Five Steps Away

Chapter 3

"You can do this. You can definitely do this." I've been repeating those words to myself for the past 5 minutes in my mirror. I tug at my braids. They don't look right.

I pull them up in a bun, before tying them up in a ponytail, then into space buns. But none of the hairstyles look perfect enough. I've always loved my braids, the one thing I know will always look nice with whatever outfit I'm wearing. Getting them done always multiplies my confidence by 10. Today though, not so much.

I'm overthinking this. I just need to relax. This isn't a big deal. It's only Cire's 18th birthday. Just a big party with half the school coming. No big deal.

I pull my skirt higher, looking at my outfit as a whole. A white bralette top, with a high waisted tube skirt. Would Cire like this? I think back to the last party we went to together. Wearing something this revealing probably wouldn't be a good idea. I'd rather not fight tonight.

I take the bralette off and pull on a tight black crop top that ends right beneath my belly button, and I switch the skirt for boyfriend jeans. At least these clothes will keep me warmer. It'll probably be pretty cold outside.

I go back to my hair, taking it out of the space buns and tying it up into a high ponytail. I check the time. 11:47 P.M. I should get going soon.

Today's Saturday. Or more specifically the 15th of September. The big day I've been trying to prepare for forever. Up until last month I still didn't know what to get him. I mean what do you get the person who already has everything? His parents own some big company, which means they have a lot of money. And they definitely don't shy away from spoiling him. So practically everything I planned on buying him he already had in his room on display. That is until I was scrolling through my social media. First time an instagram ad actually proved to be useful.

I grab the little blue wrapping paper covered box from my bedside table, sling my purse on my shoulder, walk out my bedroom door and head down the stairs. As I do I notice my mom sitting in the living room surrounded by textbooks, papers filled with notes, and a laptop. Aunt Mia sits across from her, a laptop on her lap. Aunt Mia is the first to notice I'm here.

"Hey, baby. Another party?" She slightly tilts her laptop downward. My mom finally notices I'm here, but barely tears her gaze away from her books for a second, before she goes straight back into writing notes.

"Yeah. It's Cire's birthday today." I move to the couch where aunt Mia sits and hug her.

"Bye," I say. Right before I can leave though, my mom looks up from her books.

"Come here honey." she opens her arms wide for me to come in. I hesitate. God not this again.

She wouldn't have asked for a hug if I hadn't hugged aunt Mia first.

I give her a quick hug, keeping as much distance between us (whether that be consciously or unconsciously) before I move away and out the door.

I get in my car and drive to his house. When I get to his street I see cars after cars parked alongside the road, all leading up to his house. I can barely see the house from here, but I can already hear the music. It's blaring.

I park a couple of blocks away and start walking. I know for a fact I won't be able to find any parking near the house.

When I get there, my ears are ringing. It always starts like that. After a while, I'll get used to the volume though.

More people showed up than I expected. I push through what feels like millions of bodies to look for Cire. House parties are only fun after the first couple of minutes of being there. The first 10 minutes, the noise is loud, everything feels hot and stuffy, and the alcohol stench is too much to handle.