"Felix, you have made your father and I very, very proud", Carmen Garcia said tearfully as she rearranged her son's tie. "Teresa is a lovely girl and the wedding was very beautiful. I wish you both so much happiness."
"Thank you, Mama", he nodded respectfully.
"You're such a good son and I'm so proud of all you have accomplished. Ever since you were a little boy I have dreamt about this day."
"Well, I hope all your dreams came true."
M0�And that blonde Sawyer girl she's always with now. Just look at them. What do we really know about her, Felix?"
Felix sighed.
"It's okay, Mama. I promise Anna will be alright."
After the dance ended, Felix made his way across the room to where his sister was seated with her friend.
"Felix", Peyton smiled, looking up. "Congratulations, dude. I hope you and Teresa will be very happy together."
"We will", he replied tersely.
Peyton could sense the tension.
9D"And that blonde Sawyer girl she's always with now. Just look at them. What do we really know about her, Felix?"
Felix sighed.
"It's okay, Mama. I promise Anna will be alright."
After the dance ended, Felix made his way across the room to where his sister was seated with her friend.
"Felix", Peyton smiled, looking up. "Congratulations, dude. I hope you and Teresa will be very happy together."
"We will", he replied tersely.
Peyton could sense the tension.
"It was a lovely ceremony", she tried again. "Thank you for inviting me."
"As I recall, I didn't", he said in a mean tone.
"I did", Anna said, arms stubbornly folded. "I invited Peyton. She's my guest."
"Or maybe you mean date?"
Peyton rolled her eyes as Anna, obviously angry and feeling insulted, recoiled away from her brother.
"Screw you, Felix."
"Nice to see you still have some manners, little sis. Come on. It's time for a dance."
Begrudgingly Anna followed him onto the floor.
"What now? You better make this quick."
"Why? You'd rather be twirling with your little friend, Peyton?"
"Shut up, Felix. What's your problem?"
"I think you're the one with the problem. Anna, I'm telling you, no I'm warning you. Don't pull this shit again."
"Felix…"
"What happened was a long time ago. Let's just let the past remain in the past."
"Nothing is going on, okay? Damn. Peyton and I are just friends."
"Then you better keep it that way. Remember what happened last time?"
"I do because you and Mama and Papa seem to love to keep reminding me. Yes, Felix that was a part of my past. It's a secret I've managed to keep for years. No one here in Tree Hill knows what happened back then and I'd like to keep it that way. Besides, it's no one else's business."
"It's gonna be everyone's business if you keep acting like that."
"Acting like what? Like a normal person? Like someone having fun with my friends?"
"Just don't get too friendly, if you know what I mean. It'll ruin your reputation and your life, Anna. And it would break Mama and Papa's heart."
"It's not like that. How many times do I have to say it? Not that it is any of your business but I'm not sleeping with Peyton."
"Thank God for that one. It's a real comfort to know my beloved little sister isn't a carpet munching dyke."
"Hey!" she yelled breaking away from him. "That's enough, Felix! That's not cool."
"Lower your voice, please."
"I'm not gay, alright? You know that."
"Gay, bi, whatever the hell you were, just let it be over. Finish school, become a teacher, meet a nice guy, get married, settle down and have some kids."
"Whatever. Look, I can't listen to this anymore. I'm out of here."
"Nice. Abandoning your brother on his wedding day? How sisterly and thoughtful of you. Must be the charming new influence of your friend."
"You don't change, do you, Felix? And you wonder why we aren't close. Just when I give you the benefit of the doubt and start to think that maybe you're not such a manipulative, close minded jackass anymore, God, you go and prove me wrong again."
"I love you Anna. You're my sister. I only want what's best for you. I'm just trying to protect you."
"Then stop. Please. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself just fine."
"Anna…"
"Good night. I can't do this anymore, Brother. Tell your new wife I said welcome to the family."
"Don't leave. The song isn't finished."
"But this dance is", she said quietly breaking away from him.
Anna marched back over to Peyton.
"You okay? You look pissed."
"My brother is just being an asshole again."
"What else is new?" Peyton smiled.
"Can we just get out of here? I mean, do you mind?"
"Mind?" Peyton grinned. "I thought you'd never ask. Come on."
She made a silly face and Anna giggled as they walked out of the reception hall arm in arm.
"Gosh, is that Peyton leaving already?" Haley asked from the table she was sharing with Lucas, Nathan, and Brooke.
"Looks like it. Anna and Felix seemed to be having a tense moment on the dance floor and she looked pretty pissed. Peyton probably just went with her to blow off steam", Lucas suggested.
"I bet", Brooke muttered.
"Oh what does that mean, Tigger?" Haley asked.
"Come on. You've seen them. Those two are awfully chummy lately."
"Anna is single and she probably has more time than you or I do. I know Peyton feels bad, like she doesn't want to come between you and Luke or Nate and me."
"Whatever."
"Hey. I'm just grateful Peyton is smiling again and she's away from that Rick character."
"Yeah", Brooke sighed. "I guess."
Brooke had been noticing things. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but something was…odd to say the least. Peyton and Anna sure were spending lots of time together and Brooke hated it. Just like Anna to push her way once again into their crew.
Someone else was noticing it as well. From the table with his new bride, Felix watched his smiling sister disappear, all giggly and hugged up with her "friend". He sighed. He wasn't going to let this happen again. He wasn't going to let Peyton Sawyer ruin things.
