A.N. Ah, another chapter. This gives you a bit more insight into the characters, and their families. Again, questions and comments are wanted!

Chapter II

Invitations

The sharp buzz of the alarm clock cut through the early morning silence. Roger jumped at the noise, and groaned. "No," he moaned, smacking at the clock.

"Roger!" called Bella from the other side of the door. "Wake up!" He glared at the door and grabbed one of his pillows. "Roger, now!"

Another rapping of knuckles forced him up, "I'm coming!" Standing up, he stretched, and went to unlock his bedroom door. "Yes?"

"Why aren't you dressed?" she asked looking at his old sweats. "Put on something nice, dear. You've got to make a good impression with her mother!" She pushed past him and opened the closet. "You don't have enough things in here. Where are all your clothes?"

Roger drug himself over to his dresser, on the other side of the room, and pulled open a drawer. "Will this work?" He held up a light pair of jeans, and a yellow polo.

"Oh, perfect!" she exclaimed, reaching for the shirt. "I'll have this ironed while your showering, yes?" He watched her for a minute, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Well, go!"

He slipped into his personal bathroom and shut the door. In the mirror he scanned his reflection. Shaking his head, Roger grabbed a towel and switched on the hot water.

At the Greene's tiny house daily live was busy. Even without school Anita was up at the crack of dawn. This morning she was mixing the batter for blueberry muffins. The sausages, eggs, and potatoes were piled on the kitchen table, as the counter wasn't big enough to hold it all. She moved fluidly through the small space.

With the task at hand keeping her mind busy, Anita was able to eliminate all thoughts of the day before, if only for a moment. It was nearly eight now, and the rest of the household was just stirring. Jimmy was the first one up, and he came with hair all a mess. He slumped into a chair and scrubbed the sleep from his eyes with balled fists.

"Good morning, Jimmy. Did you sleep good?" she asked, running a hand through his light curls. He blinked at her with eyes the same shade as hers before answering.

"Uh-huh," he slurred. "I'm hungry."

Smiling at his, Anita went back to work and loaded a plate with food. "Do you want milk or juice?"

"Milk."

In nearly the same breath Stephanie came bouncing into the room. She wasn't normally a morning person, so her sister took interest in the sudden change. "What are you up to?"

The younger girl looked confused, "Did you not hear it?" she asked impatiently. "Or see it?"

"What is it Stephanie? I don't have time for your games!" Anita huffed turning over the eggs.

"The limo! It's parked right outside!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into another chair. "Mama's talking to them right now, in the living room."

Immediately her heart started racing, and she glanced towards the door. When the last of the food was cooked, and Stephanie fed, Anita slipped into the tiny hall. She was just able to peek into the next room without being seen.

Sitting on their threadbare sofa was a delightful looking woman. Her hair was flaxen colored and styled perfectly; not a strand was out of place. Beside her was the charming boy she had met the day before. For a moment it seemed like the world had stopped spinning, then she let out the breath she had been holding and slid into the living room.

"Mama?" she called, pretending she had not seen the company. "Are you-- Oh, hello Roger," she said quietly. "Is this your mother?"

He stood up quickly and smiled at her. "Yes, it is. Anita meet Mrs. Isabella Darling, and Mom, meet Miss Anita Greene." The entire time he spoke he never once shifted his eyes from her face. Not knowing what else to do, Anita held out her hand. The woman jumped from her seat and approached her.

"Hello, Anita. I've just been dieing to meet you!" With that Isabella grabbed her hand with both of hers, although those were highly polished.

"Why, thank you, Mrs. Darling. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

The beautiful woman laughed softly, "Please, dear, call me Bella!"

Though flustered by being addressed in such a care free, yet proper manner, Anita quite enjoyed the compliments. It took more effort than she could muster to be humble. After a moment of chit-chat she cleared her throat and asked, "Would either of you like some refreshments? We have sweet tea and cookies."

"That would be lovely. Did you make them dear?" Bella questioned, glancing at the artful pile. She nodded and brought the platter to the coffee table., before slipping into the kitchen. Upon entering the room, Stephanie grabbed her arm. "That's them isn't it? The Darlings?"

"Hush Stephanie! You were taught better than that!" she scolded, shaking off the younger girl. "Get some of Mama's fine china won't you? The glasses with the flowers should do."

Although she did as she was told, slipping into the pantry and pulling out four and setting them carefully on the counter, Stephanie continued to ask questions. "Why are they here?"

When Anita did not answer she would ask something else, "Is it about Daddy?"

"I honestly don't know, alright? If I knew I would tell you!" she finally huffed, carefully balancing everything on a tray.

Back in the living room tension was very high. A dark look seemed to cloud the eyes of both Roger and her mother. Mrs. Darling looked flustered, and their was a slight tint of red in her cheeks that had not been there before.

Tea was a forced arrangement, and nobody seemed capable of making conversation. Suddenly, May said, "Perhaps it's time for your leave, Mrs. Darling. You've been here quite a while, don't you think?."

Appalled, Anita looked at her mother; her wide eyes and open mouth seemed to further irritate her only farther. "Anita, did you finish the breakfast dishes? They should be done before lunch."

"They're done already," she retorted quickly before turning to Roger. "Roger, perhaps you and your mother would like to step outside for some fresh air? It's getting a little stale in here."

Both stood quickly and followed Anita's lead. "It was nice meeting you Mrs. Greene," Roger said politely. His mother, on the other hand, looked positively murderous. "Come, Roger, we have better things to do."

Outside on the porch, Bella reassured Anita, "You've been absolutely wonderful, darling. You are a very sweet girl, Anita." Then the lady excused herself, and slipped back into their shiny black limousine.

The silence was a painful in the still air, as the two starred out into the yard. "Is your mother always like that?" Roger asked nervously.

"Yes, she's always been like that," she whispered back. "What brought you here?"

"My mother wants me to take you to the ball at City Hall this weekend."

"She wants you to take me? But that's -- that doesn't make any sense at all!" Anita stammered slightly. "Don't you?"

"Oh course! I -- I just figured you wouldn't want to go to some stuffy ball. The ladies just get starred at and flaunted." He stopped, thinking of what to say next. "Would you like to go? Or perhaps we could go somewhere else?"

Anita closed her eyes and turned away from him. "I don't have anything to wear to a ball."

"I have the money to buy a dress. You could get your hair and nails done as well, if you want."

She simply shook her head. Tears started to form in her eyes, and she tried to keep them at bay. She liked Roger, she did, but her pride would not let her take that money. "Can we go somewhere else? Somewhere inexpensive?"

"What? Why, yes! Yes, of course!"

Anita smiled slightly, artfully wiping the tears from her eyes without causing a scene. Where would they go? What would they do? She pondered the possibilities in the silence, watching the grass move in the wind.

"Would you like to go out on Saturday? I could slip out in the morning, and we could spend the day doing something fun," he told her with an expression of delight. "You like animals don't you?"

She brightened once more. "Oh yes, I want to go to college and study animals."

"Alright then. I'll be here at ten." He paused again, and started humming a small tune.

Roger said his goodbyes and walked to the car. There was a definite spring in his step as he made his way and slid into the back. He waved happily at her, just as the limousine started down the road.

Anita slumped against the wall of the house. She closed her eyes and forced her breathing to remain normal. She, a poor little girl from the back streets of LA, was going on a date with one of the richest boys in the world. Suppressing the strong urge to squeal, Anita opened the peeling door and stepped back into real life.

"Anita! Get that look off your face! I don't like these people, I really don't. Go find some factory worker, not a billionaire in training," her mother said, angrily tidying the living room.

"Don't you think your being mean? They are very nice, Mama, and I don't see any thing wrong with them." With that, Anita stormed up the narrow staircase and into her room. The door slammed, shaking the walls.