Breaking and Entering

Chapter 3

There was a sudden pounding at her door. Forceful, hurried thuds. Holly put down the article she had been perusing and approached the door. Peering through the peep hole, she was taken aback by one large blue eye attempting to stare back through the hole.

"Open up, nerd. I know you're in there," Gail called from the other side. "Put down your nerd magazine, turn off your nature documentary, and open the door."

I'm not even watching a documentary! Holly scoffed. Oh, wait, I did watch that one earlier about the... Gail doesn't need to know that. Focus, Holly, She shook her head in an attempt to clear it.

The hammering sounded again. "Holly, open the damn—"

Holly yanked the door open, startling Gail, whose hand was raised in mid-knock. She stared at the blonde before her, unimpressed, and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for an explanation. Gail just stood there, the goofiest of smiles now plastered on her face. What a dork, Holly thought.

When no explanation was forthcoming, Holly asked, "What?" She couldn't help but grin back at her neighbor.

"Get dressed, lunchbox. We're going out!" Gail barged her way past Holly into the apartment.

Holly closed the door and turned to face the blonde, her head tilting as her brows furrowed. "I am dressed," she said, looking down at her outfit. She'd been in jeans and what she thought was a decent shirt most of the day.

"Nope. We're going out. You gotta look hot. I mean, hotter than you usually— We gotta look hot, Holly! Come on." Gail grabbed the amused woman by the arm and dragged her to her room.

As soon as Gail was through the doorway, she released her hold on Holly, and made her way to the closet. Holly took a seat on the edge of her bed and watched her friend intently pick through her clothing. Gail haphazardly threw a few items Holly's way, all of which the brunette managed to catch. She was looking at the clothing in her hands when a dress hit her in the face.

"I'm sorry!" Gail spit out in between guffaws. "I thought you were paying attention!"

Holly pulled the garment off her head and glared at her neighbor. She stood and laid the clothes out on her bed.

"Well what are you wearing?"

"Holly, I'm already dressed. This is about you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Holly practically shouted and turned on her heel to face Gail.

"Holly," Gail spoke as if she was placating a cranky child. "I know how to dress to go out. I always look good. But for some reason, you seem to think plaid is acceptable every time. You are going to wear one of those tops." Gail pointed to the clothes on Holly's bed. "And those really tight pants I know you own. Or the dress. Those are your only options."

"Okay, but why?"

"We gotta make the twins look good!" Gail walked over, picked up a shirt, and tossed it at Holly.

She gave Gail a contemptuous look and shook her head. She looked over the clothing again, then, gathering the rest of the shirts, headed toward her bathroom.

"Where are you going?"

"To change?" Holly pointed the garments toward the bathroom door as if the answer was obvious. Which she thought it was.

"No, no, no. I can't approve the outfit if you're hiding in there. Besides, how else am I supposed to make sure you try them on?"

"I can just come out and show you..."