A Matter of Freedom

Chapter 1

"Now, Crystal dear," my mother walked into my room, putting her earrings on. "Remember not to-"
"Leave the house or, ideally, my room." I finished for her. I continued her usual spiel,"There's food in your mini fridge, don't use the oven, you have a microwave, and especially no opening the door for anyone. I'd appreciate it if you didn't open any windows either, okay?"
She looked at me, expectant.
"Yes mom, I get it, if I can repeat back to you what you want me to do, I think I get it."
She sighed, "I just... It's a dangerous world and you're so young." She started to come over to me so she could hug me.
I got up and wandered my room to avoid her, "I'm 16, I'm not a toddler like you seem to think."
"Well then," she sniffed, straightening up and smoothing her dress down, "Goodbye, your father and I will be back at 8."
I watched out the window for them to leave. Then, waited 5 more minutes. When I was sure they weren't going to circle back around, I pulled out my phone.
"Crystal? What's up?" My best friend Alice Montgomery answered.
"I've had it, it's time to break the rules. Initiate your plan."
"Finally!" she squealed, "I thought you'd never give the go ahead."

I didn't know any of these people. Well, save Alice and Amber Boyd. Amber was the other member of our little trio. Those two were the ones that socialized. My mother wanted to know all the friends I had, every last one. So, I saved time by only having two.
That was biting me in the ass right now.
I was basically letting one hundred-some strangers into my home. Either way, it didn't matter, I was going to have fun for once in my life. I only had until 8 o'clock, I wasn't going to waste any time being shy at the party I asked to throw.
I quickly found a guy and started dancing. I had no idea who he was, but that wasn't really important. He was cute and a good person to start with. Besides, he didn't touch anything he didn't need to. That was always a plus.
At this point, nothing mattered, the fact that I didn't know how to be a flirt didn't matter, the fact that it was my first party didn't matter. The thing that mattered least were my parents and their rules. I swung my hips and I flirted the best I could with guys I'd never actually date.
A few of them called me a tease and a few girls called me a slut. Did they really think those things? They really must be in their own little worlds. Either that or I was in mine.
Then, the clock struck 8 and I heard a piercing sound coming from my mother's lips. A sound birthed from anger. My world shattered as I was brought back to reality. I knew I was in for it and so did the people there because in about 10 seconds, it was all gone. There wasn't a trace of Alice or Amber either.
That was the beginning. That was what made my mother decide I needed constant care. It was when she decided I needed new friends and to never disobey again in the slightest.