The Movie Version by Emma Wunsch

Author:Emma Wunsch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2016-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

After we leave Epstein’s, we meet Ramona, Chloe, and three other girls, Jane, Olive, and Avery, for sushi. I’m not crazy about sushi and I don’t know if it’s because there are people I don’t really know or if I’m just in a bad mood, but as the night goes on I just keep feeling different from everyone. Unlike me, all Epstein’s friends have been to Europe. Unlike me, they all go to private schools. Olive’s older sister is spending New Year’s with Lena freaking Dunham! Unlike me, none of them has a schizophrenic older brother who thinks his clothes have been poisoned. I wonder what will happen if he decides to go for a drive somewhere or wants to sneak a bottle of liquor from my parents’ locked liquor cabinet.

By the time we get the check, I’m miserable and hungry. Raw fish isn’t filling.

After dinner, we cram into an Uber and head downtown to some girl named Sky’s loft. I’m only half-listening to the conversation Epstein is having with Olive and Avery, but I think they said Noah Baumbach once filmed in Sky’s apartment. Normally, I’d ask a million questions, but right now I don’t care.

Sky and I are the same height, but that’s where the similarities end. She has butt-length blond hair that’s pulled to one side and is wearing a see-through knit sweater with nothing underneath, not even a bra, silver leggings, a lot of silver bracelets on her arms, and knee-length black boots that look impossible to even stand in. It’s hard to believe she’s in high school. She looks like she comes from another planet. The apartment is a loft that’s bigger than my house.

Epstein keeps introducing me to people, but it’s awkward and I can’t remember anyone’s name. There are at least eleven Emmas, five Avas, and six Charlottes. A guy named Steel, with two huge earlobe-stretching tapers, spins actual records.

I am happy to see Holden, who shrieks when he sees me.

“Hi, Holden,” I say, looking up at him.

“It’s been too long, mon chérie.”

“It has. How are you?”

“De-pressed,” he says in a bad Texan drawl. “There is nothing for me to love on. I’m a sad, sad urban cowboy.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Oh, but I am a depressed cowboy, Amelia Jane.”

“Holden.”

“Ok, but imagine how hot I’d be if I was one.”

“But you’re not really depressed.”

“Oh no, that’s true. I really am depressed. I’m just totally miserable.” He winks at me. “My chances of getting laid are depressingly miserable. It’s vagina central here. Look at all these girls.”

Suddenly I feel miserable. Holden’s probably one of the happiest, funniest guys I’ve ever met.

“Oh. Sorry, Amelia.” He puts his arm around me.

“Why?” I look at him.

“I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry. I forgot about your brother. My bad. I shouldn’t be so cavalier about depression.” He gives me a shy smile, but suddenly I’m furious. At Holden, at Epstein, at everyone.

“My brother’s not depressed,” I spit out.

“Righto,” he says cheerfully. “Well, I’m going to get us an effervescent beverage.” He saunters away.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.