chapter 2
“Zoë and Chloe are going to the mall today can I join?” I asked
“What about homework sweetheart” I plopped down beside dad and rested my head on his chest looking up at him and giving him the best puppy dog eyes I could muster.
“Please daddy,"
“Just this once but be back early we have to go to the Catholic Church today”
“I was hoping we can do that next year I am not feeling like it”
“It is for your own safety”
“I don't think sprinkling some holy water on me and making me wear this catholic rosary will keep me safe, should have taken me to karate class… today isn't even my birthday dad”
“We have to do it today”
“Okay I will be back in time I need two hundred dollars”
“For what!!!” he asked with his eyes widened.
“To buy a dress”
“What?!!! you aren't even going anywhere”
“But today is my birthday at least let me party alone in my room in style”
“Is there nothing awkward about what you just said” dad shot me that look you know the look I am talking about the look you parents give you when they know you are dating your best friend's boyfriend that was the look he gave me
“Dad, you talk to yourself in the grocery store” I countered so we didn't have to talk more about this awkward topic anymore. Just as I expected my father pulled out his wallet and gave me his credit card.
“Thanks” I plucked it from his hand then went to Chloe and Zoë”s house
“Hey we were just about leaving for the mall”
“Thank God I am here in time I took permission from dad and he gave me his credit card”
“You are coming for two thousand”
“Well no” I said shrugging
“Seriously, you have to sneak out”
“I thought you guys were gonna talk to him”
“We did already and he plainly said no from the second we heard it the fifteen hundredth time we knew he wasn't budging,” they said at the same time which freaked me out cos they didn't get a single word different from each other's
“You guys should stop doing that it is creepy”
“What is” they did it again”
“That thing, where you guys say things at the same time can't you say different words”
“Of course we can I'm Chloe (I'm Zoë)” they said simultaneously again “see different,” they said
“Okay? Let us go to the mall”
“You should totally get this I don't think Alec will be able to resist you in this”
“You think I was going for something like this you know beautiful and sweet”
“But provocative, beautiful AND sweet come on you need to get this dress,” Zoë said alone for the first time in our friendship, I was so relieved that they didn't have to switch turns in speaking and the other would have to hide in a closet and talk to herself for half an hour. But it would be nice to understand my sister's every conversation
“I will get it only because you said it yourself this time, now you girls need to give me a sneaking out plan”
“Easy wait till your father falls asleep then jump out through the tree in your back yard”
“What if I hurt myself?”
“Please, we have done it billions of times I assure you, you can't hurt yourself”
“I have a better idea; I just make dad a nice turkey dinner and wait for him to fall asleep”
“Yeah if you don't want to be adventurous” they laughed
“Must you guys make fun of everything I do?”
“Yes, because you are like a little country girl without the accent”
“I am not a little country girl I am very popular in school”
“Yes for your cuteness but do you see any guy whistling at you no cos they are afraid you will start teaching them about the history of your rosary”
“The fact that you enjoy guys whistling at you two makes me want to weep for you”
“It is 'cry', you fourteenth-century woman”
“People say weep it is very normal”
“You are very abnormal”
“Dad I hope you enjoyed dinner”
“I did darling thank you so much” my dad stifled a yawn then sat on the couch which made me cackle inside
“I am going to bed, good night dad”
“Good night snowflake I will check up on you later”
9: 12
I tiptoed down the stairs as quietly as I could when I heard snoring in the living room. Dad was already asleep and to make sure the TV didn't wake him up I grabbed the remote from the little coffee table beside his chair then turned off the television then crept quietly up the stairs. It looked like I had to take Chloe and Zoë's escape plan cos there was no way I was passing that living room again without making any noise. I took my backpack then emptied all the contents onto my bed. Half side of me was telling me this was wrong but the other dominant half was saying take you can die after this party just enjoy your teenage years before you get too old and you have to work all day like your father. I stuffed the new clothes I bought into the backpack then opened my window carefully so it won”t make that screeching sound it usually did when I just wanted to sit and read on the ledge.
“So how'd you get out?”
“I snuck out the window”
“No way, you did?” they exclaimed,
“Yes you told me to, I almost beheaded myself”
“We were kidding winter”
“well you need to know what to joke about you guys do you have any idea how branchy that tree is I could have plucked my eyes out or worse bruised my face”
“Sorry… It is past nine so I think we need to dress up if we want to get to that party before we go from being fashionably late to awkward little pigs”
I removed my dress from my bag thankfully it wasn't rumpled. I pulled off the hoodie I was wearing and the jeans then adjusted my underwear so it won”t show over the tight dress I was forced to buy. When the body was over my body and the shoes were on my feet I looked in the mirror. “How do I look?”
“Your body is to die for” they both gushed, they were dressed as well so as soon as we got our hair and slight makeup done Zoë and Chloe drove me to the party with their car.