[hr][h1][i][color=E3DAC9] Anna Sun[/color][/i][/h1][hr]

[color=gray]
The Diamond Sands Fitness Center of Crystal Shores catered to high-class society. One third of the sprawling, two-story complex was dedicated to spas and showers. The chefs on staff were all nutritionist and had every member's preferences and allergies memorized. The olympic-sized indoor pools had lavish furnishings and left little more to be desired. The gym itself boasted state-of-the-art gear, machines, and trainers. Yoga is hands down the most popular with two-hour sessions scheduled three times daily. The whole building has a modest ultra-modern feel to it. Everything looked and smelled expensive, even if it wasn't.

Working as life-guard here wasn't hard. The job requirements were steep, which belied how little work Anna actually needed to do. Some days she could sit by, watch, and not lift a finger. But, today was bit different. Towards the end of her shift, the owner, Filíp, introduced her to his friend's son, Jake Valos, and asked her, in an strange, overly polite manner, to give him a tour. Jake's family apparently had full access, but he himself had never been. With no reason to refuse her boss--more importantly her father's boss--she acquiesced. 

Boys had flirted with her in the past, many nice, some handsome, a few both, but none had really made a lasting impression and could be brushed off without a second thought. Jake was different. In the half hour it took to travel the hallways and get acquainted with the many common areas, he was genial and warm in everything he did and said. Almost too perfect. Sweet words and Devilish looks: Anna never thought she would be swayed by that particular combo again, but Jake Valos had proven her wrong. She could feel the heat filling her cheeks and cursed herself for it. 

Midway through the tour, their conversation became more casual. The questions started out innocent enough: [i]Do you like working here? What are some of the best spots in this place?[/i] If it meant keeping the owner's precious VIP preoccupied, Anna didn't mind answering them at all. And while she'd never admit it, Jake had caught her interest.
And within a few minutes, the steady procession of their conversation felt comfortable, seamlessly flowing back and forth between them. Somehow it all culminated into Jake saying "Hey, we should hang out some time!" and the two exchanging numbers. 

Shortly after, Filíp came to collect Jake, who's family was leaving and he with them. The interruption was so abrupt, Anna barely had time to stammer out a confused good-bye.

It happened so fast, she didn't really think about it until much later. Between that disarming smile and those "pretty boy" eyes, Anna suspected she was being played and hoped she was wrong. Usually people get swept into Anna's pace, not the other way around.

Later that evening, as she was locking the store closet and getting ready to leave, she heard the distinct sound of her textbooks vibrating. Anna reached into her cheap drawstring bag and retrieved her phone. "1 Missed Call!"

She was about to call the number back when she realized it was Jake's. She hesitated for a long moment, uncertain of what she would even say. Before she could even press hit auto-dial, the phone vibrated again with a "New Message" pop-up alert.

[indent][color=#7ea7d8][i]Hey, its Jake! We're going to a party at my friend's house in Kingsdale Row. 
You should come hang out with us. I'll send you the address.[/i][/color][/indent]

She was typing in a reply, when another message appeared from her friend Marina.

[indent][color=gold][i]U goin to Taylor's party in Kingsdale?[/i][/color][/indent]

[i]Taylor? Taylor who?[/i] Then Anna connected the dots. [i]Oh...[/i]
[indent][color=E3DAC9][i]Apparently.
Who all is going to be there?[/i][/color][/indent]

[indent][color=gold][i]Alot of big wigs, heirs and heiresses, people frm University Row, and plenty of metas. U n?[/i][/color][/indent]

[i]Wait. Wait! Metas? All in one place? Terrible idea...[/i]
[indent][color=E3DAC9][i]I'll be there! ;D[/i][/color][/indent]

Her phone flashed "Message Sent!" before she could second-guess the decision. With an exasperated sigh, she copied it and sent the message to Jake as well. The potent mix of wanting to meet Jake again and overwhelming apprehension of being around that many metas made her stomach lurch and flip, but Anna gathered her composure and finished cleaning up.


[center][color=#DFDFDF][i]--At home.[/i][/color][/center]

Among Anna's entire wardrobe, only one outfit stood out as being appropriate for a Kingsdale party. Her mother bought it for her a year ago, knowing full well something like this might happen. She was very encouraging and did everything but outright say "Take this and go have fun".

It was a black silk, designer tank top. Between the deep V neckline, the hollowed back with a criss-cross of elegant lace embroidery, and the split thigh mini skirt, it was a stylish combination which followed the curves of her body. With her favorite turquoise necklace resting at the center of her chest, it completed the ensemble. At a glance, you could mistake it for a fitted cocktail dress. 

Make-up, hair, shoes, she fretted over them incessantly for half an hour before she gave up and resigned herself to a simple style: A quick shower to kill the chlorine smell from the pool, just enough make-up for accents, nothing special with the hair -- it was too long and she had too little time to really do anything spectacular with it. A good brushing would suffice -- and a pair of black heels to match the dress was all she needed.

A long look in the mirror told her she wouldnt be the most beautiful girl there, but between these clothes, her sun-kissed olive skin, and the sculpted features she inherited from her mum, she could definitely pull off [i]striking[/i].

Her cell rang. 
[color=gold][b]"We're waiting on [i]you[/i], Princess. You're holding up traffic, so get out here!"[/b][/color] 
Marina is not a patient person. Anna didn't rush. She knew there was no traffic to hold up on a two-lane residential beach road, [i]at night[/i]. All the same she was outside in a couple minutes. Marina was sitting her father's Mercedes. How she had gotten permission to drive it was a mystery unto itself. On second thought, she probably just took it. Best not to think about it too much.

[center][color=#DFDFDF][i]--At Kingsdale.[/i][/color][/center]

The two drove up to the Crystal shores beach house, Marina's favorite Electro-pop still blasting the speakers. Anna's house was nice, but modest. In front this monstrosity of extravagance, she felt quite small, and out of place. That didn't deter her though; she walked the steps, arms linked with Marina. They were greeted at the door, and both took in the sights and sounds, the upbeat music and scent of alcohol. Marina peeled away after seeing a few of her other friends from school.

[i]"Yes please, go have fun all on your own, Miss No-Attention-Span-Whatsoever."[/i] Marina was flaky at best, but Anna had never truly held it against her. She knew Marina would come find her again later, but for now Anna was left to look for Jake on her own. 

Much to her own surprise though, she didn't have to wander far to find someone interesting. Mei Feng, who at the moment was being used as a kickstand for Jennifer, seemed to be enjoying herself. Anna opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She wanted to approach, she wanted to greet her friends, but the laughter around the table made the whole fair seem shady.
[/color]