THE CONTEST \\ Michael Clifford[ON HOLD]

O N E

O N E

“Social Justice was kind of boring today, eh?” Stella piped up suddenly while we were walking home from the bus stop. I shrugged my shoulders.

“There’s not much to talk about. We already covered situations happening overseas last week, and I fell asleep early last night before I could research anything else we could do. Maybe I’ll do that when I get home,” I suggested while kicking a pebble. 

“Don’t feel bad. It’s one day that you didn't research. You’re honestly the best president the Social Justice Club has ever had,” Stella tried to cheer me up. I continued to kick the pebble down the road until it rolled into the ditch. Darn. 

“But hey! Theres still the contest to look forward to! Are you going to enter?” 

I scoffed, “Theres going to be so many girls entering that contest, Stella. Do you really think either of us will win?”

“With that attitude, no!”

I shot her a glare which she smiled brightly at.

“Why not try? Theres no harm, right? Please, please, please, please, please,” she begged. Getting annoyed, I shoved her into the road, which was luckily void of any cars.

“I could have died!” she exclaimed while running back to the gravel that we were walking on. I rolled my eyes at her. “There was no one coming, Stella!” 

“So! A car could have come fast and hit me!” 

“We would have seen it.”

“What if it was coming out of a driveway?” she smirked, knowing that she was irking me.

“Shut up Stella.”

For the past half hour I’ve been reading over the contest. It stated that we could only enter once with out twitter handles. If the person were to be chosen, then they would DM that person. And if that person got chosen, then they got to go on tour with 5sos on their Stars Stripes and Maple Syrup tour. Pulled out of school for two weeks to find out what the real tour life was like. Never in my entire life did I think that a band would be doing something like this. But 5sos cares about their fans, so they are. 

I don't know what possessed me to enter. But I did. With the final click of the mouse, I entered the contest. 

For the rest of the night I worked diligently on my homework. Mom was already home and preparing supper for us, but dad wouldn't be home for another hour. Working in the ER takes tolls on our family, but we support his passion for helping others. I guess thats where I get it from.

“So how was Social Justice today?” my dad asked while we were eating our supper. I shrugged my shoulders and looked down at my plate. 

“I forgot to look up any world issues last night, so we didn't have much to talk about,” I admitted. They both gave me scolding looks and I quickly shoved the food in my mouth to make the silence less awkward.

“I entered a contest,” I brought up suddenly. Both my parents looked at me in shock.

“Without our permission?” my mom asked.

“I’m 18!” I defended. My birthday passed last week, so technically I’m a legal adult. 

“You live under our roof, therefore you live by our rules,” my dad scolded once again. I bowed my head to them, realizing what I had done wrong. Curse you Stella.

“What was it for?” my mom asked. I sighed, knowing that they weren't going to like it.

“I could go on tour for two weeks with my favourite band. But I doubt I will win, I mean, I’ve never been lucky before,” I tried to reason.

“What about your studies? What will you do if you do win?” my dad asked seriously.

“Luke’s mom, Liz, is a teacher. She could help me. And I would have my teachers send me my homework through my e-mail,” I explained.

They stayed silent for a few moments. Then my mom spoke, “Go to your room.”

“What? Why?” I gaped while staring at my plate that was only half eaten.

“Because I said so. I cannot believe you would do something so irresponsible, Jocelynn!”

I loudly huffed and pushed my chair out from the table. I’m 18 and they don't let me do anything, it’s not fair! I quickly ran up the stairs and slammed my bedroom door shut. I then ran into my bathroom and quickly wiped all my makeup off and jumped into bed, clutching one of my pillows to my chest. I felt a sob rake through my body, and I let them all out.

Pretty soon, my dark red hair was sticking to my face and the pillow was soaked with tears. There was a knock at my door. I didn't answer, so whoever was there decided to come in anyways. It was my mom. Her face broke at my state.

“Oh honey, I’m sorry!” She cooed while rushing over to my bed and pulling my head onto her lap. I continued to cry as she delicately untangled my hair with her hands. 

“I feel like you guys don't trust me when I do anything. I’ve been the perfect child I can be, and I just want some freedom. I’m 18, mom!” I sobbed while cracking my knuckles, a bad habit of mine.

“Your father and I have been talking it over. If you do win,” she sighed, “You may go. As long as you get your homework completed and we must receive calls from your teachers to make sure you’re actually doing the work,” she added on. I instantly stopped crying.

“Really?” I asked while picking my head up and looking at her. She nodded her head.

“Your father and I have been to harsh on you. You are the perfect daughter, and we’ve been taking advantage of that.”

I didn't even bother to try and tell her that she was wrong, because she wasn’t. It’s true. Instead, I nodded and gave her a bright smile before hugging her tightly. “Thank you mom. Honestly.”

She chuckled slightly and gave me a tight smile. I knew that this was hard for her, but I needed some space. “Go to bed, you have a test tomorrow.”

I grinned at her as she walked towards my door. She turned my light off, whispered good night and that she loved me, and closed the door.

Finally, I could sleep in peace. 

=+=+=+=

Sorry its so short!

Anyway, THE CONTEST is now underway! I will only update on Saturdays, and maybe sometimes if i can during the week. Hopefully you liked this chapter and want to read more. 

Thank you to @anjindrova for voting on the prologue and copyright statememnt. That means a lot to me. 

Jocelynn is played by Debby Ryan btw, I put her picture in the multimedia!

See ya'll next saturday!

**kissmecliff0rd