Possessions
Chapter 3
By: Makena
Nicole parallel parked her car down town in front of "New Moon Records." Makena looked at it and gave a half smile.
"I remember this store," she said. "It's not exactly a fond memory, but it's defiantly one of my better memories of Waldorf."
Nicole laughed as she stepped out of her car, locking the doors. Makena slammed her door shut and stared at the posters and cardboard cut-outs of singers and "swingers" (otherwise known as Austin Powers).
"Shannon practically owns this place," Nicole said, feeding the time meter with nickels. "The old fuck that owns it is just about to croak and everybody knows she'll get it in his will."
"That'd be cool to own a record store," Makena said, taking a drag of her cigarette. Nicole looked at her and nodded.
"Yeah," she admitted. "It would." She paused. "You'll want to put that out before you go in there - Shannon's trying to quit. And, plus, that thing about "no smoking in public areas" or something." Makena rolled her eyes and took a last drag before putting her cigarette out on the sidewalk.
"God Bless America," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Land of the fucking free my ass."
Nicole laughed. "Is it me or has your language only gotten worse since I last saw you?"
Makena shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "Is it me or is the collection of scars on your arms grown since I last saw you?" Nicole glanced down at the ground before silently trying to cover her arms. Makena sighed.
"Sorry," she apologized. "There was alcohol on the plane and... yeah, I'm a bitch."
Nicole shrugged. "Just... don't bring it up," she said. "I don't like to talk about it."
Makena sighed as she followed Nicole into the store. There were a few kids inside, a couple standing around the "compilation CD" section in search for the new "American Idol" sound track, and one searching for what looked like the new Distiller CD while holding a Transplants CD.
A girl with a nose ring and blue hair with black streaks stood behind the counter, counting fliers. She looked up when she heard the door open (there was a little bell tied to it that notified her when new customers came in) and grinned when she noticed Nicole and Makena, looking around.
"Hey!" she called. Makena looked up at her and grinned, taking her sunglasses off and putting them into her pocket. She quickly walked towards the counter where Shannon and her hugged lightly, trying not to hurt each other by dragging them over the counter.
"What's up?" Shannon asked with a smile. Makena shrugged and glanced around the store.
"Absolutely nothing," she said, sniffing the air. "It still smells like pot in here, eh?"
Shannon laughed. "That's the owner," she said. "It's "medicinal"," she explained, using her fingers to emphasize how medicinal it really was. She rolled her eyes, neatly stacking the fliers she had been counting. Makena watched, curious.
"What's this for?" she asked. Shannon held one up.
"Local concert," she explained. "A bunch of high school bands that think they can be the next Good Charlotte or something." Makena laughed and took the flier from Shannon, reading it.
"I'm suppose to put these up, but I think I'm just gonna stuff 'em in people's bags - yes, I'm that lazy."
Makena laughed again. "Can I take this?" she questioned. Shannon shrugged.
"Like I care."
At that point, the two teenage girls - who looked like they were only freshman, if that - walked up to the counter. "Do you have the American Idol CD?" one girl with blond hair asked hopefully. Shannon rolled her eyes.
"I told you last week," she said. "We do not carry anything related or associated with American Idol in any way. We do not carry either compilation CD, nor do we carry Justin what's-his-face's CD or Kelly Clarkston's CD, NOR will we carry Ruben's CD."
"What about Clay's?" a girl with dark brown hair questioned.
Shannon glared. "NO! Get the fuck out of my store!" Makena and Nicole tried not to laugh as the two girls scurried past the counter and made way for the door.
"And don't come back next week, because we're still not gonna have it!!" Nicole and Makena erupted with laughter, finding what had just happened to be quite funny. Shannon grinned at her friends.
"ANYWAY," she said. "I got a whole box of CD's in the back that I need to put out so customers can buy or whatever. A bunch of weird bands, too - Plain White T-Shirts or something. Bands that haven't been ruined by corporate America yet." Makena laughed again.
"Yes, damn America," Nicole said. "Long live Russia!"
"Wasn't I just saying something about that outside?" Makena asked.
"That you were," Nicole agreed. "That you were."
"Yeah I was." She paused. "I gotta get going soon. It's almost four and I'm meeting Raemie and Aaron for dinner tonight with this other guy."
"Well have fun!" Shannon said sarcastically.
"Oh, I will," Makena said rolling her eyes. She turned to see Nicole staring at a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Orlando Bloom dressed up as Legolas.
"I'm stealing this," she announced, picking the figure up. Makena and Shannon looked between each other and laughed.
"I have a feeling that this could be a long ride to the hotel."
---
"What do you mean our house isn't available?" Benji looked at Joel, who had his head rested in his hands as he glanced blankly at his cell phone.
"I mean our house isn't available," Joel said. "It's still being rented."
"So... what you're telling us is that we have to spend a good two weeks in a hotel room?"
"Yes, Benji," Joel said, turning his head so he could look up at his brother. "That's much what I'm telling you." He paused, rolling his eyes. "You're quick today, you know that?"
Benji was about to use a comeback when Paul stepped in and interrupted.
"Guys, guys," he said. "Enough already. We don't need a sibling fight today, alright?" He paused and looked at the twins; Benji was standing with his arms folded and Joel was at the table, his head still resting in his hands. "We're used to sleeping in hotel rooms anyway, right? This is not a tragedy."
"It is, though!" Billy cried sarcastically. "I just might die!" Benji rolled his eyes. Joel gave Benji an "I-told-you-so" grin. Paul laughed slightly.
"We'll just call the Holiday Inn and reserve two rooms."
Benji frowned. "Why the Holiday Inn?" he questioned. Paul rolled his eyes.
"Would you rather sleep at the Melody Inn Motel, Benji?" he questioned. "That shitty motel on the edge of town? Cause we can arrange that too."
"I was just asking," Benji said defensively. "Jesus..."
Paul rolled his eyes. "I happen to know that the Holiday Inn is where most of the guests are staying for Aaron's wedding. It's also pretty much in the middle of Waldorf so it's close to everything and whatever."
He paused. No one rejected the idea, but no one made any indication as to weather or not they would mind staying there. "Well?" Paul questioned.
"Let's go for the Holiday Inn!" Billy cried in an over enthusiastic tone, slightly sarcastic. Paul rolled his eyes.
"I don't really care," Chris interjected. "It's probably better than sleeping on those damn bunks, anyway."
"Do we hear any complaints from the Madden twins?"
"No," Benji mumbled.
"Fine with me," Joel said, folding his arms across his chest. Paul nodded. A silence passed over the five.
"Hey, I'll call for reservations!" Paul said in the same tone Billy had used before rolling his eyes. He picked up his red cell phone to make reservations as the other four watched. They listened as he had a conversation with the woman on the other end before pausing and looking at the four, holding the bottom end away from his mouth.
"Uhh... when are we going to get back?" he questioned.
"Tomorrow," Joel informed. Paul went back to the reservations before hanging up.
"See?" he said to Benji. "Wasn't so hard, was it?"
Benji frowned. "What did I do?!"
"Nothing," Paul said with a fake, angry grin. "Nevermind."
"Fuck off," Benji muttered, turning his back as he walked towards the bunk area. Chris looked around at everyone before looking at the game he had been playing before Joel announced the news of their housing situation.
"Everyone is in such an excellent mood today," he muttered sarcastically under his breath.