Deadly Dynasty

1

May 2018

The graduation ceremony was relatively uneventful. We all walked down the aisle through the rows of chairs in our red graduation gowns, sat and listened to one boring speech after another, got our diplomas, threw our caps up, and left. Wyatt and mine's mother even attended, along with a few other relatives despite Wyatt and I not being on the best terms with them. None of them agreed with our decision to be musicians. So much so that mom wanted Wyatt and me out of the house because she didn't want to "enable our rockstar lifestyles," even though we were only 18. But that didn't stop our mother from embracing us both and giving us each a big kiss on the cheek. After we spoke with our family, Wyatt and I got with the group of friends that we both acquired within the past couple months to get a group photo. The group included:

Parker Maroney

Megan Dormer, Parker's girlfriend

Austin Cornell, a close friend of Parker's

Collin Cornell, another one of Parker's friends and Austin's cousin

Molly Barnett, Austin's girlfriend

Madison Andrews, Collin's girlfriend

Megan, Molly, and Maddy; We often called them the three M's. They all looked similar: extremely pretty, long blonde hair, and fair skin. And then I was thrown into the mix and I stuck out like a sore thumb with my dark hair and olive skin tone. But they still accepted me. 

Each couple stood by each other with their arms around one another while Wyatt and I stood to the side of the group for our picture. It was sweet seeing the couples happy together. But I couldn't help but be a little bitter over my relationship with Damian ending, especially so chaotically. The group made sure I wasn't sad during prom, which occurred only weeks before. I appreciated every single one of them. 

"I'll be seeing y'all at the party tonight." Parker told us as the group was about to disband. 

"Didn't you say that your cousin would also be coming?" Megan asked.

"Yeah, he uh...I don't know where he went actually. He's here somewhere. But yeah, he's coming too." Parker confirmed. 

My stomach squeezed. I had to meet someone new tonight? I was already nervous as all get out when Parker introduced Wyatt and me to the group. Wyatt was always the more social one. He was my rock. I always stood back and observed. But it's just one person. I've survived meeting new people before. I did so when Wyatt and I moved here to South Carolina three years ago. Meeting one more person won't hurt.

"Didn't you say he was from Canada?" Maddy asked.

"Well, he's originally from here. But then my auntie and uncle got divorced 10 years ago and she took him out of the country for some reason." Parker confirmed. 

Everyone agreed to meet at Parker's house tonight for the party. Wyatt and I drove back to the gun room with our mom in the back seat and the rest of the family members rode in a van behind us. We quickly showed them around the little miniature house with two bedrooms that included a pool table, foosball table, and a separate room that acted as a recording studio. Outside sat a couple rows of dog kennels that were rarely used. Waverly and Kenneth already scouted the place before we moved in but they still decided to check the place out again.

"Good job on keeping it clean." Waverly said playfully while lightly punching Wyatt on the arm. 

And then the family went back to the hotel room. Mom was the last to leave. We could tell that she still loved us immensely. And she was hesitant on kicking us out at first. But she at least let us stay while we found a place to live. But living here had some perks. The house that mom bought was small and there wasn't room for a recording studio. And Wyatt and I were learning how to be independent. So while mom didn't approve of the lifestyle that we chose, at least we still graduated high school and we were still being responsible. She told us that she was proud of us before hugging us and leaving with the rest of the family.