Teen-Adulthood 101

Chapter Three

Eight weeks later, Rain, Amanda, and I were at Laney's getting our hair and nails done for our triple date tonight.

"I can't believe we're seeing Shinedown and Killswitch Engage in concert, tonight!" I yelled. "This is so awesome!"

"I can't believe you and Rain haven't been sick, yet!" Amanda laughed. "The two of you were puking your guts out for two weeks straight!"

"Actually, I was sick this morning, but I'm fine, now! I just get nauseated when a loud smell comes my way!"

Rain just giggled. "Yeah, me too! You think we have some weird ESP disease, Hales?"

"It's highly possible, or it could be something else! Who knows?"

Amanda shook her head. "I'm just glad you're both well, so we can go to this concert, tonight! This will be the best night of our young lives. Which reminds me, are we still getting ready at your house, Hales?"

"Of course! I need some help planning my outfits and we need some girl talk!"

Rain just sighed. "I can't! My stepmother wants to speak to me before I leave about how I should spend time reading the Bible and attending church retreats on weekends than attending 'satanic events' with boisterous friends."

"What?" gasped Amanda. "You're kidding!"

"I wish! I swear, for a twenty-six-year-old, Mary sure is a total sanctimonious bible-thumper and a control freak!"

I just rolled my eyes. "My father was a major control freak. He forbade my mom to work, forced her and Laura to wear super conservative clothing, made them pull their hair back in a bun, and had us in church every Sunday and Wednesday. He was always lenient towards me when it came to what I wore and my friends, but was always adamant that I, along with Laura excelled in school and extracurricular activities, which I never complained because I love school. Now, he and my mom are divorced and my dad's out of our lives."

"You're totally better off, babe!" Rain sighed. "Anyways, please don't be long getting me. I cannot stand Bloody Mary's lectures.

"Okay!"

An hour later, Amanda and I were in my room picking outfits while listening to Three Days Grace's "It's All Over."

I held out a black, rose print jumper, white top, and black tights. "What do you think?"

She shook her head. "It's too dark! Pick something else!"

"Okay!" I took out a white, corset top, short, black pleather pleated mini, and black thigh-high boots. "How about this?"

"Now that is sexy! It even goes well with your flame tips!"

"Yeah, that is true! Anyway, are you excited about tonight?"

She just laughed. "I am! I still can't believe Jake set me up with one of his friends. How much you know about him?"

"Well, according to Jake, he's seventeen, lives in Noxapater, a freshman at East Central Community College, and loves rock music and video games."

"Same as me, except he's on campus and I'm taking courses through the high school. So, what's his name?"

I grabbed my clothes. "Kyle Lawson and that's all I know! Now, let's get dressed."

We headed to Rain's thirty minutes later, with my mom riding shotgun.

"Nice driving, sweetie!" My mom smiled.