'It was finally over, and she felt a profound sense of relief. The ordeal of ensuring her abuser faced justice had been an arduous journey, leaving her feeling not only powerless but also burdened with self-loathing and disgust. She blamed herself for allowing it to happen, convinced that it was all her fault. These thoughts relentlessly swirled in her mind as her mother drove her home that evening. The car was cloaked in silence; neither of them knew how to break it
"Um... Maybe we should grab something from Burger King?" her mother tentatively proposed, turning to look at her daughter. The suggestion of Burger King wasn't arbitrary; it used to be her favorite restaurant as a child, a clever tool her mother used to make her happy or persuade her to do things.
Reflecting on her family before her parents' divorce was a strange sensation. She hadn't seen her father in a long time, as her mother had ensured he had no visitation rights. This thought stirred up conflicting emotions, as it didn't seem right.
"Mom..." she began, her voice quivering as she nervously turned to her mother. "Can I... see Dad?" she asked timidly. Her mother's initial shock swiftly morphed into anger, and she erupted.
"Are you kidding me?! Why on earth would you want to see that worthless man!? Did he ever truly care for you? Did he make any sacrifices to look after you?" her mother yelled, causing the girl to flinch and withdraw. She didn't want to be part of the brewing argument. Her mother drove straight home, berating her along the way.
Once they arrived home, the first thing the girl did was lock herself in her room. She needed to prepare for bed since there was school in the morning. To sidestep any potential confrontations, she needed to sleep quickly. Walking over to her dresser, she poured out a handful of melatonin pills, not bothering to count them, and swallowed them with a gulp from her water bottle. Exhausted, she soon drifted off to sleep.'
Annie's eyes gently blinked open, memories of her past flooding her mind. As she sat up, a familiar ache tugged at her heart, the longing for a day when her dreams would no longer be haunted by her previous life. Her gaze drifted toward Anya, who slumbered peacefully in her bed. With utmost care, Annie slipped out from under her covers and moved toward the mirror. It was an unsettling ritual – each time she approached a reflective surface, she anticipated her own reflection, only to be met with a stranger's visage. She idly toyed with her hair, her blank stare reflecting her profound disconnect from the body she now inhabited, one that was never truly hers; she had inexplicably awakened in it one fateful day.
Her thoughts strayed to the real world, the place where her mother and the rest of her family resided. Despite their abusive pasts and the hardships, she'd endured, a peculiar emptiness lingered within her, a yearning for the people she had known. She reached out, her hand making contact with the mirror, as she scrutinized the details of 003's appearance: the striking blue eyes and the long, shiny pink hair that was a stark contrast to her original black. Annie was acutely aware of the pressing need to focus on obtaining the Stella Stars, yet the existential crisis gnawed at her, a relentless reminder of her displacement.
Amidst the turmoil of her thoughts, a sense of detachment settled over Annie, leaving her feeling adrift in this unfamiliar existence. The weight of her purpose, the quest for the stella stars, bore down on her shoulders, demanding her attention and dedication. But in this moment, standing before the mirror, the ache of longing and confusion eclipsed all else.
She traced the contours of her new face with her fingertips, trying to reconcile the dissonance between the reflection and the memories buried deep within. The memories, like fragmented pieces of a shattered mirror, reflected a tumultuous upbringing, marked by the jagged edges of her parents' cruelty and the harsh realities she had once called home.
Annie couldn't suppress her relief at the successful outcome of her meeting with Yuri the previous night. It felt unusual, almost surreal, how Yuri had behaved... normally. Well, as normal as any Briar sibling could be. This time around, it seemed that he wasn't fixated on Yor. Annie couldn't help but admit that she had always found Yuri's obsession with Yor unsettling and disturbing.
Her contemplation was abruptly halted by the sound of Anya's small voice penetrating her thoughts. The four-year-old had propped herself up, observing her older sister as she seemed lost in thought, gazing into the mirror for what seemed like an eternity. Anya harbored genuine concern for Annie, even though her own social skills weren't particularly refined. It made it challenging for her to muster the courage to inquire about what was troubling Annie. It would have been simpler if Annie didn't possess the same telepathic abilities that she did. If that were the case, Anya could have just delved into Annie's mind and possibly resolved any of the issues that Annie was grappling with. However, Anya remained oblivious to the magnitude of the inner demons that Annie had been confronting.
"Big sister Annie," Anya began tentatively, her emerald eyes brimming with genuine worry for her sister. They were aware they weren't related by blood, but both felt an overwhelming urge to safeguard each other, especially Annie. Anya often reminded her of her own younger self, impressionable and vulnerable. Annie was determined to ensure that Anya didn't experience anything resembling the trials she had endured in her past life.
"It's alright, Anya," Annie swiftly reassured, turning towards the young girl, her smile tender. She refused to acknowledge it, but the relentless cycle of studying, practicing, and juggling other commitments was swiftly pushing her towards burnout. Nevertheless, she brushed it aside; her primary focus was assisting her father in obtaining the elusive Stella Stars. Fortunately, today held the potential to make progress on that front. A spelling bee for her grade was on the agenda, and she had informed Loid and Yor in advance; they had already made plans to attend. To be honest, she felt a warm sense of delight knowing that they would be there to support her at this school event, even if it was "just" a spelling bee. Luckily for her, if she didn't know she had the ability to read the minds of people.
"Big sister Annie, are you sure?" Anya whispered, sliding out of her bed and standing on the floor with a worried expression painted across her face. Annie, in response, stepped forward and knelt down to her level, offering a soft smile.
"I'm absolutely certain, Anya," Annie responded cheerfully, projecting a façade of happiness, hoping it would suffice to deceive her little sister. Anya gazed at Annie for a moment before nodding and quietly exiting the bedroom to tend to her morning routine. Secretly, she remained skeptical, sensing that something was amiss with Annie, though unable to pinpoint what it was.
Once Anya left the room, Annie let her act slip. Her expression soured, and the fatigue under her eyes became more pronounced than the day before. After collecting herself, she followed Anya shortly afterward.
"Ah, Annie, good morning!" Yor was busy washing her face in the bathroom and greeted Annie with a sweet smile. In return, Annie mustered a fake, cheerful expression for the sake of her makeshift family, even though they were far from genuine, and the possibility of Loid sending the girls back to the orphanage loomed. Well, at least they'd played a part in achieving world peace, right? As she washed up, Anya walked out of the bathroom and stood in the hallway.
"Why didn't you wake me up?! Give me my excitement back!" Anya demanded, and Annie couldn't help but laugh at the girl's reaction. In the manga this reaction was because she didn't get to meet Yuri. She wondered if it was still the case, probably. She had noticed that only small things had altered so far. Aside from Anya willingly studying, at least. Annie quickly followed Anya out to the living room and instantly began helping Loid prepare breakfast. After they had all eaten breakfast, Annie and Anya went to get dressed for school.
The school day unfolded slowly, following its usual routine until the lunch break concluded. The entire student body converged in the auditorium for the anticipated spelling bee. She recognized the seemingly juvenile nature of the event, yet the school's faculty had been adamant that the final word would be the key to winning a coveted Stella Star. She was determined to clinch this victory, no matter the cost. Taking her place on the stage, she joined her classmates as the rest of the school poured into the room, excited to witness the spelling bee, if only because it meant a break from their regular classes. Demetrius and Will were exempt from participating, already being imperial scholars, leaving her and Elysia with much at stake. She felt a pang of guilt, but her resolve remained unshaken. This Stella Star was meant for her and her alone, she sat down and watched as Caius made his way up onto the stage as well. She turned and waited patiently for her turn.
"Alright, Emily," Mr. Henderson, who had volunteered to be a judge, announced. He was seated alongside Mr. Swan and Mr. Evans, both of whom wore smiles. Well, Mr. Evans did
"... A-B-B-R-E-V-I-A-T-I-O-N, Abbreviation," Emily confidently spelled the word. A correct chime resonated throughout the room, and they proceeded to call the next student forward. She had briefly lost focus and was surprised when her name was called. Walking up to the microphone, she gazed at the expectant faces before her, feeling a knot in her stomach. She hadn't anticipated that everyone would be in attendance. Her eyes scanned the audience, and there, in the front row, sat Yor and Loid, their unwavering attention fixed on her. She couldn't help but smile, appreciating their genuine support, despite their unconventional family dynamic.
"Okay, Annie," Mr. Swan's voice dripped with a certain venom as he addressed her. He held a strong disdain for this girl and her family, and he was determined to disqualify her as soon as possible. "Your word is bourgeois." This unexpected choice shocked Mr. Evans and Mr. Henderson, as it was not on the approved word list. All eyes turned to Annie, awaiting her response under the pressure.
Annie met Mr. Swan's gaze head-on as she confidently spelled the word. This word might have posed a challenge if she hadn't watched "Miraculous Ladybug" in her previous life, where it was used as a character's last name, Chloe Bourgeois. Annie held a deep dislike for the character, as Chloe reminded her of the bullies she encountered in school. Ironically, the word "Bourgeois" meant "middle-class," a stark contrast to Chloe's character.
"... B-O-U-R-G-E-O-I-S, Bourgeois." Annie spelled out, her voice filled with pride and confidence. She was certain she was correct, and her conviction was confirmed when the chimes rang out. With a smile, she turned and returned to her seat. As she sat down, she looked outwards to see everyone's expressions, Mr. Henderson and Mr. Evans began chatting, thinking of upping the difficulty on Annie's words. Mr. Swan, however was sitting angerly next to them. His large, round cheeks tinted a dark red out of anger. 'That brat! I can't allow her to win this.' She heard his thoughts, usually she tried not to read minds unless it's absolutely necessary, but she was rather stressed out.
"Alright, Jacob," Mr. Swan called out, although irked by Annie's success, selecting a student at random. "Your word is 'captivate.'"
Jacob took a deep breath, feeling the pressure of the moment. The audience's attention was fixed on him, and he knew that a single mistake could cost him.
"C-A-P-T-I-V-A-T-E, Captivate." he spelled out with determination. As the chimes confirmed his correct spelling, a wave of relief washed over him, and he returned to his seat, grateful for the opportunity to prove himself. Annie watched as he sat down, and smiled as they carried on.
The spelling bee continued for some time, showcasing the remarkable intelligence of the school's students. It had reached a point where none of the children seemed to be getting disqualified. The words given were perhaps too simple for their advanced abilities, and the teachers found themselves in need of more challenging words.
However, the perfect streak came to an end when Mr. Henderson called up Isabella. She approached the microphone with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, her eyes fixed on Mr. Henderson as he presented her with the word "nefarious." Isabella started to spell the word confidently,
"N-E-P-H-E-R-I-O-U-S." The incorrect chime rang out, and a wave of embarrassment washed over Isabella. Realizing her mistake, she blushed and hurriedly left the stage, her classmates offering supportive, sympathetic glances as she made her way off the stage. Annie felt bad, as there was a chance she was going to get a lecture from her parents.
With Isabella's brief stumble providing a momentary break in the near-flawless streak of spellings, Mr. Evans stepped forward, adjusting his glasses as he looked out at the eager students. He then called upon Annie, recognizing her previous successful performance.
"Annie, your turn." he said, his voice filled with kindness. "Your word is 'Elegance.'"
Annie smiled, feeling more confident after her earlier victory. She nodded and began spelling, confidently. Her voice flowing with confidence once again.
"E-L-E-G-A-N-C-E." She enunciated each letter with grace and poise, embodying the very elegance of the word she was spelling. The correct chime filled the room, confirming her success once more. Annie returned to her seat with a sense of accomplishment, and the spelling bee continued.
As the spelling bee proceeded, the teachers decided to introduce some more challenging words to truly test the students' abilities. It wasn't long before they called up a boy named Caius. Mr. Swan, taking the challenge seriously, gave him a formidable word.
"Alright, Caius," Mr. Swan announced, "your word is 'sesquipedalian.'"
Caius blinked, momentarily stunned by the complexity of the word. The audience held its breath, curious to see if he could tackle such a challenging term. After a moment of contemplation, Caius began to spell,
"S-E-S-Q-U-I-P-E-D-A-L-I-A-N." The room fell into a brief silence before the correct chime rang out, stunning both the audience and the judges. Caius had successfully spelled the word, demonstrating an impressive command of the English language. His accomplishment was met with applause and a sense of awe in the room, and the spelling bee continued with renewed energy and determination.
As the spelling bee progressed, more and more students were eliminated, leaving only three remaining contestants: Annie, Isabella, and Caius. The tension in the room was palpable as the words grew increasingly challenging.
Caius approached the microphone with determination, ready to face the next word. Mr. Swan, the enigmatic judge, then declared, "Your word is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
Caius furrowed his brow, taking a deep breath before making his attempt. "S-U-P-E-R-C-A-L-I-F-R-A-G-I-L-I-S-T-I-C-E-X-P-I-A-L-A-D-O-C-I-O-U-S" he spelled with unwavering confidence.
The room held its breath for a moment before the incorrect chime rang out, signaling his elimination. Disappointed, Caius left the stage, leaving Annie and Isabella as the final two contestants.
Mr. Swan, with a mischievous glint in his eye, turned to the two remaining competitors. "Now, for the final round, your word is 'pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis.'"
Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief as she attempted to decipher the formidable word. "P-N-E-U-M-O-N-O-U-L-T-R-A-M-I-C-R-O-S-C-O-P-I-C-S-I-L-I-C-O-V-O-L-C-A-N-O-O-N-I-O-S-I-S," she spelled, her voice quivering with uncertainty.
The room fell silent as the incorrect chime echoed through the hall, signifying her defeat. Annie, now the last contestant standing, approached the microphone with a focused determination.
She glanced at Mr. Swan, catching a flicker of the word's spelling in his mind. With a knowing smile, she began confidently spelling the word. "P-N-E-U-M-O-N-O-U-L-T-R-A-M-I-C-R-O-S-C-O-P-I-C-S-I-L-I-C-O-V-O-L-C-A-N-O-K-O-N-I-O-S-I-S."
A stunned silence filled the room before the correct chime sounded, declaring her the champion. Applause erupted as Annie basked in her well-earned victory, while Mr. Swan, caught off guard, contemplated the turn of events with a perplexed expression.
Her attention was suddenly seized by a voice, prompting her to pivot and find its source. In the midst of the crowd, she spotted Loid, exuberantly cheering and proudly proclaiming to other attending parents, "That's my daughter!" It provided a comical spectacle as Yor made earnest efforts to pacify the exuberant man. Seated with her classmates, Anya fixed her gaze on her elder sister. It was in that moment that a newfound determination welled up within her, igniting the resolve to become just like her beloved sibling.
The remainder of the day proceeded without any notable incidents. Students completed their classes, and the parents were invited to stay for a small gathering where they could engage in further discussions about their children's progress. Annie, having finished her last class, exited the classroom, while Elysia and Will remained behind to wrap up some tasks and planned to join her later.
As Annie made her way through the school grounds, a voice called out to her, catching her attention. She turned to locate the source of the sound and found herself face to face with Roselynn, a friend of Demetrius. Annie couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as she was aware of Roselynn's evident dislike for her. Rumors suggested that Roselynn harbored lingering feelings for Demetrius, but who could say for sure? Some might have considered her behavior a bit erratic.
"I've told you to steer clear of Demetrius!" Roselynn growled, closing the distance between them and confronting Annie.
"Demetrius is the one who seems pretty fixated on me, tell him to leave me alone." Annie responded, dismissing Roselynn's behavior.
Rolling her eyes, Annie turned to leave, but before she could take another step, Roselynn grabbed her wrist and forcefully pushed her to the ground, causing Annie to let out a startled yelp.
"You dumb bitch! Demetrius could never have any interest in someone like you!" Roselynn howled, her anger and disdain evident. She found it utterly repulsive that someone of Annie's modest background would even dare to entertain the thought that Demetrius, with the prestigious Desmond name, could have any inclination towards her. Roselynn clenched the nearest object, clearly seething and poised to use it against Annie.
Just as Roselynn prepared to swing the object at Annie, a stern voice boomed from behind them, causing both girls to freeze in their tracks. "What on earth is going on here?" Mr. Evans, a no-nonsense teacher, demanded as he hurried over to the scene, his eyes narrowing at the sight before him.
Roselynn's grip on the object loosened, and she took a step back, her expression shifting to one of feigned innocence. "Mr. Evans, it's not what it looks like. I just found Annie here and thought she was in some kind of trouble. I was trying to help her," she lied, attempting to mask her fury with a façade of concern.
Mr. Evans, however, was not easily swayed. He had known both girls long enough to discern the truth. With a skeptical gaze, he turned to Annie, who was struggling to rise from the ground, visibly shaken by the confrontation. "Annie, are you alright? What happened here?" he inquired, extending a hand to help her up.
Annie nodded, still catching her breath. "I'm fine, Mr. Evans. Roselynn just... she just attacked me out of nowhere," she managed to explain, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and frustration.
Mr. Evans's expression hardened as he turned back to Roselynn, his tone stern and disapproving. "This behavior is completely unacceptable, Roselynn. I expect better from you. You will come with me to the headmaster's office right now," he ordered, his authority brooking no argument.
Roselynn's façade faltered, replaced by a look of apprehension as she realized the severity of her actions. Reluctantly, she followed Mr. Evans, casting a resentful glare at Annie before they disappeared around the corner, leaving Annie to collect herself in the aftermath of the unsettling encounter.
When she finally made it to the room in which the party was taking place in, she was exhausted. She couldn't help but feel tired... all the time lately. Her face was red now, she could feel it. She needed to brush it off and continue on as if nothing is going on. She shook her head, composed herself and walked into the room as elegantly and gracefully as she possibly could. She walked up to her parents, and began chatting. And after the rest o the students gathered, the party began. She felt embarrassed, in reality this whole party was for her. It wasn't long until the Headmaster himself made an appearance, and finally announced what everyone had been gossiping about. He stood up on stage, his power and authority making everyone in the room fall silent.
"Attention everyone!" His voice roared, like a lion further showing his power and status. "I'd like us all the draw our attention to Annie Forger!" He said, loudly. Proudly displaying his happiness for the girl who had just earned herself a stella star. "I know not many know this, but that spelling bee was more of a test to ensure that our students are going above and beyond in their studies! Annie Forger has proven to all of us that she has the determination to stand among the elite! For this, I'd like to present a stella star to her, for her unwavering diligence in her studies!" She was called on stage and she behaved as maturely and gracefully as she could. She walked with poise, and walked up to the stage. Smiling brightly as the Headmaster attached the stella star to left chest area. Smiling as he did so. She turned and faced the audience who was now cheering. Yor and Loid loudest of all, their proudness coming out in bursts.
After the party, Loid, Yor, Annie and Anya all made their way to the car. They were all very happy about the outcome, Loid especially as his mission was now beginning to pick up. They walked proudly throughout the courtyards to their car, in which they drove home and invited Yuri and Frankie over to celebrate Annie's achievement. They partied for a few hours, Yor, Yuri and Frankie all steadily becoming intoxicated. This was the usual though, so nothing strange was going on. She watched as Anya ate sweets and watched Spy Wars. But Annie couldn't help but feel tired. She felt her eyes becoming heavy, and before she had a chance to make it to bed, she fell asleep.
Author's Note: Hello everybody! Thanks so much for reading, I just wanted to put a short explanation here. My chapters may be shorter and less frequent from now on. But I have a good reason, haha. Drumroll, please. *drum rolls* ... Anyways! I've decided that I'm going to write my own original story! I'm going to post it on Wattpad, so if you ever want to read it... just... Go on Wattpad! Anyways, thanks for reading and I hope you'll continue to do so!