A general cringe warning from beginning to end
Chapter XXIII
The day before Roxanne and Gabriel fly in, Abby spends her day uncharacteristically primping alongside Aimee and Eric. She not only combs her hair away from her face, but teases it up a bit, and applies concealer, foundation, and even some mascara. If there's one thing Roxanne won't be able to pick apart, it'll be her appearance. Although in the back of her head, Abby knows that every bit of makeup gives her dad more reason to call her a shallow phony, but at least he won't be calling her a dogfaced phony.
"What are you going to wear," Eric asks, and Abby shrugs.
"Nothing I own is good enough," she says. "Even though I like some of the same bands as my dad, he kept all the concert tees I used to borrow. And Mom always hates whatever I wear, even if she's worn it before. I can't make them happy that way. I think fixing my hair is, you know, it shows I'm open. To being...accommodating. At least."
Aimee and Eric pause briefly at this and then dive into Abby's closet.
"Ooh, this plaid miniskirt would be great, as long as you wear it with leggings," Aimee says, pulling one skirt out of the closet.
"I like your thinking," Eric says, "but instead of a madras, I think we should go with the Black Stewart tartan." He pulls out another skirt and Aimee nods thoughtfully.
"Ohmigod, you're right," she says. "Ooh, and a black polo neck. So the skirt says 'Christmas' and 'cute', but the black gives it more of a grunge feel."
"You guys, this is a bit much," Abby puts in, and Aimee and Eric simultaneously shush her.
"Are we thinking headband or ponytail," Eric asks.
"Headband, definitely headband," Aimee says. "Do you have a black headband, Abby?"
"Actually, I don't..."
"That's okay," Aimee says. "I bought one just in case."
"You know, you guys are probably better personal stylists than the ones my mom hires," Abby says.
Eric's eyes widen. "Do you think, when we finish school, she'd hire me," he asks.
"...I mean, she'd be a lot less cooperative," Abby points out.
"Perf," Eric says. "I love a challenge."
Abby rubs her temples, wondering if they really understand that Roxanne Dieters is less challenge and more despot.
"Besides, we just wanted to start with the Christmas dinner outfit first," Aimee says. "We still haven't decided what you're wearing tomorrow."
"It has to be more casual," Eric explains. "Like, 'ho-hum, you guys visit all the time, I'm not fussed'."
"Shouldn't I pick it out myself then," Abby asks.
"But this is fun," Aimee says.
"Okay," Abby says with a grin. "Keep going."
🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
Thankfully, while Gabriel and Roxanne have flown over with a camera crew, said crew has bunked up at the Travelodge in the next town over.
Unthankfully, the first thing Roxanne says upon arriving to Nan's is, "Ew. This wallpaper is still so seventies."
Abby gets off the couch and go over to her parents for a hug. After all, she keeps telling herself, she's trying.
Roxanne steps back first. "This is Moschino," she says, gesturing to her outfit. "I don't want you messing it up."
Gabriel simply smirks and says, "Aren't you a little old for hugs from Daddy?"
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Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)
FanfictionAbby Hammond knows well enough that real life isn't anything like the movies. Unfortunately, when under pressure or excitement, her mouth tends to forget what her brain wants it to remember.
