Something's Wrong With Anya

"Wow, would you look at her..." sighed Owen. "She always looks so perfectly beautiful."

He sipped his iced tea while his eyes feasted upon Anya's beauty. She was an old-fashioned girl, always opting for a classic 1950's swing dress and high heels over jeans and a t-shirt. Today, her dress was a deep shade of green. It brought out the flecks of Jade in her blue eyes as well as complimenting her auburn hair, which was styled immaculately. She had the top half in a French twist and allowed the rest of her curls to cascade down her back. Her makeup was applied nicely and her waistline was non-existent.

"Stunning." whispered Owen, taking a large gulp from his glass. He had toyed with the idea of striking up a conversation with Anya on many occasions, but so far, he hadn't worked up his courage enough to actually make any progress. The town picnic just might be the perfect place to give it a shot. He looked around at the tables, decorated with so many beautiful desserts and appetizers. Maybe he could bring her one? Maybe a cold drink? It was pretty hot outside, surely a nice glass of sweet tea would be well received.

He meandered over to the pitcher of tea and filled up a glass with ice cubes and the sweet nectar. He popped a lemon wedge onto the side of the glass and headed in the beautiful woman's direction.

"Owen!" The dish water blonde stepped out in front of his path stopping him abruptly in his tracks. "Is that for me?" She smiled. "Umm... actually." Owen began. She swiped the glass from his hand and took a rather large swig. "Mmm." She licked her lips. "How have you been?" Owen wiped the shock from his face. "Fine Melinda. Just fine."

"Well?" Melinda smiled. She had a brown fleck of something stuck between her teeth. "Well?" repeated Owen. "Aren't you gonna ask me how I've been?" "Oh! How rude of me. How are you, Melinda?" Melinda sighed. "Well, to be quite honest, I've seen better days." She took another swig of tea. Owen nodded, feigning interest. "I've had a lot going on. You know, with Roger being gone. Ever since he started this job, he never has time to take care of anything at the house." Melinda sighed. "There's so much to be done. The cabinets squeak. The doorknobs stick..."

Melinda continued babbling on while Owen began to feel his eyes glaze over. He started thinking about Anya's perfectly shaped lips. The way the brick red lipstick complimented her lovely pout. Her smile. He wanted to get close enough to smell her perfume. Surely, the aroma must smell just as appealing as the bouquet looked.

"Owen!" He blinked several times. "Are you listening to me?" Miranda cocked an eyebrow. "Of- of course, I am!" Owen stuttered. Melinda looked over her shoulder. "Oh." she rolled her eyes. "I see." She tipped the ice cubes out of the glass and shook her head. "You're just as pitiful as the rest of these men around here." Melinda laughed. "All of you. Every one. Pining over that tart." She walked away, chuckling.

"What a despicable woman." Owen thought to himself. He headed back to the table, this time opting for a nicely iced cupcake. Though most girls didn't openly admit it, Owen knew they loved sweet treats. The women always lingered around the table of desserts more than any other display. Couldn't go wrong with this choice. He made his way across the park, plucking a small white rose from a bush on the way over. His heart was fluttering like a hummingbird.

He approached Anya carefully, catching her eye. She smiled. "Hello, Owen." "How are you, Anya?" Owen returned her smile. "I brought you this." He held the cupcake out to her. Her smile faltered just a bit. "Oh." she hesitated. "Um." Owen felt a little queasy. "It's just that..." He began, "Well, I haven't seen you eat a bite all day." "Have you been watching me all day?" She squinted at him suspiciously. "Oh... well. Um..." Owen stuttered. Anya smiled. "I'm only joking." Owen let out the breath he was holding. "It's just, I'm not into sprinkles."

"Oh. Sure." Owen gave a small half smile. "Tabitha!" He called. Up pranced a little girl with bouncing ringlets tied up into little brown pigtails. She had a little smear of chocolate on her chin. "Hiya, Owen!" she giggled. "Hey there, Sweetheart!" he said, "A little birdy told me you like chocolate!" Tabitha's eyes lit up. "I sure do!" Owen held the cupcake out to the girl and her eyes lit up. "Thank you!" She giggled, frolicking away with her newly acquired treasure.

"You're sweet." Smiled Anya. Owen's stomach gave a little flutter. "Maybe you would rather have this?" He asked, holding the rose out to her. "Oh, wow! How kind of you." She held her hand out. Owen couldn't help but notice the little cuts along her knuckles. He didn't mention them. He watched as Anya used a bobby pin to secure the flower into her French twist. "Lovely." Owen smiled. Anya smiled back.

Owen noticed a bit of redness around her mouth. Her eyes were a little blood shot as well. "Are you feeling okay?" He asked. Her smile faltered a bit. "I'm fine. Why?" "Are you sure?" He asked. It almost looked like she had been grabbed or pushed- but only around her mouth. "I said I'm fine." Anya's tone had completely changed.

"Great." thought Owen, "You've ruined your one shot."

"Have a good day, Owen." Anya seemed to rush off. Not just away from him but leaving the event completely. Owen sighed and followed suit. With Anya gone, he didn't see much of a reason to stick around. He headed home with his head hanging down.

Later that night-

Anya's green dress laid crumpled in a heap on the bathroom floor next to the scale. Her shoes had been tossed here and there, and she laid with her face relaxed against the porcelain bowl of the toilet. Her teeth had scraped off the scabs that had nearly healed, creating fresh wounds across her knuckles. Her mouth tasted like half-digested chocolate frosting. How dare she be such a glutton? How dare she guzzle down not just one but nine chocolate cupcakes? She truly was despicable.