"Excuse me, Anna!" As soon as we stepped out of the car, Lily rushed out and flew through the doors, escaping my sight. I glanced around at the glistening lights flowing from the windows in shades of gold and amber and crispy orange, like the silky leaves of fall dancing in the wind. Every room had an irresistible charm as if beckoning from the abyss of desire, and called to me with musical melodies. Beside me, cars rushed in all bright and dark colors, and people stepped out, forming a scintillating wave that swept into the mansion. In front of the entrance there was a huge fountain, projecting streams and crystals of waterdrops, pure and fresh. The trees and the lawn were kept very organized. All shades of green flourished, creating a little forest, and the lawn was neatly trimmed. Partygoers were arriving from all directions, and I decided to go in before it got too crowded. I was pushed in against my will, and as I escaped the tight space, I breathed a sigh of relief. I rushed up the marble stairs, coated with thick layers of glitter and confetti, and found an empty chair.

"Anna, I demand to see Mr. Gatsby this very instant!" Lily pointed all around with a playful smile.

"I thought we went over this in the car! No one knows who he is!" She forced her smile into a frown.

"But aren't you in love?" She asked me in a low voice.

"This is what it's about?" I sighed. "Lily, remember our deal? You don't ask me about this for the whole evening, and I'll lend you my feather boa?"

"You're no fun, Anna! Who cares about deals?" She casually flung aside her hand.

"I do. Also, you're not getting the boa anytime soon." She stared at me blankly.

"Well, there's always next time!" She prepared to leave, then gave me a plate of turkey. "I'm very generous, right?" She skipped off into the distance.

I ate some of the turkey, then rose to get more food. I balanced a mint julep with more ice than the actual drink, along with a plate with mashed potatoes, pig sausages, and a small salad with breadcrumbs. I couldn't resist the desserts, so before I ate, I had a small lemon cake. The taste was sweet but melancholy, unlike pure sugar. It was meticulously crafted, with little frosting figures and shapes, and even lemon bits inside.

The music was still blasting into the night, and I stared at the explosion of fireworks. As they drew to a close and debris scattered all over the floor, the crowd cheered, the marble floor was filled with trash, and I shouted along with the partygoers, lost in the endless beauty. That moment, all the boundaries between old money and new money were lost.

In my younger and more vulnerable years, my mother gave me some advice I've been turning over in my mind ever since.

"Marry only those who are equal to you. Only charming men with large inheritances or from hardworking families, in other words, our kind, will suit you. Don't run off with an unreliable suitor with no stable financial foundation!"

After that piece of advice, I was swept into the world, and from then I frequented small parties. I used to vie with the other girls from a second of attention from any of the officers. I used to swoon, giggle, flirt freely. I would gaze with all my abilities alluringly, hoping for a kiss that some fortunate girls stole. But there was always Daisy Fay, the golden girl. She was the most popular among all of us, with her glossly and wavy golden hair, and exciting eyes that captured everyone's hearts. Her voice was a delighted, feminine twinkle, and she danced with the grace of water nymphes. I remember one night, when she had worn one of her best dresses, of a pale peach shade. Diamonds encrusted the top, and the sash was silky and soft. The skirt was made to flow, and it did. As she wove effortlessly through the watching eyes, she was like a butterfly, so close yet out of reach to all the officers. For everyone could tell that she had eyes for only one. They exchanged a meaningful glance, and as Daisy skipped up the stairs with her exquisite flower, he pursued her. When they came back down, they were chattering like they had been together their whole life, and a new fire was alight in both their eyes. When the party ended, my mother was waiting at the door, with our sleek and ebony car. The inside was coated with scarlet velvet. Far from relaxing, I shrank in fear at my mother's anger.

"Anna Ruby, you ungrateful child! I gave you a chance, and you let Daisy take that wealthy officer right under your nose! You are a disgrace to this family! Don't you want to have a stable life?" She shook my shoulders. I glanced helplessly around, but our driver was looking forward with a scared expression.

"I'm sorry, mother." Instead of shouting more, she surprisingly remained silent. And our social life remained silent. She refused to take me to any parties, socialize with anyone, not even my friends. When I finally came to East Egg, she told me over the phone her advice one more time.

Struck with sudden impulse, I went to find Lily and I grabbed her arm.

"Wish me luck." I then marched away, up the stairs, wandering aimlessly through the party. I recognized a familiar face, and peeled over my shoulder.

"Jordan Baker? You're Jordan Baker? The famous golfer?" I located a woman with short dark hair in a bob, a black sequin dress, and a veiled headband.

"Yes. And you?" She seemed to show no interest to my greeting, and merely yawned and looked away.

"Anna Ruby." I was very shy, especially among the famous.

She moved aside to reveal a flustered young man.

"Anna Ruby? Nick Carraway."