~
Calvin’s mind was racing, considering the implications. “So people have colors too, just like animals? And you can see them?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Whoa.” He was stunned. “Is that how you always know what I’m thinking?”
“No!” She looked at him, her eyes stinging. “I can’t tell what people are thinking … only what they’re feeling.”
He was quiet for a few seconds, realizing that she must know exactly how he felt about her. The thought frightened him; he would have given anything to know if she liked him even half as much as he liked her.
She saw his fear and looked down. “I better leave now.”
“No!” he blurted out loudly, “Don’t go!”
She looked back up at him, surprised to see strong orange ringed with fuchsia. He was vibrating with concern and affection instead of the anger and disgust she was expecting.
“I’m sorry about tonight,” he rushed to apologize, “Jarod’s a good guy. He just gets, I don’t know … aggressive … when he drinks.” He exhaled hard. “My dad was like that too.”
“You’re not mad?” she asked.
He looked at her like she was crazy. “Why would I be mad? You just saved the day again! Stay for a little while longer … Please?”
She followed him inside numbly, still surprised he wasn’t finished with her. Her parents always made it seem like it would be the end of the world if anyone found out about what she could do, and now they’d been proven wrong again. She felt a wave of relief; maybe it would be all right, she thought. Maybe she could handle staying at Angie’s a little while longer.
They walked in to find that Jarod and a few friends had started a card game. He looked up to see Caledonia and grinned, “There she is! All you guys bailed on me and that little lady over there stitched me right up.”
“Are you like a nurse or something?” a big bearded man asked. “Because I have this thing on my hip …” Caledonia’s eyes flew wide open when he came towards her, pulling up his shirt.
“Show it to your own girlfriend!” Jarod said, getting up and cuffing him playfully on the back of the head. “Leave Cal’s girl alone.” Everyone laughed, and Caledonia blushed bright pink.
“Hey, Cal!” Crystal called from the kitchen. She was standing with another woman that looked very much like her, with very long white-blonde hair and big round breasts spilling over the top of her small dress.
“Huh?” Calvin asked.
Crystal rolled her eyes dramatically. “Not you–Cali.” She gestured for Caledonia to come and join them, and she did, eager to get away from the laughing men.
“Cali, this is my friend Brandy,” Crystal said, introducing her.
“Nice to meet you.” Caledonia held her hand out formally.
“So you’re Cal’s new girlfriend,” Brandy said knowingly, shaking her hand with amusement.
“We’re friends,” Caledonia answered, blushing again. Crystal and Brandy exchanged a look that she didn’t quite understand.
“Candy is so jealous of you,” Brandy laughed.
“Who?”
“She’s a girl we work with,” Crystal said, “She has the hots for Cal.”
Brandy giggled, “She thinks you stole him from her.”
Caledonia’s eyebrows rose. “I wasn’t aware that he belonged to anyone.”
They both started laughing, and she looked behind her to see Calvin watching them with a worried look on his face.
Brandy scrutinized her unruly braid. “Who does your hair?”
“Does what to it?” asked Caledonia.
Crystal started giggling, “You’re so funny. You should have Brandy fix up your hair. She does mine. Brandy is going to beauty school.”
“Oh … What do you learn there?” Caledonia asked.
“All kinds of stuff,” Brandy replied, ticking off a list of courses, “Cosmetology, electrology, massage therapy. I’m gonna be a stylist, or maybe even an esthetician someday.”
“That’s nice,” said Caledonia, nodding politely. She had no idea what Brandy was talking about.
Brandy came closer and peered at Caledonia’s face. “You don’t have any makeup on at all, do you?”
“No,” she replied, reeling back a little. “I don’t.”
“I know! Let’s give Cali a makeover!” squealed Crystal.
“A makeover?” Caledonia asked nervously.
“Come on!” Crystal started down the hall, tugging Caledonia by the arm. “It’ll be fun!” Caledonia looked back to Calvin uneasily, hesitantly trailing behind them.
“Where are you going?” he called after them.
“It’s a surprise!” Crystal exclaimed.
Caledonia was led down the hall and taken to the room opposite Calvin’s. She walked into a larger bedroom than Calvin’s, peeking around a corner to see that there was a bathroom attached. There was a bed with a huge wooden headboard and a ceiling covered with mirrors. She looked up at herself looking back down.
“Sit,” Crystal said to her, rummaging through a dresser and pulling out an assortment of tools. She turned back to Brandy with a brush in her hand and a sparkle in her eye. “I have a drawer here now,” she said meaningfully.
“Oooh … So it’s getting serious.” Brandy raised her penciled-on eyebrows.
Caledonia sat down on the bed and almost fell over, jumping back up with a start. “Oh!”
Crystal laughed, “It’s a water bed, see?” She patted the bed, sending rippling waves across the surface.
Caledonia had never seen anything like it, sitting down again on the moving mattress. “Why is there water in it?”
Crystal shrugged. “It’s comfortable … and besides, Jarod likes it.”
Brandy set to work on Caledonia, undoing her braid and brushing out her masses of curls. She plugged in a flat iron and used it to straighten out the coiled strands lock by lock. After a lot of tugging and pulling she stood back to admire her work.
“My God, girl, your hair is so long when it’s straight! I wish I had hair like this.”
“But your hair is long,” Caledonia was puzzled.
She snorted. “I wish it was mine!” she said, confusing Caledonia even more. “So, what’s Cal short for?” she asked, “California?”
“No–Caledonia.”
“Oooh, that’s pretty. That would make a good stage name.”
“Are you an actress?” Cal asked.
“Nope, we’re dancers,” Crystal said. “Whoa, look at how long your eyelashes are!” she cried, whipping out her makeup kit and lining up a variety of brightly painted tubes and small jars. “Look up and hold still.”
Crystal and Brandy gossiped, talking about relationships and dating. Brandy complained bitterly about catching her boyfriend cheating on her with another dancer. She warned Crystal not to be so quick to trust Jarod.
“Men can’t help it,” she said flatly. “I don’t think that any of them are capable of being monogamous.”
“Jarod isn’t always such a jerk, you know,” Crystal defended him. “He can be really sweet. He had to grow up real fast when he was only eighteen, to take care of his brother and everything. He tries real hard to be there for Cal … you know, ’cause of what happened.”
Crystal chattered away while she outlined Caledonia’s eyes, talking about the future. “Yeah, I should go to school, too. I need to have something to fall back on when I’m too old to dance. I could be a este–ethste … a makeup artist someday. And maybe get married …” her voice trailed off wistfully. Caledonia could see her colors, hopeful and melancholy at the same time.
“Dancing sounds like it would be a fun job,” Caledonia said encouragingly. “Do you dance ballet?”
Brandy’s eyes narrowed, and she turned a dull shade of annoyed green. “That’s not funny.”
Caledonia looked at the two of them innocently.
Crystal smiled wryly, realizing they weren’t being teased. “We’re exotic d
ancers,” she explained.
Caledonia stared blankly. “You’re what?”
“We dance at a gentleman’s club … you know, we strip. It’s good money.”
Caledonia didn’t know, but she kept her mouth shut, sensing their defensiveness. Crystal explained to Brandy that Cali had just moved here from the country, “She grew up, like, way, way out in the boondocks. She didn’t even have TV.”
“Are you serious?” Brandy asked, horrified. “What, were you guys, like, Amish or something?”
“No.” Caledonia fidgeted uncomfortably.
Brandy couldn’t get over the fact that she had been raised in such isolation, quizzing her about things that she always took for granted.
“No electricity–really? No fridge? So you never had ice cream?”
“My father brought some home once,” Caledonia said sadly, “For my birthday.”
“Her parents died,” Crystal mouthed.
They were quiet for a minute, and Caledonia could feel their compassionate and friendly natures. They meant well, and she let it cut through her pain, allowing them to soothe her.
“And,” Crystal added, “Get this–she’s never ever seen a movie before.”
They continued working on her, applying makeup while discussing which movies Caledonia should see.
“Definitely Pretty Woman,” Crystal suggested, “And Titanic.”
“What about the Terminator flicks?” Brandy asked. “Those totally kick ass.”
“And all the Bond movies,” Crystal added, looking up dreamily. “I always wanted to be a Bond girl when I was little.”
“Oh my God!” Brandy exclaimed, “What about The Wizard of Oz?”
Caledonia brightened, finally hearing something familiar. “I’ve read that one!”
“It’s a book too?” asked Crystal.
“I’ve read all fourteen Oz stories,” Caledonia replied.
“Whoa–there are fourteen? I don’t think I’ve even read fourteen whole books,” said Crystal with a laugh, making Brandy join in.
Caledonia was horrified at her admission. “Oh, no! Crystal, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
Crystal shrugged. “Maybe … but then again, you’ve never seen Johnny Depp.”
“Johnny who?”
They laughed again, standing back to scrutinize Cal’s transformation.
“You look so cuuute!” Brandy squealed. “Calvin won’t be able to keep his hands offa you!”
Caledonia blushed at the thought, looking down. “I don’t think he likes me that way.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” said Crystal, “Can’t you see how he looks at you?”
Caledonia could see, but she could also see that he was treating her very differently than he had all the other girls she’d seen him with. Girls that he clearly liked “that way.” Girls that were nothing at all like she was.
“But … He doesn’t–He doesn’t ever …” She stopped, stammering with embarrassment.
“Well, he will when he sees you like this!” Brandy said, pulling Cal up from the bed and marching her over to the mirror in the bathroom.
Caledonia was stunned, looking at the stranger in the mirror. Golden honey hair flowed straight down to her waist, and her face looked like a stranger’s. She was reminded of the girl she’d seen sitting on Calvin’s lap, and she couldn’t help wondering if he would like her better this way; she had to admit that she wanted him to.
Crystal finished up with a brush of blush. “Geez … you look just like Malibu Barbie!”
“Who?” Cali asked.
Her eyes rolled up as she shook her head. “Nevermind.” She looked Caledonia up and down, grimacing with distaste at her baggy clothes and grubby sneakers. “Lord! You need a new outfit!”
She went back to her drawer and pulled out a micro miniskirt. “Put this on.”
“I don’t know …” Caledonia hesitated, but when Crystal gave her a look, she finally slipped off her sneakers and oversized jeans.
“What the–” Brandy stared as Caledonia removed the large hunting knife strapped to her calf and placed it on the dresser. Brandy and Crystal exchanged a look.
“It’s for self-defense,” Caledonia rushed to explain, afraid they might think she wanted to fight like people at the fair.
Crystal shrugged, and then winced. “Ugh. Granny panties. We need to take you shopping.” She handed her some high heels. “Put these on. We’re about the same size.”
Caledonia put on the skirt and slipped on the shoes, standing tentatively.
Brandy took the sides of Caledonia’s man-sized T-shirt and tied them into a knot in the front, revealing her taut stomach. She stood back to give her a once over. “Girlfriend, if I had legs like you do, I’d never wear pants!”
Caledonia wobbled on the tiny spikes of the heels like a newborn fawn, struggling to maintain her balance. “How do you walk in these things?”
Brandy snorted. “Honey, I can pole dance in them!”
Before Caledonia had a chance to ask, Crystal grabbed her arm and steered her down the hall, nearly tripping her. “Come on! Wait ’til Cal gets a load of you!” When they came into the room Crystal cleared her throat.
Calvin looked up and did a double take, his eyes widening in shock. It was Caledonia, but not like he’d ever imagined her. Shining straight hair fell to her waist, and her legs looked long and shapely in super high heels. Her huge eyes were rimmed in black eyeliner, making them stand out even more than they already did. She could have been one of the unattainable girls from a poster or a magazine; she looked older, and not innocent at all.
Taken aback, he just stared, speechless.
She was a far more beautiful version of the girls Jarod was always bringing around and partying with, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about her sudden transformation. When Jarod’s friends started wolf whistling in the background, Calvin wanted to turn around and smack all of their mouths shut. Caledonia looked like she wanted to run away.
“Well …” Crystal asked, “What do you think?”
Jarod nudged him with his elbow, “She looks hot, huh?”
Caledonia stood awkwardly, wishing that she could simply disappear. She looked at Calvin fearfully, seeing his surprise and confusion turn to irritation and anger. She wasn’t sure exactly what kind of reaction she expected, but it wasn’t this. She had donned the costume of a desirable girl, and he clearly didn’t like it. There was no denying anything; colors never lied.
Her face burned with shame. “I better go change. It’s getting late.” She wheeled around and rushed down the hall.
“You jackass,” Crystal scolded Calvin. “I think you hurt her feelings.”
“Yeah, dude!” Jarod added. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I didn’t say anything!” he cried.
“Exactly,” snapped Crystal.
Brandy and Crystal turned and followed Caledonia back down the hall. By the time they caught up with her she’d already slipped back into her jeans, and was crouched down on the floor, strapping her knife back onto her ankle.
“Boys are stupid,” Crystal said.
“Yeah! You look totally hot,” Brandy added.
Caledonia shook her head. “It doesn’t matter,” she lied.
She was ashamed, angry at herself for acting like such a fool and pathetically allowing herself to be transformed in a desperate bid for his approval. She’d known better than to get involved with him all along, and she only had herself to blame for her wounded feelings.
“It doesn’t matter at all,” she repeated.
She had recognized the trap, and yet she had still fallen in; she was no different than all of the girls vying for his attention at school. She bit down on her lip and collected herself. There was no point in feeling bad about it. Nothing had really changed. She hardened her heart and straightened her spine. She’d be all right once she got back to her little cabin in the woods.
She stood up and forced a smile. “Thank
you for everything. I have school tomorrow, and I should really be getting back.”
“Back where, sweetie?” Brandy asked sympathetically.
Caledonia thought for a moment, refusing to call it home. “The place I stay. My aunt’s house.”
Crystal stepped forward to enfold her in a sympathetic embrace, patting her back while Caledonia stood stiffly. “Don’t feel bad … I think we just surprised him,” she said.
“I’m fine,” Caledonia said. She decided it would be best to feel nothing at all. There was a knock on the door and Brandy went to open it.
“Cali?” Calvin called, looking over Brandy’s shoulder. “Can you guys give us a minute?”
Brandy and Crystal both gave him the stink eye as they filed out past him, and Caledonia met him on her way out the door. She seemed completely calm, her blank face registering no emotion.
He stood in the threshold with anxious eyes. “Umm … they sure made you look different.”
She nodded blandly, keeping her voice steady, “Yeah … That was funny. I’d better be going now.”
“But–”
“I have some homework I should do.”
Now he looked worried. “I thought you were going to stay for a while. We can just hang out …”
“No.” She was firm. “I have to go now.”
He tried to think of another reason to get her to stay. “We could watch a movie.”
“I’m really very tired,” she countered.
He looked at her with pleading eyes, “But I wanted to talk some more … about … You know, about everything.”
She looked down. “I don’t want to talk about it. I really want to go home.”
“Okay … Okay. I’ll take you.”
He watched her as they walked along down the street, a feeling of dread taking root in the pit of his stomach. She was distant and reserved; he could feel her pulling away from him, and he didn’t know what to do about it. All of the progress he’d made with her had vaporized. All of the patience he’d shown had amounted to nothing.
“I’ll give you a ride to school tomorrow. Okay?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “If you want to.”
He raked his hand through his hair with a grimace, not sure what to say to say. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
She looked up to see him radiating bitter blue-green regret.
“I’m not mad,” she told him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I was just … I didn’t want …” He groped for words.
“What?” she asked.
He sighed, “I didn’t want you to look like those other girls.”
“Why?” she asked, thinking that they were the kinds of girls he couldn’t seem to keep his hands away from.
“Because you’re not like them.”
Caledonia had to agree with that. She knew she wasn’t like them, and she never would be. She was a hopeless freak that saw things that no one else did with her oddball eyes. She would have to accept the fact that she’d never be his type of girl. She would never be anyone’s type of girl.
He looked at her earnestly, radiating concern. She was sorry he was feeling so anxious, but she was anxious too, looking over her shoulder to see that the lights were on at her aunt’s place.
“Goodbye,” she said, rushing off before he had a chance to say any more. She couldn’t bear listening to Calvin apologize for something he had no control over.
He stood on the sidewalk, watching as she made her way to the door, looking back just once at him before the building swallowed her up. He wanted to chase after her, to take her in his arms and beg her not to go. He wanted to kiss her until he felt her kiss him back, but he was terrified that she would reject him once and for all.
He was afraid again, and this time it was for himself.
~
Chapter Thirteen
MUSEUM
The Athena Effect Page 26
