“We need to pick out your outfit now so we know what color to paint them,” Wren says with a gentle smile.
“This is your casual stuff. Where’s your going out stuff?” she asks, looking over her shoulder at me. I bite my lip, then stand. She steps aside as I move hangers over until the outfits I brought with me are revealed. I haven’t touched any of them in weeks, realizing pretty quickly that I didn't need much more than a couple of shorts, a tee or two, and mostly, comfortable workout clothes. It’s strange seeing the things I brought, knowing the expensive labels are sought after, but suddenly hating them and the boring, colorless version of me they represent.
“Do you have anything that isn’t…neutral?” she asks.
“I’m sorry?”
“All of your clothes are neutrals. Like, browns, blacks, and beiges. And don’t get me wrong, they all look absolutely killer on you, I’m sure.” She pulls out a tan mini dress, then holds it up to herself. “This is hot, for sure. But it’s still sad girl beige.”
“It’s not sad girl beige, it’s…cool girl beige,” I say, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“Says who?” Nat says, crinkling her nose.
“Uh, my stylist? The media? The world?”
“Well, the world is a sad, colorless place these days, so that tracks,” Hallie says, and Wren nods in agreement.
“They don’t seem very…you,” Wren says. “They’re all very nice, they’re just…”
“They’re boring,” Hallie says, bluntly.
“And you’re not boring,” Nat says with a shrug of her shoulder. “Unless that’s what you like, of course.”
“I…I don’t think so,” I say with a cringe. I’d noticed that, of course, and have been wearing the colorful workout clothes I bought on rotation, but I figured it was that they were the betterchoice for doing work around Leo’s house. But maybe I was really just happy that they felt more… me.
“I just don’t think itfitsyou, you know? I mean, your stylist is great on your tour stuff—” Nat starts, but I shake my head.
“That’s Harper,” I correct quickly. “Tour costumes and red carpets are all Harper Holden. She designs and custom-makes everything for them for me. I have a different stylist for my streetwear and interview looks.”
“Well, that explains that. Harper has good taste. Your stylist does not,” Nat says, retreating from the closet with a disappointed sigh.
“Nat!” Wren chides.
“Oh, come on, it’s true! None of this says Willa Stone! It says…basic boring bitch. It says someone who wants to fit in and follow trends, not set them.”
“I don’t necessarilywantto set trends,” I say, biting my lips. “I have more than enough eyes on me at all times.” Nat gives me a deadpan look, as if she’s over me.
“Yeah, well, unfortunately, you do it regardless. But right now, you’re settingboringtrends.” She has a point, I suppose. “You know, you should spend your time here experimenting.”
“I think she’s going to get plenty of experimentation time with Leo,” Hallie says, and once again, Wren groans. I just laugh, somehow becoming numb to this strange behavior.
“I mean with clothes, but yes, absolutely with Leo. We can circle back to that later today and make a list of everything to try. I’m sure he has a lot to teach a woman.” She fans at her face, and Wren grabs a pillow, tossing it at her with a laugh.
“Stay focused, Nat. Clothes. What is she going to wear on her date tonight?” Wren asks, laughing. Nat nods, then pinches at her face as if trying to center herself.
I laugh, shaking my head, deeply enjoying my time with these unhinged women. “I’m sorry my options are limited. I didn’t exactly expect, well, any of this.”
“Do you think we have enough time to go shopping after the salon?” Hallie asks Nat, whose eyes light up. “It’s only a block from the salon.”
“Oh, definitely,” she says. “We can get her something there. They should be open now, and if we’re out of there by, say, 10:30, we should be golden.”
I look from Nat, contemplating her adjusted timeline, to the admittedly boring closet behind her, and speak without thinking.
“I think…I think I need a new wardrobe,” I say. “Do you think we have time to get a few extra things?” Silence lingers before Nat speaks.
“Oh my god, I think I just came,” Nat says, and I look to her, part concerned, part entertained.
“Ignore her. She’s gross,” Hallie says.
