Broken - A pretty face doesn't cover an ugly heart

2

They were about to leave. Anna was fixing her hair while she looked at herself in the mirror. It was tied in a waterfall braid. She wasn't using much makeup, but her eyes were highlighted by a smoke eyeshadow in earth tones. If she wasn't so focus on her own image on the mirror – she loved spending time admiring herself –, it would have been possible to her see the reflection of her youngest sister – who was asked to call her – staring her with eyes that brought no emotion.

She heard Harold screaming "Hurry up!" and got up to leave the room at the same moment that Barbra did it.

Anna was a little surprise to see her sister outside of the room.

– What are you doing here? Haven't you heard your father? Come on!

She took her sister by the hand and led her until the front door where Harold and Jenna were waiting.

– Stop pushing me, you'll ruin my hair!

Anna turned to see Barbra's face. Boring, she thought. The girl was wearing a meticulously tidy low ponytail; there wasn't a hair out of place. But her dress seemed pretty. It was a dark blue that went too well contrasting her skin and highlighting her eyes.

– I have to admit that you look good today. Although... I hate your hair like this... I guess nothing it's perfect, right?

Barbra smiled resignedly.

The wedding was a circus, to say the least. Daniel and his wife Shanti – a 27 years old girl, whose grandparents were Indian, resulting on a gorgeous hair and beautiful skin – wasn't what someone would call orthodox. His family was catholic and she didn't have a religion, although her parents and grandparents were Hindustan. She had lots of money provided by her well succeeded modeling career in Europe, and liked to party hard. Just like Dan – except for the money part.

So they didn't get married at the church, but in her house instead. He was appreciating showing all the extravagance of the life he would have now to those who were critical about how he lived his life. They didn't marry for what people possible think as the right reasons, but it seemed reasonable enough to them a wedding to throw an epic party. They may not be madly in love with each other, but enjoy their company too well for planning the next few months together.

When the ceremony was over, it was The Event. People were conducted to the yard, which was sparkly and full of possibilities. There was a dance floor big enough, a lot of drinks and food circulating, waiters who also happened to be jugglers, a more reserved place with a tent full of dancers... The oldest people were pretty judgmental about it, but most of the people seemed to be having fun. The ones who had just got married certainly were.

Barbra tried smile nicely to the biggest number of people around her, always going on the table were her grandparents and uncles were - since her grandmother seemed to disapprove completely shirtless waiters - to check if they were well served. Anna on the other hand, was having so much fun. She danced as if the next minute would be too late to do it, and even though most of the time she wasn't that graceful while frenetically moving, her eyes just show a shining effervescent happiness that anyone who had seeing it seemed to wanted experiment.

Jane - Barbra's grandmother – said to her loved child:

– Sweet, we already have people to serve us, stop acting like a waitress, you're a guest! Look at your sister and your cousin, they are enjoying. Do the same thing!

– But I am, grandma.

She smiled politely to the old lady and asked to be excused. Then she observed both of her sister and her cousin, and found herself a little envy. Even if she decided act like crazy and dancing like if no one was watching, she couldn't. And she knew it. Her feet just refused to move, just like she refused to admit her feelings about it. While observing, she saw when Dan switched his partner dancer. Now instead Shanti was a weird girl she had never seen. His wife was dancing with a random waiter, and Anna was around the weird girl, dancing along her with Dan. Something just made Barbra's mood very acid at that moment.

Late that night the celebration was still very strong. Anna walked in the direction of the table that Barbra, Harold and Jenna were sitting on and joined them with her heels in her hands.

– God, I need a drink! I can say whatever I want about this little freak, but he knows how to give a party!

– Well, you certainly seem to be enjoying to someone who was maligning him this morning.

Anna was about to reply Barbra's commentary when their mom interrupted changing subjects to avoid another silly fight.

– Look! Dan just walk inside his house with a strange face, do you think he's feeling sick after all these drinks?

To be honest she hadn't seen his face, just made it up to catch the girls attention. As she predicted, Anna couldn't be more uninterested to hear it; while Barbra was already up to go after him. Anna rolled her eyes while her mom took Harold to dance.

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So, I'll post the next chapter soon. Hope you like it! Let me know what you think! ;)