a flush of red over her face.
"Ooh... geez I'm sorry, I guess it's been awhile," the redhead couldn't bear to face the blonde.
When she got no response, Anna looked up to see that the blonde was paying her no mind. Her eyes moved slowly over each picture.
"So... do you like it?"
Elsa's eyes flickered up. She took a small breath as she leaned back into her chair.
"These are beautiful. I had no idea you were such a gifted photographer."
"Well thanks! … It's good to be appreciated for once," Anna looked down at her work.
Before the blonde could respond, her phone buzzed in her purse.
"I must leave. Thank you for showing me your work, Miss Hudson."
"You're welcome! And please, call me Anna." Anna bit her lip.
"And... and if you'd like, I would love to show you more pictures. If you have time of course!"
Elsa looked back at the girl for a moment. "I would like that. We'll be in touch," she smiled as she opened the door.
With that the blonde was gone. Anna looked down at her work one last time, before carefully returning them into the portfolio. Her stomach growled again and she groaned.
When she returned the empty cups to the counter, her employer held out a plastic bag for her. She looked questioningly at her boss.
"I ordered it when you walked in. You looked like you could eat."
"Thanks... Everybody seems to be taking care of me lately... I'll pay you back for these I swear!"
"You already have."
The redhead looked at her boss with a confused look. Another growl from her stomach sent her flying out the door with the bag of food.
"Thanks boss! I'll see you tomorrow!"
The balding man smiled as he wiped the counter.
Three years I've seen that girl come in here for a cup of tea every week. That's the first time I've seen her smile.