Not good for you

01;

After what felt like an eternity, we could finally change after the ceremony and head to the party that would mark the end of our high school years. I'd decided not to attend because I had never heard anything positive about the kinds of parties my classmates threw. Besides, parties just weren't really my thing. There always seemed to be some altercation or infidelity that led to so much drama, sometimes even attracting police involvement.

However, my best friend, Leigh Maxwell, with her upbeat personality and countless tattoos, convinced me to change my mind this time. We've been friends since freshman year, and I couldn't imagine wrapping up high school without her. While she often had questionable ideas, this party actually seemed fun.

What was graduation without getting drunk and letting loose with all your goofy classmates?

My mother wasn't too keen on me joining Leigh to go to Jolene's party, who happened to be the most two-faced person in our lives. She could be your best friend, someone who'd have your back anytime, or the kind of person who'd stab you in the back without a second thought. Her kindness and loyalty depended on her mood for the day, which was both irritating and somewhat sad. It was clear that she never had real friends.

The only reason I agreed to go to this one last party was that Leigh promised to take me to the cinema and pay for everything, including the shopping we'd do afterward.

My mother always said you'd be valued more if you stood your ground against money. But what if it was about a movie night? I could never say no to that.

I watched my mother throw my robe-filled bag into her car. She crossed her arms when she closed the door, her piercing blue eyes never leaving me. I already knew what was going on inside her head.

"I know what kind of lecture you're about to give," I started before she could open her mouth. "And I think that we can skip that part."

Needless to say, my mother wasn't impressed with my attitude. Her eyes were narrowed, and she had that look on her face— the look that every child knew and was either frightened or frustrated by.

It was the latter for me. Once I'd gotten older and she had become more immature, her stern words and expression lost their spark.

If I were younger, I'd not consider it, but I would obey every time without a question. That's how much power she used to hold above my head. But life changes people, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Maybe it was for the worse for both of us. She'd lost herself, and so had I, even though I'd tried everything in my power not to look after her. I didn't want to become as unreliable and short-tempered as she was.

"You don't even go to parties, Heddy." Mom gave me an exhausted look.

I waved my hand while looking for a reasonable answer that would be good enough for her. But I would probably stand here until next year if I started to reason with her. No one and nothing was good enough for her. She always had her plans and schedules and hated it if I didn't act as she wished. We were like two different worlds.

"I might have to find out what I've been missing out on," I answered casually.

"You said you don't even like Josephine," she replied.

"It's Jolene." I corrected her without breaking eye contact. I wasn't in the mood to stand up for Jolene, who was only happy if people would benefit her, but I didn't want my mother to ruin my graduation day.

"Same thing," my mother shrugged and grabbed her car keys from her purse.

"This is the first and probably the last party I'd go to," I said. "You act like you never had fun when you were a teen."