Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 26 - To Catch A King, Trick A God

There was something different seeing Stacy tonight. She reminded Anna of Friday night's bar event with Jolene and her cheeks reddened. Anna would never have made the comparison had she not had someone to compare her to. It was uncanny how much Ryan's girlfriend that slapped Anna looked like a more mature version of Stacy. She wondered if they were related in some way. How ironic Anna thought suddenly uncomfortable, but she knew their section of the city was small, so it could very well be a possibility. That would complicate things.

When Jake asked if she needed a ride home she was immediately apprehensive, but there wasn't anyone else at this party she wanted to get a ride with. The thought of calling a cab was out and embarrassing as she wasn't drunk so she wouldn't have a classy departure. She would look like she was dumped there.

At Bryce's house.

Which she was.

Anger flashed through her brain and her body felt overheated. She tried to control herself in front of Jake and his sister. She remembered how much effort it took to breathe without Jake noticing.

Anna never wanted to leave a place so badly.

With Stacy considered by Harmony to be their mortal enemy, this ride home would be interesting. She knew Harmony was going to have a problem with Stacy's brother giving her a ride home, but that would also be her argument. At that point she was excited because Anna knew there was going to be an argument and she was ready for it.

"I didn't know he was Stacy's brother. I had never seen him before. I hung out with him all night, but how the hell was I supposed to know that Stacy was his sister. I didn't see them hanging out together! He came up to us remember? And it wasn't as if I had a ride home!" Anna would scream in her defense. That at least is what she planned to say to Harmony if she threw a fit.

Anna didn't even mind lending her sweater to Stacy. She was just happy that Harmony was going to suffer the same betrayal and lack of sensitivity that she made her feel. Since Harmony knew how terrible Friday night turned out besides how much Anna hadn't wanted to go to Bryce's party, to leave her stranded was unforgivable. Bitch. Anna sighed, knowing her anger wasn't going to go away until she had a word with Harmony. This time she wasn't going to let Harmony get away with her selfishness. Not wanting to feel Anna thought of Jake's face and smiled dreamily.

It surprised her how quick Jake led her. Before she knew it, he had ushered her into Bryce's house. With ease they handed their dishes off to hired servants then headed in the direction of the front door. It all felt like a dream now. Besides meeting Jake, the best part had been the look on Bryce's face when he realized Anna knew from the beginning that Harmony had other plans for the night. There was a mixture of sadness and anger on his face that bulged from the smiling masked he wore daily. Anna smiled in farewell. Bryce didn't. She didn't care.

He deserved it. Anna giggled to herself.

Though close to looking like a wave goodbye, Anna knew Bryce's direct view would have seen her middle finger slightly sticking up above the rest of her fingers in a farewell fuck you. She didn't think Jake would have seen this as a distinctive private message for Bryce, but if he had he was polite enough not to mention or question why.

Just as Anna had expected the ride home wasn't a disappointment. Not just because she was sitting next to Jake, but also because Stacy made sure there wasn't an uncomfortable silence. The moment they had gotten into his truck to drive away, Stacy surprised her by firing question after question at times not waiting for an answer.

Though feeling a bit tolerable, Anna was interested in Stacy's comments. It was always good to get positive feedback even if she had to suffer through the private questions. She was uncomfortable talking about her parents, especially with Stacy, so she gave the same brief answer she had given Jake and many others throughout her life.