Chapter Seven

I woke up in the morning to shrieking voices and loud clattering, I barely had a second to sit up and rub my eyes before I had someone crushing themselves into me with one of the tightest hugs I've ever had.

"Oh my god! You are so pretty!" A high pitched voice squeaked in my ear.

I pulled back from the embrace to see a girl half on top of me, the other half of her on the other side of my bed.

I stared back into big brown eyes, pink glitter smeared over both monolids. Her platinum bleached hair lay flat on her head cascading just past her shoulders, she had the biggest excited smile I had ever seen.

A voice called from the bunk above,

"Ah Candie shut up I'm trying to sleep."

I guess Vixen still wasn't happy about the bed switch. Last night she stared me down before crawling up the shaky wooden ladder above me. Between the aches in my abdomen and the fear of the entire bed collapsing on me I didn't sleep well.

Candie rolled her eyes. "Ignore her she's not nice to anyone, not even the customers!"

Vixen shifted above before grumbling,"That's part of the appeal."

Candie stuck her tongue out upwards toward the other girl, mocking her.

"Uh hello-" I started but was quickly cut off.

"Eeek! Your supply box was delivered this morning I've been dying for you to wake up so we can see your cute new outfits!" Candie squealed, balling her hands up in excitement.

I rubbed the grogginess out of my eyes before responding.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Too damn early!" The top bunk yelled angrily.

"No it's only nine, besides who can sleep when we finally have a new girl!" Candie gushed before leaning back on my bed.

This girl was a serious ball of energy, with a lack of boundaries. I didn't understand how someone could be so forthcoming. At home this behavior was prohibited.

"Thank you for the warm welcome." I said as politely as I could.

Candie let out a shocked gasp, sitting up again to get closer. A little too close.

"Oh wow your all debutant like! What do they call 'em? Ladies?"

I still couldn't believe that these girls first impression of me was that I was too formal and pretentious, that was certainly not how I was regarded back home.

Before I could respond the door from the main area swung open, Fox struted in already dressed in a cotton shirt that stopped just below her breasts and demin shorts hiked up her thighs.

There was so much skin showing I had to avert my eyes to keep from being embarrassed.

"Leave that poor girl alone Candie, you have a set to practice and Luis is stressed out waiting for you." Fox huffed.

Candie gave both of us an exaggerated pout before leaving the room.

Fox looked pointedly at me, I finally noticed the cardboard box in her hands.

“That must be mine!” I said climbing to my feet.

I was hoping for a letter, or something saying “surprise! This was all a big prank!” But my optimism was dwindling.

Fox brought the box over to the rickety table we sat at the night before, and waved her hands around it as if to say, “ta-da!”

The stone floor against my bare feet sent a quick chill up my spine as I inspected the box. It was white cardboard, with a insignia of a blue eye stamped on the sides.

As I reached for it a familiar smell hit my nose, I crinkled it in disgust.

“VIXEN!” Fox yelled out swatting the air around her.

Vixen sat on the edge of the top bunk, her back slightly arched to keep from hitting the ceiling. A thick cigarette sat in between her full lips.

“Oh shut it, leave me be and I’ll take your 6 o’clock.” She muttered exhaling a puff of smoke.

This seemed to work for Fox as she stopped protesting, instead walking over to the crude coffee maker and brewing a cup.

The smell of tobacco brought me back home for a moment, a memory of my childhood. Mother and father sitting by our marble fireplace. A glass of red wine in mothers hand and father’s tobacco pipe in his. I played at their feet with cotton dolls, basking in the warmth of the fire.

My heart hurt.

I snapped out of my self pity and tore into the box, inside were some very… interesting outfits. My mouth fell open at the site.

I was so shocked that I didn’t notice Vixen peering over my shoulder, “looks like you’ve been picked out to be the babydoll type, figures.” She scoffed.

Inside were white and pink stockings, different arrays of tiny school girls skirts and cropped button up shirts. Random makeup accessories and bows were littered along the bottom. A small caddy of hygiene products next to a pack of lacy bras.

I was appalled. I couldn’t dare wear any of this. My father would soon figure out this mistake and I’d be home soon, there was no need in putting any of this on.

Right?

I looked over at Fox who was leaned against the wall sipping a small cup, my mouth agape.

She gave me a sympathetic smile.

“You’ll get used to it. Honestly it’s not that bad. I actually really liked the stuff in my box when I first came. “

Vixen blew one last puff before putting her cigarette in a random cup. “The selectors son has some interesting tastes.”

“The selectors son? I thought the Selector chose everything himself?” I asked

“No.” Fox said pulling me in a chair and grabbing a small sponge from the box and some makeup.

“The Selectors older son, Daniel, is in charge of entertainment. Which we are sectioned under. Speaking of which, him and his entourage will be coming here tonight. Including the Selectors youngest son. Let’s get you ready.”