Okay guys! Yes I know its only a flashback, but that's all I have! More will come soon when I sort out my plot! For now, read, enjoy and review, or something along those lines…

Anna

Ch. 4

Yet another worthless party to attend and yet another fiend to repulse. How tiring it was to be disagreeable and angry throughout the night.
I found that an hour after I had entered the Priton's beautiful marble manor, my father had yet again found another suitor with which he would attempt to destroy my perseverance and single hood. I had hoped he was accustomed to failing at this point.
Surprisingly, as I looked around, from the dull conversation my present partner had started, I saw Michael Priton nowhere. It was his party after all, and when my father threw his flippant parties, I was always there to greet. It puzzled me why he would not be standing out front with his parents…
Melanie accusingly stared at me, as the young man proceeded to talk to me even more rapidly. Melanie knew me too well. She knew how I was not even answering the pointless questions he threw at me, nor was I adhering to any compliments he dare give me about my dark pink attire of the night.
When Melanie had caught my eye, and seen my disagreeable look, she had scornfully mouthed for me to behave. I did not even try to stifle my laugh. The young man stared at me, surprised and dismayed at my easily distracted attention.
"I did not realize that I was boring you," he said, a hurt-filled voice ringing in my ears, attempting to make me a solace of regret.
I simply sneered.
"Well now you have. Excuse me."
With that, I left the gentleman staring dumbfounded at me. I shrugged and continued walking, ignoring Melanie's sharp cry, and my father's most likely furious look. I continued walking until I found myself quite lost. I traveled down several corridors of the house, looking through oddly interesting pictures, and beautiful sculptures. Finally, I saw through a darkened hallway I found myself standing in, a room with a light bursting through into the hall. I quickly walked into it, finding myself comfortingly warn and relaxed upon entering. It looked to be some sort of library. I curiously paced across several shelves of books, reading dusty titles, all the while the firelight reflecting upon them.
I wondered briefly, who used this library. If anyone had read all the books, it possessed. How lovely it would be to read all day and all night. To escape from all you knew…
A stir behind me made me jump. I felt someone grasp my arm, saying gruffly,
"What are you doing back here?"
The hand forcefully turned me around, and I recognized immediately the face of an angry Michael Priton. He stared at me for a moment, his grasp becoming tighter on my arm, then his face softened, his blue eyes no longer plagued with anger.
"Why, Ms. Willing, how clever of you to have found me in my peace. I did not know you would be here tonight."
I supposed I held a shocked face at being grasped so, but he addressed me cordially, in quite an odd manner at that. He let go of my arm, backing up momentarily and staring at my appearance. His gaze started from my long pink gown all the way to my eyes. He smiled at seeing them.
"So," I declared, breaking through the silence, "Do you always handle your guests so harshly, or am I a special cause?"
He laughed slightly, countering me with, "Do you always wander through people's houses uninvited and disturb them?"
I smiled. "Not always. I only disturb people I deem worthy."
"Well, I should indeed take it as a compliment then."
I realized then through these short sentences we had exchanged, how much I truly liked him. He was enjoyable to be around, had a beautiful face, and seemed to enjoy me as well. It was only too perfect.
We exchanged several other snide and clever comments back and forth, until finally he offered me his arm and we proceeded into the party, where happy laughing could be heard everywhere.
Michael proposed to dance with me, wishing to see, if at all I could. I replied affirmatively to the challenge, but before I could take him up on it, I saw the young man that had previously been attempting horrid conversation tap Michael on the shoulder callously. Michael turned toward him saying,
"Yes?"
The man furiously demanded that he dance with me, as I had promised him I would. Michael didn't even look to confirm with my horrified face. He simply replied,
"Well, I suppose you can wait until the next dance. I am presently dancing with Ms. Willing."
The young man had argued with Michael fervently, his face turning a bright red as opposed to Michael's calm and pale face. Michael continued to refuse to give it up. All the while not an eye was laid upon the three of us, that is, until, the young man punched Michael squarely in the nose.
Several screams erupted around the room and a woman rushed over to Michael, young and beautifully clad in green. She embraced him, as he held his nose, and she turned to me with a furious face.
"Your Anna Willing, aren't you?" she asked through gritted teeth. Too shocked to answer, I nodded instead.
"I'm Michael's sister, and I've had enough of watching this. You stay away from him! Your ruining him as badly as you've ruined yourself and I won't have it!"

I only stood there dumbfounded being consumed in the commotion…