Our Hearts Beat For Anne

I tried once again to draw my brows but ended up drawing a map to the treasure island. At least that's what I thought it looked like.

"It's no use, I've messed up my face," I sighed looking up at my two stunning, gorgeously dressed roomies.

They both gasped on seeing my face.

"Anny! What have you done, you just couldn't wait, could you?" That was Jane, the make-up artist.

The party was today at 7 pm and It's 5 pm already.

"Yikes, Janny! Come on, it's already five!" I wailed.

Jane laughed at my nervousness and came over to do my makeup and hair.

Andrew had invited Jane and Pamela to his dad's party and they were so psyched about it. I was happier because I would be seeing more familiar faces other than that of Andrew and Vincent and with these two, real fun was assured.

We went shopping a week to the party for dresses and shoes to match and they helped me pick out a dress.

Jane had on a strapless peach gown that hugged her slender waist, cascading down to her ankle with a front side slit ending mid-t.h.i.g.h. She added an extension to her brown hair and packed it in a burn.

Pamela, on the other hand, was wearing a blue, embroidered off-shoulder gown with a plunging backline showing off her smooth tanned skin and a curvy waist. Her hair was held up in a bun too.

A knock came at the door and Pamela went to answer it. After a short while, she returned, carrying a box in her hand. My phone rang almost immediately.

"Hey big head, what's up?"

I heard a deep throaty laugh.

"Did you get the dress I sent you? He said casually, "sorry it's coming late, I was supposed to send it yesterday but I drove mum around to run some errands.

"Drew, what are you talking about?"

"You didn't get it?" he sounded alarmed.

"Uuuh...Pam just brought in a large box."

"That's it, it's for you."

"Aww...Drew you didn't have to." I was touched.

"I want to. I know you might already have a dress, I still got it." He said calmly.

"Thanks."

"Anytime. Gotta go, duty calls, see you soon!"

"Ok."

He hung up.

I stared at my phone then at my roommates who were already pounced on the box, gasping as the brought out its contents.

"Uuh..la..la..this dress is stunning!" Jane squealed placing it on her body.

It was a shiny silver dress with tiny straps and plunging backline like that of Pamela's.

"Babe, it's settled, he definitely into you," Pamela stated holding up the transparent glass heels.

"Don't be ridiculous," I puffed. "We're close but nothing romantic."

"Fact, he spends almost all his free time with you, you're the other person he calls asides his brother to listen to his songs even the one he wrote recently for his dad!" Pamela stated.

She kept on talking while Jane concurred with everything she said.

"Guys, enough! We'll be late. Let's talk about this later ok?"

We might not be talking about it but I'll definitely think about it. All the things they said were true. Andrew and I have grown incredibly close the past week and a half since the home encounter.

He took me and my roomies out occasionally for food, drinks, movies, games. We've been having good times.

But he didn't take me alone except for when he wants me to listen to his tracks, we'll stay couped up in his room listening and making adjustments.

I took that as what close friends do and nothing more.

Maybe I've been so indulged in my crush on Vincent that I couldn't really see what was right in front of me.

Or maybe, I and my roomies have read too much meaning into the whole thing.

Andrew's a jovial guy so these things should be expected, right?

I slid into my dress and it fitted perfectly.

The dress was all shiny and rough to the touch but soft and feathery on the inside. The neckline was reaching my collarbone with the plunging backline. It hugged my body but was loose enough from the knee down like a mermaid's tail.

I put on the silver earrings that came with it and my glass shoes.

Staring in the mirror, I couldn't believe I was the one staring back. I fell in love with myself if that's possible.

"This is way better than the dress we bought, phew! Drew has outdone himself this time." This was coming from Jane who was packing my hair into matching buns.

"Your beautiful Anny," Pamela said dreamily touching my cheeks. "Am a proud mother," she said and we all burst out laughing.

****

The party had barely begun when we arrived. Drew had surprised us again by sending a limo to pick us up making us feel like princesses.

We got stares from both young and old, men and women. Some stares were not as pleasant as the rest but I was determined to walk on those heels without tripping and falling on my b.u.t.t.

The party attendants ushered us in and gave us seats on one of the round tables arranged in the large exquisite room.

I couldn't believe this was Andrew and Vincent's parents' house. It was far bigger and more beautiful than the one they were staying in.

The house was a forty minutes drive from our hostel. I guess that's why the brothers decided to get a house closer to school and Vincent's workplace.

We were seated but were yet to see the hosts of the party.

A small stage had been erected at the corner of the hall where a band played soft music. That brought my thoughts back to Andrew. I wondered whether he was going to sing the song he wrote for his dad, this was a great opportunity.

Vincent and I have been persuading him since but he kept on rejecting the idea.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Henry Sawyer and his beautiful family," the MC announced from the microphone.

This revved me out of my thoughts and they now full room of tuxes and elegantly dressed ladies all stood to honor their arrival.

I looked up and my breath hitched and I was almost sure it was the same for most of the guests.

Coming down the wide stairs where The Sawyer family. The three men were putting on tuxedos while the beautifully Lady on the arm of her husband was dressed elegantly in a long-sleeved white tail gown that looked like what was made specially for her.

On both sides of the couple were their sons who were breathtakingly handsome in their black tuxes.

I looked at Andrew and saw him staring at me with a huge breathtaking smile on his lips and my heart soared and I was like, I know him, we're close,  his my bestie.

' bestie? get a grip, Anne.'

My eyes moved over to Vincent and suddenly came to a screeching stop.

'where did she come from.'

Perched on his arms was a petite girl looking all Barbie-like, smiling at everyone with her tiny pink lips. She must be feeling like she's achieved a great thing.

My roomies and I shared a stare amongst us. Guess we were thinking the same thing.

My eyes finally left her to Vincent who to my surprise was staring at me, his eyes slowly roamed my body and finally landed on my face with an expression I couldn't decipher.

My knees wobbled beneath and I inconspicuously held on to the table to avoid falling.

' that was quite e.r.o.t.i.c.'

I sighed with delight when we were told to be seated.

Dr. Henry walked diligently to the stage and started making his opening speech.

I could see where Vincent got his looks from. They had the same physique. From the sharp-edged face to the tall height and square shoulders but Dr. Henry was the older and meaner version with a stoic face and robotic smile.

Andrew had a softer look like their mum but with broader shoulders. He wasn't as tall as the other men but was tall all the same.

After the speech, Dr. Henry and his wife were called out to have the first dance. Dr. Henry held his wife gently and led her to the dance space that was created in the middle of the hall. The band started a piece of soft music which the couple moved slowly to.

From the way the held on each other, I knew they were very much in love with each other.

The music ended and the floor was opened to the guest who moved with their partners to dance.

Andrew walked over to our table with a goofy smile on his face, gave us all pecks on our cheeks and held out his hands for me. I smiled sheepishly and took it and he led me to the dance floor.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the Barbie girl perched on Vincent's arm staring, or would I say glaring at me.

' what's her deal?'

Andrew held my waist and drew me close to his warm body. I held on to his neck and we moved slowly to the music.

"You look ravishing," Andrew whispered softly in my ears and I felt shivers run down my spine.

"You're not bad yourself," I whispered back. From the way he closed his eyes as if savoring the taste of delicious food, I knew he felt it too.

This brought back the thought I was having in the hostel making me look towards the table I shared with my roomies to see if they were looking and found no one there. Looking around, I saw them dancing with their partners.

I turned and looked at Andrew who was staring at me. His eyes, a darker shade of it's former with his hands moving lower to the edge of my bum.  We were standing way closer, almost grinding into each other.

I felt heat between my legs which was both pleasant and disturbing.

I wondered if Andrew and I were really becoming something else other than close friends.

His eyes moved slowly from my eyes to my lips and then back at my eyes.

"Anny, your beautiful," he said breezily and then leaned in.