Naked Heat

C H A P T E R T W O | STARS OF THE HUMAN RACE

     C H A P T E R   T W O | STARS OF THE HUMAN RACE

    “Stop being so grumpy all the time,” Annabelle spoke up, shooting a disapproving look toward Valeria. They were currently shopping in Macy’s. It had been three days since Brody had backed out of the date and Valeria still wasn’t in her usual good mood.

     She frowned as Annabelle grabbed a designer bag and without even checking the price tag she threw it into her basket. “I’m not being grumpy.”

     Annabelle laughed delicately. “It’s not right to lie to people Val. Especially your best friend,” She stated as she grabbed another bag and placed it in her basket. Valeria released a small huff of annoyance. Annabelle rolled her eyes at this. “You’re also being childish.”

     “Am not!” Valeria screeched almost immediately. She shrunk a little as Annabelle looked at her with an eyebrow raised. “I mean, I’m not, okay?”

     “It’s Brody’s fault. I have always said he is trouble.”

     Valeria sighed as she followed her friend around the store. “He isn’t trouble. I’m sure he has a very valid explanation as to why he couldn’t make it last night,” She said as she tried to convince Annabelle that Brody wasn’t all that bad. It was hard to, considering the fact that she didn’t believe it herself.

     “Now you’re not only lying to me but also yourself,” Annabelle declared. Valeria couldn’t argue with this because she knew she was right. They walked in silence once Annabelle decided she had all the items she wanted and they headed to the checkout counter. “I really don’t like the guy.”

     Valeria looked to her best friend and bit her lip. “Why?” She asked.

     Annabelle shook her head. “I just don’t. He isn’t a good guy. The first time I met his family I felt like there is something wrong with them.”

     “Annabelle!” Valeria scolded, however she was grinning at the same time.

     “What?” She asked innocently. “It’s true. Their morals are completely wrong.”

     Valeria rolled her eyes. “You can’t judge them. You have only met them once.”

     “Once is enough.”

    “No it’s not,” She disagreed, shaking her head. They left the store and climbed into the black limousine that was waiting for them outside.

     Annabelle sat opposite her best friend and raised an eyebrow. “Trust me, it is. Brody’s mom is always partying. She acts like your sister.”

     Valeria had to stifle a laugh as she compared the two in her head. Now that she thought about it, she realised that her friend was correct and that Brody’s mother does lead a similar lifestyle to Laura, who is a party animal and regularly appears on tabloids. They’re both famous for the wrong reasons.

     “Your sister is on her way to being Paris Hilton.”

     She couldn’t help but burst into laughter at this. Valeria continued laughing as they drove through the busy streets of New York.

     “Look, all I’m saying is that your family and their family are completely different; except for Laura. His family likes to attend high profile gatherings where there are always cameras. Your family likes to stay away from that. His family are wannabe celebrities,” Annabelle pursed her lips in distaste.

     Annabelle Cookson is a special kind of woman. She is incredibly mature for her age, being only seventeen. Annabelle acts like a sophisticated grown woman. However, some people view her as being a snob from her wise remarks, as she was born into a family with money. She usually has a strong façade, and the only person she would allow to pull her barriers down for is Valeria. They both met when they attended the same private school in Finland when they were eleven.