Teenage Wasteland

Chapter 4: Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl

"I'm not wearing this."

It's Friday afternoon and Mel and I are sprawled out on her bed while Cass tries on clothes. I lick the sticky residue of a popsicle off my fingers and frown. "Looks fine to me."

Cass rolls her eyes and tugs at the dress with a sigh. "Where did you find this train wreck anyway?"

Mel hops off the bed and goes back to scouring her closet. She pulls out something lacy and holds it against Cass's body. "You'd know if you followed me on Pinterest."

"I'd rather die."

"That can be arranged."

Cass sticks her tongue out. She examines the new dress closer and scowl. "This just keeps getting worse. Can't I wear something more casual?"

Mel lets out an exasperated sigh. "I'll see what I can find. Gosh. So picky." Cass ends up wearing some 90's grunge-esque clothes I'm surprised Mel even owns. Flannel and leather pants really don't go well together, but whatever Cass likes, I suppose. She can kind of pull it off. 

She drags out her makeup box and I can see Cass visibly cringe. Mel instructs Cass to sit at her vanity, adding in that Intimidating Mom Stare of her's for good measure. I swear Cass gags every time the mascara wand is within three feet of her face.

"So." Mel starts, dragging out the 'o', and I already don't like where this is going. I've known her for maybe a week, but she's pretty easy to read and that tone is a major indicator that she's about to say something nobody wants to hear. "Is there something between you and Jack?"

Yep. I was right. "We hung out once. And I don't think that even counts as hanging out."

She shrugs and carefully draws a dark line of eyeliner across Cass's eyelid. "I'm just saying. You two would be cute."

"He has a girlfriend."

Cass snorts and Mel scolds her for making her smudge her eyeliner. "Their relationship is so shallow it's not even funny."

"I dunno. He says it's serious." I start swinging my legs over the edge of Mel's bed. Three years isn't really shallow. "And anyway, it's not like that."

Cass drops the subject but I can see her smirking still. Brat. Mel finishes up and Cass eagerly jumps out of her chair. We grab our coats and step out onto the porch to wait for Cass's brother.

A rusted old Nissan pulls up to the curb and I can see Mel brimming with excitement. She latches onto my arm and beams up at me. I send her a confused look. "Now, don't be alarmed, but Cass's brother is really hot."

Cass rolls her eyes. "He's not hot. He's a loser who needs to move out already."

Mel pouts and pats her arm in sympathy. "I feel bad for you, Cass. It's like you don't even know how hot your brother is."

"Ew."

Cass climbs into the front seat and Mel and I pile into the back. I have to agree with Cass on this one, he's cute but he's not really reason enough for Mel to be blushing wildly and fidgeting.

"Hey, Dipshit." He says to Cass, hints of fondness in his voice.

"Assface."

"Mhm. Address?"

Cass types it in on her phone and starts giving him directions with insults added in. I admire their sibling dynamic.

When we arrive, there's a line of cars so long we have to park almost a block away. Cass's brother immediately kicks us out and gives Mel a small smile that makes her practically melt.