Agreeable by Vicki Gallus Chapter 5 of 10

[Catching up? This is a serialized posting of Agreeable, Book 1 of my Bimbo Perfume trilogy. Read the whole trilogy right now in the Bimbo Perfume Anthology on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1818870 – Vicki Gallus]

Chapter 5

She arrived at breakfast in a cloud of citrus and lilac, over half an hour late. The diner was busy, with crowded tables and bustling staff, but it didn’t take Macy long to spot Carter.

Making her way through the throng, she slid into the booth smiling an apology at Carter.

“I’m so sorry I’m late. I had to deal with this whole thing,” Macy said gesturing vaguely at her thick blonde hair piled up on her head.

Carter’s eyes nearly fell out of his head.

“Macy? Is that Macy? What on earth? Is that a wig?” His questions came rapidly, one after another. “What are you wearing? Where’s the black?”

Macy smiled indulgently. “No, it’s not a wig,” she said tugging on a strand of hair that had spilled attractively from the side of her bangs. “See?”

Carter turned to face her, his expression furrowed in confusion. “It’s not? That’s… it’s… Macy? Oh my God, it’s real? How can this be possible?”

“Honestly, I don’t know, Carter, but I can’t say I’m upset at the results. You were right. I WAS jealous of Aimee’s hair yesterday. I guess the body follows what the heart wants.” Macy shrugged and pulled a menu across. “Now, what’s good? I’m starving.”

“Here. I ordered you a coffee. And what about the clothes? I don’t think I’ve seen you in jeans since sixth grade. Let alone a white tee. What’s come over you, girl?”

Macy wished he’d just leave it as she sipped at her drink. She was hungry and he was cycling up to saying something inappropriate, she could tell.

“I dunno. It didn’t seem right, with the new hair and all. I just grabbed something that fitted from the closet.”

“Don’t you feel better wearing more feminine clothes?” Carter asked. “When you take care of your appearance, you’re kinda hot - you know that? Surely you want to be hot all the time? Of course, you’ll need to have a whole new wardrobe. Much more feminine.” He leaned back, his eyebrows cocked waiting for the inevitable Macy explosion.

It never came. Macy stared out into space, her coffee cup held loosely in her hand.

The waitress appeared, notebook in hand.

“Hi, folks, what can I get you today?”

Carter looked up and ordered his pancakes.

“And you, hun?” The waitress said, turning to Macy.

But Macy didn’t hear her. She didn’t hear anything. The bustle and noise of the diner faded away as she found herself replaying Carter’s comments in her mind. She did feel better wearing feminine clothes. She preened a little at the comment about her being hot. She WAS hot - kinda. It wouldn’t take much for her to be hotter - like, all the time. All it would take is a little care for her appearance.

“Macy? Macy? Earth to Macy?” Carter’s voice penetrated the cloud of citrus and lilac that filled her mind.

“Hmmm?” She muttered as the world came roaring back. “Yes, a little more care of my appearance and I’d be, like, really hot.”

“What?” Carter’s brow furrowed at her response. “No. What do you want to eat? You’re hungry, right? You’re wanting your usual bacon and eggs?”

“Oh, yeah,” she said as she perked up. “I want my usual, thanks.”

It was so easy to agree with Carter these days - how curious. Macy sipped her coffee and thought about how she was going to make herself hotter.

“Hey, Carter,” she said. “I’ve been thinking. This new hair needs a whole new outfit. How about we blow off college today and you help me shop? I’ll need someone to carry all the new clothes.”

Carter’s eyes couldn’t have gotten wider. “You’re serious, right?”

“Um, yeah, I think I am.” Macy flashed him a wide smile. “That would make my day, you know.”

“Sure, Macy. Do you want a new wardrobe? Sure, why not? Can’t say this is what I expected today.”

“Oh, and what did you expect?”

“To be honest, another argument about feminism. I had a bunch of bombs all lined up.” Carter smirked. “You know - some absolute gems: Women should wear thick, sultry makeup all the time. Women should show off their bodies. Women’s roles are to flirt and please men. But, maybe now’s not the time…”

Carter trailed off. Macy was staring into space again.

[More soon! Or read the rest of Agreeable and the full trilogy right now in the Bimbo Perfume Anthology: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1818870 – Vicki Gallus]