Anna
'Casey, time for bed.' Minion bent down and gently lifted his son up. 'Oh, you've gotten big!'
'Aw, papa! But I'm not tired!' The little child squirmed in his father's arms. 'Five more minutes? Please?'
'No, honey, it's late.'
Casey frowned and dropped his head to his father's shoulder in disappointment. Minion patted the young boy's back and he carried the small child up to his room. Gently, Minion lay his son down on the bed and tucked him in.
'Sleep tight.' Minion bent down and planted a soft kiss to Casey's forehead.
'Papa?' Casey asked softly.
'Yes?'
'When is momma coming home?' Tears glistened in the young boy's brown eyes. 'When is she coming back?'
Minion's heart dropped at the saddened look on his son's face. He walked over and sat next to Casey, pulling him close. 'Soon.'
'Really?' Casey sniffled.
'Really.'
Minion ran his fingers through his son's bronze hair as he thought of his ill wife back in Moscow. Due to lack of income, Minion sent his desperate wife to live with her wealthy mother in hope that she might receive the needed care.
'Papa? How did you and momma meet?'
'Casey, please, it's late. Get some rest,' Minion urged.
'Just one story. Besides, it's a happy story, right?' Casey smiled widely at his father.
Minion smiled back. 'Alright. But after this you go to bed.'
'Yes!'
'Well, let's see... I meet Anna around the ninth grade.'
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The young, golden-haired, teen stared at the girl sitting in front of him. The way her brown hair flowed down her back, the way she sat so straight in her seat, her silky voice...
'Minion Zarubin!'
'Huh?!' The dazed teen snapped back into reality.
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'She sat in front of me in history. All I did was stare at her and fantasize. She was so beautiful. So graceful. Majestic. Like a gift from heaven...'
Casey stared blankly at his father, the palm of he hand smooshing his cupped cheek. 'Papa,' he said flatly.
'Right.' Minion straightened up. 'Anyway.'
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Minion hurried down the bustling school hallway. '201C, 201C, 201C...' He repeated over and over in his head, afraid he might forget if he didn't. The excited young man turned the corner, and froze.
'Anna, this is for you.'
A tall, young man stood before Anna and handed the angelic girl a card, attached to it a red rose. The girl's eyes widened, a huge smile crossing her face as she opened it.
'Oh, Alex!'
Minion hid his card behind his back, and slid back around the corner.
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'That was depressing... Alexander Rugov, a junior, handed Anna a card and asked her to go on a date with him. I remember going home and doing nothing but cry for hours.'
Casey stared up at his father's solemn look. 'You really loved her?'
'I did. I was heartbroken. So much so that I didn't want to go back to school ever again. It was an extreme overreaction, so, naturally, my mum and dad made me go back.'
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'Oh, Minion, dear, please do not cry.' The mother held her crying son close. 'This happens to all of us. Before your father and I met, we both had crushes and heartbreaks. Don't worry. There's still someone special out there for you. Now, get dressed and ready. I will drive you to school.'
Minion let out a frustrated sob and complied with his mother's instructions.
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'She tried to sooth me, but I only felt she didn't understand. So, as it was, for several weeks I was like this.'
'How did you get over it? Did she realize she liked you more than that other guy?'
'Oh, no!' Minion chuckled. 'She hardly knew I existed. We talked maybe once or twice, but she never showed any interest in me.'
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'Oi, Minion! You won't believe this! It's ALL over the school! Anna Koyevsky and Alexander Rugov broke up! They had this HUGE fight in the hallway! Well it was more of an argument, but still... It was EPIC!...so I hear.'
Minion stared at his friend as he continued on, shocked. Never in his dreams did he think this day would come. A wide smile crept across his face.
'Hey, Min? Are you feelin' alright? You look kinda...possessed.'
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'Hearing about their fallout was one of the best things I'd heard in my life. I looked all over the school for Anna. When I found her, she was crying on the steps. I walked up and sat next to her. She ignored me at first.'
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Minion sat next to the crying beauty. She did nothing.
'Hi,' he said finally.
No response.
'Kinda hot out, isn't it?'
No response.
Minion frowned. 'Hey, don't ignore me. Oh! I mean--that came out harsher than I meant it--'
She lift her head and let out a laugh. 'You're so pathetic.'
Minion met her gaze and gave a smile.
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'Did you ask her out?'
'No, not then. It was the wrong time. We just talked for a bit. It's hard to say if she liked me then. She was laughing, so I guess that was a sign she didn't hate me... I think.'
Casey cocked his head. 'You think?'
'Well...'
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Minion walked up to the lone girl. Anna looked up at him, then back down at her food.
'What do you want?' She asked coolly.
Minion stuttered. The girl stared at him blankly.
'Look, freak, I don't have time to deal with you. Why don't you just leave?'
Minion swallowed. Maybe now wasn't the best time to ask. With that, he hurried away. Anna rolled her eyes.
Minion sighed. So close.
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'So close,' Minion groaned.
Casey cried out in disbelief, 'It's like she totally forgot about you!'
'To be honest, she did. After that day on the steps, we hardly ever talked. She had her own group of popular friends, and I was not among that group. Each time I tried to talk with her, she gave me this disgusted look. Come junior year, I managed to muster up enough courage to ask her out.
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'Anna, will you go out with me?' Minion smiled nervously.
Anna stared at him for a while. 'No,' she finally said, then walked away.
Minion's heart sank. He turned and raced after her. 'Please, wait!'
'I said no. Now go away.'
'Can't you just hear me out?'
Anna stopped and faced him. 'What?'
Minion gulped. 'Um, I-I know we haven't really...talked, but I-I really like you and---'
'No.'
'But—!'
'No! Now get lost!'
She turned away and began walking away again.
'Please, wait!' Minion chased after her again.
'I said get lost---Oh!'
Minion grabbed her arm, pulling the slender girl against him, and kissed her.
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Minion covered his face with his hand, far too embarrassed. 'I must have been an idiot or something...'
'You kissed her?!' Casey's eyes widened and jaw dropped.
'Yes. It was rather pleasant. ...Except for the slap. But I suppose I deserved it. But I didn't give up. I asked her out a few more times that year. Of course, with the same answer... Then came prom. My last chance.'
The young boy cocked his head. 'Prom night?'
'It's a very formal dance that many high schools for you final year of high school.'
'Did you ask momma to the prom?'
'Yes.'
Casey leaned closer in anticipation. 'What did she say?'
Minion smiled.
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'Anna, I know that... We haven't exactly gotten along this year. And I know I've done some things that I shouldn't have---'
'Get to the point.'
Minion flinched, taken aback, but asked clearly, 'Will you go to prom with me?'
Anna stared at the young man before her. He just didn't know when to give up, did he? But she had to give him some credit---he was persistent and nothing seemed to deter him. She sighed in annoyance. 'Fine.'
Minion's heart skipped. 'Y-Yes...?' His ears were playing tricks on him for sure.
'Yes.'
'...Yes?'
'Yes! My goodness, yes! How many more times do I have to embarrass myself by saying "yes" to you?!'
'I..I'm just...'
Anna rolled her eyes, gave an amused smile, then walked away. 'Don't be late or I'll ditch you!'
'Y-Yes!' Minion beamed, his heart fluttering with pride.
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'Aw~!' Casey laughed gleefully at the happy ending.
Minion smiled at the recollection. 'That night was a night to remember. From that point on, everything escalated. Eventually I met her parents, and she mine. A year after we both finished college we got married.'
'Then I came along?'
'Yup.' Minion smiled and ruffled his son's hair. 'Then you came along.'
Casey smiled widely and giggled.
'Now, go to bed.' Minion gave Casey another kiss, then turned out the lights. 'Goodnight.'
'Goodnight, papa.'
Minion closed the door, then walked back downstairs. Just then, the phone rang.
He answered. 'Hello?' A soft voice came from the other end. Minion gave a soft smile. 'Ah, mother. What brings you to call so late at night? ... Yes, he is, why?' He glanced up the steps and lowered his voice. 'Mother, has something happened? Please tell me. Is Anna alright?' Minion felt his heart stop, his breath catch in his throat. 'W-What?' he choked out.
'I'm so sorry, Minion. I didn't know how else to tell you. I'm so sorry...'
Minion felt the phone slip from his hands. His mind went hazy. He slid down the wall trying to choke back a sob, but grief overwhelmed him. He let the heavy tears pour down his cheeks.
'Anna...'
3: How I Met You