Narration Room: 2010

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 22 Page 2

In the end, Annie could afford being all embarrassed and red-faced about the whole examination. It was because the doctor had concluded, after Annie had endured all the discomfort, that the little girl had not been raped.

It was a relief. It also meant that her second nightmare, her ordeal of the examination, became her primary torment. At least she was too feverish to worry too much about it.

It turned out that Mother had been at the hospital the whole time. She had just gone downstairs for coffee when Annie woke up. When Big Sis reported the examination results to her, Annie half-expected Mother to make a fuss about it. She would not put it past Mother to insist on witnessing the examination, probably with cameras and videos if she were allowed to.

Mother, however, remained dead-serious silent. Maybe Annie should not think too badly of Mother.

Big Sis and Mother were there with her when the police came to interview Annie in her hospital room. The room was darker now with the sky outside growing cloudy.

Detective Larioza was a tired middle-aged woman whose black hair was lined with strings of white. She sat close to Annie's bed with a notepad and a pen in her hands. The other person, Detective Gomez, was a short, stocky man, much younger than his partner was. He leaned against the wall with a notepad of his own.

Annie described her evening as best as she could to the detectives. She mentioned Connie and Sabine, spelling out their full names when prompted. She also listed each and everyone she met, those that she could recall. There had been so many people and it had been a boring party.

"Do you remember the license plate of the cab you took?" Detective Larioza asked.

"No," Anne replied, "I don't think I even saw it, sorry."

Detective Larioza leaned closer and studied Annie's face as she asked the next question, "Did you take any alcohol last night?"

Big Sis covered her mouth with her hand. Mother stared at the detective.

Annie's jaw had dropped. "No!" she denied firmly.

"Ms Billings, there were traces of alcohol in your blood test," Detective Larioza informed her.

That could not be possible! Annie looked to her family members. They seemed equally shocked at the revelation.

"Based on what you've told me, I think you've been consuming alcohol during the fund-raiser," Detective Larioza deduced.

"But, that's not possible," Annie interjected, "I didn't drink any!"

"Perhaps you consumed it unknowingly?" the detective suggested. She read her notepad. "You said you've been given drinks by your friends. The alcohol have been in those."

"My friends?" Annie considered the theory for a moment. "They couldn't have done that. Besides, they drank some too."

"It's just a possibility." The older woman leaned back in her seat. "It could be any one of these people." She ran a finger along a list on her notepad.

"Will you find whoever robbed me?" Annie asked, desperate to get away from the uncomfortable subject. She had drunk alcohol? That intoxicating substance that inhibited a person's judgment? Could her friends have given it to her?

"We will." Detective Larioza gave a weary smile. "Let the police handle it. You should rest."

***

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Annie opened her eyes. She squinted when the room's brightness painfully stabbed into her eyes. She waited a moment, giving her eyes a little time to adjust. Then she tried opening them wide again to see the white ceiling above.

That was not her room ceiling. Her room ceiling was a very pale pink.

She tried to sit up but instantly winced as a sharp pain pierced her head. She dropped her head back onto the pillow with a groan. And she felt unusually warm.

"Annie?"

She saw Big Sis' face beside her.

"Annie, take it easy," Big Sis advised, "You've a fever."

"And a splitting headache." Annie shrank when a sudden pain burst in her head again. She glanced at the ceiling and rolled her eyes to see the surrounding room from where she lay. "Where am I? Judy Perkins Memorial?" The room was similar to one where she had awoken in months ago.

"Yes, Annie," Big Sis confirmed.

"What am I doing here?" Annie asked weakly, "I'm not here for a little fever, am I?"

"Don't you remember?"

The younger sister tried to sit up again, but stopped when the headache struck. "I remember getting into a cab and going home."

"Annie, you never made it home," Big Sis said, "You've been robbed."

That got her eyes wide open. Which she shut again immediately as the sunlight from the window was too bright. Mercifully, Big Sis went to close the curtains.

"The police found you and brought you here," Big Sis added.

"Robbed?" Annie uttered, "What did they take?" She forced herself to sit up, resisting the throbbing in her head with all of her will.

"Everything," Big Sis replied.

Annie took a deep breath. "My handbag?" she listed her belongings, "I hadn't much money in it, just enough for the cab fare. Lipstick, powder. My student ID. My bank card and handphone!"

"They're all gone," Big Sis told her sympathetically.

"My house keys!" Annie exclaimed.

"We'll have to change the locks at home." Big Sis stepped next to the bed. "Listen, the police want to talk to you."

Annie noted that she was wearing a hospital gown. "Did the police take my dress for evidence or something?"

Marie watched her younger sister for a moment. "Yes," she said finally, "I'll call Mum and tell the doctor you're awake."

"Yeah, maybe the doctor can give me something for this pain."

"Annie, the doctor is going to check you for any sign of rape," Big Sis informed her gravely.

"What!?" Annie whispered sharply. She was starting to feel sick.

Rape!? What could have happened to her that... that... She was only fourteen. She could not have been raped, could she? And what did the test involve. Oh no, was someone going to poke inside her!?

Annie was embarrassed to have someone, never mind that it was a female medical professional, examine her most private secrets. She definitely did not want to recount the procedure later. She did not want anyone else with her that time. Well, maybe she could trust Marie, but Big Sis would definitely feel uncomfortable while her sister was being... Annie did not want to recall the details.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 21 Page 4

Annie returned to the dinner hall in time for dessert. She chose small pieces of cake and bits of fruit from the buffet table, tidbits that were easily eaten while maintaining graceful manners.

Mr and Mrs Zimmerman soon excused themselves for a dance, leaving the girls alone. Conversation at the corner table got boring rather quick so they decided to move to the balcony.

The cool night wind was welcome in this heat - that and the new glass of juice Connie got for Annie.

As Annie talked with her friends, she felt a little concern. She had this little worry that her bare-shouldered dress would drop. She was not wearing a bra and there was no shrug to cover any slip-ups. She kept having this urge to adjust the bodice. The dress was comfortable, perhaps too comfortable that she kept glancing at it to make sure it was still in place.

The event had been as boring as Connie warned it would be. The view below was much more interesting. Cars went by, each with those pretty moving lights. It was hypnotic, making her feel really drowsy. Was she still holding her glass?

"Hey careful, Annie!" Connie cried as she grabbed the glass from Annie's loose hand. "You nearly dropped that."

Annie looked at the redhead, finding trouble in focusing her vision. She blinked a few times but found it difficult keeping her head up. "Connie, I'm feeling a little tired," she said as she struggled to take her handphone out for a look at the time.

Was it still that early?

Connie grabbed her arm to hold her steady. She helped put Annie's handphone back in her handbag. "Maybe I should call you a cab," she suggested.

"Yeah, I'm too sleepy," Annie agreed, "Sorry I have to leave early."

"Don't worry about it." Connie looked to Sabine. "Help Annie to a seat, I'll go call a cab."

The next time Annie looked up, she saw that she was seated on a chair near the entrance of the hall.

"Are you all right?" Sabine asked from beside her.

"Just feeling sleepy," Annie replied, "Is the cab here yet?" They were at a hotel. There should be a few cabs waiting at the front, should there not?

"Connie's taking care of it," Sabine said, "Don't worry. Rest if you need to."

Then Connie was there again. Was it immediately? Or had time passed?

Annie heard a few words that she failed to comprehend. It sounded distantly like Connie's voice. Then she felt herself being led out the hall, down the stairs. Connie had her right arm and Sabine had her left. She remembered exiting the hotel. The steps down from the doorway were troublesome. Annie stumbled once.

There was a yellow car, the cab. She remembered being guided into the back seat, the soft cushioned seat. Annie closed her eyes as the cab moved.

Just a little nap before reaching home...

***

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 21 Page 3

Just then, Connie arrived at the table with three glasses of juice gripped between both hands. She greeted the Zimmermans by name, then proceeded to distribute the drinks to her friends.

The redhead took a seat between Mr Zimmerman and Annie. "A cold drink is perfect after a good dance," she commented before she took a careful sip.

"You danced beautifully, Ms Baker," Mr Zimmerman praised Connie, "Oh, that I were young again to ask you for a dance."

Mrs Zimmerman was not amused though. She gave her husband a rather unladylike backhand to the elbow. Mr Zimmerman, of course, apologized to her.

"I must comment that it is odd to find you here, Ms Baker," Mr Zimmerman said to Connie.

"What do you mean?" Connie asked.

"I'm sure you know that this is a fund-raiser," the elderly man explained, "It's politics, nothing of interest to youngsters like you and your friends."

After a pause, Connie replied, "My dad had extra tickets. It's a chance for us to try some good food."

"I see," Mr Zimmerman uttered with uncertainty. He then forced on a smile. "But please, do not feel distressed. Your presence is still a delight to my old eyes."

Connie and the elderly man contributed the most to the conversation at the table. Annie listened as they talked about various people that she did not know. She would have liked to talk to Mrs Zimmerman but being seated directly opposite each other at the table made private discussion difficult.

Sabine appeared to be listening in on the conversation, glancing inquisitively in their direction now and then. Whether she was actually following it or pretending to was unknown.

Then dinner was announced to be ready.

Annie and Sabine went to the buffet table together. While Annie was piling her plate with pasta, meatballs and a little salad, she considered getting something to drink. It was then that Connie offered to get her a glass. The redhead had it ready by the time Annie returned to her seat.

Connie was strangely helpful tonight. Never mind that, the food looked good.

Polite eating, however, was definitely tiresome. Annie had to fork small amounts of salad and chew them thoroughly and noiselessly. She had to cut meatballs into little pieces before eating. She had to wipe the edges of her mouth each time she felt her pasta deposit some sauce there - thank goodness for nonstick lipstick! Annie found herself eating less though she found the food tasty.

Although Connie had the same restraint, Sabine had not. She was a little quick with her dinner and not too neat. Annie had a chagrined smile on her face when Mrs Zimmerman stared disapprovingly at her plump friend.

To escape, Annie excused herself to go to the washroom. She probably had too much to drink and she really needed to go. Unfortunately, her dress had not appeared to be designed for easy access in the toilet and she had trouble doing her business.

When it was finally done, Annie gave herself a thorough inspection in the washroom mirror, making sure that everything was back in place. Feeling a little warm, she decided to remove her knitted shrug. She was glad that she had worn a necklace. Otherwise her neck would appear bare.

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 21 Page 2

They met with more people after that. Mr Baker introduced his daughter and Annie to people from various backgrounds - to industrialists, bankers, businessmen and the occasional engineer. Annie was even introduced to the mayor of the city.

Thankfully Sabine brought her another glass of that same juice mix. Annie had felt thirsty after greeting all those people.

After that, the mayor got on the stage to give a speech. Before he started, Connie pulled Annie and Sabine out to the balcony. "It's the boring part," she had said.

"It's impolite not to listen," Annie chided. They could at least pretend to listen. The little girl could still hear the speech from the balcony, though. After the greetings and grateful words for everyone's presence, the mayor talked about current affairs, a topic that Annie was not familiar with nor interested in.

Annie turned her attention to the city scene. There was a cool breeze that evening, perfect weather to be out on the balcony.

"Your drink's empty," Connie noted. She took Annie's glass and returned to the hall.

"No, wait..." Annie tried to protest but the redhead was gone. It was even more impolite to be fetching a drink in the middle of a speech.

Annie turned and rested her hands on the stone balustrade as she surveyed the street. There were people on the walkways and cars on the street below, lit by lights from the windows of buildings, from vehicles and from the street lamps. Flags, pennants and trees fluttered in the evening breeze, which also brought a gentle tease of chill down Annie's exposed neck.

The girl looked at her brown-hair friend. Sabine was standing uncomfortably next to the balustrade, favoring one leg while shaking her other foot. "Feet hurting?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Sabine groaned, "My toes are so painful." Her shoes must be a bad fit.

"Once the speech is over, we should get you to a seat," Annie said.

After the mayor had finished his speech, Connie returned with a new glass of juice for Annie. "Can you dance?" she inquired.

"No, I can't," Annie confessed as she accepted the glass. Neither could Sabine.

"That's too bad. You should learn. Now, all you can do is watch me!" Connie laughed as she glided off to the dance floor.

Annie followed the taller teenager up until the doorway. From there, she could watch the dance floor. She felt a pang of jealousy. Young Connie, who was at Annie's age, moved with flawless grace and elegant pose as she danced with her father. Her movements perfectly complemented her father's, in rhythm to the lively tune played by the band. And the redhead had to wear a charming little smile that would melt the heart and weaken the knees of any man.

Not wishing to turn anymore green with envy, Annie proposed to Sabine that they find somewhere to seat. Maybe she should sign up for dance lessons.

"Connie arranged a table for us," Sabine mentioned as Annie helped her walk, "It's in the back corner so we'll be by ourselves."

The girls were to share their corner table with an elderly couple, who introduced themselves as Mr and Mrs Zimmerman. "So how do you find the party so far?" Mr Zimmerman asked.

"It's quite boring," Sabine blurted, then blushed when she realized what she had said.

Mr Zimmerman laughed while his wife smiled. "Yes, the games old folks play can be uninteresting to the younger generation," the elderly man commented, "But there's one thing that young and old both need, and that is food. I hope you'll find this evening's fare much more interesting than the tiresome talk of grownups."

"I look forward to sampling tonight's menu," Annie responded politely.

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 21 Page 1

Annie could not explain to herself why she had accepted the invitation to the dinner. Perhaps it was so that Sabine would not suffer being alone with that overbearing redhead. Or perhaps, deep inside, she really wanted to wear that red dress again.

Mother was kind enough to drop her off at the hotel where the dinner was held. A ticket was required to attend the dinner. Connie had no trouble getting extra tickets for her friends and had sent one to Annie by mail, along with a formal invitation. With the ticket and invitation, Annie easily gained entry into the dinner hall. It appeared to be a political fund-raiser of some kind. It was written on the notice at the front and on the invitation.

The hall was modest in size, with doorways on one side opening out to the balcony that faced the setting sun. It would be a beautiful view, if it were not blocked by several blocks of city buildings. On the other side of the hall were long buffet tables where food would be served. Chairs and tables covered most of the room, with a space near the stage cleared for dancing. A small band played a quiet tune on the stage, which was framed with campaign banners. Matching banners hung from each pillar within the hall.

Annie had decided not to wear the exact same setup as the one Connie had seen. She wore the expected red dress. Her black hair was tied in a bun and decorated with a pink ribbon so it would match the pink knitted shrug she recently bought. She also wore a necklace, a heart-shaped pendant attached to a chain. The black leather handbag clashed with the shrug, so she brought her favorite pink handbag instead even though it looked a trifle worn from use.

It had been convenient since she had been lazy to repack her personal effects into another handbag.

"You look pretty," Sabine complimented Annie when they met at the entrance of the hall.

"Thanks, so do you," Annie returned the compliment.

Well, she was being polite. The brown-haired girl had on a modest yellow evening dress and did not have her spectacles. She seemed to have trouble walking in a pair of shoes too large for her, probably those of her mother's. And she had a handbag that was fashionably too big.

"Hey, Annie!" Connie floated towards them with a filled glass in each hand. She passed one to the little girl. "Have a drink."

"Thanks." Annie accepted the glass and took a sip. It was cold, sweet and smooth with a hint of sourness. Probably a mixture of juices.

The redhead took a careful spin in her impressive green dress, alluding to a rose with its leaves. "How do I look?"

Annie smiled. "You look good." She did not mention that the brown leather bag that Connie carried behind her was too large. Like a dried leaf behind the rose. The girl took a good swig of her mixed juice.

Connie returned the smile. "I'm so glad you're here." She led them to the buffet table for appetizers.

Annie finished her drink and selected a few sticks of skewered cheese and meat to place on her small plate. Oh, and one of those cute little sausages. The food should be enough to appease her stomach until dinner was served.

Connie then brought her friends to a man she introduced as Dad, or Mr Baker to Annie. He was a tall man, smart and handsome in his tuxedo. The woman next to him, radiant in a yellow dress, was introduced as Mum, or Mrs Baker. The latter introduction was unnecessary since Connie physically resembled her so much. They had the same hair, the same nose, in fact, Connie was a younger image of Mrs Baker.

Annie did note that Mr Baker's smile to her was brighter than the one he gave Sabine.

"Thank you for inviting me," Annie said to him formally. He did pay for her dinner after all.

"The pleasure's mine," Mr Baker replied, "I'm glad that Connie will have friends to keep her company tonight."

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 20 Page 3

As expected, the fast-food outlet was crowded with the ubiquitous crowd of youths. Annie passed her shopping bags to Sabine and sent her and Reese to find them a place to sit. Then she went with Billy to order some food.

"I think I prefer a diner," Billy grumbled as they waited at the end of a seemingly endless line.

"Mm-hmm." Annie hummed her agreement.

"Personally cooked burgers with that special touch definitely taste better," Billy continued.

"And it's probably less crowded there too," Annie added.

Billy turned to her. "Then why are we here?"

"For the long queue," Annie explained. She was amused by Billy's confused expression. "It's so Sabine and Reese have some time together. With the long queue, it'll be quite some time before we join them. At the diner, we'd be with them all the time since the waitress takes our order."

Billy faced the front of the line. "Sneaky..."

They fidgeted next to each other for a few more minutes.

"Annie, why are you doing this?" Billy finally asked.

Annie glanced up at the taller classmate. "So those two can be together."

"No, I mean, why do you want those two to be together?"

"Like you said, Reese doesn't talk with girls, and Sabine certainly isn't going to approach Reese. I think they deserve a chance to at least find out if they're a match for each other."

Billy leaned down towards her. "But Annie, what do you gain out of this?"

Annie narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean 'what do I gain'?"

"Err," Billy struggled helplessly, "I... it's not like you to... do something for people."

Annie spun towards him with her glare on full. "Are you saying I'm not a nice person?"

"Actually... yeah, you're not a very nice person." Billy leaned back with hands defensively up.

That was not as big a shock as she thought it should be. She had suspicions about her past personality. Having it confirmed to be 'not very nice' was annoying, though.

Annie turned back towards the head of the queue and sighed. When she finally got her irritation towards that latest revelation under control, she told him evenly, "Look, getting those two together just seems to be the right thing to do."

"Okay." Billy appeared to accept her answer. "Sorry."

"It's okay. It's the truth, isn't it?" Though Annie was afraid to learn more about herself.

Billy remained quiet. Their arrival at the head of the queue cut off any more talk. They got the food and went off to find the other pair of classmates.

Sabine and Reese had found a table for four right in the middle of the outlet. It appeared that they had had quite a good time in each others' company. The two of them, despite their reserved natures, dominated conversation for the remainder of dinner. Billy was probably troubled about what he had told Annie.

Annie was troubled by her past.

Regardless, she was now living in the present. She would do her best to live as she believed she should.

***

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 20 Page 2

Once the redhead was gone, Annie turned to Sabine. "So, what do we do now?"

"I'm not supposed to be home until after dinner," Sabine told her.

Annie hummed. "How about we go back to the mall? Go to the bookstore, flip through some books?" Since Connie was no longer with them, they could go there without any complaints.

Sabine smiled. "All right."

Thus Annie and Sabine made their way back across the park to Miss Megamall, back to the den of school children on spring break. The bookstore, however, was not as crowded as the other shops in the mall. It was peaceful and quiet. Time passed quickly as Annie lost herself in the words of fiction.

Maybe she should pick up a good book or two, something to read at home after she was done with homework. It was for the time when she had a spare moment and was too lazy to wait for the computer to power up so she could find something of interest on the Internet.

What would be a good read? A book of jokes? An amusing story perhaps? Oh hello, Billy.

"Billy!" Annie blurted her surprise.

Billy, her classmate, started when he saw her. "Annie!"

"Hi, um, what are you doing here?" Annie asked.

"Oh, just accompanying Reese, he's..." Billy looked round the bookcase. "... somewhere. You?"

"Me? Oh, just picking up a book to read. I'm here with Sabine. She's also..." Annie glanced around but found her view blocked by the bookcases. "... somewhere."

"Mmm, yeah, easy to get lost here," Billy remarked as he picked a book on humor from the nearby bookcase. Whether he meant lost physically or in thought was uncertain.

Annie also selected a book to examine. "So, ah, why are you here with Reese?"

"If I don't get Reese out, he's going to rot with all his books at home," Billy said, "We're pals from middle school, so I'm concerned about him."

"Rather than rot with all the books here?" Annie asked.

"We're here only because he won't go out otherwise." Though the brown-haired boy had his eyes on his open book, he had not flipped the page for a while. "It's a shame, he's a nice guy and not a bad face too - I'm sure you've noticed his smile - but he's not meeting with girls, talking with them, having fun with them."

"You make him sound like he's a great guy. I may be interested," Annie mentioned coyly.

"You? I don't think you're suitable for him."

Annie's eyes flashed dangerously at him. "Are you saying I'm not good enough?"

Billy must have caught Annie's expression at the edge of his view, for he had flinched. He hurriedly closed the book. "No, not that. All I'm saying is, ah..." He shifted from foot to foot uneasily.

It would be hard for him to dig himself out of the hole he got himself into. But Annie was not really interested in seeing him squirm. Rather, there was something else that she wanted.

Annie replaced her book on the shelf. "What about Sabine? Do you think she's suitable for Reese."

Billy practically jumped for the conversational lifeline she offered. "Oh, yes. Maybe. I can't speak for him."

"We should get them together and see what happens," Annie suggested.

"How are we going to do that?" Billy asked, "You get Sabine, I get Reese, we meet somewhere?"

"I was thinking we should have dinner together somewhere." After her little irritation with Billy earlier, she was about to suggest he pay but decided otherwise. Doing so would make her more like Connie than she cared to be. Instead, she said, "Let's grab some fast food, my treat."

"Oh, but we can't have you pay," Billy started his protest.

"Are you paying then? Or we can split the cost." She was amused to see his expression change from alarm at the first suggestion to receptive on the second.

"We'll split the cost," Billy agreed.

Perfect. Billy pays a little for her irritation and Sabine would not need to spend any of her dwindling budget.

"I should get Sabine and you need to find Reese." Annie took out her handphone from her handbag. "Do you have a handphone?"

Billy did have one. They had exchanged handphone numbers and arranged to meet at the fast-food outlet downstairs.

When Annie found her friend in the travel section, Sabine unconcernedly agreed to the dinner plans. Though she tried to hide it, the plump girl's eyes lit up at the mention of Reese. She also developed the habit of checking her watch every two minutes.

***

Gloriously Messed-up Chapter 20 Page 1

It was all well and good that the thrift store was just next to the park. Otherwise, Annie would have had a hard time convincing Connie that a visit to the thrift store would be good for Sabine. Even then she would probably have to put up with more than a little whining.

As such, all she had to do when lunch was over and done with was march across the street to the store. Sabine, who had been with her all morning, naturally joined Annie. Connie had to follow or be left behind.

Sabine was definitely much happier shopping there. Once she had seen the sharp drop in prices, the normally reserved girl tore through the store with enthusiasm. She no longer had to settle on one or two choices that she could barely afford. Here, she could buy more. She darted from clothes racks to accessory shelves to toy bins, gushing excitedly to any who would listen over the pretty and cute treasures she found.

Compared to her, little kids in a candy store had more decorum. At least the little kids would not bother the other customers.

In the end, Sabine ended up with a shopping bag full of her purchases and a bright smile on her face. Annie bought a couple of shirts that looked good for wearing at home. Connie, however, had been very, very bored with the selection in the store. The redhead had found it more amusing to watch her friends and the other customers, nodding politely whenever Sabine showed her something she had found.

After Sabine had finally, finally decided that she had seen everything for sale, the girls left the store. Connie and Annie hurriedly led the plump girl away from the store, towards the nearest junction, lest she be tempted to return for 'just one more look'.

Connie made a show of checking her handphone. "Hey, um, I've got to go."

"What? It's only the afternoon." Annie was surprised. The entire outing had been Connie's idea and now she wanted to leave early!?

"Yeah, I've suddenly got something to do," Connie explained vaguely, "Um, are you free for dinner this Friday?"

"Why do you ask?" Annie asked.

"My dad has some sort of dinner party going on and I was hoping you two could come," Connie elaborated.

"Doesn't sound very interesting," Annie commented doubtfully.

"It isn't," Connie confirmed, "Look, it's something Dad always attended and insisted I go. That little brat of a brother of mine doesn't have to each time. So unfair."

"Well, you said yourself it's boring," Annie pointed out.

"That's why I need you there to keep me company, or I'll absolutely die of boredom."

"I take it you've been to such dinners before," Annie observed, "You seem to have survived."

"Please come," Connie pleaded, "You get to dress up nice, eat good food, listen to people make long boring speeches."

Annie still felt skeptical. "Is it really okay for us to come?"

"I'll persuade Dad. He'll pay for your tickets if I ask."

"I'm not sure...it sounds like it'll cost your father a lot." Annie glanced at Sabine who looked excited, probably at the prospect of good food.

"Look, I'll ask my dad and call you tonight to confirm." Connie smiled. "I hope to see you in that red dress again."

Annie peeked at the redhead out of the corner of her eye. "You just want to see me dressed up, don't you?"

Connie beamed. "Oh, yes. You'll look fantastic in that red dress."

Sabine nodded her agreement. The plump girl had seen Annie in that dress before, but without all the makeup and full array of accessories. She probably wanted to see her friend in all her glory.

"Well, okay," Annie consented, "I'll wait for your call."

"Thanks." Connie gave a bright smile. "Well, I've got to go now, bye!" She hurried off in the direction of the bus stop.