What Did I Get Myself Into?

I’m new in town. After a long and struggling fight with my long-time boyfriend, Ryan, I moved away and headed out of dodge. My name – Orange, Orange Plumbob. 

I headed into town on little money. (I didn’t work when I dated Ryan – he was that controlling.) I went to the only place I could think of when I arrived, the library. At first I went straight for the computers and searched out the towns directory for a room to rent. Nothing, nadda, not one damn person was renting a room. 

Or so I thought. I felt a tap on my shoulder, “Looking for a room, huh?” 

I turned and looked at the woman standing behind me, “Yeah, just got into town. All I have are the clothes on my back.” 

“Well, if you don’t mind a bit of crazy, I could offer a place.” 

“REALLY!” I jumped out of my seat. “I don’t have much, but I swear, I’ll get a job and do whatever I can to help out. Names, Orange.” 

“Cait.” She said. She wrote an address down on the little pad next to the computer. “Just come by anytime.” 

I didn’t head straight over to Cait’s, first I went out to eat. I used the last cash I had and ate at this dive, Hogan’s. I hate fast food, makes me want to hurl. But I had no choice. There was a girl there wandering around. She looked odd, and when she came up to me, I could clearly tell that this woman was homeless. 

“Could I have your scraps?” She asked.

She looked starved. I felt so bad that I gave her the rest of my burger. She sat down across from me and stuffed her face with the little food I had. It was horrible to see. 

“Thank you so much.” She said with her mouth full.

“It looks like you needed it more than me.” I replied. 

“I do. I’ve been starving for weeks. No one in this town will give me anything, and I mean anything!” She said almost in a yell. 

“Why’s that?” I asked.

She shrugged, “I dunno. People around here call me Skip, cause I go from house to house scavenging food from their dumpsters. And I’ve been known to skip out on a check or two at the restaurants around town.” 

“Ow wow, I’m sorry. My name’s Orange.” 

“What the hell kinda name is that?” 

I chuckled, “My dad was a farmer and named all his kids after produce. My brother Gus’ real name is asparagus and my sister is Apple. I think she lucked out in the names, seeing as how celebrities have been known to name their daughters the same name.” 

“Well, thanks Orange. Hope to see you around town.” Skip said as she got up and ran. I looked over and the manager from the restaurant came out with a bat and started to chase her. Skip was so nice, and I felt horrible that she was being treated with so little respect. 

I headed to my new place – well Cait’s place, and the entire time I wondered what was Skip’s past. Why did the people of Sunset Valley hate her so much? She was a lovely young girl, so vibrant and cute. I just wished I could help out in someway. 

I found the house with the address and directions Cait gave me clearly enough. However, she didn’t really warn me what to expect. As I got to the front of the house a girl was picking up clothes from the front lawn, and cursing like crazy. She turned to the door, “THIS IS NOT OVER STYX!” She yelled. 

Cait came out, “OH BELIEVE ME THIS IS SOOOOO OVER! NOW GET THE HELL OUT!” 

The girl finally had enough, apparently. Cait headed inside while the girl turned away from the house and almost knocked into me, “Oh sorry. You come to live here?” She asked. 

“Yeaaa?” I asked a bit concerned for my safety. What did I walk into?

“Well good luck. She’s crazy! Mental I tell you! If I were you I’d get long gone away from this joint before she sticks her fingers into you and into her crazy world.” 

“Uhhhhh. . . . “ I said with my mouth just hanging down. Really, what the hell was I getting myself into?

“Names, Emma. And if you are tired of this nut house, come find me.” 

“Thanks, but I think I’ll take my chances.” I finally said. I was desperate, really, really desperate. I was not going to end up like Skip or Emma, homeless. Cait offered and I am gonna take it. 

“Suit yourself.” She shrugged. She took one last look at the house and flipped it off. She headed off towards town, probably in search for a place to stay. I should have wished her luck, but I didn’t. 

I walked into the house, “Cait?” I called out. 

“In here!” She yelled. I walked to where ‘in here’ referred to and found her in the kitchen cooking. 

“Mmmm, smells nice.” I said, clearly trying to be nice. 

“Thanks. I hope you don’t mind that show you saw when you came up the drive, Emma’s a crazy whore.” 

“Wow, some strong words. What did she do?” 

“The usual, slept with my brother, ex-boyfriend, and best friend who’s gay. I just caught her in bed with my newest boyfriend and threw her out.” She stated. “I was glad to have found a new roommate on such short notice. I can’t pay the rent alone.” 

“Right, about that. I swear tomorrow I will go out and get a job. I’m a freelance writer, so I’m gonna head to the paper and see if they can give me any jobs.” 

“Take your time hun. Rent’s not due for a couple of months thanks to Emma paying me two days ago.” 

“Sweet.” I smiled. I had two months of a rent free life. Yet, I needed to get that job. I wanted to get a job. I was so lonely without work when I dated Ryan. God, I miss him and hate him and – oh who am I kidding its gonna take a lot for me to get over him. 

“Hey you wanna go out for some drinks tonight?” I asked. 

“Hell ya! Girls Night Out!” She screamed and high-five me. “I’ll call my friends to meet us at the club.” 

“Awesome. I haven’t had a real girls night out since. . . Well never.” 

“Aw, hun, don’t worry. With me it’s always ‘girls night out.’

That was it. That’s all she needed to tell me. Cait was my newest and only best friend. Finally, I was going to live the life I have always wanted. 

   

We headed out after dinner. Cait called a bunch of girls and told them to meet us at Ocean’s One. 

She introduced me to each of the girls, Cheyenne, Sammie, Julia, and R.J. That night was the greatest night. 

We drank laughed and I finally found a niche. I was starting to open up more, I’m not the type of person who’s really outgoing, I’m shy and quiet. 

 

 

 

Yet after a few drinks, it was me not the others that found the top of a table and danced. Me – table dancing! I don’t do that sort of thing, I swear! Yet here I was dancing and being whistled to by other men, and the girls I was with. This was definitely my kind of town.

 

 

 

We got home and I was beat, and clearly drunk. Cait had to hold my hair while I puked my guts out in the toilet. I had way too many. After my stomach was emptied of both alcohol and the food I ate earlier that night, Cait helped me into bed. 

It was eerie. I woke with a strange, strange feeling. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I felt like my inner space was being invaded. I could hear breathing, heavy breathing. 

I opened my eyes and there she was. Cait staring at me while I slept. She just stared. . . WHAT THE HELL?

I needed to get out of here. I wanted to run out the room and never look back. BUT SHE WAS RIGHT THERE! Standing over me, staring down and breathing heavily at me. What am I gonna do?