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Low murmurs sound and a moment later, Helen slips out the door dressed in a robe. I try not to dwell on the fact that I may have interrupted something. “Is everything okay?”
I want to confess everything to her and ask her if what Kyson said about my dad is true, but I’m a chickenshit. “Yeah. Um. It’s fine. I was only wondering if it would be okay if I went out for a bit with my friend Lauren?”
“Of course. Just don’t be out too late.”
“I won’t be. Thanks.”
“Have a good time.”
“I’ll try,” I whisper mostly to myself as I trudge back to my room, passing Kyson as he stalks into his. He ignores me completely, pretending I don’t exist.
I notice this time at least he doesn’t slam the door.
Probably afraid to further piss off his mom or John.
Afraid that I’ll rat him out to them, but I’m sure he’s counting on my silence. Counting on me not wanting to create problems.
I text Lauren back.
So what should I wear to this?
The skimpier the better. Trust me.
Skimpy. I rifle through my closet, suddenly hating everything I own, but then I remember I went shopping today.
I bought a slinky dress on a whim off the clearance rack for homecoming, but maybe I can wear it tonight. I doubt I’ll go to the dance anyway. It’s not like I have a date. My heart beats in anticipation as I pull out the dress. The silky fabric is a shimmering red that falls to mid-thigh, with thin spaghetti straps and a flirty v neckline. The cut is daring and unlike anything else I’ve worn before. The moment I saw it on the rack, I knew I had to have it.
Paired with my new sparkly red heels and some simple silver jewelry, I do a twirl in the mirror that hangs on the back of my closet door. I hardly recognize the girl looking back at me. Tonight, I won’t be Dahlia, the good girl dealing with Kyson’s emotional battlefields or Matt’s constant demands on her time. Tonight, I will be a new version of myself.
One who gives into impulse and has fun.
Grabbing my phone, wallet, and lip gloss, I make my way downstairs just as Lauren’s car pulls up outside. When I get to the door, Kyson comes from the kitchen with a bottled water.
“Off to work the corners?” He smirks as my smile falters.
Recovering quickly, I hurl a stupid insult back his way. “Maybe I’ll ask around and see if anyone is desperate enough to give you a date.” I jerk the door open and rush down the driveway to Lauren’s car before he can inflict more of his brand of damage. I can’t withstand another verbal beating from him.
“Holy shit, girl. You look red hot.” She makes a sizzling sound.
“Is it too much? Should I go back and change?”
“No way. You are fire.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” I mumble and turn up the radio in an attempt to drown out my own thoughts.
The fight, as Lauren calls it, takes place at some abandoned warehouse in the bad part of town. As soon as she parks, my stomach churns with unease.
“Tonight is a big deal,” she gushes, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder.
I definitely overdressed. “Why is that?” I question, glancing around as I see Britney and her clique strut past us in denim cut-off shorts and low-cut tank tops. “Oh no. I’m not getting out of this car. Do you have something I can change into?” What was I thinking?
“Don’t be silly. I promise you look amazing. This is an underground fight, but it’s not a dump. People make an effort here,” Lauren reassures me, squeezing my wrist “And the reason tonight is a big deal, there’s some new guy from out of town. Rumor has it he’s undefeated and is hella hot.”
The excitement radiating from her has me hesitantly stepping out of the car. Once I see how Lauren is dressed, that nervous sensation lessens. She’s not wearing a dress, but she’s wearing a silver halter top paired with a black leather skirt and cute strappy sandals. I didn’t know she had it in her.
“Why don’t you ever dress like this for school?”
“My parents would kill me. I changed into this in the Gas N Go bathroom.”
