𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

𝟏 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲

Sometimes I wish I didn't lead the life I do. Let's talk. I'm Saliyah Clarke and I'm your average junior. I go to Riveredge High School in Levingston, Pennsylvania. It's about how you'd expect, lockers, parties all the time, and the whole school hierarchy thing. Sevyn and Savon Clarke are our high school's resident queen and king, and if you put two and two together, you'd have guessed that those are my siblings. Being their sister isn't ideal when I'd do anything to blend in. Going out and about isn't my forte which is why I was in no rush to give my best friend, Cassie an answer when she wanted to know if I was going to my twin siblings Savon and Sevyn's birthday party, which as luck would have it, was being held in my living room.

Saliyah, you have to come. It's in your house" Cassie deadpans, swinging me back and forth in the already crowded hallway.

"Cass, I really don't want to. You know how I feel about these types of things." I reply, over the conversation already. Cassie, not caring, continues badgering me about it. Cassie Marks is my absolute best friend, she was there for me. For everything.

"C'mon please, you barely go out anymore...since Micheal"

"Can we go now? We gotta get to the chem lab." I say, shrugging past Cassie, not wanting to continue this conversation.

"Liyah I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset, I just want you to have the best experience possible." My friend calls from behind me.

I relax and smile a bit, knowing my friend only wants the best for me.

"Come to the party with me, please?" She adds.

"Fine Cass, you coming over to help me get dressed?" I say caving.

"You know I am, is Savon home?"

I shake my head at this knowing my best friend has the biggest crush on my older brother Savon. I laugh and tell her to let's go and we walk to the chem lab and wait the rest of the day for the bell to ring at its scheduled time.

Later at about 5:30, 30 minutes before the party is scheduled to start, Cassie and I start getting ready. Cassie chose a bubblegum pink maxi dress that looked amazing on her. I walk out of the bathroom to see my best friend staring at me.

"What? Should I change?" I ask, feeling insecure about my outfit choice. I decided on a fitted black dress with my denim jacket and some clear heels.

"Uhm absolutely not, you look stunning."

My cheeks started to get hot from the sudden compliment.

"Thanks"

"You know it"

After doing our makeup and putting my black and blonde braids into a high ponytail cascading down my back, my sister Sevyn comes sauntering into the room with a silver floor-length dress and her curls bouncing.

"Sevyn! You look so good" Cassie says, admiring the girl as she spins and twirls.

"Thanks, Mini Me" Sevyn flashes her a grin. Cassie smiles at the nickname.

"18 looks good on you girl, happy birthday" I smile at my big sister. She leans down and kisses my forehead. "Liyah can you do my makeup real quick?" Sevyn asks me.

"Yeah, what do you want done?"

While doing my sister's makeup, I couldn't help but think what life would be like if I were like her, popular and social. Instead, I was simply the opposite; unknown and shy. It's been like this since freshman year. I think about my formative years until I'm snapped out of my trance by my older brother walking into the room, letting us know it was time to go downstairs. Cassie, Sevyn, Savon, and I descend the stairs leading into the foyer, already full of people. Savon held my arm to help me steady myself, thanks to the heels I stupidly decided to wear tonight.