Chrisen
"May I have permission to court Chrisen?" Cael asked boldly, standing beside me, looking nervously at my parents while facing Porcia and her boyfriend, Aiken.
"You have our blessing, Cael," Mommy Kaede said.
"That's right, son," Daddy agreed. "We won't interfere with Chrisen's decision. We just want her happiness. Please don't play with her feelings."
Cael nodded. "I wont, thank you."
"Perhaps they are waiting for you guys at the party, so go ahead and don't be late. If you get drunk, stay there; Xienna will take care of my daughter."
"Yes, sir."
Cael glanced at Porcia and Aiken. "Goodnight."
Porcia remained stoic, while Aiken smiled slightly.
"We're going, mom and dad. Bye, everyone."
Cael escorted me out of the mansion and opened the car door. Once inside, I buckled up and checked my phone. It vibrated.
"I'll pick you up later," a message from Porcia.
I smiled, thinking about our encounter earlier.
"Who are you?" I texted back to annoy her. I want to ruin her night with uncle Aiken.
Porcia replied, "Don't give me that attitude, Chrisen Miller."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You okay, Chrisen?" Cael asked as we left the mansion.
"I'm fine."
I turned my attention back to my phone as we drove to Cash's place.
*****
"Have you ever been in love, Chrisen?" It was Cash.
We were all drunk, having been drinking for hours.
"Huh?" I replied, looking at Cash.
"Have you ever been in love?" she repeated.
I nodded, laughing.
"Yes, but the wrong person. They don't like me."
Cindy chimed in, "No! No! No!"
Yunan agreed, "Every woman deserves the right treatment and love. Let's avoid men who think only of themselves."
We laughed, and I thought about Porcia. She's thirty-six and never been in love.
My phone vibrated again, but I ignored it.
"Washroom, guys," I said, standing slowly.
"Can you make it?" Cindy asked.
I smiled and walked carefully to the mansion.
Once inside, I saw the guys, including Cael, still drinking.
I used the guest washroom near the kitchen. After washing my face, I removed my shirt and used it to dry my face, feeling overheated.
I felt my phone vibrating again, so I took it out of my pocket. Without checking the caller, I answered, and Porcia's cold voice greeted me.
"For fuck's sake, Chrisen, where the heck are you? I've been calling you for almost an hour already, you brat!"
She sounded angry, but I found her adorable.
"Mommy, why do you need me now when you already have your daddy? Let me have mine too."
"You're fucking kidding me." She muttered under her breath.
I giggled; she often curses quietly, as if talking to herself.
