CHAPITRE 2
« - Come on Layla ! It's your birthday! Wake up! said my mother as she was knocking on my room's door.
- My birthday is ruined Mom ! Thanks for reminding me ! I yelled back »
To say the least, this is not how I was supposed to wake up on my birthday. I always imagined celebrating it at midnight completely drunk, kissing a random guy. But here I was, in my room as if I didn't turn to a legal drinker.
Anyway, I slept before midnight which means I obviously missed all my best friends' birthday wishes.
Through all those messages, the one thing that was coming over and over again, except the usual « happy birthday », is « even if you're locked down doesn't mean .. ». Let me spare you the end, it didn't change my mind about this whole so called « birthday ».
I put some music on to cheer me up, opened my windows to let the air come in and started dancing.. by my own.
Seeing this by far, I did need a birthday party. I wanted so bad to make a closure to this life, as an underage. Leaving all the garbage that came into my life behind.
Suddenly the music stopped, being replaced by my phone's ringtone. Ines was calling me .
« - Layla ! I'm so so sorry. I slept early yesterday. Happy birthday my love ! Even if you're locked down doesn't mean... she started.
-Just shh... shut up. Don't worry about me, I interrupted her abruptly.
-I have something to suggest.. What if you were able to have that birthday party of yours?
-What do you mean? It's forbidden. We can't go out.
-Well, my dad is a lawyer..
-And ?
-And somehow they let lawyers wander in the city.
-I don't know if you remember correctly Ines but may I remind you that I'm not a lawyer.
-Ugh why are you so dumb?
-So now you are calling me dumb?
-Come on Layla calm down. I'm just trying to help. My driver has the lawyer's tag on the car. He can pick you up and drop you off at my place.
-Do you think it's gonna work ? What if we get caught and have trouble with your parents? Besides my parents will never be okay with this.
-Stop overthinking. See you at 6pm »
She hung up, without waiting for my response. I don't know how I'm going to announce that to my parents. They will never let me take that risk. I could be caught and God knows how much I hate problems.
That's when I realised that I don't need their permission anymore. I'm 18 now. I can do whatever I want.
« - Mom can I talk to you?
I know that I'm now an adult but it doesn't mean I shouldn't warn them right ?
-oh you finally woke up. What's wrong?
-I...I'm going to Ines'. I'll be spending the night at her place, to celebrate my birthday. She prepared a cake for me I can't bail on her...
-Layla, how many times should I tell you that this virus is very dangerous? If you catch it, you'll infect us all, including your little brother.
-But mom, it's my 18th birthday. I promise I won't eat anything and will keep distant from everyone.
-You do know that the police is everywhere making sure no one's outside, don't you?
-Ines found a way to get me there. Please mom.
-No way in hell your dad is gonna accept that. You're risking too much. Do you know that you could actually end up in jail?
-What are you so scared about?
-You know what, do whatever you want. After all you're an adult now. Just remember that I warned you. »
I used to fear being in trouble with my mom. And doing the exact opposite of what she tells me, was not very usual to me. But it was the only way to save this year, my year. 2020, you seem to be such a mess.
« - Hello? Ines, can you hear me ?
-So what did your mom say?
-Nothing reassuring. She can't see me go out or I'm in a big load of trouble. Can we meet somewhere else? A bit far from my place ?
-You're so paranoid. She won't notice that you're out Layla !
-How can I be 100% sure about that?
-You can't. But youth is about making mistakes, fighting with parents, and...
-Shut up she might be listening to our call.
-See ! You're panicking! So... where will we be meeting?
-Let's meet in front of school okay? That way, it'll be far enough from home.
-You really are something Layla. But ok, see you there at 6. Don't get kidnapped! »
Oh dear, if only we'd listen to our parents more often...
YOU ARE READING
Lockdown 101
Romance« 2020 is my graduation year. At least, that's what I thought. » Layla, a newly 18-years-old, is being caught by the police while the corona virus lockdown. She left her house without an authorization and happened to meet Isaac, with whom she'll sha...
