"Come on the worst they can say is no right" I say pacing my cramped bedroom. "I know that it is a party, but we don't have to actually tell them, right?" I say looking at my one and only true friend in this world…Nala. Is it depressing that my only friend is a lizard, yes but she's all that I've got right now. I look over at the glass aquarium at my lazy friend plopped down on her rock under her lamp, "Wow… Thanks Nala... you surely are wise beyond your years" I say with a pinch of sarcasm as I hear my father's booming voice calling me from downstairs.
"Everette come downstairs; dinner is ready!!" I take a deep breath as I look back at Nala then walk out the room taking my anxiety with me as the lizard sunbathes as if my life wasn't on the line depending on what I say in this moment. Taking a deep breath, I can already tell what we are having for dinner, it is my fathers 'world famous' lasagna that he doesn't even enjoy. The only reason that he does make it is to appease my mom. With sweaty hands I take a seat at the table with my 'loving' family, noticing that the ever-popular rice bowl is sitting depressingly empty. As my mother starts to serve us I don't even have time to get my question out of my mouth, before they start having boring small talk at the table. About work, school, daily events, what the neighbors were doing. How frustrated my mother was grocery shopping for our dinner.
"You could have at least come down to help me take the groceries in y'know" My mother scolding me, slowly bringing the spotlight to me.
With my hours thinking in my head as guidance on how to ask; I take the advantage, "Well since you are so cautious about my grades, I was studying." a total lie "but now that we're on the subject. There is this study group that is meeting tonight, and I was wondering if I could go?". Finally, the question I have been trying to get out is in the air. Though as I peek at my parents' expressions, I feel the tension in the room. They're glancing at each other as if they are having their own little conversation.
" You know how we feel about this Everette" my father finally said, breaking the silence, and now taking a bite of his dinner. I try to argue my feelings on this decision but immediately get shot down by my mother.
"Your father said no Everette, that's the end of it "as she's looking at me waiting for me to settle and eat before getting to her meal. I hate when they do this. They never listen to one thing that I say. Everything I want gets shot down in an instant.
"It's not fair" I say, poking at my bland lasagna. I hear my mother toss down her utensils in anger. The sound even made my father look at her since he hasn't made eye contact with either of us since this started.
"What's not fair is us having to move around the damn world because of you" those words slipping out of her mouth like an untold secret. After saying those words, it feels like time has stopped.
"That's enough June" my father surprised both of us with his sudden appearance in the conversation." Everett just takes your plate into your room. I'll be up to talk to you later, but first i have to speak with your mother."
"Don't bother I don't want to talk to you guys" I say, grabbing my plate and storming upstairs leaving them behind. Finally making it to my room I slam my door and locking it knowing it will only make my mother angrier. Looking over at Nala my anger starts to disappear, and sadly I start conversing with a lizard…. again
"I tried Nala, I really did but they are both so stubborn…I don't care anymore. I'm going to that party and there is nothing that they can do to stop me. I can't just stay cooped up in this house for the rest of my life,". Nala, not even paying any attention to me, I knew that I needed to go, or I would be stuck talking to a lizard forever. Like hell I'm going to let that happen. After arguing with myself for an hour I take the plunge. I carefully shift myself out of my window, hooking my foot onto the lattice fencing outside. Swiftly and cautiously getting down I make a break for the street taking a piece of paper I've been holding all day that had the address to the party on it. I feel the rush of adrenaline course through my body, this being the most rebellious thing I've ever done. I finally slow down and start to walk for what felt like an hour but make it to where the party is being held. Getting there I see people are already getting drunk, and beer bottles scattered all over the front yard. Walking in I look around trying to find my friend then suddenly I get grabbed and bunch in with other people. Everyone is attempting to shotgun their beer. I look down and suddenly I have a knife and a can of beer and a bunch of people telling me to try it out. As I try to aim for the can, the nerve and the attention that I get distract me and I end up cutting my finger with the knife. As soon as it happens, I drop both the can and knife in pain and embarrassment. Looking around I can see the worried faces staring back at me, so I quickly grab some napkins to cover my cut, but as I do so I feel an odd burning sensation. Ignoring the pain, I hurry out the door and see a familiar car with two very familiar faces… my parents. I quietly get in the back of the car with a sigh of defeat. The silence tells me as soon as I get home…I'm going to die.