dear diary

chapter 35

Part 1

It's finally my birthday.

I wake up to silence, as I expected I would. I was sort of thinking my mother would come barreling in here singing, gifts in her hands and a smile on her face but after last nights events I think it's clear that won't be happening.

I'm eighteen, finally an adult.

This isn't really the welcome to adulthood I wanted, though.

I've always been a big celebrator, because I think birthdays are worth celebrating, but I've been sort of hot and cold about this one. After last night though, any doubt in my mind about celebrating was wiped clean. I've made up my mind, I plan on celebrating and living my life to the utmost fullest from this point forward.

If the new year wasn't my shot at a restart, then this is.

I roll over in bed, rubbing my face with my hands and groaning out loud at the fact I'm expected to be at school today. I reach for my phone on the nightstand, turning it on to see many 'happy birthday' texts from Blaire and the guys, but nothing from Chase yet. Weird.

I shrug it off and get out of bed, showering and getting ready for school quickly because I spent a little extra time laying in bed and if I don't get ready fast I'll be late. After deciding on jeans and a crop top, with a jacket because it's still winter, I slide on my white converse and head downstairs.

I walk towards the kitchen to grab a water and a banana, but freeze in my tracks at the sight in front of me.

My mother, and Mark, groping each other in all the wrong places with their tongues down each other's throats. Is it even legal for people their age to kiss like that? I need a bleach bath for my eyes.

I clear my throat, and do it again louder when they don't acknowledge my presence. After my second attempt, they snap away from other and look at me, swollen lips and heavy breaths.

I really need an acid bath right now. This is not the unexpected present I wanted to find in my kitchen this morning.

"Delaney, good morning," Mark speaks, standing behind the counter to hide what I'm sure is nothing but erectile disfunction. "And happy birthday."

I nod in thanks, not having words to speak to either of them right now. I want nothing to do with my mother, and equally nothing to do with him. I reach over the counter and grab what I came in here for, taking it and turning around.

"Delaney, wait," I turn back to face my mother, her voice halting my escape. I'm growing desperate to leave. "Here, happy birthday. I meant what I said, I don't want you spending it alone," She extends a card in my direction, and I grab it before responding.

"I won't be alone, I'll be at Matt's tonight with the group. Don't wait up," I say, tucking the card in my bag and making my exit. She doesn't respond, but I didn't expect her to.

I barely make it to school on time, and I don't have any time to stop at my locker before english. I walk towards the classroom quickly, but don't make it there before someone wraps their hand around my wrist and pulls me into a dark room.

Based on the strong chemical smell, and what I think is toilet paper against my back, my guess is that I've been pulled into the janitors closet. I realize that maybe I'm a little too calm here, god forbid it isn't Chase or someone from school trapping me in here.