Beneath The Innocence
Chapter Two
- Daniella -
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Why do teenagers have to be so...difficult?
I take a deep breath as I watch Anna strip off her clothes, and try on yet another dress.
I supply the girl with hundreds of dresses, though she doesn't like a single one.
"What about the purple one?" I ask, pointing to a short, sweetheart neckline in her closet.
She frowns. "It's too tight."
I roll my eyes. "Is it too tight you can't get into it, or is it too tight that it shows a little curves?"
She groans as she takes it off the hanger and sticks her legs through the head.
I zip her up. She looks fabulous.
Anna has the body of a model, I swear- tan, shiney skin, round, full breasts, and is tall and super skinny.
She turns to me. "I hate it."
"Why, Anna? Why do you hate this dress?"
"Purple is not my color."
I sigh. It is, though, Anna! I just want to yell at her. "You look great, Ann."
"Mom," she sighs, and tugs at the bottom, trying to pull it down. I wave my hand, a signal for her to stop: You're a woman with a sexy body. Why not show some leg?
"What, Anna." I pause, trying to control my temper. "You look amazing it everything you try on, if you weren't so damn stubborn!"
She winces. "You know what?" Anna takes a step towards me. "I don't like what you like. You like professional, girly, sexy clothes. Why don't you ever ask for my opinion? Huh?"
I just look at her. If she thinks I like all professional, girly, and sexy, she's pretty much covered all of the good clothing choices. "I like what you look good in." I say quietly.
"To me, I look good in shorts and a tank top. Not a f/cking dress!"
With that, she storms out of the room, leaving me speachless.
---
The first guest arrives at five fifty three, seven minutes early.
I hate when people do that. B/tch, you were invited for six, god dammit!
"Martha. Hello!" I air kiss both her cheeks. She smells like expensive wine and perfume.
"Daniella," she breaths softly, "you look wonderful."
"You have a beautiful home," her husband chimes in- I can't remember his name for the life of me.
"Oh, thank you, Martha. And thank you..." I stutter, what am I supposed to say?
"Bill," he finishes for me.
I let out a laugh, but inside, I'm annoyed and just want the important people to get here.
There is an awkward five minute period before anyone else comes. I offer each of them a beer or wine; they turn down my offer kindly, saying they'll wait for tonight.
Fine, I say inside my head. Make it even more awkward than it already is.
I am in the middle of a big sip of white when the next guest shows up.
Mr. and Mrs. DiLarte, an old couple that also teachers at Hollis.
"Jenn! David! Please, come in!" I say, with more joy than the last couple.
Martha and Bill realize that, and share a glance.
The rest of the party goes pretty much as planned: Guests show up, I greet them with a fake smile and an offering to a drink. They compliment me, saying I look 'absolutely fabulous!' in my new dress, or 'what have you done with your hair?! I love it!'. It makes me feel good, but honestly, it doesn't sink in.
"Now, where is Anna?" I say, as I'm in the middle of a conversation with a rich woman from Hollis.
"Anna?" The rich woman, Brielle, asks.
"My daughter," I laugh. "She's probably upstairs, doing God knows what. I'll go get her!"
I trudge up the stairs, embarrased that I even have to do this. A good daughter would come, introduce herself: Make an elegant impression.
I don't even knock. "Anna!" I say.
She is laying on her bed, on her iPhone, texting someone.
She is wearing a t-shirt and undies, that's it.
"But some damn clothes on and get downstairs!" I say frankly.
I can feel the eye roll she brings to me, as I slam the door shut.
I walk down the stairs, my hand barely skimming the hand rail, and a smile on my face.
"I heard you were getting Anna!" Mr. Hartley says to me.
"She's coming, she's just finished up final touches of her makeup."
Ryan Hartley, a teacher at Hollis, is possibly one of the best looking men I have ever seen. He has deep, brown eyes, is tall, and his hair just waves in a certain direction. He's also very young; early twenties, maybe?
Anna then comes down the stairs, a frown upon her face. She's in a black dress that has accented sparkles;
one that I told her looked great.
"Anna, honey," I kiss her cheek, then put my hand on her back.
"Mom," she nodds towards me. "Hello, I'm Anna." She says to Ryan Hartley.
Since when did she have manners?
"Anna," Ryan says slowly as he reaches out his hand.
She takes it gracefully, and lingers a bit longer than normal.
♡
So..that's chapter two! In Anna's mom, Daniella's prospective!
I don't know how you guys like that? I'm going to be switching off prospective's a lot, it should turn out good- I hope!
Pleeeease leave comments, and don't forget to fave! xo,
-K