Chapter 10 ~ Tolo (5)
And We Danced – Macklemore
The event at the beach settled into Greta's mind. She wanted to know who had hurt Lithia but also figured that the silent girl wouldn't talk about it. In fact, Lithia avoided the subject of scars all together. One thing Greta did notice was that Lithia always wore long pants and shirts that completely covered her back. Nearly everything she had was long to cover her legs and high backed to hide her back.
The girls were sitting at a café after school when Greta suddenly snapped her head up in alarm. "Lith, what are you going to do about Tolo?!"
Lithia furrowed her eyebrows but then realized what she was asking about. "Oh… that… I have some heavy makeup I can use." Lithia explained cautiously.
Greta nodded. "What do you say you come over to my place before Tolo and we get ready there? We can make a girls night of it." She offered with a smile.
"Sure, sounds like fun." Lithia replied, returning her smile. "I better ask Pepper beforehand though."
After a quick call to Pepper, Lithia gained approval. "I need to shoot over to my place to pick up my dress, shoes, makeup and would your mom be cool with me bringing Tiny Hulk? Pepper's gonna be out and Tony cannot be trusted with him." Lithia said, taking a sip of her tea.
"Like she would object." Greta laughed, gulping her triple espresso latte. "She always wanted a small dog."
Lithia laughed and finished her tea. Grabbing her keys, the girls headed to the Mustang and sped away. Quickly grabbing her things, Lithia rejoined Greta in the car. Tiny Hulk yipped happily at Greta, bouncing into her lap. "He is probably the happiest little dog I have ever met." Greta laughed when he settled on her lap.
"He's always happy…" Lithia replied, gunning the engine and blazing a trail to the nail salon.
The ladies at the salon were happy to see Greta and Lithia and immediately set to work. They gave the girls manicures and pedicures, painting their nails to match their chosen heroes. Greta got red, white and blue nails with small white stars on the blue and clear shimmer over everything. Lithia received red fading into gold with metallic sheens. The girls then went to a hair salon to get their hair done. Greta had hers piled up into a low up-do while Lithia left hers down but had it straightened. They returned to Greta's house to finish getting ready.
The luxurious beech house lay at the end of a primly groomed private drive. Tall, lush palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze, casting moving shadows over the brilliant white house. The three story monster house held 14 different bedrooms with coordinating bathrooms. Each floor had its own living room, kitchen, dining room and entertainment room. It was over the top luxurious. The long, cobblestone driveway arched to the pillared front door. Lithia drove up and parked in the garage. "Greta, darling, is that you?" a shrill, false happy voice called from the other side of the garage door.
Greta groaned. "Yes Elsa." She called back. "Lithia and Tiny Hulk are here to get ready for Tolo."
The door opened and Greta's mother stepped forward. She was primly dressed in a near white tea dress with tiny red cherries scattered across the fabric. Her cutsey cherry red pumps had tiny white bows on them, adding to the 'Sally-home-maker' look. "Hello Mrs. Carthrow." Lithia said with a tiny wave.
"Oh hello Lithia." Elsa greeted rather curtly before turning her attention to Tiny Hulk. "Why hell-o wou wittle baby. Aren't wou just so cute?" she cooed at the Pomeranian puff ball.
Tiny Hulk growled a little bit and hid behind Lithia's leg. "He's a little grumpy today." Lithia explained quickly, gathering her things and skirting around Elsa, Tiny Hulk keeping between her legs at all times.
"We're gonna be up in my room most of the night until it's time to go Elsa." Greta called from the stairs as Lithia scurried after her.
The girls settled into Greta's room. There were a few hours still left before Tolo so the girls ordered some teriyaki and ate before finishing getting ready and got dressed. "We look fabulous." Greta said as they looked into her large mirror.
"Girls! Its time." Elsa called from the main lobby.
With a quick once over, they descended. Elsa, however, was not so impressed. She walked up to the girls and circled them, closely examining each outfit with a critical eye. Her mouth was set in a firm frown as she walked back to her original position. Greta groaned, waiting for what was to come.
Elsa huffed. "Well, I must say it surprises me to see you wearing a dress, Gretal," she said firmly, making her daughter flinch at the use of her full name. "Though I'm flattered you would choose to dress in a feminine attire in my presence, I would expect you would wear something more decent to such a formal affair."
"Greta made these Mrs. Carthrow." Lithia defended her friend.
"That comes as no surprise, Lithia dear," Elsa replied. "She had the best instruction in sewing, as well as in all affairs becoming a debutant. She had such promise."
Greta stiffened. "Let's get going." She said through gritted teeth.
Lithia hurried after Greta and got into the Mustang. "You can sleep over anytime Greta." Lithia said, turning the engine on.
Greta smirked. "Punch it." She said and Lithia smiled.
Backing out of the drive, Lithia pressed the gas pedal down and peeled off, barely making the turn out of the drive. The location was a large hall near the beach. The place was lit up against the dark sky, blocking out the faint light of the stars. Lithia parked and the girls walked into the hall. The place was booming with loud dance music and talking people. Their peers were all dressed like superheroes. A lot of the girls were dressed like Thor or Black Widow while numerous guys had come as Iron Man and Hawkeye. A few of the less popular people had made up their own superheroes.
"Well look who showed up." A voice said from the side. "Captain Poindexter and Iron Silence."
Lithia inhaled slowly and turned to see Valerie, Jackie, Monica, Andrea and Porsche standing there in skimpy outfits. These girls had been nothing but volatile to both Greta and Lithia since day one and Lithia's blood was beginning to boil. "I am so not in the mood to deal with you today Queen B." Greta said, cutting toward the drinks but Jackie and Andrea cut her off. "Move."
"Aww, what's wrong Ginger Bread House? Don't you want to play today?" Valerie asked mockingly.
"Look, Queen B, call off your little bitches before their shrill yapping gets on everyone else's nerves. And you might wanna think about getting your dogs spayed too," Greta said. "Their aggression means they're in heat, but can't seem to afford to get any."
By now, everyone had zeroed in on the conversation. "Well at least I don't have to buy my friends." Valerie retorted.
"Greta didn't buy me." Lithia stepped in. "And didn't your dad pay for Monica's nose job last year?"
"Stay out of this Orphan." Valerie said.
"Whoa, time out," Greta said, getting between Valerie and Lithia. "Now Lithia, don't let the future Strip Tease gang get to ya. Their just mad cause their Sugar Daddy cut their allowance with week." She then walked to each girl in turn, a wicked glint in her eye Lithia recognized as Greta's Protector Mode.
"What's the matter, Silicone," she mock pouted at Jackie, then Porsche. "You and Botax not save up for your next implants? Honestly, any more and you'll be falling from oversized melons and too much junk in the trunk." Greta smiled at their unified gasps, and then turned to Andrea. "And didn't you see a group about your little problem yet, Lipoholic? They already sucked too much fat out of your chicken legs, and you barely had an ass to begin with. And don't get me started on you, Nose Job." She looked at Monica. "Why go and ruin your pretty face by turning it into your bleach blonde Hitler? I'd hate to see you with that hairy wart and snaggle tooth."
Monica actually started crying. Valerie stepped forward and took a swing at Greta. Another hand shot out and grabbed her fist. With a quick spin of her arm, Valerie was spun and tossed half-way across the room. Even the music stopped as Valerie glared up to see Lithia, her face like a stone. "I thought I told you to stay out of this Orphan." Valerie hissed, getting to her feet.
Lithia kicked of her shoes and clenched the floor with her toes while taking a fighting stance. She remained silent as they squared off with each other. "Don't worry. I'll make this quick." Valerie said. "I've had defense training since I was 4."
"I've been defending myself since I was born." Lithia muttered as Valerie began her attack with a kick to her face. Catching her ankle, Lithia spun Valerie yet again and threw her gently. Valerie skid to a halt a few feet away. She pushed herself up onto her hands. Lithia's face remained emotionless as Valerie stood up again.
Greta touched Lithia's arm. "They're not worth it." She said softly.
Lithia looked away and nodded. Gathering her shoes, Lithia turned and said, "I apologize for ruining the evening. Please continue your festivities and excuse my friend and myself." With that, the two girls turned their heels and left the party.
Reaching the Mustang, Lithia stopped and laughed. Greta was a little confused but waited until her friend finished laughing. "Wanna go grab some burgers, head back to your place for sparkling cider and blow stuff up?" Lithia asked, still giggling slightly.
"Blowing stuff up is good… But uh, you mind telling me where you pulled out that can of whoop-ass back there?" Greta asked, the shock not void from her tone.
Lithia laughed again. "I picked it up in the streets. And a little training from one of my foster parents." she said, swinging into the car.
Greta looked after her, a small half smile creeping on her mouth. "Damn!" She slid into the passenger seat.
Lithia peeled out and sped to the nearest cheap burger joint and ordered food before speeding back to Greta's house. The driveway stretched behind them as Lithia parked and Greta grabbed the food. "You girls are back early." Elsa said, meeting the girls in the foyer. "What happened?"
"The party ended early due to hell letting five of its succubi get loose," Greta said, flopping down on the couch.
"Where's Hulk?" Lithia asked and a rather pathetic bark reached her ears.
"Oh I had a little fun with him darling." Elsa said.
Tiny Hulk now appeared in a designer black & white zoot suit, with matching hat and tie. But that wasn't the worst part. Her mother had also taken the liberty to take the pup to a salon and have his fur styled in an outrageous cut. The hair around his face had been fluffed up and given brown, red and golden highlights, while his tail had been shaved save for the tip with the same coloring. From the tight fit of the suit, it was clear his whole body had been saved as well.
"Well, isn't is just darling!" Elsa praised, not taking noticed to the horrified looks of the girls. "Alejandro outdid himself. When I brought the little darling in, Alejandro insisted the pooch be given a look to compliment his name. At first he thought about doing something more rugged, but I insisted there be some sophistication in his look as well. So Alejandro decided on the lion cut, with the designer suit. I can tell you're speechless, so there's no need to thank me, Lithia dear. I was delighted to do it."
Tiny Hulk had this look of sheer disgust on his face as Lithia picked him up. Greta and Lithia returned to Greta's floor and Lithia quickly removed the dog from his torture. "You poor baby. I'll never leave you alone with her again." Lithia said, stroking his head.
Tiny Hulk yipped in delight. Lithia smiled and picked up the suit. Using her powers, she transformed the suit into a cotton camouflage sweater so the dog wouldn't get cold from lack of hair. "What the hell!?" Lithia turned to see her friend staring at her with bulged out eyes, and a jaw that would have hit the floor. "Lith, how the.. Did yo.. HOW!?"
"I can explain. Really I can…" Lithia said, standing up.
Lithia cautiously told her best friend about her powers. Greta all but demanded a demonstration and Lithia animated the table to do the polka without losing any of the contents. "Whoa…" Greta breathed as the table settled.
"Yea… It's a shock and, once you get used to it, it makes blowing stuff up way more fun." Lithia said with a slightly insane laugh.