Reborn: Chapter Two

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Chapter Two

When they arrived at Anna’s house the girls busied themselves getting things ready for the party. They were having a pre-graduation bash since they wouldn't be around long after the momentous day-and because Anna’s dad was not at home her abode was the logical choice.
Anna brushed a hand over a picture of her father as she made her way to her bedroom to change.

As a photojournalist Marty Preston had once spent most of his time in the remote areas of the world, a lifestyle that had abruptly changed when he’d met Anna’s mother Emma. For sixteen years he had stayed local to be with his little family, until three years ago when an accident had taken Emma’s life and he’d become a shell of the man he once was. In the months following the accident he had tried to be there for Anna, but after a while it had become apparent that he was more dead than alive. So he’d re-established some old connections and went back to working all over the globe. At sixteen years of age she had been able to care for herself, but it was still hard, she often felt as if she’d lost both parents instead of only one.

It was lucky for her that her mom had been the kind of person who believed that life was not a given and had taught her to expect the unexpected and deal with all that came her way with optimism. "It's all in how we perceive it Anna Banana,” she would say, “if your house burns down you can be devastated by the loss or excited at the prospect of building something new. Personally I strongly believe in the latter, and that my darling is how I expect you to live-with great hope and a sense of possibility, always seeking the light at the end of the tunnel or a glimpse of the sun breaking through the clouds. Because believe me there will be plenty of cloudy days. You can wish the rain would go away, or you can dance in it."

And the two of them had danced in the rain often in her young life, both literally and figuratively. She missed her mom desperately but refused to give in to the grief, wanting to honor her life and memory by following her advice. She often wondered if somewhere deep down her mother had known that she would be taken early, if perhaps she’d lived and believed the things she did because of it. She also wondered if her mom would approve of the trip she was taking.

Shortly after her mother’s death she’d learned that the grandparents she had never known had been deliriously wealthy and had left every penny of their vast fortune to her. George and Karen Tyler had been bluebloods who came from “old money” and when their only child had decided to marry “beneath” her they’d all but disowned her. Apparently they had completely changed their position once Anna had come into the picture, but right before her second birthday a sailing accident had claimed their lives and a reading of the will had named her their sole heir.

The money had been held in a trust by her mom until her death, then it had transferred to Anna’s father who wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. He had immediately hired a financial manager and the moment Anna turned eighteen it had been transferred to her. Her dad had simply said "It's yours by birthright sweetheart, it's more than enough to keep you living large for the rest of your days. Just try and always keep in mind that money isn't everything. I trust I've trained you well as to the important things in life, I'm sure for you it will only make life sweeter."

After that brief little pep talk he hadn't spoken of it again, and when she'd tried to ask him for advice on spending he'd simply shaken his head and shrugged. The financial manager had a lot to say about it on the other hand, but he was so boring and practical she ended up deciding she would figure things out as she went.

Her first big spending spree had occurred the previous summer when she and the girls had rented an R.V. and toured the country. They had alternately stayed in campsites and fancy hotels making for an incredible experience, and it was during that trip that they had begun planning this one.

She finished dressing and headed back downstairs, hearing Macey’s happy voice coming from the kitchen.

"I have the party music set up and ready to go," her friend announced.

"Awesome, Jess is talking to Jim who is picking up the alcohol as we speak," Jenna stated with a grin as Anna walked into the room.

Anna grinned in return. She strongly believed there was something about drinking under the legal age that made it more fun. She also felt if they were to change the age to what it should be (either 18 or when your parents gave the okay) there would be a lot less problems associated with it. She never could understand how a person could be old enough to fight in a war but too young to drink a beer. In Europe it would not be illegal, in fact she’d heard that in places like Ireland you could order a drink if you could see over the bar.

"So what's he getting?" she asked.

"Everything we asked for-a keg of amber, wine coolers for the wimps like Jess, and a variety of bottles of liquor and soda." Jenna dodged Jess as she attempted to smack her for the comment.

Anna laughed, shaking her head. “Okay let's see…I have the table set up for beer pong on the second deck, the hoist deck is set with the stereo, the neighbors are apprised of what's going on and the food just needs to be brought down along with the coolers of ice." She ticked each item off on her fingers.

Her house was located across the street from the lake and they had a two story set of stairs complete with decks leading down to the rocky beach. They also had a deck on top of the boat hoist that her father had ingeniously built at the end of their long dock.

"What about karaoke?" Jess asked.

"Oh yeah baby, that's set up with the stereo," Anna winked at her friend. The girl really loved to sing.

"I can't believe your neighbors don't care that you're having a big party," Jess stated.

"Well my dad talked to them, and as long as everyone who comes either has a D.D. or stays the night, it’s A-OK."

"I'm surprised your parents are okay with this," Marina said to Macey.

Macey smiled her typical mischief smile. "They don’t mind if I drink as long as I'm responsible and I don't get in a car, and since I can walk home from here that’s obviously not an issue." Her house was located about a hundred yards away on the lake side of the street.

"Still, they always seem to treat you like a child."

Macey waved her hand dismissively, "Nah, they're getting better, I'm graduating after all."

Holly clapped her hands for attention, "Okay girls come on, we have to start bringing the food down."

There was a chorus of "yes ma’ams," and they got to work.

On their second trip down the stairs Anna found herself being lifted into the air from behind.

"Austin, put me down," she laughed.

"Give me that," he took the cooler from her, "as clutzy as you are I would hate to spend your party at the hospital for a broken leg." He mock played falling down the stairs and she made a face at him. He laughed and waggled his eyebrows before jogging down ahead of her.

"Yo Anna, where can I set up the horseballs?"

Anna turned to see Nate, Austin's closest friend as well as the guy Jess was currently crushing on, calling to her from the top of the stairs.

"The shore is wide enough, just bring the equipment down, you can bury the posts in the rocks," she called back.

"A'ight.”

She continued down the stairs musing about whether or not the twenty first century version of horseshoes would end up replacing the much older game. Anna personally preferred it because it required a little less accuracy, though she imagined veteran players would turn the nose up at it for the same reason.

The small group quickly finished setting things up as more people began to arrive.
Anna bent down to retrieve a cup and a blush spread over her face as she sensed Austin’s eyes on her. She wasn't the type to be easily offended, but embarrassed? Yeah, every little thing of a potentially sexual nature had her reddening instantly. Annoying, that's what it was. She made a production of straightening stuff out on the table so he wouldn't see her burning face.

"Your ears are all red," he stated.

Busted. "Yeah well, if your eyes had fingers, my bum would be red," she shot back.

He laughed. "I can't help it that my eyes have such good taste."

He was hovering over her shoulder so she pushed back against him. "Personal space, ever heard of it?"

"Okay, all right, you don't have to get all snippy."

"Snippy? Did you seriously say snippy?" She giggled and faced him. He was smiling back, but he had a peculiar expression in his eyes that belied his feelings to be other than light. She shifted uncomfortably hoping this was NOT the moment he chose to bear his heart. He reached around her and grabbed two cups, the look disappearing.

"What's your poison today?"

"Beer, definitely no liquor for me."

"Aww, come on, do you mean to tell me that a little bitty hangover has got you scared?"

"That was no bitty hangover, it was a mongo hangover from hell thank you very much, and it's not fear but self preservation. I would really like to get up tomorrow without puking."

He grinned at her as they headed over to the keg. Nate and a couple of others had beat them to it, so Anna left it to Austin to get her drink. She made her way over to Jess who was making eyes at Nate in a less than subtle manner.

"Obvious much?" Anna whispered, raising a brow. She took Jess by the elbow and led her down the beach.

When they were far enough away Jess burst out, "God, I know, I can't stop staring at him! I never noticed how freakin' cute he was! I want him to kiss me so bad right now."

Anna rolled her eyes, her lips twitching in amusement, "Weren't you just saying that about Brent Regault?"

"Oh yuck, I don't know what I was thinking, he is so gross."

Anna tittered. "Gross? I don't know if I'd go that far, he's kinda cute."

"Yeah, until you kiss him and he slobbers all over your face!"

"Oh, eww, that is gross. So I take it Nate is a good kisser?"

"Yes!" Jess grabbed her arm a little too enthusiastically, "He was so gentle, but forceful at the same time, it's hard to explain, but the way he touched my face, and then he put his hands in my hair, and he tasted like spearmint…”

She gushed on and on and Anna found herself wishing she could feel like that about someone, anyone. Jenna criticized her sister for flitting from one guy to the next, but Anna honestly loved that about her, she was even a little envious. To experience those feelings of excitement over and over, there was magic in that. Someday she was fairly certain Jess would settle down, but right now she was young, so why rush it? It's not as if she was sleeping with these guys, and how long did you have where you could just kiss your partners without it leading to something further?

Jenna walked over, her expression stating an acute desire to slap her sister and Anna put up a hand to stop the acid words before they came. Jenna sighed, snorted, and then grudgingly smiled. It was only Jess that made her react like that, if any of the rest of them were crushing on someone she would find it amusing. Not that Anna didn’t get it. She loved Jess dearly but the girl had a tendency towards mood swings and she harbored no illusions about how difficult they would be to live with.

Austin made his way over to them and handed her a beer. "So what are we pow-wowing about? Wouldn't have anything to do with my buddy over there, hmm?"

Jess pounced on him immediately, "What did he say? Did he tell you about it? Does he like me?"

Austin chuckled, "Easy there cowgirl, yes, he's definitely into you. But he's Nate, not particularly demonstrative in that way."

"Demon-what?" Jess wrinkled her forehead.

Anna laughed loudly at her expression. "He means that he's not the type to talk seriously about it or come over and start quoting love poems to you."

"O-kaaay, so what did he say?"

Austin took several swallows of his beer then smiled at her patiently. "I believe his exact words were, ‘Damn that girl is fii-iine’."

By the look on his face Anna knew he had edited that a bit.

Jess smiled broadly. "So what should I do? Should I go over there, or wait for him to come to me?"

"Oh come on Jess, you know it's always better to make them come to you." Holly said as she joined them, getting the gist immediately.

"Yeah but I'm not patient," Jess pouted making them all laugh.

There was a loud chorus of "It's Party Time!!" shouted from the top of the deck stairs and they looked up to see about twenty or so kids making their way down.

"Well, I think it's time to get this party started," Austin stated.

He set about organizing the games and shouted over the noise, "I have two lists for balls and pong, if you wanna play, getcha' names on them!"

"This is gonna be a total blow out," Macey stated as she grabbed Anna's arm and dragged her towards the dock.

"What are we doing!" Anna shouted over the music which had just been turned up.

"We're going on the first boat ride, I formed a list for that earlier!"

"Oh, good thinking!"

She had a decent sized speedboat, it fit ten people comfortably and could get up to 60 mph, which in an open boat was really zipping along.

"I'm driving," Macey announced to the group that had formed.
There were no arguments and they clambered in, Anna making her way up to her favorite seat at the front. She loved the wind hitting her in the face as they skimmed the surface of the water.

Her friend Geordy flopped down next to her smiling widely. "Hey Bo-nana, how's it goin'? Awesome party!"

"Great, and yeah I know!" There were a couple more hours of daylight, and there was already about forty people on the beach. As they pulled away from the hoist she stood and waved to the shore dramatically shouting "Bon Voyage, We'll miss you!"

Geordy grabbed her arm and pulled her down, "You're gonna fall over the side!"

"Nah, I always stand up!"

"And you haven't gone in the drink? You, the world's biggest clutz?"

She slapped at him, "Stop teasing me! Why does everyone say that, I'm not that bad...anymore," she amended.

"Yeah, uh huh, keep telling yourself that."

"I really like the goatee," she said, smoothly changing the subject. He had started growing it a few months ago and it definitely made him look older. Without it his boyish face had him at a perpetual fifteen.

"Thanks, it's pretty chill right?"

"Definitely."

They chatted about nothing in particular and twenty minutes later Macey turned the boat back in the direction of the hoist. Anna was in mid-sentence when she looked towards the shore and felt her heart do a stutter step.

Not now, she thought with an inner cringe, and not here. She closed her eyes tightly and looked again. Gone.

"You all right, you look a little pale?" Geordy leaned towards her.

She forced a laugh, "Fine, just had a little vertigo all of a sudden, weird."

Geordy was studying her, eyes narrowed doubtfully.

God what had she looked like? She smiled wider, "Seriously G, I just got a little dizzy for a sec."

"Kay, if you’re sure."

She stood as the boat slowed and drew in a deep breath letting it out in a rush before plastering her face with a smile. She kept the smile fixed as she scanned the shoreline for more signs of them. The shadow men. Trying not to shiver with the thought, she disguised her nervousness by climbing hastily onto the dock.

"Anna, you don't have to get off," Macey yelled to her over the music, "I'm going to keep driving!"

“I want to but you go ahead, I know you love it!" She shouted back.

Geordy linked his arm through hers and they headed up the dock.

Chapter Three

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