AllFreeNovel
Share Us
PROLOGUE
CAMBRIA (7 years prior)
Ispent the entire week agonizing over my outfit, but my heart still hammers in my chest every time I look at myself in the mirror. What if it’s not good enough?
Tonight is the first party I’ve been invited to since I graduated high school, and I’m determined to make sure that nobody leaves without noticing me. I’m not going to let anybody see me as the sensible, sweet girl I’ve been so careful to project myself as all these years.
I’ve tried on this outfit four separate times this week without even leaving my bedroom. It’s a red plaid minidress with knee-high socks and black boots, complete with a velvet choker and carefully smudged eyeliner.
My best friend Olivia forced me to go shopping with her because she thought that my clothing choices for a party were “abysmal.” While I tried to pretend that I wasn’t hurt, I knew she was right. When she put this look together for me, though, I finally felt like someone would be able to see me. I wouldn’t blend into the wall like I always do.
After completing my makeup with several attempts at a perfect eyeliner wing, I grab my bag from the hook on the back of my bedroom door and walk out, finally feeling ready to push myself into the real world for the first time as anadult.
I’ve got my earbuds in, and I’m on top of the world as I exit my bedroom feeling like a runway model with a drug habit and a secret. I’m going to turn heads.
As I walk through the kitchen, Marcus glances at me.
God, please don’t say anything. It’s embarrassing.
Despite my silent pleas, he opens his mouth just as I’m about to walk out the door. I choose to ignore him, hoping that whatever he’s trying to tell me isn’t vital to my wellbeing. It can’t be more important than this party.
But Marcus seems to think otherwise. He grabs my shoulder before I can make it out and rips one of the earbuds from my head.
“Jesus, Marcus! You scared me,” I lie, glaring at him.
“Where are you going? I didn’t know you had plans tonight,” he says, scanning my outfit with an obnoxious amount of effort.
“I’m going to a party. Olivia’s waiting for me outside.”
“You’re not going to a party dressed like that, no fucking way,” he says, resolution and finality punctuating his words.
“Why the hell not? I’m eighteen. I don’t have to live by a dress code anymore,” I scoff. I can feel the conflict coming, and I’m in no mood to deal with it.
“Maybe not, but I’m not going to let you go to a party dressed like Courtney Love,” he says, gesturing vaguely at my outfit.
I self-consciously cross my arms over my chest. “Stop looking at me then. Who the fuck is Courtney Love anyway?” I spit.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t even care if you go to the party, but I need you to change clothes before you leave,” he states boldly.
“No, Olivia picked this outfit for me, and she’ll be really upset if I don’t wear it,” I say, feeling myself growing frustrated. I almost sound whiney, which has never worked on Marcus.
“Isn’t Olivia the one who got suspended for bringing a bottle of vodka to school?” he asks, crossing his arms to match my stance.
I glare at him defensively. “Yeah, what does that have to do with anything? It doesn’t mean her taste in clothes sucks. And she’s been in my life way longer than you have, so maybe don’t pretend you know her. Or me, for that matter,” I reply.
My phone buzzes twice. Olivia must be getting tired of waiting for me.
Marcus sighs. “I’m not trying to tell you how to live. I just don’t know if you’re… mature enough to handle the consequences of dressing that way,” he responds, losing the streak of authority he’d had.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” I ask, growing more defensive.
“Like guys thinking that you act a certain way when you don’t. Guys are stupid. They’ll try to chase after you for stuff if they think you’ll give it to them easy,” he says.
“Oh, are you calling me easy now? That’s hilarious, considering that your boss owns a strip club. Without easy girls, his business wouldn’t exist,” I reply, feeling intensely proud of my comeback.
“Jesus, Cam. No, I’m not calling you easy. But someone else might,” he replies.
I feel my cheeks growing hot with anger, embarrassment, and a slight tinge of shame. I was already so shy about wearing this in the first place, and now that I feel confident, my own brother is calling me easy.
