There she was, Anastasia, a beauty to be beheld. She was leaning on an open window, gazing
at the crying moon. She had opened her long, dark-blonde hair and it was flowing. Her eyes
were as the moon: grey and crying. In her eyes was loneliness and solitude, she was alone.
She had to marry some Italian savage that would probably rape her day and night and when he
got bored, he would give her to his men to rape. She was crying. However, in the distant view
was a simply boy; a simple fast-food worker, someone that no one would give a second glance
at. He was not too handsome nor too ugly. He didn't have a father and lived an honest and poor
life. This girl, who had all she could ever want except love and this boy who had nothing but
only wanted love would cross paths one day.
Anastasia then opened her phone and saw that she was blasted with messages by her friends.
She checked their messages and it was nothing but congratulations on the engagement; none
of them understood her, not even one. Her tears grew more abundant with every message and
soon enough her phone was covered in tears. She could no longer bear to read those
messages and threw her phone on to her bed. She then put her head through the window and
wailed. Her tears and screams reached the moon yet never came back; no one heard them or
cared for them. No one but him. He stopped his bike and looked in her direction; he knew it was
the rich girl and he was frightened by her. For a second however, their eyes met, two little doves
in a world full of ravens and eagles made contact. They could've brought the doves back to the
world. Anastasia saw this pretty, tall, brunette boy and was embarrassed; so much so that she
jumped right on to the floor of her room. She grabbed her phone again and opened an app
where she could see people's posts and whatnot. She scrolled for a bit and saw nothing but
laughing couples and kisses and love knowing she would never have that. Suddenly, a tall,
brunette boy appeared on to her phone. As she clicked on his profile, her phone died. Anastasia
went back to staring through the window at the moon and reminiscing of her youth and
innocence.
Ring, ring, ring. Anastasia's alarm was going off-she had fallen asleep on the window. As she
opened her eyes, the moon was gone and in its place was a bright sun delivering august heat
waves-even in Russia. Anastasia went over to her alarm and turned it off and then fell right
back asleep on the floor. Her mother, Elena, came into her room and saw her lying on the floor.
"Oh, my poor baby," She said, "Ana wake up honey." Anastasia opened her eyes and stared at
her mother, "We have guests honey, you must look presentable or else your father is going to
be mad." At these words, Anastasia began to fret and sweat and arose.
"Mother..." She said hopelessly, "Is it... is it them?" She asked, her bottom lip trembling and her
weary eyes begin to fill with tears. Suddenly, Elena gave her a warm hug,
"No my dear," She gently spoke, "They're not here yet honey." Elena then left the room and
allowed Anastasia to prepare. Anastasia walked into her bathroom and peed. She then arose
and washed her hands. She finally went and showered and did her average routine: Hair,
Makeup, Eye Contacts-to cover her beautiful, grey eyes as her father says its a disgrace to the
family- and finally getting dressed. Anastasia decided to wear a monotone, white dress with
white gloves and black heels. She looked in the mirror and saw a short, woman with four inch
heels. She had bundled up her beautiful, dark-blonde hair in a bun that was stacked at the top
of her head. She had put dark, red lipstick on her lips and had painted her eyebrows a darker
colour. She had a fairly sized chest and her face was partially perfect; partially due to the
excessive and heavy amounts of tears she sheds nightly. However, it was all a facade.
Anastasia wasn't this pretty little princess with pretty little heels and a pretty little dress. No, she
was a free woman, she was a woman that was not meant to be locked and sold off like some
business deal. She needed a better life than that. She needed something that no one could
ever give her but something that she shared with another person. She didn't need all these
riches and glory and makeup and phones and cars, no, she needed something more valuable.
Something that is priceless; that thing is love. She needed true love. And rest assured, getting
raped by an Italian, savage mob is not love, it is lust. Her father didn't care about this though,
no, all he could care about was money; and his daughter was a money making machine.
Anastasia was crumbling inside, crumbling bit by bit.
"Anastasia!" Elena shouted, "Come down here! The guests arrived!" Anastasia quickly wiped
the singular tear off of her face, that nearly destroyed her flawless makeup, and sped
downstairs.
"Mother," She said with such a gentle voice that only those gentler could hear it, "Where is
father?"
"He should be here any second honey." Elena replied, "Do not show signs of fear my little babe,
be calm." Suddenly, Vladimir came. He was this giant man with a giant physique. He was
wearing a suit that was not only displaying his intensely, synthetic muscles but also displayed a
facade of fear. He had blue eyes (which he was quite proud of) and blonde hair-if male pattern
baldness can even be called hair. He had this look on his face, as though he was angry every
second in which he wasn't making money. He walked down the stairs and saw that Anastasia
had her contacts in. He briefly analysed and smelled her and she was in the clear. He did the
same to Elena and noticed that she didn't have the contacts in.
"I'm sorry, my love. Please allow me to-" Before Elena could finish her words, a slap met her
cheek. This slap wasn't necessarily strong but enough to knock her back a bit.
"Listen to me, cunt!" Vladimir shouted, "How am I supposed to dictate my authority and my
supremacy on my enemies if both of you bitches have grey eyes! You're lucky I didn't rip your
little, grey eyes out of your head and replaced them with marbles." Vladimir was about to send
her upstairs to fix it but suddenly there was three knocks at the door. "Goddamn it!" He shouted,
"Go sit down I'll go open the door!" The two women scurried along and sat down on their chairs.
Vladimir opened the door and was greeted by a short, brunette, pale old lady that was
accompanied by her tall, brunette son.
"Do come in," Vladimir said, "Mrs. Petrova"
"Thank you sir, we appreciate your patience and hospitality!" The boy said. Vladimir sat them
both down and began discussing.
"So, Mrs. Petrova, I am sure you know why you're here." Vladimir said, "You owe me money."
"Yes, sir" She replied, "I do."
"Now, as I am a respectable and honourable man, I allowed you a one week extension," He
said with a pleasant demeanour and smile, "That one week is now over, where's my money
Yuliya?" He then switched to this cold and frightening man. Yuliya bent down to pick up her
purse but struggled to do so. The boy quickly bent down and picked it up for her. As he arose,
Anastasia finally recognized him as the man she saw yesterday on his bike. Anastasia began to
turn red but luckily her excessive makeup successfully hid it.
"Aw," Vladimir said, "Aren't you quite the little helper? What's your name boy?"
"Alexei sir," The boy replied, "Alexei Petrov." Vladimir smiled at him and continued business.
Alexei pulled out the money from the purse and walked over to Vladimir. As he walked past
Anastasia, her neat bun slightly rubbed against his low quality jacket.
"Oh, my apologizes little Miss!" Alexei said. Vladimir gave a quick and sharp glance at
Anastasia as to not ruin his reputation,
"Oh, its all right mister!" She synthetically replied.
"Here you go, sir." Alexei said before giving the money to Vladimir.
"As per my tradition," Vladimir said, "I won't count the money as to show my respect." Of course
Vladimir lied, as soon as the guests would leave, he and two other men would count the money
three times each to make sure that everything was in order; if it wasn't, Alexei and his mother
would pay.
It was night once again, Elena was in bed with Vladimir getting beat for not putting in the right
contacts and Anastasia had to endure her mother's screams. Anastasia's phone was charged
this time so she finally decided to check that boy's profile. She instantly recognized him as the
same boy that came over that day. She kept scrolling and suddenly a rock flew in from her
window. It wasn't necessarily a large rock but big enough to attract her attention. Anastasia ran
to the window and there he was; the brunette boy.
"Are you completely mad!?" She shouted, "My father will kill you if he sees you!"
"What can I say?" The boy replied, "I suppose I'm going to be killed." Anastasia laughed.
"So, uh, what's all that screaming about up there?" Alexei asked, "I came to check up on you, I
thought you were in danger."
"Oh, you know, fathers." She replied.
"Uh, yeah sure..." He answered back, "Fathers." The two looked at each other, Anastasia
looking down and Alexei looking up, and locked eyes. Anastasia's weary, grey eyes meeting
Alexei's brown eyes. Two unmatched, in every single category, people falling love. What a sight
to see. Alexei was wearing a simple hoodie and ripped jeans. He had some silly, little slippers
on too.
"You know, I feel like a knight coming to the rescue down here," He said, "May I come up?"
"Uh," Anastasia replied, "Sure if you want my father to kill you."
"Ugh, whatever" He replied, "But can we at least text? I know you've been viewing my profile,
little miss, I can see that you know!" They both then laughed. The moon shined brighter than
any day other day. The stars were also sprinkled across the sky as a lover sprinkles
compliments.
"Yeah sure, mister!" After saying this, Alexei quickly ran out of the estate and rode off with his
bike.
Alexei rode his bike throughout the streets of Russia. As he rode, he progressively got colder
and colder and that hoodie was really not doing much. He kept riding however, he knew his
mother needed him, he knew he needed his mother; they needed each other. After a long ride,
he finally arrived home. He opened the front door and saw his mother standing there, on the
couch with a blanket over her and her eyes closed. She had just given all of the money she
made that month, all of it, to Vladimir to pay off the debts which she accumulated because she
quite literally didn't have food to put in her or in her son's stomach. Alexei just stood there, with
his fingers red with frost and his face frozen, with a gentle smile. He walked over to her, gently,
and slowly caressed her head.
"Keep fighting," He slowly whispered, "Keep fighting mother, keep fighting for dad." Although
Alexei never met his dad, Igor Petrov, he heard many stories of how he was a great man and
how he was known as the most honourable man in all of Moscow, according to his workmates
anyways. He had died when Alexei was a mere child. Yuliya never truly recovered from his
death, he was her everything. When she was weak and on the verge of crumbling, he would
pick her up. When she had no clothes to wear, he would clothe her. When she had no food, he
would feed her. When she was all alone and infected with the disease known as solitude, he
would be her cure. A simple kiss healed all of her diseases. He was gone now. No more Igor to
solve her issues. No more Igor to kiss her and warm her. He had now abandoned her, left her
all alone in the world. She no longer had anyone to care for her except for his seed, his seed
named Alexei. But no one can replace the love of a husband-or wife- not even your children.
Alexei then crawled his way to his room where he didn't even bother to undress and just fell
asleep right then and there.
The arguing and screaming was yet to stop. It was as so for hours now. Anastasia wanted to do
something but she knew she would get hit too. So she simply bore her mother's screams. She
couldn't do it anymore, she couldn't bear her father's vexation and rage anymore. She couldn't
do anything about it though. Suddenly, Alexei awoke. Something or someone woke him up.
Anastasia decided she couldn't do it anymore, she opened her window fully and stood upon it.
Suddenly, a chime was heard from her phone. 'Who in the world could that be?' Anastasia
asked herself. She decided to descend from the window and check her phone one last time.
'Direct Messages: Alexei_P05'
Anastasia stared at this username and finally recognized it. She opened his direct message and
messaged him back.
Hey, how's it going -Alexei
when you asked me to text, I thought you meant like right when you get home, NOT AT 3 AM -
Anastasia
A 'hey' could've been nice but whatever -Alexei
You really caught me at a bad time Alexei I don't think we can text :( -Anastasia
Oh is that so? okay then goodnight little miss -Alexei
Anastasia put the phone down and walked back to the window. Her phone chimed again.
Oh I forgot to mention Anastasia, but would you like to go for a coffee tomorrow? I could pick
you up on my bike lol -Alexei
On your bike? Don't you have a car or something? -Anastasia
uh no? -Alexei
Okay okay soz but yeah sure we can go for a coffee tommorow just drop the location -
Anastasia
Alexei then pinned the location and indirectly saved Anastasia from suicide. Alexei, a boy who
was awoken by some mystical force in the middle of the night, saved Anastasia, a girl who was
about to kill herself due to her insufferable life, from certain death. These two were real lovers
and it was clear.
The following morning.
Alexei got out of his little bed that he had since he was five and got dressed in his casual
clothing: trainers, jeans, shirt and a black hoodie. He went to his mediocre bathroom and
washed his hair with his low class shampoo. He went to do his hair but he could smell the rot
coming from the walls. He looked below and saw a cracked floor. Everywhere he looked, he
was surrounded by poverty. However, when he looked straight ahead, into the mirror, he saw a
smile on his face. He didn't know why he was smiling but he just was. He was also thinking of
Anastasia simultaneously. On the other hand, Anastasia woke up on a giant bed that could
accommodate a whole family. She went to bathroom and also did her normal routine. As she
did her hair, she could smell the perfume that was lingering with blood in the atmosphere.
Everywhere she looked, she was surrounded by luxury and gold. However, when she looked
straight ahead, she saw a lifeless, pale girl with sunken eyes and frail cheeks. However, a faint
smile was indeed spreading. She hadn't smiled for years but this random, tanned, poor boy
somehow made her smile, a real, genuine smile. Alexei went downstairs and saw his mother,
who was still asleep, and left a note on the table telling her where he would be. Anastasia
walked downstairs, dressed in a fair dress with flat shoes and a sun hat, and a purse.
"Where do you think you're going, young lady?" Vladimir asked with a cup of whiskey cola in
one hand and a bagel in the other.
"Father," Anastasia trembled, "I am going out with Victoria, my friend." Vladimir walked over to
her, slowly. Perhaps he tried to intimidate her with his slow walking or perhaps he was too fat to
walk fast.
"Listen to me, little girl," He said menacingly, "I'm only letting you go so that I appear as a gentle
man. Do anything to stain my image, and I shall stain your face permanently." He went back
and sat down, "Something that you and your whore of a mother don't understand is that I love
my reputation and character more than you. So, I'm sure you know why you had to endure that
screaming last night."
"Yes, father," Anastasia said synthetically, looking down, "Mother brought you shame."
"Smart girl," He said, "Now go and don't you dare come back drunk." Anastasia walked out of
the house and was greeted by a gigantic estate; so gigantic that she had to go on an electric
bike to reach the main gates. The house was giant, to say the least, it had at the very least one
hundred rooms inside, all furnished and kept as though someone inhabited them. The house
had two large towers at both ends with men that wielded arms of all sorts. The house had
windows that were the size of houses themselves and the two front doors required automated
machines to open them as the were so huge. The estate itself could bear around one hundred
of these houses. The estate was scattered with other smaller houses which were inhabited by
Vladimir's trusted henchmen and workers. These houses were still quite grand and spectacular.
The main 'castle' was like the mother and the other houses were like the little babes. Anastasia
finally reached the front gate and the handle of the gate was a primordial primate. It was the
family's 'logo' after all; a primordial primate. Anastasia finally left the estate and began walking
to the location that Alexei had pinned. Alexei was riding his bike casually when the rusty chain
snapped! Alexei didn't have time to react or even put the brakes and drove straight into a pole.
He didn't wear a helmet because he quite literally couldn't afford it. He flew off of the bike, hit his
head on the pole and then landed face first onto the ground. It was early in the morning and no
one was there to help him up. He stood up, feeling woozy, and saw his hand was bleeding. He
touched his forehead and felt a scrape. He pulled out his phone, which was already cracked,
and looked into the camera to see the damage. It wasn't severe but it was noticeable. He
thought of going home to cancel the date but then that same force that woke him up urged him
to continue. He whipped out some wet wipes and wiped the blood from his forehead and then
checked the damage on his bike. It was obliterated. He continue walking to the destination
however, in hopes that the gentle touch of Anastasia's hands and her graceful words could heal
his bloodied head and relentless wounds. Isn't that what lovers are meant to do after all? When
all seems hopeless and the pain is relentless, lovers are there for you. When everyone turns a
blind eye to your yearning for survival, lovers are there. When no body cares for you and leaves
you out in the cold, lovers are there; ready to embrace you into their warm arms and kiss you
with their gentle lips. A kiss is the cure to any problem. A simple yet profound and honest kiss
can heal anything.
Anastasia arrived at the destination and sitting on one of the outdoor seats was Alexei.
Anastasia walked up to him and saw the scrape on his forehead.
"Oh no!" She gasped, "What happened!?"
"Oh I had a little..." He chuckled, "accident." Anastasia reached into her purse and grabbed a
bandage. She then went closer to Alexei's face, eye to eye you may say. Alexei stared into her
grey eyes and his love for her grew larger and larger. He saw everything, he saw how much she
suffered and how much pain she endured through her eyes. Her eyes were like a portal to her
inner being. Anyways, Anastasia, with her gentle hands, placed the bandage on his forehead
and kissed it.
"You know what they say," She said, "A kiss is the cure to any problem." They both then
chuckled and went inside. Anastasia ordered a simple salad whilst Alexei ordered a burger,
fries, chicken nuggets, shashlik and a beer. They began eating and Anastasia was eyeing his
food like how a lion eyes a gazelle before devouring it to shreds.
"If you want some you can have some-" Before Alexei could finish his words Anastasia's mouth
was already full with food.
"Anastasia," Alexei said. Anastasia stopped momentarily and glanced at him, "Do you not get
fed at home?" Anastasia, despite her riches, was kept starved at home, eating nothing but
salads. Her father had to keep her as skinny and 'beautiful' as possible as to get the best
'profits' out of her. Her father was a despicable man, starving his own daughter to be able to
make more money!
Anyways, Anastasia continued munching down on his food until there was nothing but four fries,
half a burger and one chicken nugget.
"I wasn't hungry anyways," He chuckled,
"Oh my," Anastasia gasped, "I am so sorry! Here let me pay for your food!" Anastasia offered
him money but he instantaneously turned her down.
"Have you been locked in that house forever?" He asked rhetorically, "The man always pays!"
"But I'm the rich one-" She replied,
"Doesn't matter, I must pay." He spoke.
"But I ate your food!" She cried,
"I wasn't hungry anyways." They were going back and forth on who should pay and finally
decided that she should pay for his meal and he for hers. After that awkward encounter, they
decided to go on a walk in the park.
"Wait a minute..." Anastasia said, "Where is your bike?" She asked
"Hm, my bike?" Alexei replied, "I told you I had an accident." Anastasia then burst out laughing
at him. Alexei stood there, with his jaw dropped and his eyes widened.
"Look at that!" He yelled, "She laughs!" Anastasia walked back to him,
"Of course I laugh," She said, getting closer, "I'm human after all." The two then kept walking
throughout the park.
"Anastasia," Alexei said, "How come you always seem so sad and anguished? When I saw you
at the window crying I was shocked. You're rich, beautiful and smart. You can tell, I won't judge."
Anastasia stared at him, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Coincidentally, they reached a little
bridge cutting through a river. They decided to sit down on the ground.
"Any day now," She said, "Italian savages are to come here and buy me from my father to be
married. My father abused my mother. My father mentally abuses me. My friends all think that
I'm happy; no one sees the real me!" She began crying. Alexei grabbed her in his arms.
"Anastasia..." He comforted her, "I'll always be here for you, even though we barely just met. I
saw it in your eyes, your suffering and anguish. I'm here for you, call my name and I'll support
you in any way." He said. Anastasia, from his arms, looked up at him, their eyes making contact
once again. His maroon eyes staring into her teary, grey eyes was like a dove meeting an
eagle.
"Thank you..." She whispered, "Thank you Alexei, this has been the best day I've had since
forever." Alexei grabbed her hand and pulled her up,
"There will be better days than this, I promise you." He said, "I promise you, I will make you
happy and protect you" He grabbed her hand and began running. He broke off the path of the
park and went into the fields.
"Where are we going?!" Anastasia asked,
"I'm taking you to where I go to be happy!" The two continued running until they arrived at a little
shrine in the woods.
"Woah," Anastasia gasped. The shrine was covered in Christmas lights, even though it was
August, and decorations. There was tens of teenagers there, all singing and dancing and
enjoying themselves. Painted on every tree was the words: Live life! There was little stands
where food and drinks were given out and they even built rooms inside of the trees to sleep.
Anastasia couldn't help but smile at the unison and harmony of these teenagers.
"Am I welcome here?" Anastasia asked, "I feel as though I don't belong."
"Anastasia, rich, poor, little, big, old, young, anyone is welcome here; anyone seeking
happiness." He replied, "No one will harm you here and no one will find you here." The two then
went back onto the normal path of the park.
"Alexei," Anastasia said, whilst blushing, "Thank you for today, it has been nothing short of
magical."
"I'm glad," He replied getting closer and closer to her face. They both began blushing. They got
closer and closer and their lips began calling to each other.
"I love you," They both said simultaneously, as though their brains were linked. Their lips finally
touched and their tongues caressed. They made out and embraced each others. Their tongues
danced together and their lips hugged. That kiss was not a mere kiss, it was a seal of their love,
proof of their love you may say. They continued kissing and Alexei grabbed her head by the
cheeks. The two stopped kissing and pressed foreheads together,
"Forget about those Italian savages," Alexei said romantically, "You have me."
"Yes I do..." Anastasia said before the two fell on the ground and made out even more
passionately