A Righteous Love

Chapter Twenty-Four - Don't Do Anything I Wouldn't Do

Chapter Twenty-Four - "Don't Do Anything I Wouldn't Do"

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Three days prior to Christmas, I found myself in my room getting ready for Kate's annual holiday party. A yearly tradition that she coined since the beginning of high school – everybody knew about it, of course. It was nothing too ridiculous, but we were expected to look presentable. Orders from Kate Whitfield herself.

After adding a second coat of mascara and spraying some perfume on my wrists, I touched up my previously straightened hair to make sure it was a smooth as possible. I pulled on a simple white turtleneck, pairing it with a black button-down skirt. From my jewelry box, I got out some earrings, then I put on my watch without a second thought. Pretty simple ensemble, but I was aiming for comfy and cute.

All that was left to put on were shoes, so I slid on a pair of short black ankle boots, and grabbed a denim jacket for an extra layer. I took a moment to stop and look at my reflection, smiling at myself in the mirror.

It was a real, genuine smile and it made me feel so good inside. For once, I wasn't faking it. So on that high note, I walked downstairs to find my mom sitting in the living room.

"Oh hi, I didn't hear you come home," I said, a bit startled to see her.

"Yeah, I got in kind of late. About an hour ago," she breathed as she rested her head back on a pillow. I sat down on the couch next to her and tucked my legs underneath me. She glanced at me from the side, taking a slow sip of tea. "Going out?" She queried.

"Mhm," I hummed with a nod. "Kate's having a Christmas party, so we're all going."

"Oh, have fun. Be careful too," she said, trying to sound casual. But it didn't really work; I could read through her tone like it was my job.

"I know, Mom," I rasped, glancing down at the floor.

She didn't say anything else for a few minutes, while we both watched whatever show she had playing on the TV. All I wanted was that text from Ashley, telling me she was here to get me so I could get out of my house.

"Is Dylan going?" My mom suddenly asked, so I nodded to answer her. "What about Chase?"

"I would think so," I shrugged.

I told her about how we started over and she was uneasy about my choice, just like my friends. I sort of expected it from her because she knew about my life choices and how sometimes, they weren't the best. But she agreed that it was my decision and it was up to me, and that if it was what I wanted, she would be there to support me. That was all I really could've asked for.

"Well, regardless of who's there, have fun," she smiled genuinely up at me, and I did too.

I looked at her for a second longer, noticing the bags under her blue eyes which were identical to mine. The fatigue on her makeup-less face was clearly there. It was on her face, written in her eyes, and dripping from every limb. I wanted to open my mouth and say something, but I didn't want to get into a serious talk right now.

Not before a holiday party where I was supposed to be happy and carefree with my friends.

Then my phone vibrated and I knew Ashley was here to get me. So I stood up and said goodbye to my mom, then I walked out the front door to Hunter's car waiting for me in the street.

Justin came out of his house at the same time I did – which makes sense because he was two doors down – so the both of us squeezed in the backseat together. Dylan told me he was going meet us there because he had some stuff to take care of and would be late, so we didn't have to worry about picking him up. I was hoping that he won't be too late, though.