Free

You? Socialize? Yeah Right.

My family has never been one to question my social life, or lack thereof. My dad might joke about it every once in a while, but we would all laugh and move on. But for some reason, they blew up about it that Friday night.

My stepmom was arguing with my little sister Jaylee about whether or not she could go to the skating rink with her friends.

"You didn't let me go last weekend because we didn't have the money, so I should be able to go tonight. Why can't I go?"

"Because I'm your mother and I said no. Please just drop it."

Jaylee huffed and puffed and stomped into my room. "If it was you asking, they'd let you go, because precious little Kali gets whatever she wants. It's not my fault that I actually have friends and would like to go see them."

I hate arguing with her when she's like this, because I know she never means what she says. "I'm sorry, Jaylee. I'm sure mom has her reasons for making you stay home."

"It's just because you're not going anywhere!"

At this point, my stepmom walked into my room to see what was going on. "What are you two arguing about?" she asked.

"Nothing," Jaylee replied.

"I know that's a lie. Kali, would you like to tell me?"

Jaylee interupted, "I was just telling Kali that if she wasn't so socially inept then maybe I'd be able to go somewhere."

"Jaylee, please, I-" I was cut off by my stepmom this time.

"That's not all of it," she said. "Maybe your father and I wanted to spend some time with our family this weekend. Ever think about that?"

Of course, Jaylee had a comeback, as she did for everything. "No, because dad always goes out and golfs or hangs out at the fire department. Why would he-"

This time, I was the one to interrupt the argument. "Umm, mom, you said that me going out wasn't the whole reason she couldn't go skating. Does that mean it plays a part in your decision?"

"Yes, Kali," she sighed. "I just don't think it's healthy for your mentality to know that your little sister has more of a social life than you."

Now, I'm normally the hardest person to offend, and it takes a lot to make me mad. But this, this hurt. My stepmom thought that my sister going somewhere had an effect on my mental health. "I could go somewhere if I wanted. I just don't have any interest in getting drunk and hooking up with some random guy in the back of his smelly Impala. You should be grateful that I'm not a 'typical party teenager'."

"All I'm saying is that maybe if you went out every once in a while and wasn't always cooped up in this room, that you might feel better."

"Feel better? I feel fine! My social life is fine! As a matter of fact, I was invited to a party tonight, but guess what. I don't want to! Why? PERSONAL PREFERENCE!"

"Don't you DARE yell at me! And do you really expect me to believe that you, a teenager so socially incapable of even making small talk with a cashier at Wal-Mart, was invited to a high school party? Please!"

By this time Jaylee had already locked herself in her room, throwing herself a pity party.

"You know what? I'm going to the stupid fucking party, just to get away from this judgemental house! I can be rebellious. I can party. I can drink. I can get high. I can fuck random guys with god knows what kind of diseases. Bye! Probably won't be back later. Don't wait up."

As I was walking out the door, my dad grabbed me by the arm. I turned to him and saw the concern in his eyes. "Watch your language and please, for the love of God, be careful wherever you're going tonight."

I slammed the door and started walking down the road. It was times like these that I really wished I could drive. I texted Calab asking if he could come pick me up and he immediately texted back with a yes.

So he's not drunk yet. I wonder jf he's the only one.

I met with Calab about halfway. How I managed to walk the same distance he drove beats me, but I decided to forget about it.

"So, why the change in heart, dollface?"

"I'd rather not talk about it. I just needed to 'get out'." I did the air quotations with my fingers and mocked my stepmoms voice.

Calab gave me one last judgemental look, and started heading in the direction of the party.