Chapter 26: Part 26: Assignment
Alison
Alison couldn't help but laugh at Anna's entrance, only she can make her presence known prancing into a room.
"Hey, why are you laughing?" Anna pulled back from the hug, "You should be grateful and hug the life out of me, not laugh."
Leo was the first to laugh in response, "Anna it's good to see you."
"See Ali you need to be like your dad who acknowledges that I'm here."
"Well, I would if you gave me the chance to speak."
Alex couldn't help himself and laughed, "As always it's a pleasure to have you here Anna."
"Oh shut it Alex your lucky Liv doesn't do this to you."
Olivia was next to speak up, "No but I do stress him out at work and give his life meaning," she turned to face Alex and smiled.
"Yeah, that needs to end work isn't meant to be that stressful."
"Anywho moves away from the lovebirds," Anna noticed someone who she had yet to be introduced to, "Ehem so tell me Ali anything I should know?"
Alison shook her head and grinned, "Okay you be quiet for five seconds so I can introduce you."
She then turned to face Dean and smiled, "Anna this is Dean, he is one of my classmates. Dean this is Anna, my best friend."
Anna rushed around the counter to face Dean, then just as he was about to ask what's wrong Anna turned to Leo and asked, "Is he the one that helped her?"
Leo smiled at her protectiveness, "Yes he is."
Anna smiled and stuck out her hand, "Thank you for being there for her."
Dean shook her hand and shrugged, "I just did what anyone would do."
"Nope they wouldn't but either way I'm grateful."
Alison smiled at her insane best friend and knew that the moment Anna realized that she was around food she'd grab a plate.
"Wait a minute food!" Anna turned to Leo, " I love your house, you always feed me."
Everyone laughed as Anna rushed around filling her plate.
Just as Alison started calming down she couldn't help but burst out laughing once again due to the expression on Dean's face. He seemed truly amazed at Anna's plate that was filled with food.
"Close that mouth of your's Dean before a bug makes it their home."
Dean quickly shut his mouth and scratched the back of his neck.
"I don't know why you are so shocked Dean we girls need to eat too."
"True Anna but not all of us eat the amount you do."
Liv was next to ask, "How are you so tiny with the amount of food you ingest?"
"The benefits of running."
"That makes so much more sense."
Anna simply shrugged and took her seat next to Alison and dug into her plate of food.
Alison smiled, "Dean aren't you planning on eating?"
Dean
Dean then realized that he had yet to serve himself so he quickly scanned the buffet and filled his plate, though not as much as Anna.
He then searched for a seat, there were two available one next to Alexander and one next to Anna. After an internal debate, he chose the seat next to Anna.
Alison looked over and smirked, " Good choice."
"I thought so, hungry girl sounded better than a couple in my mind."
"Hungry girl is here by the way, but yes even I have to agree with you Alex can get a bit jealous."
"Well, I'm glad to be here."
Alison smiled while Anna just when back to her food, sighed dean did the same.
After everyone finished eating they each went their separate ways as Leo had to leave the house for a meeting.
Alison lead them to the back porch and sat on one of the chairs and looked out the view. After taking a seat as well Dean began to admire the scenery but unfortunately, it didn't last long.
"Wait a minute why are you guys just relaxing don't you have an assignment that you need to do?"
"Well yes, but I was thinking we could relax a bit before we started to work on it," Alison responded.
Anna was not accepting that answer as she pulled them both out of their seats and pushed them into the house towards the studio squealing.
"I can't wait to see what you two come up with."
Dean didn't know how to respond and Alison just sighed.
"Nope I know that sigh, Alison I haven't seen you write since summer I have the right to see my best friend do what she loves."
"You haven't seen me because when I come home I like to read and you don't let me."
"Alison stop it because we both know you probably finished the books your da gave you last week."
"No, I didn't I'm still on the last book."
"More than halfway done with it for sure."
Alison looked away guiltily, "Maybe."
"Exactly, time for some music."
Dean couldn't help but laugh at the way they bickered it was clear as day that they knew each other for a long time now.
"What are you laughing at singer boy?"
"Nothing I just remembered something."
"Hmm, I hope so now into the studio we go," Anna then pushed them into the studio.
Dean then remembered that his book with everything they had done was in his bag in the room.
"I have to get my book so we can continue where we left off."
Alison nodded as he made his way out.
Alison
"Okay so now spill," Anna demanded, "What happened yesterday?"
"Well, we came to an understanding on the way here."
"Reason why you're not contemplating murder, now tell me what happened to make your dad look at him as if grateful for more than helping you after you fainted?"
"Well, we performed for them last night."
"WHAT?!?!?!?"
"Shush! but yes I sang with Dean in front of Dad, Alex, Liv, my professor, and Ms. Johnson."
"Oh my gods what changed?"
"What do you mean?"
"You faint when you have to perform in front of multiple people remember."
"I don't know Dean just pushed me and encouraged me I guess then when I finally started it felt natural if you understand what I'm saying."
"So how do you feel?"
"Like I'm figuring out what I should be doing. I always feared performing because it's what hurt my mom but last night I think I finally understood why she continued doing it even though it caused her pain. She never stopped because it is what she loved to do it was what brought meaning to her life. That's what she was trying to show me but I didn't understand until last night."
"So what does this mean are you completely over your stage fright?"
"Not yet but I think I figured out what I need to do."
"And that is?"
"Be myself and not let anything stand between me and what I love to do."
"I'm proud of you Alison."
"Be proud when I am finally over the stage fright."
"I'll be the one screaming your name," Anna got up and hugged Alison.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone