Hometown Hero

Chapter Fifteen: Clearing my Head

Normally, this was the part of the story where I'd demand answers, that I'd go behind Indie's back and call his sister, or talk to Emma, do something crazy. I spent two days pacing, dwelling on the idea that maybe there was something awful going on, like Emma said. By the third day, I wanted to scream. But all I could do was get in the car and drive.

On the way up, I didn't turn on the radio. I didn't want to hear any other voices but my own, telling me that whatever Indie was hiding, he had a good reason. That Erin was nothing worth worrying about, and as soon as he got in, we'd be okay.

I drove in to the city, and wondered where to go. I didn't know exactly where I was going, but I knew how to drive on a highway, so hopefully it wouldn't be the end of the world. I had my phone, and I could call my dads.

Once I found the mall, it seemed easy. I didn't trust myself to drive all the way to Salem, so I settled on Albany. I parked, and checked; phone, wallet, Indie's card. Walking inside, I wandered through the throngs of people.

It was a little crowded, and I walked into a clothing store, not really looking for anything in particular. Browsing through the women's section, I founded a dress I liked, it's faded pink color a nice contrast to all the bright pastels that jumped out at me. I took it out, and decided that I'd try it on after I found something else I liked.

Leaving the store, I wandered through the mall, glancing at stores and finding few things that really caught my interest. I stood outside a familiar clothing store I knew from our time in California; they sold beachy clothes, board shorts and flip-flops. I was looking at a sweater in the display window, when I heard a voice cat-call from a distance.

“Hey, pretty lady.” Matty smirked as he walked up, “Where's your girlfriend?”

Seriously? Seriously?

I sighed, not looking up “Leave me alone, Matty. Your pick-up lines are positively primeval.”

He laughed, “Never thought I'd find a girl who was so...what's the word? Articulate. Do you use that mouth when your girlfriend gets you off? Or is that just for me?”

“Vai a farti fottere.” I mumbled, flipping him off descreetly and walking away.

After not seeing much else in the other stores, I walked back to the first shop. I asked the woman at the counter to open a dressing room for me. She gladly oblieged, asking that I follow her to the other side of the store, unlocking the stall and shut the door behind me. I took off my jacket, and changed quickly; pulling the hem down, I turned to look in the mirror. But there wasn't one.

Honestly, I had to go out there? More irritated than anything else, I bundled up my clothes, opened the door tentatively and walked out to the mirror on the outside.

Looking in the mirror, I smiled. It was really a lovely dress, and I thought that, if I found the right leggings to go underneath it, I could wear it to dinner and feel as dapper as Indie did the first night he came over. The saleswoman complimented me, telling me that the color looked nice against my almost olive complexion. I turned, checking to make sure there weren't any rips or unflattering tears.

That's when I saw them.

You've got to be kidding me, I said to myself. I turned to walk back to the dressing room, and I heard them rush around me. One of the boys blocked my bee-line, and Matty stared. His eyes scanned up my body, and I instantly felt disgusting. I hated the way he looked at me; like he was picturing me naked. It made me shutter, not in the way that I had when Indie looked at me. That was a completely different feeling.

“Don't you look just beautiful.” smiled Matty. That smile made me sick.

“Get away from me.” I said loudly, hoping the clerk would hear me. He took a step toward me, and I stepped on his foot. He grimaced, but I could tell from the feeling that it probably hurt me more than it hurt him. I looked down, realizing that, of course, he was still wearing his work boots. I turned, and walked to the counter.