Just As I Am

Six

Over a few weeks, the friendship I had between Melissa and her other friends blossomed. Melissa took a special interest in me which her other friends didn't have. She even bought me clothes. I was so glad that I had finally found a friend. This was easier than I had expected. Melissa also invited me to parties and whatnot.

I had heard a lot of people talking about how Melissa was just using me and how I wasn't truly her friend. I didn't believe them because Melissa and I were very, very close.

I was told by Melissa that I didn't need to worry about my grades. She was correct, I got good grades even though I didn't work for them. I was preparing for Thursday night. Melissa had invited me to a party at her house. I couldn't wait.

Thursday night finally arrived. I had delayed telling Dad about the party because I was unsure about how he would react. However, I decided to give it a try.

"Hey, Dad", I said.

"Hey, Karen", Dad said, looking up from his desk.

"Uh... I just wanted to ask, uh, tell you about a party I want to go to", I said.

"A party?" Dad asked.

"Yes, it's tonight. Can I please go?" I asked.

"Tonight's a school night, Karen and you know that. No, you're not going to the party", Dad responded.

"But Dad...." I began, pleading with Dad.

"No buts, Karen. You're not going to the party and that's it", Dad said in a stern voice.

I sighed. I knew Dad was serious about this. He wasn't one to change his mind easily. I went to my bedroom and as usual, my thoughts wandered. If Mum was still here, maybe she would have allowed me to go to the party. I had just broken the promise I had made to myself and my shrink. I had promised not to think of all the things that Mum would have done if she was still alive. This only made me feel more depressed. 

I needed something to distract me from these depressing thoughts. I knew what to do. I would tell Melissa that I couldn't make it to the party. Just as I was about to call Melissa, the cell phone rang. I sighed. It was Melissa. I pressed the answer button.

"Hello, Melissa", I greeted.

"Karen, where are you? We're at your house right now", Melissa said, not bothering to greet.

"I'm at home. My dad won't allow me to go to the party", I told Melissa truthfully.

  "So? You can sneak out", Melissa suggested.

"Sneak out?" I asked, surprised that Melissa would even suggest such a thing.

"Yeah exactly. Hurry up. We're waiting", Melissa said and hung up.

I sighed and tried to think of a way to sneak out. Okay. I knew just what to do now.

"Dad?" I said.

"Yes?' Dad said, looking up at me.

"I'm just going to take the trash out", I said.

"Oh ok", Dad said.

I quickly ran outside. I hid behind a tree and quickly changed into a yellow knee-length dress with black stripes. I quickly hopped into Melissa's car and soon, we were off.