It didn’t take long for Anna to find her brother. She knew how Steven partied so she parked herself by the bathrooms and found him shortly thereafter. Anna had experimented with a few drugs here and there, but Alexander was very anti-drugs (except his precious Adderall) and it seemed too much of a bother to try to hide such things from him. Besides, she liked to keep a clear head, and found people who ended up sloppy drunk at the end of the night to be a little sad.

After her swig of booze, Anna decided she wanted more. “Brother, darling,” Anna said with the lock-jawed voice she used when imitating her mother’s way of speaking, “Can you be a dear and find me a real drink? Something delicious and worthy of my family name?” Steven, always happy to get everyone else drunk, loved seeing this playful side of his sister that she rarely showed in public. He gave her an exaggerated butler bow, accepting the challenge and saying he’d back posthaste. Anna stood with Lolly, and together they pointed out all the outfits they liked and hated. Kimmie arrived minutes later looking incredible and Anna gave her a warm hug hello. The two of them twirled for each other and kept shouting, “You look amazing.” “No, you!” “You!” “You!” for a while until Steven returned holding three glasses. Anna took one and drank half of it immediately. She made a face, and yelled, “Uch, what is this?”

“Sugar-free Red Bull and vodka!” Steven yelled over the music. He handed the second drink to Lolly and gave up his own for Kimmie, telling her chivalry was not dead. Anna finished her drink, even though she found it revolting, and Beatrice, dressed in all Saint Laurent, appeared by her side moments later. The two girls hugged and went through the same you-look-amazing-no-you-do ritual she’d went through with Kimmie only minutes ago.

When Beatrice asked Anna to come dance with her and her friends, Anna declined. “I’m not much of a dancer. I’m more of a stand-around-er.” But as soon as she said it, she spotted Vronsky heading their way. Desperate not to be present when he asked Kimmie to dance, Anna grabbed Beatrice’s hand. “What the hell! This is a dance party, so let’s dance.” She pulled Bea away right when Vronsky arrived, barely even acknowledging him as she breezed by.