Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 19 - Crazy Love At First Sight

Harmony was lucky to park close to Bryce's house, just after someone had pulled out to leave. Anna's heart jumped in her chest. She wanted to turn and run even if it was all the way home. They had to walk the length of six cars to his driveway. The stars looked like close sparkly diamonds in the black sky and the chilly breeze was making hair try to escape from their bodies. Lights ablaze gave Bryce's home such a charming mystical quality in the magical setting. If it weren't for the fact it was Bryce's home, she would have loved it. Anna looked at the Christmas lights that outlined the house and trees. It made her long for her peaceful garden at home. There were lights on the houses down the street filled with people. Bryce was just one of dozens of people throwing a New Year's Eve party.

Immediately Anna saw Harmony transform into her people mode. She was determined to be the leader of tonight's party. Harmony loved crowds and needed the constant attention. It suited Anna more to be behind the scenes. Parties brought out the worst in people, including her. Anna didn't even really like these people. The only thing she had in common with any of her so-called friends were the clothing they wore, since a lot of it came from Anna's suggestions.

Anna funded many of the fashion shows thrown by the local modeling agency to support local upcoming designers. Those parties she liked to attend, because it felt like business with creative people like herself. Some of those people sucked up to her because she was contributing to their dreams. These gatherings felt like a waste of time and she only attended grudgingly because Harmony insisted it was good publicity to discover fresh pretty models.

It was ten, two hours before they entered the New Year. To Anna's chagrin the party was in full affect. Before Harmony could ring the doorbell, the door opened to a guy trying to find a key from the set he held in his hand. Immediately Anna hoped he hadn't been drinking. She looked past him and into the house that Harmony was stepping into. On the threshold, Anna prayed a silent prayer for patience and tolerance. She was still in a fragile state of mind from last night's drama. Harmony immediately jumped into the role of a glorified movie star the moment she stepped through the door.

Immediately Anna spotted Bryce. Her stomach flipped. Bryce was so beautiful in stature and he knew it. With his dark brown hair, deep emerald green eyes, and a pristine white perfect smile. Everything about him was wonderful, except for his lack of interest in her. Anna had loved almost everything about him, which were also the reasons she hated him. Intellectually he kept up with her. It was sexy. Now Harmony was reaping the benefits. It was almost too bitter of a pill to swallow.

People drew to him like moths to a porch light, but that is where the charm stopped. The moment he opened his mouth to speak, bubbles of etiquette laced lies slithered from his sweet full lips. She glanced around looking for his best friend, as she wasn't in the mood to see him either. He was nowhere to be seen. Good, she thought.

Bryce came up to Harmony and gave her a kiss on the lips while he patted her backside in welcome. Anna knew that it was personal, not customary. The thought of him touching her now was repulsive, Anna lied to herself. Bryce glanced at her before he pulled Harmony into his arms to hug her body against his hard form. How he was able to act as if nothing between them had happened, Anna couldn't understand. It made her heart turn another shade of black. Anna watched Harmony giggle as he privately suggested carrying her upstairs to his bedroom. Harmony told him if he were lucky she'd race him upstairs later... maybe. Harmony then winked and reached up to give him a momentary lock on the lips. Bryce smiled, again filled with hope. Anna felt like spitting in his face. She knew Harmony was going to refuse him at his own party because she had her sights Skyler. That is the only thing that excited Anna to be here and hoped to see Skyler soon.

Anna was sickened by the display of affection, as she watched their flirting with disgust. It was like a whale playing with its food. Anna was privately angry that she still had a taste for Bryce, and felt it wasn't fair to have to even deal with it. She turned away from Bryce's silent desperate displays of pleas for Harmony's body, expressed by his hands and his eyes. Tired of their game Anna looked around. The rest of the house was filled with students from the local High School and college. Everyone was drinking or on a mild drug according to the slur and giggles. Anna wondered if Harmony was going to be able to hold out long enough for Skyler with the pill she had taken. Bryce might get lucky with her tonight after all if Skyler wasn't located soon. Anna's stomach tightened and felt a headache starting.