Another Wrong Turn?

Chapter Twenty-Five: Say You Love Me

            “What the hell is going on here?”

            Vince turned around and grinned sheepishly. “Oh, hi, Victoria. You’re here early. What’s up?”

            “What the hell is going on here?” I repeated.

            Vince sighed and dropped the brightly colored balloons on the floor. He slumped on a beanbag chair and rolled his head backward, closing his eyes, obviously relaxing himself.

            I crossed my arms on my chest, raising an eyebrow at him. “Are you going to answer my question?”

            “Mom is throwing a party.”

            My jaw dropped. “WHAT?!”

            “A party. You know, when you celebrate—.”

            “I know what a party means,” I snapped. “But why does Mom want to throw a party? Is there something we should celebrate about?”

            He opened his eyes reluctantly and locked eyes with me, scratching his head awkwardly. “It’s Mom and Dad’s anniversary.”

            “…Oh…”

            “I know. I felt bad, too—you know, forgetting about their anniversary,” Vince said, sighing wearily, running a hand through his hair. “Mom is out at the grocery, buying some party things and whatnots. She invited Suzanne’s mother, Miranda’s grandparents and Ian and his brother, just so you know.”

            I internally groaned. No wonder Suzanne and Miranda went home early (both girls received sudden calls from their guardians at the same time). As a result, Ian offered driving me home but he said he can’t stay since he needs to attend a “party.” But he didn’t tell me that it was my Mother’s party. But, on the other hand, it’s a Friday and it’s typical for a teenager to attend a party during these days so I didn’t question him.

            “You better take a shower and do things you do before you attend a party. And Mom said you need to wear a dress.”

            I gaped at him. “A dress? Seriously?”

            “Yeah, but not a formal dress. A casual dress,” he said, shrugging.

            “Good God, would this day get any worse?” I complained as I marched upstairs to my room.

            Three hours later, I heard Miranda’s voice from downstairs. And it seemed like she wasn’t alone. Because a second later, I heard Suzanne squealing Vince’s name and all those cheesy stuff.

            I smiled to myself as I rushed down the stairs. I was wearing a pink casual dress, nothing formal. Mom was still inside her room, getting ready for the party. After all, she’s the hostess and she must look her best.

            Miranda was the first one who noticed me when I stepped inside the living room. She was wearing a black dress—so typical of her. She grinned at my direction and waved at me. “Hey, Victoria!”

            “Hi!” I greeted back, grinning as I walked to her.

            Beside her was a woman who seriously looked like her. Her face was expressionless as she scanned the living room. Of course I knew her. She’s Ms. Naomi Parker, Miranda’s Mother. I know she’s a mentally disabled person, but I’ve known her before she’s a mentally disabled person. The first time I’ve met her, she was still sane and was happily married. Then she learned her husband was cheating on her and everything came crashing down. Everything—including her sanity and especially her heart—shattered.