Every Part of Us

When I got to the house, I barely had time to take off my shoes before I started getting questions from my grandparents who seemed to be waiting by the door.

"How was school? Did you make any friends? What are the teachers like?"

I gave them the kind of cheerful, surface level answers that were just enough to make them smile and not dig any deeper. It worked thankfully.

Once the questions died down, I glanced around, expecting to see Mom somewhere. No sign of her. Before I could ask, Granddad mentioned she was over at Linda's.

That caught me off guard. Linda's? After the way Mom reacted the other day, I didn't think she'd want to be anywhere near her.

Before I could dwell on it too much, Erika swooped in, telling them that her and I were planning on going out tonight to check out the town. Grandad and Grandma both lit up, happy to hear we wanted to go out and have fun.

Erika had also already texted Mom about it, which she surprisingly got the green light, with the usual don't stay out too late warning.

I should've been relieved, but something still felt off. I'd been hoping to catch Mom tonight, maybe actually have a real conversation with her. It felt like I hadn't had a single moment alone with her since we arrived.

But if she was at Linda's, maybe she was doing better than I thought. Or maybe she was just avoiding the house altogether. Either way, it looked like I'd have to wait a little longer.

——

"That's what you're wearing?" Erika asked, sprawled out dramatically on my bed. Her face said absolutely not. I glanced down at myself low-rise baggy jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket. Solid, practical. "What's wrong with it?" I asked, already on the defensive. "It's cold out." I thought I looked fine comfortable but still cute.

Erika propped herself up on her elbows, tilting her head. "I don't know, I just thought you'd maybe, like, show some legs or something"

I frowned, "Why would I show my legs? It's cold out."
I repeated, emphasizing every word.

She rolled off the bed with a dramatic sigh and wandered over to my CD player to change the song. "Fine, fine," she said with zero enthusiasm. "You look cute, I guess." She turned back looking at me up and down.

"Thanks?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

She squinted at me, smirking now. "Actually, it's cute. It's giving thirteen year old skater boy who just learned how to ollie"

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up," I said, laughing despite myself.

Erika shrugged, going back to the CDs. "Alright, then. You win. But if you get there and feel underdressed, don't say I didn't warn you"

"I'm pretty sure no one is going to be paying attention to my outfit, Erika." I went over to my stuff to put on some jewlery and perfume.

She waved her hand dismissively. "If you say so. Anyway, let's go before Mom changes her mind about letting us go out"

——

Hannah had sent me the location. She said they were all waiting for me by some café near the beach.  

"So, where are you going to be?" I asked, glancing at Erika who was dressed up.

"Oh, I'm thinking of checking out this bar nearby," she said, smoothing her hair "Don't worry, I'm not going to drink. Just... y'know, look around." She smirked, and I instantly caught the subtext.

I raised an eyebrow, already knowing the answer. "Looking for guys, huh?" 

She grinned, unapologetic. "Of course, but I doubt I'll find anyone cute. No offense, everyone has their charm"