From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Diapers?” The chuckle escaped Nanson before he could catch it.

Anthea may appear all prim and proper with her stunning looks and cool demeanor, but beneath that polished exterior lay a spirit brimming with cheeky humor.

She could always crack you up when you least expected it.

“Then let’s go with black,” Nanson grinned, “You girls are always saying black is slimming and makes you look taller. Black it is, then.”

With that, he scooped up the pants and headed for his room, eager to dodge any more zingers from Anthea that might leave him

without a stitch to wear.

Anthea closed her bedroom door behind her, slipping into her clothes for the day.

It was the Christmas Day, and she intended to dress with a bit of festive flair. She chose a wine–red peacoat, black leggings, and a pair of black Doc Martens.

She looked sharp, her outfit striking the perfect balance between the vivaciousness of youth and the elegance of her age.

Before stepping out, Anthea casually reached for a pearl hair clip from her vanity and secured it at the side of her head. The wine–red pearl perfectly complemented her coat.

Upon entering the dining room, her mother, Carole, had already laid out breakfast on the table.

She prepared lots of food.

Though Anthea was slender, her appetite was anything but meager.

Just as she set down her fork, Latonia and her family arrived to exchange Christmas‘ greetings.

“Merry Christmas, Carole!”

“Latonia, Keeley, you’re up early! We’ve barely finished breakfast! Come in, come in!” Carole exclaimed and then called back into the

house, “Anthea, Latonia and Sarah are here!”

Anthea hurried out to greet everyone warmly and then set about making tea.

Sarah, would you like some fruit tea?” Anthea asked, holding up a selection of tea leaves.

“What flavors do you have?” Sarah approached to take a look.

Anthea inspected the packaging. “Looks like pineapple and hawthorn.”

“I’ll have that,” Sarah nodded.

“Walter, how about you?”

Walter Allen chuckled, “Just a regular green tea for me, thanks.”

“All right then.”

After the Allens had settled in for a while, Sarah suggested an outing. “Anthea, let’s go check out the fair! On our way here, we saw lots of people heading to the Chapel!”

“Is it far?” Anthea inquired.

“Not too far,” Sarah replied. “We take a 30–minute drive, but since the chapel’s on the hilltop and there’s no cable car, we’ll need to walk

up.”

“Are you guys heading to the Chapel?” Nanson joined in. “I’m actually going that way myself. I can give you a lift.”

“Sounds great,” Anthea nodded, then turned to Walter. “Walter, do you want to come along?”

Walter was a shy, young man who often blushed uncontrollably when talking to Anthea. “I’ve got plans with my high school friends, so I won’t join you.”

Sarah linked arms with Anthea. “Forget him, let’s just go, Anthea.”

Nanson was the sentimental type. Despite his courier business doing better by the day, he still drove the same second–hand minivan. Though it was pre–owned, Anthea had souped up the van so well that its performance was top–notch, which was the main reason Nanson couldn’t bring himself to part with it.

Soon enough, they arrived at the foot of the hill where the chapel was perched, Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The van couldn’t make the ascent.

A crowd had gathered at the base of the hill.

Nanson got out and opened the door for the girls. “Anthea, Sarah, when do you plan on heading back? I can swing by and pick you up.”

09:56

Anthea looked up towards the chapel at the hilltop. ‘Probably a couple of hours. I’ll give you a call.”

Alright Nanson nodded, reminded them to stay safe and to call him if they needed anything, then left.

Anthea and Sarah began their hike up the hill.

The steep path was challenging, but the promise of the fair above spurred them on.