The Worst Year Ever

Party

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Party

I blasted music so loud this morning that it made it hard for me to think. I took a quick shower and then I got dressed and ready to go over to Elena's because it's her birthday today! I danced around as I got dressed and applied my make-up. I decided that I'm not going to let anything get me down today. It's going to be a good day today because my best friend is turning 18 and we're going to have a blast!

When I was done getting ready, I packed my overnight bag for Elena's since Ashley and I are spending the night. And then, I ducked under my bed to grab Elena's messily wrapped gift. At first glance, I noticed that the wrapped make-up kit I bought Elena looks slightly smaller, but I just shrugged it off. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

I turned off the music and grabbed my overnight bag and Elena's gift and skipped downstairs to tell Mom that I was going to Elena's now. But I stopped dead in the doorway to the living room when I saw Mom sitting on the couch sobbing. I didn't need anything getting me down today, so I just decided to leave. She knew where I was going anyways.

I arrived at Elena's house about five minutes later. I don't knock at Elena's house anymore because I've been over so much, and I'm practically family, so they don't even care. When I enter the house, I see that Ashley is already there, and they are both sitting on the couch with their backs facing me.

"Hey, guys," I say to announce my presence. They turn to me and smile but it doesn't look like the genuine smile. They seem fake--strained. I miss their old smiles.

I set Elena's present on the counter and walk over to them and sit next to Elena on the couch. "So what were you guys talking about?"

"We were talking about Skylar," answers Ashley.

"Oh," is all I say.

"Yeah, we just really wish she could be hear today," Elena says.

"Yeah, great story, so do you guys want to play some music or something?" I ask them.

"I'm not really in the mood to listen to music right now," Elena says.

"Oh, come on, it's your eighteenth birthday. We have to have some fun." And then I walk over to the radio that sits on the counter and turn it to my favorite radio station and then I start dancing in the middle of the kitchen. Ashley and Elena just look at me and then turn forward again. I roll my eyes at their stubborness and walk back over to them. I grab Elena's right wrist and Ashley's left wrist and slightly pull them up but they both pull their wrists out of my grip. Oh, come on guys, have a little fun."

Elena rolls her eyes at me and gets up to go to the kitchen and unplug the radio. She turns to me and says, annoyed, "Listen, Helen, we're just not in the modd right now, okay?"

I sigh, "Fine." 

E'ena goes back to the couch and I take my place next to her. We just sit there in silence for what seems like ever until Ashley finally speaks. "Hey, do you guys remember when we got kicked out of family dollar?"

"Yeah," Elena laughs, "you said it was because you were black."

"It was!" Ashley exclaims, "I saw that white bitch eyeing me from the moment we walked in."

"Even though it really was because you threw something to me from over the aisle," Elena laughs again.

"Yeah and then me and Skylar take off our shoes and run screaming in front of the store and then we book it because I wouldn't put calling the cops past those white people."

"Poor, Helen, all she wanted was to buy a yo-yo," Elena says to me, and then she turns to Ashley, "Hey, I still have that video."

"For real?" Ashley says and Elena nods, still laughing st the memory. "Sweet!"