Journalism for Dummies: As Told by Casey Summers

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

“You can't seriously be wearing that.” I look down at my rather large sweater and high-waisted shorts paired with combat boots. I couldn't find anything wrong with it, so I look back up at Jeremy with a confused expression. “We're going to a party, Casey, not some book club meeting.”

I fix him with a scowl. “This outfit's fine.” I protest, but he's already rummaging through my closet trying to find something more appropriate. With a sigh, I plop down on my bed, knowing it's useless to try and fight with the giant.

“Why do all your clothes have to be so nerdy?” Jeremy whines as the sound of coat hangers scratching reach my ears.

I sit up. “Hey! They're not nerdy!” As if to prove his point, Jeremy pulls out a sweater with cats all over it. My face colors and I have to admit he's right; my clothes are rather nerdy.

Jeremy returns the sweater to it's place before he makes a sound of approval, apparently having found something. “Aha! Here we go. Stand up and go change.”

My face blanches at the sight in his hands. He is holding up my junior high promotion dress. Why in the world had I kept that thing? It had been short back in middle school and could only be shorter now that I am four years older. “You can't be serious, Jeremy.”

“Completely.” He thrusts the peacock-inspired dress into my arms and ushers me into my bathroom. “Hurry up and change or we'll miss the whole party.” He closes the door in my face.

Immediately, I try to reopen the door and make my escape out of my room, but my best friend's fat body is blocking the door. With one last bang of my fist against the door, I turn and begin to change. “Stupid. Boy. Who does he think he is?” I mutter under my breath as I discard my sweater, shorts, and boots. I hold up the colorful dress and give it a once-over. The colors didn't really go together all that well – who thought pink, blue, purple, and shades of gray resembled a peacock? – but the black collar was actually kind of cute. I slip the dress over my head and knock on the bathroom door.

“Jer-Bear! Open up, I need help with the zipper.”

“Sorry, sugar, you're not my type.” Jeremy grins as he opens the door.

I give him my best 'I'm-not-amused' look before turning around and holding my hair out of the way of the zipper. His warm fingers has the dress secured in no time and I turn around to thank him with a smile. “Now, where are my boots-”

“No way. You're wearing nice shoes.” Jeremy blocks me from going back into the bathroom to retrieve my boots. “I already picked them out, anyway.” He holds up the dark grey flats with toes capped in gold.

My best friend has great taste, I hate to admit. I swipe the shoes from him and slip them onto my feet. After putting on some earrings and a few bracelets, I look to Jeremy for approval. He only nods before grabbing my purse for me and dragging me out the door.

“Bye mama!” He calls out to my mother. “I'll make sure to get her home safely.”

Her head peeks out of the kitchen as we pass her. “Just make sure she doesn't get pregnant. Unless of course it's with you, hun.” She winks at the two of us.

I shoot my mom a look of disgust. For once, I wish I had a normal mother. “Ew mom, please refrain from playing match maker. Please.”

She only laughs as Jeremy and I make our way outside and to his car. “I love your mom.” Jeremy says as he opens the door for me.

“Yeah? Well you can have her.” I mutter darkly.

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