Faults, Scars, and Guitar Strings

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

My parents did not create a long list of rules. Other than the rules mom already told me there were not many others to follow. They made it clear that they were still in charge even though I am technically living on my own. They will still provide for me with everything I need and I am not allowed to use my money in my bank account because it is reserved for after my high school graduation. I have to stick with my same curfew and do all my own chores. I cannot have friends over during the week unless it is for school and Lolita and I are not allowed to throw parties during the week, or even on Fridays. For my mom's own purposes, she created a mandatory Sunday dinner at my house. She insists on coming over, making dinner, and having a nice conversation to make sure I am still doing okay on my own. It all seemed fair.

The Saturday finally came for the house warming party. Lolita planned most of it and she and David provided most of the food too. The Danes Over Bullying group came early, which I completely expected, and it put the rest of our decorating plans at a stop. We arranged my furniture in a circle in the living room and put on some music quietly so we could talk. "How does it feel?" Maria asked first, "How does it feel living on your own?"

I shrugged, "To be honest, it feels weird. I mean, granted, Lolita and David are down the street and so are my parents, but it's still my house. It feels strange and kind of lonely at night, but that's okay. I do enjoy the quiet though. I've already written three songs since living here. I have such a large back yard I can write in. I also have a music room and a small library to write in too."

"How harsh were their rules?" Anastasia asked, "I know when I moved in with Maria her parents laid down so many rules because they were afraid we would get out of hand."

I laughed, "I think my mom was worried the most. Overall their rules are understandable though. They want to make sure I don't get carried away with thinking I'm an adult because I'm not yet. I had to grow up too fast, but they still want to make sure I enjoy the rest of my teenage years while I can. I have to do all my own chores, and I have to stay away from my bank account because it's for whatever I want to do in the future. And because my mom knows Lolita and I so well, we can't have parties during the week and the only time I can have friends over during the week is if it's for school."

"Even your mom came to me about that rule," Lolita laughed, "She claimed she wanted David and I to know the rules to help you follow them, but it was definitely because of my tendency to throw Danes Over Bullying parties."

David laughed with us, "Mom stared at her during the entire conversation."

"What should we start with anyway?" Dylan asked. "Lolita?"

Lolita grinned, "I have a few plans. We will open presents last. First we need to eat and talk. Once we finish eating we will move on to the games because we still have an awesome game room here. When the games are finished we move on to the theater room where we will watch all our old videos David created from last year."

"Why are we watching old videos?" Jack asked.

"I am glad you asked," Lolita laughed, "We are watching old videos because it will help us come up with incredible ideas for the next couple years. We still need to keep up our good reputation with events and dances to help with the no bullying policy at the school. We can always use new ideas, and they will help me spread the idea over social media and hopefully to more schools."

I nodded, "That sounds like a great idea."

"Onto the food!"

It took us all of an hour to eat, play games, and end up in the theater room. The games did not go as well as we planned. The last game, between Dylan and Jack, ended with all of us on the floor laughing and Dylan and Jack going to the kitchen for ice. David took control of the videos in the theater room. I sat between Lolita and Dylan. Dylan put his arm around me and I rested my head on his chest. We watched our assembly video first followed by my first cover video and my first official video. After that David played all the random footage he filmed that we never made into a video.