This is my first story I've written in a long time, so I could really use some advice... I hope you enjoy the story because I have a bit more coming! =w=
Annabelle couldn't believe she was going to visit an Opera House; in Paris of all places! The capital of Europe! She was so surprised when Nanna reluctantly agreed to let her visit Uncle Andre, especially since he was boasting about the opera house he was purchasing. It had been so long since she had seen him, and longer still since she had seen an opera house. Annabelle thought about how her Mother would be so proud of her for having the courage to come.
She shook her head and was released from the sadness the thought of it brought her. She was determined to not be sad, this was a vacation from Canterbury. Annabelle knew that if Nanna ever heard that she was sad on the journey, she would never be able to come again. Glancing around the train, she saw a few families and business men with small top hats and stiff shirt collars. She never knew how men were able to wear such stiff clothing and still continue to wear them everyday. Then again, she didn't know how Nanna expected her to wear square collar dresses. She shuddered at that thought.
After a few minutes, the train came to a stop and Annabelle stood up grabbing her travel bag and her suitcase. She received a few stares because it wasn't "proper" for a lady to be travelling by herself, but Annabelle didn't like being the most proper. Nanna would always chastise her saying if a lady isn't proper, than a lady isn't a lady. Annabelle didn't always agree with Nanna, but she loved Nanna nonetheless.
Annabelle stepped onto the platform looking around for a familiar face. Upon seeing none, she calmly walked to a bench and pulled out her Les Misérables book. Victor Hugo had a way of enchanting the reader into the heartbreaking tale, and it made her love the story even more. Annabelle was glad that French was her first language, as it made reading the novel much easier. She could relate to the hardships that were going on, she also had some hardships in her life. What with mother dying and father being sent away… No! She resisted the urge to shout and instead gripped her book tighter. Annabelle knew she would start crying if she thought about her past too much, so instead she read with more intensity, to escape those thoughts.
It felt like hours later, when a soft spoken voice broke the trance that she went into every time she read a book.
"Excuse me, ma'am, Are you the niece of Mr. Andre?"
Annabelle jumped at the unexpected question and dropped her book face up on the ground. She bends down to grab her now dusty novel, blushing from embarrassment.
She replied softly,"Y-yes, that is me. Sorry I didn't see you…"
"That's alright, I am sorry for disturbing you. You looked like you were very concentrated with you're literature."
She smiled and nodded in agreement. "Reading a novel from in its home country helps you know what it may be like there," Annabelle replied as she stood to shake the man's hand.
"Quite so, I'm Rémy by the way. I'm the secretary to Mr. Richard; your uncle's partner."
She looked at the man that stood before her. He was a thin-looking man and he looked very presentable with his buttoned up coat and his combed hair. He seemed like the kind of person who was level-headed and willing to put his foot down, while still being able to take orders from a higher authority. A perfect person to have as a secretary Annabelle thought.
After the quick introduction, they left the station and he got a carriage for the both of them. They sat in silence with some conversation, but mostly sat a little bit awkwardly. After about half an hour later, they arrived at the Opera house. Annabelle hadn't visited an opera house in a quite a long time, and the sight was a shock to her. She felt so small as the stone and iron building loomed over her, with the golden statues looking down upon her in what she thought was slight disdain.
She shook the thought from her head. She would show those silly statues that she could live up to their expectations. She would show all of France that she could become the most beautiful and famous actress that they have ever seen!
"But first," She said softly, "I need to show Uncle Andre that I am capable of being in his show." She walked up the stairs and paused just for going into the door. She had a feeling that if she continued onward, her fate would be set. She took one last deep breath and pushed open the doors, unaware of how much her life would change over one visit.