Poison Ivy

8.

So, I was grounded to infinity and beyond. Sneaking in last night only lasted for a total of 2.2 seconds. My dad was impatiently and very angrily waiting for me in the living room. He didn't seem to care that he woke up the rest of the house as he decided to go all wrath of the gods on me. I hadn't helped the case of proving he could trust me. Half of it was my fault, but at the same time half of it wasn't. But I couldn't tell him that, which only made me even more frustrated.

Monday went by pretty fast. Badge had barely spoken a word to me in World Cultures. We were too busy preparing for International Night, so we both were a little too busy to discuss what had happened last night. Even though that's the last thing I wanted to do. Running into Justin made things even more awkward. I apologized for skipping out on him and he apologized for kissing me, and I think he took it the wrong way when I told him it was fine, because he ended up giving me another light kiss anyway. I know I said that he deserved a fair chance, but realistically, it just wasn't going to work with him. I just had to find a good way to tell him.

Mr. Dmitriyev was frantically running around the gymnasium, making sure everything was in order for tonight. My grandparents and I had already set up our booth. I made a giant poster board of fun facts and pictures of Bulgaria, and my grandmother made some banitsas, which is a pastry filled with cheese and eggs, pumpkin, rice, and spinach, and cut them up into smaller pieces. I remember eating these often as a child before I became a pescatarian. My mom used to make them. My grandmama said that the only thing that was missing were their traditional clothing, which had she known about this event earlier, she would have packed it with her.

There were people here from all sorts of countries set up at booths: China, Japan, United Kingdom, India, Italy, France, Mexico, Mr. Dmitriyev handled Russia, Spain, Australia, and many more. Some booths had music, some had clothes, food, games. It was one of the best International Nights that the school has had in a while.

"Everything looks good, Tatum. You and your classmates did a good job." My grandmama complimented.

"Thanks, baba." I looked around the now crowded gymnasium, searching for my parents. They were supposed to be here to see all the hard work I put into this. They were nowhere in sight. I spotted Hannah across the room trying some sushi at Japan's booth, and Justin and Leslie were both at the Cherokee Nation booth. I caught Justin's eye, and he beckoned for me to come over. I couldn't be rude and ignore him. "I'll be right back, grandmama." I announced, quickly walking away.

"Hey." Justin greeted me with a hug. I returned an awkward hug.

"Hey, Justin, we need to talk." I began.

"Hold that thought." He cut me off. "I want you to meet my grandmother for all intents and purposes. He led me to an elderly woman who was maybe an inch or two taller than myself. She had long, gray hair tied up in a braid, and wore dark sunglasses over her eyes even though we were inside. "Grandma, this is Tatum. The one I've been telling you about." I watched as he carefully grabbed his grandmother's hand, and placed it in mine. "She's partially blind." He explained to me softly.

"I'm blind not deaf!" She swatted at him. Her voice ran shivers down my back. She gave me a warm smile. "You'll have to excuse my grandson. He does not always use his head. My name is Alice. It's nice to finally meet you." She gave my hand a firm shake, despite her fragile disposition.

"Nice to meet you." I greeted back.

"What beautiful green eyes you have." She commented.

"T-thank you?" It came out as a question.

"Great. Look what the cat dragged in." Leslie's voice always managed to make me cringe. It was like hearing someone scratch the chalkboard.

"Leslie, be nice." Her grandmother warned.