the dead end rainbows

 

Carrie didn't know what to do. If only her brother hadn't shown up when he did, Holly might be with her right now.

Honestly, she didn't know what scared Holly. Yes, she figured as much that Holly was scared when she came back from Sal's.

There was blood on her face and she looked so frantic. All Carrie could do was soothe her with a kiss and it had been a wee bit of heaven. But it was nothing to smile about. No, not when Devon was such a prick.

She hated him. She did. Except, she needed him. It was the only place she had to live.

But when he found out what went down. Oh, it was much more than a kiss with Holly. They'd showered and if only they were there now and instead of being here alone in the cold.

Carrie shivered once more. Why was life such a bitch?

No way could she survive Beauty School. They were a narcissistic bunch. It was like being a Freshman all over again. They did not like her. She was a weirdo. Of course, she kept to herself. She knew the pattern. She'd always managed to be a wallflower. Not once had she been called out during the days of her youth.

But now it was different. Yes, she knew she was a nobody. What if she was a nobody to Holly, too?

Where would she go? She didn't have any real friends, did she?

Devon was the devil. If only he'd been a priest, but he would have sold her parents' house then. She liked to believe her home was cozy and inviting, but it wasn't. Not with the cold-hearted  Devon who seemed to hate everything. 

Finally, Holly jerked the door open and Carrie sensed the warmth inside. She'd never been here before. It was so exciting.

"What do you want?" Holly looked as if she'd forgotten their makeout party. What could possibly be on her mind?

"Um, my brother dropped me off," she remained even lipped. What was she supposed to say? 

"But, why?" Holly looked at her as if she was imposing somehow.

"I..I wondered if..if you were OK," Carrie knew it was best to look her silly self. Perhaps, Holly would just assume she was drugged up like everyone else. Honestly, she couldn't help it. Maybe she was a little too sweet to be true. Yet, she didn't want to be trouble.

"I'm just fine," Holly snapped as if she should just go. She had no time for her, but Stevie was there to the rescue.

"Wait, don't go," he said.

Of course, Carrie was going nowhere. Not when it was warm inside and she feared the dark. Bad things could happen out there.

"I've heard a lot about you," his smile was satisfying as if he might be her new best friend. "I've seen you at the yogurt shop, but I was always too busy to chat," he said they didn't like the staff fraternizing with the patrons.

Carrie nodded with a faint smile. Her carry-on was still at the door. Stevie went to fetch it and told Holly to put on the kettle. It looked like it might be an all-nighter.