No leggings.” She was looking through the clothes again, then finally exhaled. “Dottie, why don't you look through the clothes, it would be so much easier. I got to go closet hunting.”
“You mean, in my closet?”
She rolled her eyes. “Where else?”
We both spent the next few minutes in silence (except for the occasional shifting of hangers) and I finally found something I liked, the same time she found something too.
“I'd like to wear this,” She showed off my polo lavender shirt and a light gray undershirt. “What bottoms are you going to wear?” I asked.
“Eh,” She glanced back in the closet. “I would borrow a pair of skinny jeans, but I don't think we're the same size around the waist. I think I got something that looks perfect with these back at home. What did you choose,” She finished in a question.
I showed the black top, the long one, suitable for wearing leggings. “I'm going to wear skinny jeans.” I decided at that point.
She nodded her head slowly, “Gotta say—it would look fantastic with something different like that. Question is, what color?”
Well, I only had a couple. A bright red that I never wear to school, normal blue, and black. I didn't have many choices.
Janaki snapped her fingers. “I know what would look absolutely perfect! That pair of gray and white jeans I saw at this one store.”
“Jana, I don't have the money.” I shook my head.
“Oh, come on! It was at a thrift shop.”
“I don't shop there.” I said, much to my disgust, sounding like a stuck-up.
“I shop there a lot. And I noticed it only to be eight bucks. I think in your size too! We could go look for it.” Her hands were all over the place, as if trying to persuade me to buy a crummy house. But I at least had to get a grand tour inside, who knows? It could actually really be nice.
I bought them. I love them. We got to the thrift shop, a bunch of cars parked around. And when we came inside, there was crappy stuff everywhere. I was beginning to forget about the jeans Janaki fantasized. And then we were in the clothing part of the place.
Nothing particularly nice about the clothes there. But then again, all that was running through my head was: People wore these. They not new. They're not fresh. Stains, rips, tons of bad memories. And then I bumped into Janaki because she stopped abruptly. She whipped around in a flash, showing me a clothing item in her hand.
“The pants.” She stuffed it to me. I let it out, surprised.
They were beautiful. Total gray, with hints of white along the thigh parts. I don't think it's because it was worn out, I think it was there on purpose.
“You like?” She raised her eyebrows.
I looked at her, “I want them,” I confessed. I found the tag; right size, right price, perfect pants.
After the store we came back at my house. Janaki left to get ready for the party. She was going to ride in Jake's car and I in Kade's. Everything was great, except for the fact that I couldn't get this nagging feeling about Eric. I hope he goes, even though I shouldn't.
Kade arrived at my house, a little earlier than I expected. Though, I'm glad that I'm not one of those girls who take their whole damn time getting ready when it really in fact doesn't take that long. I remember one time I had to dress for a wedding when I was fifteen. I only took about ten minutes while mom took 45. And all she had to do was hair, makeup, and dress up—same as me. And no, I don't think it has anything to do with the age difference.
I pulled on my pink flats and glided down the stairs. Kade was standing at the front door, his green shirt loose around his body and blue jeans. Nothing too interesting.
He smiled. “Hey beautiful.”
I smiled back at him, “You don't look so bad yourself.”
“What, this? This is what I normally wear,” he said. “Ready?”
“Yup.” I nodded.
Mom and dad were by the door in an instant as if they've been eavesdropping the whole time.
“You two have fun now,” Dad said.
“And remember what I said earlier,” Mom wagged her finger the same way she did in the morning.
“Bring me back something, okay?” Emily, who also snuck up, said with her innocent grin.
I just waved to them all, annoyed. “Okay, bye now.” I pushed Kade out quickly before he could kindly wave too.