Part I
Twenty-five year old Anne Elliot danced around her living room, lip-singing to Madonna's "Into The Groove" blasting from her stereo. After a stressful workweek she needed to unwind. Hanging out with friends and dancing were the cure, and she planned to enjoy every minute of freedom until returning to "The Cell" Monday morning. The Cell being a small cubical surrounded by gaudy orange fabric walls. She worked for a web-design company, working her tail off day after day to come up with "flashy" and innovative ideas for their clients. Honestly, you'd think with all the money her employer made he could afford a little redecorating. She had suggested it more than once. Her friend, Carlie, had started her own interior decorating business and she was the best, as far as Anne was concerned. And image was everything...what sort of image does burnt orange give? Nausea is the only word Anne could think of.
Pushing away thoughts of her job, she glanced at the clock to see what time it was. It was Friday night and she was getting ready to go out with her two friends, Jess and Carlie.
Jess Carson was the sweetest of the group, twenty-five years old, and had just broken off her engagement six weeks ago, to a man who'd been cheating on her. She had caught sight of the two together, kissing at another table in a club, during one of her "nights out" with Anne and Carlie. They had brought her back to Anne's house, comforting her while silently cursing Adam, and promising retribution. Knowing Jess wouldn't want either of them to harm him (and they would have, gladly) they had slimed his car with egg and wrapped saran-wrap around it, and then reported his sorry @$$ for back child-support
he owed to his ex-girlfriend. They had laughed, two weeks later, when they read he was arrested for driving under the influence. Then the loser had the gall to call up Jess, begging her to bail him out. Although Jess was sympathetic, she wasn't stupid. She had hung up and not accepted his phone calls since. Now Anne and Carlie were helping her forget the worm and move on.
Carlie Marshall was the eldest at twenty-six. She was the most independent and aggressive of the group, and very protective of her two friends. Anyone who dared to mess with them, answered to her...a man was lucky to walk off with his...assets in tack if he crossed her. It wasn't unusual for her to receive the label of "dyke" at least once during their nights out. Carlie had a way of putting down men she felt were inferior to her standards that made them feel like they had just had their {censored} cut off in front of an entire assembly of women. However, instead of being offended, she merely smiled her evil smile and laughed with pure amusement. Carlie was definitely the "b----" of the group and took great pride in keeping that reputation well known. Neither of her friends could figure out how she had gotten into the decorating business, but Carlie could please when it suited her...and for her business and a paycheck, a little butt kissing and civility suited her just fine.
Anne was the most levelheaded of the group, with a little bit of a wild streak that appeared every now and again. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, even if it went against the "popular" opinion. Fiercely loyal to friends and family, she was also the one everyone ran to for advice and wisdom. While she was always there to help out, she was not one to push her friends to pick one way. She would simply point out logical options and let them decide from there.
The doorbell rang and Anne danced over to it, swinging it wide open. Her friends stood on the other side, grinning at Anne's outfit for the evening. Fishnet stockings, a body hugging black dress, spiked collar, and combat boots, and her straight black hair framing her face. Carlie wore her usual jeans and t-shirt, this time with a camouflage print, her long brunette curls flowing wildly down her back. Jess wore khaki shorts and a white tee, with her blonde hair put up in a ponytail. They made an odd group but nobody could question their friendship or loyalties toward one another. During the last ten years, they had comforted each other when a boy had broken one of their hearts, threatened a few unwelcome suitors, laughed and cried during their successes, failures, and losses.
"Well, don't just stand there, morons, get in here. I've just got to put out some food for Ash, then we can get going." Anne said, leaving the door open and heading for the kitchen, calling for her cat. A gray tabby, with small patches of light orange, came scampering into the kitchen purring loudly. Both Carlie and Jess bent down to pet Ash as he wound his way around their legs.
Anne grabbed her keys, ID, and money. Minutes later they were cruising down the highway, dance music blaring through the speakers while they screamed to the lyrics, earning odd glances and annoyed looks by other drivers. Carlie at one point, crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at a sour-faced old man, then grinned mischievously as Anne sped past.
Settling down in her seat, Carlie yelled over the music. "Which club are we going to this time?"
"Jamie, a girl at work told me about this new place called Spazzers in Lansing. She says it has awesome music, a great dance floor, friendly and..." Anne glanced at Carlie with an evil grin. "Sexy waiters! Not to mention karaoke for anyone who dares!"
"WooHoo! Let's go then! Sexy waiters and karaoke...can a girl ask for more?" Carlie sighed dramatically, putting her hand to her heart. Jess laughed gleefully...the first time since breaking off her engagement. Smiling, Carlie playfully gave Jess a noogie and said. "That's the spirit!"
This started a mild tussle between the two, which was put to a stop when Anne laughingly said, "Girls, you're distracting the driver!"
Carlie snorted, "Even if we were quiet as a mouse, your mind wouldn't be on driving."
Jess laughed again. "She's too busy thinking about her dream man."
Anne squealed indignantly, "You two are going to pay for that comment! I do not think about my dream man! UGH!"
Smirking, Jess looked back at Carlie, "Notice she didn't deny having a dream man."
Carlie snickered, but quickly assumed a serious expression when Anne glared at her in the rearview mirror. Patting Anne's shoulder, she said, "Don't worry Anne, your secret is safe with us."
Anne rolled her eyes and then smiled. She was glad to see Jess laughing and teasing again. Not that she wouldn't get her, and Carlie, back later. After all, what are friends for?
The rest of the trip was spent sharing complaints and gossip about work, and half an hour later, they pulled up in front of a futuristic designed building. Throngs of college students flowed in and out of the doors constantly; shouts of greeting and jests filled the air. Colored laser lights lit up the sidewalk as the girls made their way to the door. The buzzing sound of techno-pop music flowed out the doorway, the beat enticing everyone to enter and dance.
The inside was dimly lit with fluorescent lights tingeing everyone's face to a puckish yellow. The waiters had varying colors of hair, dog collars around their neck, and the translucent shimmering make-up contrasted sharply against their black uniforms. Carlie glanced around with predatory eyes and settled on a man heading away from the bar with electric blue hair and a tight butt. Her lips pulled back in a hungry smile and a gleam flashed in her eyes. She would stalk this unknowing prey tonight and find out as much as she could. If he turned out to be less than she expected...well, not a terrible loss, there were always more toys to play with.
Jess and Anne grinned as their friend's expression, waiting for the entertainment to begin. Watching Carlie in action was a sight they wouldn't miss for the world. She watched him for a moment as he cleared off a table and made her way over, the other two following her. The table also gave them easy access to the dance floor and a great view for the comings and goings. However, somebody else reached the table at the same time they did. Thoughts of the waiter flew out of her mind as she took in this guy's appearance. He was at least six foot, with thick, dark, wavy hair, and startling green eyes. His arms were muscular but not disgustingly bulgy and even better yet, Carlie detected a hint of dimples in his cheeks.
She smiled and was about ready to ask him to join them when he glared at her, and said, "You can't sit here."
Carlie arched her eyebrow in silent challenge. "Excuse me, but this is our table." Carlie stated, crossing arms in front of her.
"Well, I don't see your name on it, and I was here first, so you and your friends will just have to move along." He sneered.
"First of all you don't know my name, so how do you know it's not on there? Second of all, you can just bugger off, my friends and I spotted this table and there are three of us, and only one of you...unless God has a twisted sense of humor." Carlie smirked.
His eyes narrowed dangerously and he opened his mouth to insult Carlie but his eyes shifted past her to someone else. He nodded and said, "Well, it seems my party has found another seat, so by all means, ladies, take this table." He bowed mockingly and stomped across the crowded room.
Carlie snorted and mumbled, "What a butthead."
Jess smiled, "We could have sat somewhere else. I'm sure the waiter has other tables."
"That's not the point Jess, besides I would have gladly shared the table with him." Carlie waggled her eyebrows. "Mmm Mmm but he had a great body...and then he opened his mouth...and shoved his foot inside." All three girls laughed.
The waiter came over a few minutes later to take their orders, but when he smiled, Carlie was put off for good...his teeth were already partly black. After he left, she grimaced, "Ugh, I cannot stand a man who doesn't keep his mouth clean. Ewww..." She shuddered and surveyed the room once again. Sighing heavily, she frowned at her friends, "And he was the only fair prospect. From what I can see, all the others look like they are just out of high school."
Anne laughed, "Oh come on, you aren't that old. And some of these men have to be close to our age."
Carlie smiled, "Yes, you're right, and the night is young! I haven't lost all hope!" She sighed again, "It's just too bad that Mr. Move-Along had to be such a loser...what a waste of fine human flesh!"
This earned another laugh from her friends and after their drinks were delivered, talked about a vacation they had been planning to take together in a few months time. It wasn't long before Jess's thoughts drifted away to her ex-fiancé and she frowned. Looking across the room she noticed a couple dancing close, seemingly lost in each other's presence, their arms locked around each other. She looked away quickly as a lump formed in her throat. Carlie and Anne noticed this, but as they were about to say something, the music stopped suddenly. A young man dressed in an Armani suit stepped up on the small stage at the front of the room.
Part II
Anne grinned, "What about you guys? Want to give it a try and share our horrid voices with the rest of the world?"
"Hell, yeah! Let's go!" Carlie all but shouted.
Jess smiled but declined, "I don't feel like getting up in front of all these people tonight. You two go ahead if you want to though." Anne and Carlie exchanged concerned glances, but Jess insisted, "I'm fine really. I'm just too embarrassed to get up there. Go ahead."
"Well...alright." Anne said grudgingly. The two made their way up onstage, just behind another person willing to face the wrath of the judges. While the other girl sang a rendition of Christina Gaguilera's "Genie in a Bottle", Anne and Carlie debated on which song to choose. "OK now that we're up here, I have no idea which song I want to sing. The only song I have going through my head right now is Madonna."
Carlie looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, "I think I know the perfect song."
"Well, hello ladies! My name's Ben, in case you didn't catch it earlier. What song would you like to choose for your performance?" his voice boomed across the room.
Carlie leaned over and whispered in his ear then stepped back looking pleased and waved to Jess out in the crowd. "Wonderful selection if I do say so myself...and I do!" Ben walked over to the DJ and put in the request.
Carlie and Anne both grabbed a microphone and addressed the crowd. "Alright everyone, this song here is dedicated to the mortification our friend, Jess, is going to feel after we're through. You see, she was too shy to get up here and make an arse of herself in front of all you folks, so we're going to do it for her. And there she is everyone." Anne pointed as the spotlight settled on their table, where Jess sat like a deer caught in headlights. Her mouth hung open for a moment then she buried her face in her hands, while Anne smiled.
Carlie and Anne sashayed to the edge of the stage as the music began, luring the crowd with their throaty voices and seductive dancing.
You must understand
That the touch of your hand
Makes my pulse react
That it's only that thrill
Of boy meeting girl
Opposites attract
It's physical
Only logical
You must try to ignore
That it means more than that
Oh, oh, oh
What's Love got to do, got to do with it
What's Love but a second hand emotion,
What's Love got to do, got to do with it
Who needs a Heart, when a Heart can be broken.
It may seem to you
That I'm acting confused
When you're close to me
If I tend to look dazed
I've read it someplace
I've got cause to be
There's a name for it
There's a phrase for it
But whatever the reason you do it for me
Oh, oh, oh
What's Love got to do, got to do with it
What's Love but a second hand emotion,
What's Love got to do, got to do with it
Who needs a Heart, when a Heart can be broken.
I've been thinking of a new direction
But I have to say
I've been thinking of my own protection
It scares me to feel that way
What's Love got to do with it
What's love but a sweet old-fashioned notion
What's love got to do with it
Who needs a Heart, when a Heart can be broken. *
During the entire song, Carlie and Anne had made suggestive motions toward the crowd and leered at Ben on the opposite side of the stage. The had also made stupid faces, danced the funky chicken, and snorted throughout the song to embarrass Jess.
After the music faded, Carlie and Anne bowed before the crowd. Half were laughing and some sat in stunned silence. The judges claimed their performance excessively horrible but oddly entertaining, and since nobody else would volunteer for karaoke, they won they free drinks. Hugging Ben, the girls made their way back to the table, where Jess sat in complete shock.
"Oh my gods! I can't believe you two!" She choked out in a horrified voice. Then she began laughing uproariously, attracting the attention of others around them.
Anne smiled. "Well, we brought you out to show you a good time."
Carlie smirked, gulped down her coke (she was the designated driver you know) and added, "It's really too bad you didn't join us Jess. Ben might not look that great but from what I could feel, he has a fabulous bod!"
Jess spluttered and laughed even harder. After wiping the tears from her eyes moments later, she grinned at her two friends. "You two are the best."
"We know." Anne said in a superior tone. They ordered a few more drinks as the music began playing again. "And now that we displayed our wonderful dancing techniques on stage, I'm in the mood for some more!"
Anne felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see a handsome face, with laughing green eyes, a strong jaw, and sensual lips, which were curved into a tantalizing smile. Her eyes took in his broad, muscular frame and she almost started drooling on the spot. Her hormones screamed, jumped, and did an all out pow-wow inside of her as he asked her to dance with him. She looked back at her friends who were nodding emphatically for her to go. Standing, she followed him to the dance floor where they danced close and danced dirty to 'Shoop' by Salt'n Peppa. After the dance, they returned to the table breathless and smiling from ear to ear.
"Hey guys, this is Frederick Wentworth, and these are my two best friends, Carlie and Jess." After greetings were exchanged, Anne offered him a seat. "Pull up a chair, you want anything to drink? They're on the house."
"Sure, thanks." Frederick sat down, a boyish grin on his face. "I'll have a Corona with lime." The waiter left to get his drink and soon all four of them were talking.
Carlie observed Frederick across the table with a calculating gaze. "Soooo...Frederick." She paused dramatically, then arched an eyebrow and asked, "What do you do anyway?"
"I'm in the Marines. I'm on leave right now to help take care of my father at the moment. He recently had a triple bypass and mother can't do it by herself since she had hip surgery a few years back. My sister is at home with them now, and my brother and I were basically forced out of the house while they did some baking...since we tend to be more of a hindrance than a help."
"Oh, we're sorry to hear about your father. How is he doing so far?" Anne asked, the others adding their sympathies as well.
"He's doing great actually. He's a stubborn old cuss and unwilling to let anything keep him down." Frederick chuckled. "Do you ladies come around here often..." He trailed off and groaned. "Lord that sounded like a corny pick-up line." The girls laughed at this but assured him they hadn't take it that way. But secretly, that is exactly how Carlie took it, but then again...she would. "Honestly, it wasn't, I was just trying to find out more about you. Do you hang out here a lot?"
"Actually, this is our first time here. A friend of mine from work told me about it." Anne explained.
"Oh, where do you work?" he asked.
"At CyberTech Inc. Large corporations pay my company an exorbitant amount of money, of which I see very little, for enigmatic and flashy, quote...unquote, eye-catching web pages. I've been working on getting a promotion. If I get it, then I'll get to sit in my own office, instead of a cubicle, and boss people around, then praise or trash their ideas as I see fit." Frederick grinned at her answer, then asked the others about their jobs.
"I started my own interior design company a few years ago and since then I've been wrecking as many home interiors as possible. It's my life's goal." Carlie stated matter-of-factly. Frederick wasn't sure to take her seriously or not, but he guessed by the smirk that she was only joking...or was she?
"What about you?" Frederick asked Jess, who had been lost in silent contemplation.
"Oh, I'm a kindergarten teacher. Not a very glamorous career but I love it none the less." Jess smiled.
"Well, that's what's important." Frederick stated. "How long have you three been friends?"
"Almost ten years. We met in high school and have been partners in crime ever since." Answered Anne, grinning at her two loony friends. "Our plans for world domination are coming along rather nicely. The planet is in our grips...MUAAHAAAAHAAA...well ok not really, but hey it's important to have goals."
Frederick laughed, thoroughly enchanted with this beauty before him. Her hazel eyes sparkled with humor, her full lips curved into a half smile. A strand of her hair fell across her face, caressing her translucent skin and inviting him to touch its smooth pale perfection. He stared at her for a few minutes before clearing his throat and then saying out of the blue. "You're a really great dancer. My brother, my friend, and I were watching you up on stage."
Carlie perked up, "They're here with you?"
"Oh, yeah. They're sitting across the room." He smiled sheepishly. "I was having so much fun with you three, that I almost forgot about them. I'll go ask them to come over, I'll be right back." He disappeared among the crowd, leaving Anne and her friends whispering urgently back and forth about the merits of her catch. If only poor Frederick knew his character was being dissected like a fish by a group of over-eager biology students.
"Oh my gods, Anne!" Carlie waved a hand in front of her face. "That man is HOT! Phew, what I wouldn't give to be in your shoes. Damn I wonder if his friends are as sexy as he is."
"And he seems so nice too!" Jess added. "But do you think he's one of those player types? I mean, he said he was in the Marines..." She trailed off, not wanting to say anything bad about someone she didn't know.
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter much. You know our rule. We don't leave a club without anyone but each other. This is no place to meet Mr. Right." Anne said somewhat dejectedly. She sighed, "Oh, well at least I can enjoy Mr. Wrong for the night and have wonderfully vivid dreams about that tight butt and lean, muscular frame for weeks and weeks..."
"He is definitely the stud dreams are made of!" Carlie interjected.
Frederick returned at that moment, but thanks to the loud music, did not hear her statement. He introduced his twin brother, Christian, who was greeted warmly, but was surprised to find a much cooler greeting toward his cousin, Marcus Croft. In fact, Carlie was outright glaring at him, while the other two just sat in stunned silence. Unsure what this was about, Frederick tried to lessen the tension by joking about it.
"Well, I've heard my cousin bragging about silencing a woman with his handsome looks, but this is the first time I've ever seen evidence of the kind."
Carlie gave an unlady-like snort (but who wants to be lady-like anyway) and said snidely. "I doubt they're silenced by his looks, unless it's a reaction of horror."
Marcus smiled in a way that bared his teeth and hissed out a breath of air before replying, "You would know since I'm sure that's the only reaction you've ever been the recipient of."
Frederick added, "So I take it you've already had the privilege of meeting."
"I wouldn't exactly call it a privilege, more of a punishment actually." Carlie stated. "He was so polite earlier when he told us to get lost..." Anne kicked Carlie under the table and made a frantic gesture. Understanding exactly what her friend meant, but not thrilled at all by having to humor these yahoos, sent a challenging look toward her friend that meant she'd hear about it later. Then in a saccharine voice, she said, "Won't you please sit down and join us, Mr. Croft?"
Unaware of the unspoken female dialogue, Marcus stared at her sharply, wondering at her sudden change of attitude. He sat down cautiously and remained in a brooding silence for the rest of the evening...much to the happiness of Carlie. The rest of the night was spent in pleasant chatter, dancing, and joking. Frederick was completely infatuated with Anne, unable to take his eyes off her form. He found reasons to lean in closer to her, to smell her hair, or caress her hand.
The shy, and somewhat, withdrawn Jess, captivated Christian. Sometimes she'd get this far away look in her eyes, and a touch of sadness would envelope her. And in the next moment, a smile crossed her face, making her entire face glow with radiance. He had asked her to dance, and though she professed to be a horrible dancer, he found her to be quite graceful. Not wanting to scare her off he remained friendly, but not pushy, and was rewarded with a quiet chuckle now and again. He couldn't quite explain why it made him feel content to hear that soft, tinkling laughter, but it did.
It was getting late and they announced the last song before the club closed for the rest of the night. The DJ put on one last song. The familiar beat of Duran Duran's "Come Undone" filled the room. Frederick and Anne made their way to the dance floor once more, swaying together to the music, their arms around each other. Frederick stared into her eyes, the words floating through his head...
Who do you need, who do you love
When you come undone...**
He thought to himself...I wish it were me. Anne smiled up at him, her face flushed from the warm air and dancing, and her hair in disarray. He'd never seen a more beautiful sight. Leaning down, he kissed her softly, briefly and continued dancing. Anne was surprised at herself. Usually if a man had thought to kiss her after only just meeting she would have torn him to shreds, but she remained content in Frederick's arms.
As the song concluded, they headed back to the table where Carlie and Marcus were sitting in a glare session, while Jess was telling Christian about her students.
"Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm beat." Anne yawned and stretched a bit.
"Great, let's get the hell out of here." Carlie muttered, sending one last glare toward Marcus. "See ya Marky Mark...I'm going to go get the car, I'll meet you up front."
"Carlie, I don't think you should go out there alone at this time of night." Jess said, always the worrywart.
"Ah, Phooey, I'll be fine, we're only parked half a block away, it's well lit, and I have some mace..." With that she flounced off before Jess could argue more.
Shaking her head, Anne just said, "We'd better get going, I know she can take care of herself, but I still don't like the idea of her walking out there alone."
They all headed toward the doorway, talking quietly. Frederick turned to Anne. "I know I'll regret it if I don't ask, but can I give you a call? Or maybe we can meet somewhere again?"
Anne looked unsure for a moment; "Well...Carlie will kill me if she knew..." She looked up at him and she stopped. Reaching into her purse, she took out a piece of paper and wrote it down. "Here, and thank you for a great time Frederick."
He stuffed the piece of paper in his pant pocket, and then gave her his number. "Believe me, Anne, the pleasure is all mine." He kissed her hand, then turned to leave with his brother and cousin. Anne jumped as the sound of a horn broke the silent night.
"Come on you two, get in!" Carlie shouted from the car. Anne and Jess hopped in the car and soon they were speeding toward home.
*What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner
**Come Undone by Duran Duran
Part III
"RIGHT!" she cheered.
"Right, Anne." Carlie demanded, but no answering shout of agreement was forthcoming. Anne sat huddled in her seat, purposely avoiding Carlie's glance. Carlie frowned, "Right, Anne?"
"Well...giving out your number isn't so bad when you're getting good vibes." She mumbled.
Complete silence met her statement. Then the shocked voices of her friends declared, "ANNE! YOU DIDN'T!"
Anne nodded, still looking away from Carlie.
"ARGH!! I can't believe this! Why? You don't know anything about this guy. He could be some perverted psycho! Have you totally lost all common sense?
"Yeah, or a crazed sociopath with a penchant for picking up virgins?" Jess said.
Both of the other girls swung around to stare at Jess. "What?"
"Well for one, a sociopath wouldn't have friends. And how in the world would he know that Anne is a virgin?" Carlie asked.
"I don't know...but he could still be some sick stalker that gets his kicks by watching women through windows." Jess said defensively.
"Hmm, quite right!" Carlie relented.
Anne snorted derisively, "Oh, come on you two! I don't think Frederick's like that."
"Yeah, that's what the neighbors say about the serial killer next door." Carlie muttered. "Well, all I have to say is, if he hurts you, I'll string him up by his balls and use him for a piñata."
"Aw, thanks Carlie! That's so sweet." Anne gushed and fluttered her eyelashes. Carlie continued to mutter under her breath. Anne thought it wise not to ask her to clarify. "What did you think about Christian, Jess? He seemed to like you quite a bit." Anne teased.
Jess blushed in the darkness and gave a vague answer, then quickly changed the direction of the conversation.
(In another car...)
Frederick was lost in his own little fantasy world, thinking of Anne Elliot. "What did you think of Anne? She is so different from all the other women I've met. Most women are so false but Anne is so open, honest, beautiful, funny..."
Marcus rolled his eyes and smirked. Christian merely smiled, his own thoughts centered on a different lady. The shy mile that lit up her entire face, making her sapphire eyes glow and a slight blush to cover her pale cheeks.
This time Marcus really did laugh. "Good Lord, you two are a pair." Christian realized he had spoken everything out loud. "Here you are praising them into the heavens, when you've only just met them, and you might never see them again."
Frederick gave a self-satisfied smile. "I'll see Anne again. She gave me her phone number."
Christian smiled happily. Now he would be able to see Jess again through Frederick and Anne.
Marcus sneered, "Sounds like every other woman in the world, just looking for a boy toy to play with."
Frederick growled angrily, his eyes narrowed dangerously, "Anne isn't like that Marcus."
Marcus put his hands up in surrender. "Whoa, ok man, chill. Maybe she's not, I don't know her well enough to say. I'm just telling you to be careful."
Frederick relaxed in his seat. "Yeah, I know. But not all women are like Shelly."
"No, but Shelly wasn't the only one of her breed either."
"Well, you can't take it out on all other women forever. What about Anne's friend, Carlie? I would have though she'd be your type. You've always loved brunettes with a zany sense of humor."
"She certainly has a wonderful sense of humor, and at my expense. When you two were off dancing, the only words we shared were insults." Marcus grumbled, while the other two laughed. "What's so funny? She called me Marky Mark. I can't stand that name. And she had this way of quirking her eyebrow when she insulted me that made me feel like a court jester before his Queen."
Frederick and Christian laughed again, and looked at each other. "He likes her."
Marcus gave a loud snort and settled back into his seat. The rest of the trip was spent listening to his cousins laughing about his predicament.
Anne stared at the ceiling and groaned. Why did I give my number out? She chastised herself for a rare moment of stupidity. I mean I don't know this guy...and just because I was getting good vibes... She groaned again. Carlie's right, I've lost all common sense.
"ARGH! Go to bed Anne or you'll drive yourself mad." She muttered to herself.
3:45 a.m.
Anne turned over and grumbled, still wide-awake. Why did I do that?
4:22 a.m.
Anne stared through bleary eyes at the clock. GO TO SLEEP ANNE!!
4:56 a.m.
ARGH!
5:30 a.m.
I can't believe I gave out my number.
5: 53 a.m.
Anne tried counting sheep, leprechauns, and dancing elephants but to no avail. She even tried suffocating herself with her pillow but that didn't work either. GODS!
6:47 a.m.
I know! I'll have my phone number changed, so he won't be able to call me! Yeah, that's it!
6: 49 a.m.
But that means I'll have to inform my employer, the bank, and my credit card company...UGH more trouble that it's worth.
7:15 a.m.
I am such a moron
7:36 a.m.
Ooooh, delirium setting in, or at least I hope so, because those little blue men dancing on my dresser are kinda scary...
7:42 a.m.
Think I should sleep...but why did I give out my number! ARGH!
9:25 a.m.
Anne buried her face in her pillow and sighed in disgust. @#$&! Banging her head into the pillow she cursed her stupidity once more before heading downstairs for breakfast. She stood staring blankly into space with the cupboard door open. What if he does call? What do I say? Do I really want him to call?
@#$&!
Ash meowed loudly, snapping Anne out of her trance. After glancing through the cupboards she remembered that she hadn't gone grocery shopping yet.
Well, @#$&!
She rummaged through the refrigerator. "Oooh! Three day old pizza." She popped them into the microwave and poured some food for Ash. Taking out the pizza, she sniffed it and wrinkled her nose. Smells like soggy cardboard. She grabbed the cat food dish and sniffed that. Ash watched her curiously.
"Your food smells better than mine does. Hmm..." Anne chomped on a few kernels of Meow Mix. "Needs a bit of milk, but not too bad." She set the cat food on the floor, dumped out her pizza and went into the living room.
She flipped through the channels mindlessly. Oh, gods. Why!?!?!?!?!?......Oooooh, was that Bruce Willis? IT WAS! Die Hard 2...Drool.
The phone rang, interrupting her ranting. "Aw, man, every time I'm watching a movie."
She had almost made it to the phone when she tripped over the cat and smacked into the table. "Gods...!" She cussed picking up the phone. "Yeah?" Laughter greeted her. "Carlie?"
"Yeah. What'd you do this time?" Carlie smirked.
"Tripped over the cat," Anne said ruefully, "But what are you doing awake? It isn't even noon yet."
"I would love to still be asleep but I have that flight to L.A. for that stupid interior show thing."
"Oh, yeah! I forgot all about that...and we kept you up all night."
"Oh, well, I can sleep on the plane. That way if it crashes, I won't be awake to see my death." Carlie said.
Anne rolled her eyes, "I just love your optimistic attitude."
"Thank you, so do I! But you're still going to take care of the brats for me?" Carlie asked.
"Yeah, I have your extra key."
"Great, I'll see ya in a few days. I left all the info by the phone in case anything comes up."
"OK, talk to you later, and have fun." Anne said.
"Yeah, right." Carlie muttered before hanging up.
Anne stumbled in through the doorway of her house, and a grocery bag went crashing to the floor, causing Anne to end up sprawled on the floor. "Good going, Grace." She scowled. "You'd think after four years in Tae Kwon Do, I'd be more graceful, but no, still a walking disaster."
After picking up the groceries (luckily only the bread was smashed...it was a new record) Anne began putting everything away. "Man, I really need to clean out the refrigerator, I have things growing on things."
The phone rang, startling Anne into jumping. "Gah!" Hand to her chest, she answered, "Hello?"
"Anne?" a male voice questioned.
"That would be me, who's this?" she asked, although she was pretty sure who it was.
"It's Frederick...um, I was wondering if you'd like to meet up for dinner tonight? That is, if you don't already have plans." Frederick finished quickly.
"Uh...yeah, sure." Anne smacked her forehead. Aw, man! Why did I say that? ? I don't want to go out with him...do I?
"Really? Great, you can choose the place and we can meet up there."
"Well, do you know Owosso well enough to get to the Fortune House? It's Chinese food, unless you don't like it?"
"No, Chinese food is great, and I know where that is! I'll meet you there about six o'clock?"
"Sure, see you then Frederick."
"Bye, Anne."
Anne put the phone down and smacked her head against the wall...again...and again...and again.
"Why can't I bloody say, no? Now I have to meet him! Gah! Why, why, why?" She beat her head against the wall once again, then looked up. "Oh great, now beat your face in before you go meet him." Anne climbed the stairs to her room, muttering the whole way.
"Alright, party people. For all of you who've been here before you know what time it is...for all you newcomers, let me now welcome you to the Karaoke Challenge! Here to the side sit our judges. If they like your style, your moves, and your music, they'll give you free drinks all night. But if you SUCK, you get a huge pie in the face! Who wants to try it first? Any takers?"