Rebel Girl

36} Their Rug Is Worth More Than My Life

© Amber Kalkes 2015

Song: "Flagpole Sitta" By Harvey Danger

Chapter Thirty-Six: Their Rug Is Worth More Than My Life

I don't recognize her at first. With her light colored skinny jeans, white peter pan collared button up blouse and modest makeup, It takes me a minute. I've just never seen Sutton like this. Her bleached hair is even perfectly combed and put into a high ponytail that makes her look like some human Barbie. As I continue to look at her, I think my jaw drops open and I make some kind of noise.

"Say it," Sutton says and crosses her arms, "Get it off your chest before it explodes out of your ass and makes a mess on the front stoop."

Okay, so it's definitely Sutton, not an imposter. I don't know if that's more or less disturbing though. I mean she has barely any makeup on! No red lips, no smoky eyes and her breath smells like mint instead of cigarettes. I saw this in a movie once, where people's bodies are high jacked by aliens and absorb their memories. Maybe that's what this is.

"You..."

"Look like Martha Stewart threw up all over me? Yes, I know."

It's still not registering so I look over at Lou for a hint. That's when I take in what he's wearing. He's not in his usual dark jeans and t-shirt combo. Instead he's in black slacks, chinos I think Carla called them, and a blue and brown patterned button up shirt. He still has his gages in his ears and the button up is rolled up to his elbows, showing some of his tattoos but he looks so clean cut. Looking down at my own clothing I feel the urge to vomit rise again. This is bad. This is so very bad.

"Emmy?" Sutton calls, "You look green. Lou, doesn't she look green?"

"Em?" Lou calls through my internal panicking, "Babe, you have to breathe."

Inhaling sharply I know I'm going to faint. This is a big deal. This is a big enough deal for Lou and Sutton to change their looks. This is too big of a deal for me to go in their looking like a hobo.

You are a hobo.

You're not helping!

"Emerson!"

I blink up at Lou and realize he's shaking me. Without thinking about it I let out the breath I've been holding right into his face. Lou closes his eyes and doesn't say a word as I blow in his face but he does straighten up so he's towering over me again. I think Sutton's muffling her laughter but I'm too busy planning my escape to really pay attention.

"Are you with me, now?" Lou asks, stifling a smile.

"I think I should go." I answer automatically making his face fall.

"You're not going anywhere." He tells me with a slight glare.

"I don't..." I trail before dragging my nails along my scalp and sighing, "I don't belong here. They're not going to like me."

"I told you I don't care about that."

I frown at him, "Then why am I here?"

He shrugs and I think his cheeks go a little pink, "I just thought it was a good idea."

"Translation: You're the first girl he's ever introduced to our parents." Sutton informs me dryly, "Jesus, Louis, grow a pair would you?"

The first girl? Ever? What about Jessica? What about all the girl's before her? There had to have been others right? My anxiety is forgotten for a moment as the information sinks in. That's so...amazing. To be fair, he's the first guy I've ever introduced to my dad. I wince the memory of how well that went. Hopefully this will go better.