RE: Trailer Trash, 66 pt 6 (Patreon)

    “Are we way too early?!” Mrs. Seelbaugh rolled down the driver’s side window to ask. “Leny wanted to be here first, but I said maybe—”

    “Oh no, you’re fine!” Tabitha assured her. “It’s already almost eleven. I wanted Elena to come early! So she can help keep me from losing my nerve, hah. Some of the others already started calling. Vanessa, hi!”

    When Elena hopped out of the passenger’s side and opened the minivan’s sliding side door for Vanessa, it became apparent that the goth girl was in full war regalia today. In the front black bangs were teased out to frame her face, while in the back her hair was pinned up into spiky buns—the tips of her hair sticking out of the coil of the buns had product applied to keep them pointing outwards every which way like two little crowns of thorns. Her eyeshadow was a frosted metallic red and applied mermaid glam-style, sweeping iridescent from eyelid all the way outside to her brow bone and then curving wickedly back along her cheek.

    With a black Hot Topic tee—literally, just the “Hot Topic” logo in distinctive jagged red lettering—and distressed skinny jeans with visible fishnet beneath, Elena just looked outrageously cool. Tabitha suddenly wanted to rush back inside and root through her meager wardrobe all over again. It wasn’t even just the hair or the makeup or the clothes, because Elena also had accessories! A chunky metal ball chain necklace, wristband bracelets of black cloth, featuring spikes on her left and studs on her right, and a number of different sized rings in sterling and silver.

    “Elena, just—wow,” Tabitha beamed. “You look so cool!”

    “Thank you!” Mrs. Seelbaugh answered on Elena’s behalf.

    “Thanks,” Elena had to answer with a calm nod to stay within her goth persona.

    Elena also immediately noticed Tabitha was wearing a pushup bra for once, and stared for exactly a moment too long. It took all of the self control built up over all of her lifetimes to not flush or make an embarrassed face or blurt out an excuse or subconsciously bring an arm up to cover her chest. Thankfully she made no comment out loud on it either way, which should mean that these things which felt like they were thrown out in front of her weren’t too jarring or visually obtrusive.

    “Hey, I look good too!” Vanessa complained. “Look, look!”

    “She made sure to wear everything she’s not allowed to at school,” Elena remarked with dry humor. “Vanessa, again… aren’t you freezing?”

    “I mean, kinda?”

    “You do look good!” Tabitha praised. “You look, uh. Wow.”

    It was true. Vanessa was wearing rather daring denim micro shorts too small to qualify as daisy dukes—along with a cream colored Janet Jackson—esque crop top. To the girl’s credit, showing off veritable miles of leg in this outfit achieved the effect of masking her actual short stature, and with blocky bangs falling exactly to her eyebrows and the rest of her dark hair in a chin-length Cleopatra bob, she exuded the vibe of a much older girl, perhaps even like a college girl slumming it here at the high school party.

    “Yeah?” Vanessa preened.

    “Vanessa?” Tabitha paused. “Is this literally the first time I’ve ever seen you not wearing your poofball hat? I had never even seen your hair before!”

    “Uhhhh—” Vanessa let out a nervous laugh. “C’mon, that hat’s super warm and comfy! I don’t like, dress up dress up for just lame boring school, barf. Just for special occasions!”

    “You guysss,” Tabitha laughed. “Ugh! Now I feel underdressed for my own party!”

    “No, you look really good,” Elena assured her.

    “You look so good!” Mrs. Seelbaugh gushed from where she sat in the van. “Just look at you, you’re gorgeous. I love your hair! And, I’m so happy to see you out of that awful cast finally!”

    “Oh, yeah,” Tabitha gave her an embarrassed smile. “Uh. Mrs. Seelbaugh, won’t you come in with us?”

    “Oh, I can’t—I’ve got a date,” The woman confided with a cheeky smile. “But, thank you for offering! You girls have fun. Kiss lots of boys, break lots of hearts! Have fun, love you bye!!”

    “Hah,” Vanessa laughed again.

    “She says that every time,” Elena rolled her eyes as the minivan pulled away.

    “Your mom’s super cool,” Vanessa huffed. “Mine would’ve grounded me like, the instant I tried stepping out of the house wearing this.”

    “And, your mother wasn’t suspicious at all when you left for a party wearing track pants and a Wildcats jacket?” Elena asked. “Because, I mean…”

    “Naw, she still thinks I’m like, ten years old,” Vanessa said with a snort. “But, like—please. She doesn’t think it’s like, a party party. Just like it’s hanging out with some friends.”

    “I mean, it is that,” Tabitha said as she led them up the short path to the front door. “Just. Also, there will be boys! Hopefully.”

    “Hopefully?” Vanessa asked. “What do you mean?!”

    “I mean—well, maybe?” Tabitha winced. “Bobby and—”

    “What do you mean MAYBE?!” Vanessa groused in mock outrage, flicking her hand out in her best approximation of a valley girl gesticulation. “You said there would be boys! Hunks! Hotties! Studmuffins! Dreamboat gorgeous handsome guys!”

    “There will be!” Tabitha promised with a teasing expression. “...Maybe?”

    “Maybe?!”

    “Anyways, this is my place,” Tabitha said, encompassing the living room with a sweeping gesture. “...Is what I would say if this was my place, hah. This is the Macintire’s. I just started living with them recently, actually. My actual family’s going through some stuff.”

    “Right, right,” Vanessa nodded. “Elena already said your thing today wasn’t gonna be at the actual trailer park. I’ve been informed. You don’t gotta get into all of that if you don’t want to. I’m being cool about it, and if anyone today isn’t cool about it, I’ve got your back. We’ve got your back.”

    “Thanks? I think?” Tabitha said. “Uh. The Macintires were all up and about a few minutes ago I swear, but now they seem to have all made themselves scarce? Probably for the best. Officer Macintire was strutting about in just his boxers.”

    “Hubba hubba,” Vanessa laughed. “Wait. Is he like, hot?”

    “He um,” Tabitha had no idea how to safely answer that. “He’s looking better? All his bandages are off, by now. He uh, yeah ‘cause he got shot in the chest.”

    “Ooh, right,” Vanessa’s eyes widened. “Wow, yeah. That’s super crazy, like—most people don’t even survive that. That whole thing sounded super crazy.”

    “Yeah…” Tabitha winced.

    She led them to the sectional couch and they all sat, and then there was a long moment of awkward silence as Elena and Vanessa glanced around at everything with interest.

    “So um,” Vanessa eyeballed Tabitha’s bust. “You uh, you look… different. Ha ha. But, good! No, you look great. I mean like, whoa baby.”

    “Don’t be lame,” Elena swatted the girl’s shoulder. “Vanessa. Chill.”

    “Thanks?” Tabitha squeaked out, more than a little mortified. “Shit, shit. Should I just change into something else?”

    “No no no!” Vanessa assured her. “They look—you look super good. Just was like, wow. I’m short, so they were all like right up in my face all of the sudden. Couldn’t not notice, know what I mean? But uh, yeah if there are boys showing up for real? Tabby they’re gonna fucking notice.”

    “I’m changing!” Tabitha stood up.

    “No you’re not,” Elena insisted. “Sit. You look good. Yeah, they’ll notice, but they’re supposed to notice. That’s the whole point.”

    “If you’ve got ‘em, flaunt ‘em,” Vanessa agreed. “For real.”

    “But… I literally don’t got ‘em,” Tabitha sighed, dropping back down onto the cushions. “That’s why the difference is so noticeable!”

    “Tabitha,” Elena said with an equally dramatic sigh. “A lot of girls at school show up every freaking day wearing at least a full extra cup size of padding. And, only because they’ll get mocked into oblivion if they try to get away with wearing more than that.”

    “Yeah, a full cup size and a whole damn Vincent Van Gogh worth o’ makeup,” Vanessa muttered. “Like, Jennifer Dern? Have you seen her?? In the summer, when it’s super hot? Her whole freaking face starts melting off, like that guy in Indiana Jones. With the Ark of the Covenant. It’s all like REEEEEE—!”

    “Not completely her fault,” Elena refuted. “She gets really bad breakouts sometimes.”

    “Um, I thought you weren’t friends with Jennifer and Carrie and all them anymore!” Vanessa asked with narrowed eyes. “Elena, what the hell.”

    “I’m not,” Elena said. “I’m just saying. Acne happens, sometimes really bad. What else can you really do?”

    “Just don’t come in to school,” Vanessa shrugged. “You call in sick. That’s what I do.”

    “Anyways, Tabitha, your tits are fine,” Elena said. “Even I—”

    “Don’t call them that!” Tabitha whispered, hunching over and wrapping both arms around herself in embarrassment. “Geez…”

    “Even I wear padded bras sometimes,” Elena finished. “With certain outfits. No one’s gonna say anything, everyone wears them.”

    “Not me!” Vanessa chimed. “I never wear ‘em, that shit ain’t comfy, sorry. Look real weird on my figure anyways. Now, heels on the other hand! Love me some heels. Wanted to smuggle out a pair today ‘cause I’ve got super cute matching ones for this top, but yeah. Didn’t want to get caught. Mega bummer.”

    “I actually really hate heels,” Elena admitted. “If—”

    “Girl, you don’t need heels, you need a stepladder,” Vanessa guffawed. “Trust me, if—”

    “What? Why,” Elena made a face. “No offense, but I’m already too tall for a freshman girl? There’s—”

    “Not if you’re gonna be trying to kiss Brett!” Vanessa pointed out with a smirk. “Elena friggin’ do the math. Measure it out. Hoistin’ yourself up on your tiptoes ain’t even gonna cut it. Stepladder might not even do it, you’re still like how many freaking inches shy of—”

    “Vanessa, we had a truce?” Elena gave her a flat stare. “Are you breaking the truce already? Or, are we gonna be cool. Because.”

    “Ugggh,” Vanessa groaned. “Fine. Yeah, truce. But, like—I’m just sayin’.”

    “W-we’re fourteen!” Tabitha exclaimed in exasperation. “Or like, fourteen, fifteen. Way too young for kissing, and all that! We do not need to be sucking face with boys already. Okay?”

    Elena and Vanessa exchanged meaningful glances, and then turned in unison to shoot Tabitha a pitying look.

    “What?!”

    “Uh,” Vanessa finally coughed into her fist. “Rest in peace Bobby, I guess? Damn. Better luck next year? Hah!”

    “Tabitha…” Elena said slowly. “The statistical average for a first kiss literally is fourteen and fifteen. So, being completely realistic here—”

    “That’s propaganda!” Tabitha jabbed. “Like, fabricated nonsense they put in there just to sell Teen magazines. Have either of you kissed a guy yet? Hmm?!”

    Her two friends exchanged glances again, and this time Elena’s expression turned awkward, while Vanessa’s face soured.

    “I mean I technically have, but I’m not counting it,” Elena admitted. “Middle school kissing is like… it doesn’t even count.”

    “Yeah, totally,” Vanessa nodded in fervent agreement. “Exactly! Doesn’t count, doesn’t count. The first real kiss has got to be freshman year. Sophomore at the very latest. Otherwise, you’re a loser.”

    “Wait—really?” Tabitha tried not to look aghast. “You’ve both had your first kiss already?!”

    “Brandon Everett, but also no, because it doesn’t count,” Elena insisted. “Like, at all. It was like a middle school kiss. Not a real kiss.”

    “Yeah,” Vanessa said. “It doesn’t count if it’s not like, a real kiss, a movie kiss. An open-mouthed kiss. Otherwise it’s just like a peck. You don’t count that! No one counts that. And, mine was from all the friggin’ way back in seventh, I barely even remember it. And, even then it was just like, yeah. Bragging rights. Didn’t mean anything.”

    “Wow,” Tabitha deflated. “Just—wow.”

    “Tabitha, I’m very specifically not going to judge you for who you were in middle school, and in return you’re not going to judge me for who I was in middle school,” Elena decided. “I was a stupid arrogant blondie back then, of course I had to be able to say I’ve kissed someone before. But, it doesn’t actually count. It was more like a chicken peck, not like—we weren’t french kissing or full-on making out, blegh. I’m not a slut like Carrie, okay? There, that’s settled and final. New truce. We do not talk about anything from back then today.”

    The phone began to ring again.

    “I’ve got it!” Tabitha called, hopping up.

    “Power company!” Officer Macintire’s voice echoed out from the master bedroom.

    “It is not!” Tabitha shot back. “Very funny! Oh uh, my friends Elena and Vanessa are both here already.”

    “We’ll be out in a minute!” Mrs. Macintire called.

    “Macintire residence, Tabitha speaking,” Tabitha said into the phone.

    “Hi, it’s Clarissa,” Clarissa said.

    “Oh, hey!” Tabitha brightened.

    “My mom wanted me to call and double check,” Clarissa clarified. “Is the thing still on for today?”

    “Yep!” Tabitha said. “Actually, Elena and Vanessa are already here. I guess come by whenever you’re ready.”

    “Okay, um,” Clarissa paused. “Is this like—should I dress up fancy, or would that be… weird?”

    “Wear whatever you like,” Tabitha also hesitated. “...Is what I wanted to say. But, then Elena shows up looking like an actual rock star, and Vanessa also looks like she walked out of a music video, so uh. Hah. I already feel like I should run back into the bathroom and like, try to do better makeup or something.”

    “You look fine,” Elena scoffed. “My mom just was all fussing and went overboard. It’s honestly too much.”

    “I’m jealous,” Vanessa shrugged. “Like, Elena damn.”

    “So ummm—” Tabitha laughed. “Not like super super dressy, but wear whatever you have that’s nice, I guess? I don’t even know what to say.”

    “No, I think I get it,” Clarissa said. “Thanks. Um, see you soon?”

    “Cool,” Tabitha said. “Bye!”

    “Bye!”

    “Well, hello!” Mrs. Macintire appeared, now dressed for the day in slacks and a tucked-in blouse. “You girls do look wonderful. Mrs. Macintire, but you can call me Sandra.”

    “Hey,” Elena gave an awkward wave, because they’d met before.

    “Very nice to meet you,” Vanessa said. “Thank you for having us.”

    “Clarissa called,” Tabitha announced. “So, that’s for sure also Clarissa, Tiffany, Grace, um. Alicia, Janaye, and apparently William and Ethan? Who was it that called right when I was going out the door?”

    “Matthew and Casey might not be able to make it,” Mrs. Macintire revealed. “Her engine won’t turn over, I think she said. They might just be by late afternoon? We’ll see.”

    “Aww,” Tabitha nodded in acceptance. “Okay. I guess that makes sense why Alicia was getting a ride with Janaye, then.”

    “Then, hubby dearest was on the line earlier with some boy named Eric,” Mrs. Macintire’s eyebrows went up. “If that rings any bells?”

    “Oh, no,” Vanessa groaned, grabbing the throw pillow and burying her face in it.

    “Ooh, yes!” Tabitha pumped her fist. “Cool, cool. Awesome. Cool beans.”

    “Whyyyyy—?!”

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