Navia And Destiny

Drumroll please

"I don't know Yasmin, I mean...if he wanted me to be his prom date he would've asked."
"You really take Luke to be the bold type don't you?"

Destiny sighed as she placed her phone on speaker and combed her hair down, tying it into two low ponytails.

"What if he already asked that Australian girl from AP English? I saw them sit next to each other on the bus once."
"Pretty sure that's his cousin."
"Are they really cousins or those cousins that are your cousins but not really your cousins? Those technically still have a shot."
"Dee, with all due respect as your best friend, Luke is clearly incapable of forming a relationship with anyone in school who doesn't match his recklessly shy persona. Or in other words, anyone that isn't you."
"But what if"-
"No buts Dee. And-oh-I have to take a shower."
"This is when you're taking a shower. Dude, we have to be in school in like ten minutes."
"Dee, I'm not in the yearbook as most likely to be late for my own wedding for nothing am I?"

...

"Destiny! Hurry up we gotta get going!"

"Great," Grandma Lauren said as she sized Jennifer up. "A road trip with a woman who got no good taste in music, or clothes. What on Earth are those pants?"

Jennifer held on to a mouthload of comebacks.
She assessed each one of them and realised they would all just make her mother-in-law get emotional and guilt-trip her way into living with them for a little while longer.

That's exactly how she was still around.

Jennifer forced a hard smile on.
"I'll be right back."

Stomping her way upstairs, Jennifer made her way down the hall to the room at the end with a 'Do not disturb' sign nailed on it.

"Comin' in," Jennifer said as she pushed open the door a bit slowly.

Navia was on her bed, sketchbook in hand, sketching away. Not caring to pay attention to her unwelcome guest.
She sighed.
"Great. The one time I don't lock my door."

Jennifer picked up one of the many clothes that were on the floor and threw it back down.

"What do you want mum?"

"This place is a mess Navia."

"It's Friday and it's six in the morning. Pretty sure that's not what you're here for."
"You're right. I need you to do your father and I a favour."
"Hit me."

Jennifer exhaled sharply.
"You're attending your sister's graduation."

Navia sat up. Her expression low and uninterested but clearly bewildered.

"Uh...no I'm not. Why can't you and Dad do it?"
"Your father and I are very busy. We're extra caught up today."
"Why can't Bertrand do it?"
"Navia, we are not gonna make the driver attend your own sister's highschool graduation."

Navia sighed. "So let's say I do attend this graduation."

"Which you are."

"... let's say I do attend this graduation. She'll walk on that stage, shake a few hands, probably catch a skin infection, receive her highschool diploma and get on with her life. What have I mentioned that won't happen if I don't go?"
"You didn't mention her being cheered on."
"Woah. You came here to bargain with me over attending and now there's cheering too? What do you people want from me?"

Jennifer sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't think I phrased this request right. Navia Carol Jacobs, you're attending your young sister's graduation and I'm telling you this while rushing to work so you see that there isn't time to argue or compromise. Are we clear?"