Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"Oh for crying out loud, would you just pick one outfit? All your clothes are silly anyways." Gabby say rolling her eyes.

I was going to say something to her, but I stopped myself, I knew I was pressed for time, the picnic that mom planned with the neighbors was few minutes away, and I still haven't picked any outfit.

Gabby was wearing a floral sundress that dad got for her, she pinned her hair backwards, even with the bored look on her face, she was ready to go. Unlike me, I didn't know what to pick.

"What is wrong with you anyways? You never cared about how hideous you looked, what changed?" Gabby asked giving me a strange look. I shrugged, not wanting to answer her.

My phone rang from my bed, the ring tone blasting through the air, I almost dived it, hoping it was Sophie. Since I called her earlier and she didn't answer. I heard Gabby groaned before leaving the room. I didn't bother answering her, when I checked, it was Sophie. A grateful sigh escaped my lips.

"Hey, sorry I missed your call, I was in the bathroom." She said immediately I picked up the phone.

"I need your help!!" My voice desperate.

"Woah, must be serious, what is it?" Her voice grew serious.

"I uhm, I've got nothing to wear.." I say looking over at the clothes I poured out of my closet and on the floor.

"Wait what?" The shock was evident in her voice.

"I don't have anything to wear..." I replied, slowly.

"Fuck, Carrie you scared the shit out of me."

I winced at her language.

"Language..." I whisper.

Running my tongue over my dried lips, I didn't think she understood the weight of my situation.

"I'm running out of time here Sophie, I seriously don't have any thing to wear."

"What library are you going to now?" She answered. Her voice was sounding bored.

"Not the library." I groan.

"Oh yeah, the museum then?" She asked. I could almost see her smirking.

I grit my teeth in annoyance.

"It's a picnic with my next door neighbors okay?"

"Yay, real serious stuff." She replied sarcastically.

"You are so annoying."

"I'm sure those old ladies won't mind if you wear of those weird crayons you usually wear." She said dismissively.

"My next door neighbor is Joseph Wilson." I dead pan.

For a full minute, there was only silence, none of us said anything, I knew she was still there because I could hear her breathing. I knew she was thinking about it, she couldn't believe it, I let it sink in.

"Andrina needs to be in this conversation." She whispered softly. Before I could object, I heard Andrina's voice.

"Hey people, some people actually like to enjoy their Saturdays sleeping in you know that right?" Andrina asked. Her voice sounded sleepy.

"Tell her what you told me Carrie." Sophie ordered.

I blinked confused.

"I have nothing to wear." I say.

"And this is my problem how?" Andrina asked.

"She has a picnic, with her next door neighbor, she doesn't know what to wear..her next door neighbor is Joseph Wilson." Sophie summarized.

"Joseph... Joseph..the transfer kid?"

"The one and only."

Silence.

I ran my hand through my hair frustratedly. They were no help. In any way.

"What the fuck?" Andrina asked, her voice wide awake now.

I almost screamed at them to watch their words, but I didn't have the time.

"Oh my goodness, you still aren't dressed?" Mom asked. I turned to her. She looked gorgeous in her button up shirt and jeans. Her hair looked like she just came from the salon. While I myself was still in my bath robe, contemplating what to wear.

"I have nothing to wear." I tell her what I had been telling my friends.

Mom walked to my pile of clothes, sorting through them, picking up one thing then throwing it away.

"Since when were you neighbors?" Andrina asked.

"I don't know, is that what's important right now?" I asked irritated.

"Sorry, but it's shocking... Why are you going on a picnic anyways?"

I turned to my mom.

"That's exactly what I'd love to know too mom, why am I going on this picnic?"

"Because you have no social life whatsoever, I'm helping you, you should thank me." She said picking a pink plaid shirt. She nodded in approval.

"What if I had plans?" I asked her.

"You would have cancelled. Wear this." She said throwing it in my direction.

"Well see you guys later, you were of no help at all." I tell them. They start to protest, right before I hang up.

"Honey, you have to get rid of all this pink, doesn't it hurt your eyes?" Mom asked frowning as she help up a pink crop top.

I snatched it from her, Andrina bought it for me, but I never wore it.

"Pink is a very beautiful color mom."

"You have to wear that, it looks good." She said referring to the crop top, totally ignoring my defense for my favorite color.

"I'm not." I said.

"I'll get you that ticket to the science fair you wanted."

I look up instantly. She knew me so well.

"Can I wear a jacket over it?"

She stared at me for a while before saying yes.

"Deal."

She stands up and goes to the door.

"We leave in fifteen minutes."

I quickly arrange my clothes back in, and dress up. I put a hair band over it after combing it. I stood in front of my full length mirror, staring at myself nervously... Because I didn't know if he'd like what he saw.

I blinked, severally. Where was that coming from. I believe girls should dress how they want without the interference of guys. Why should I care what he thinks?

Dad's car horn blasts from downstairs. I hurriedly picked up my purse, only managing to pick my phone before dashing downstairs.

"Oh my Jesus, finally!! Thought you were going to spend forever in there." Gabby's voice said from the kitchen.

"Bet you wasted so much time to avoid carrying the coolers to the car!" She said in annoyance.

"I'm glad I wasted so much time." I say smirking.

She huffs and walked away. I saw we were loading the van instead of Dad's car.

"Hey Mom, why the van?"

" Oh yeah, the Wilson's are riding all the way there."

And I could suddenly hear my heart beat again.