Are we too young for this?

-f-o-u-r-

"no."

"Mom please" I plead thinking that it would change her answer.

"Mateo I said no, you just got better and I don't want you getting mixed up in the wrong stuff again. So the answer is no. You are doing so well sweetie and I wouldn't be able to handle it if you ended up hurt again" her words cut deep. I could feel my guilt bleeding out of my body.

"Mom believe me, I understand. But I don't want everyone to have to walk on eggshells around me the rest of my life. I don't want to have to walk on eggshells. I don't want to have to miss out on life experiences because of the mistakes I've made" my throat hitches and I don't even know when I began to cry, "so mom please, I need to do this. To show you, to show dad, to show everyone including myself that I will be okay. Give me the benefit of the doubt."

That must have had some kind of effect on her because she caved and said okay. It's not like I was lying either. It's the truth. My mom brings me into another tight embrace, rubbing my back.

"I love you Mateo and I want to trust you."

"I know mom" I say wiping the tears from my face "I love you too and thank you. Don't worry, I'll be with Drew the whole night." That seemed to reassure her because she gives me a look letting me know I could go and get ready.

I make my way up to my room throwing on a blue and green striped sweater with the brand name on the front of it with a pair of blue shorts. I pull on my white socks with rusty orange strips on them and throw on my dirty Nikes. (see image at top to see the outfit)

I bring myself to my mirror taking a look at myslef. I can do this. I will have fun.

As if the universe knew I was done getting ready a text message from drew saying here pops up on my phone. I take one last look before heading downstairs and say goodbye to my parents befire I head out.

I hop into Drews car giving him a smile and dabbing him up.

"are you sure about going with me?" he asks obviously worried. I give him a reassuring look replying with im sure. He gives me a smile and drives off.

When we pull up to the house I can already tell its going to be a huge party. Everyone was here. Cars lined the streets and the ling driveway. People are flooding in and out of the house and i can hear music blasting from the backyard of thr house.

We get out of the car walking through the grass to get to the front door. We pass by a couple ppl making out and throwing up in the bushes. As we walk in music surrounds us makingbit hard to hear each other.

We walk deeper into the house finding our way into a living room where the smell of weed fills the air. I look around eyeing a group of 3 people sitting on the chouch smoking oit of a bong. Drew must have seen me looking,

"you okay bro?"

I dont know if i am. I knew it wasnt going to be easy but fuck. I have a craving. But I cant. I just look at drew and say "all good bro dont worry."

Drew leads me out of the living room making our way out to the backyard where people surround a fire pit and people fill the pool. We find our way to the fire pit grabbing some chairs to sit down.

Me and drew sit talking about school and how his chemistry teacher is a dick. I start talking about rehab and how i met some pretty cool people there. I keep talking but notice that I no longer have his attention as it was stolen by a girl with brown hair and gorgeous green eyes sitting across the fire pit from Drew. I see how she is looking at him and how hes looking at her practically drooling. "go talk to her" i say grabbing Drews attention back.

"what? No. I cant leave you. Im good" he respondes but I can tell he really wants to talk to her.

"look man shes obviously interested in you just go. Ill be okay. I promise" i say giving him a nudge.

"are you sure?"

"positive" i reply making his grin widen as he gets up and walks over to her. It makes me smile seeing how silly he is. I chuckle and start to get out of my chair but as soon as I stand up this guy rams into me spilling whatever drink concoction he had in his red cup all over me.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry!" the boy standing across from me exclaims.

"Youre okay" I sigh while wringing out my sweater.

"Are you sure? Want me to get you some paper towels?"

"no really youre okay." I respond with a little more annoyance than I meant.

"Really I feel terrible, let me get you a drink at least?" he proceeds. I finally bring my eyes up to him and im met with pericing blue eyes.

Hes tall with curly dirty blonde hair. Hes conventionally attractive and somewhat reminds me of a golden retriever.

My voice softens as I say "Actually im fine. Im not drinking but thanks for the offer." I say with a smile and recieve one in return.

"Im kyle," he introduces.

"Mateo" Respond taking his hand and shaking it.

"Well mateo, as fun as this was" he jokes, "I need to get back to my friend, shes not feeling very well but it was nice running into you" he says starting to walk away,

"it was nice meeting you too" I reply smiling my cheeks feeling a little red as I watch him walk off into the house.

As soon as hes out of my sight the awarness that Im still sopping wet comes over me.

Fuck I need to find a bathroom.