That didn’t end well.
We ended up getting locked out of her house. In the middle of the night, Paige’s mom woke up, went to the kitchen for a glass of water, and noticed that she had left the front door unlocked. When we got back, we found ourselves locked out. Thank goodness it was in the middle of the summer. We slept out on the patio until her mom woke up. When she did, and found Paige’s bedroom empty, and her car keys missing, she was furious. Paige’s mom called my mom, and we were both grounded for the rest of the summer. That was the longest Paige and I had been apart.
“We promise we have permission to borrow her car,” I say.
“My mom only let me borrow the car since I have to pick her up from work, so she knows I won’t be out all night with it,”Paige says.
Paige’s mom works overnight at a factory that packages food.
“When will you be back?”
“After the mall closes,” I tell her. “Around ten.”
“Mom, can I go with B?” Brynlee asks.
My little sister, Brynlee, is only six years old and always wants to do what “the big kids do.”
“No, honey. You’re too little to go alone.”
“But I won’t be alone; I’ll be with my big sister.”
“Maybe when you’re older.”
Brynlee crosses her arms and pouts. “I never get to do anything the big kids do.”
“You will when you get older,” my mom says.
Brynlee pouts harder and turns her back on us all. She’s the smartest little girl I know, always catching on to everything. At four years old, she would climb up onto the counters and microwave her own food. I’m sure she knows a lot more than she should thanks to Paige and me.
“Next time, Bryn, we can go to the mall together.”
She looks over her tiny shoulder. “You promise?”
I nod.
“Okay,” she says with a smile as she continues eating her food.
Paigeand I sing our lungs out to “Mesmerize” by Ja Rule and Ashanti as we drive to the mall.
We’re both heading into our junior year of high school. We’re both the product of single mothers. At times, it’s been hard for our moms to make ends meet. Somehow, they’ve nevermade it noticeable. Now that I’m older, I remember times when I thought we were doing good, but in reality, we were struggling. My mom’s always told me I have to save up for my own car. I haven’t figured out how I’m going to do that yet since I don’t have a job. I’m not sure if I even want one. I’m having too much fun with my friends to want to spend time at a job. My mom gives me twenty dollars a week for doing my chores every day. She says an allowance will teach me to earn what I want instead of getting stuff handed to me. Occasionally, I babysit the neighbor’s kids. None of that money will ever be enough to save for a car, but…priorities, I guess.
As I walk into the mall, the loud buzz of chatter, the bright lights and storefronts envelope me, immediately drawing me into the bustling energy of all the teenagers walking around in groups with their friends. It’s the one place aside from the movie theater that we can count on meeting new people.
“Look at that guy!” Paige whisper-shouts. “He’s checking you out.”
“What guy?” I ask, looking around.
“Up ahead. We’re about to pass him.”
As we pass a group of guys, I notice one guy with light-brown hair. He has what we callskater boy hair, and he’s leaning his back against the wall, staring right at me.
Both of my cheeks burn from shyness. I’m trying to tame my smile. I bite down on my bottom lip to stop from giving myself away. As we’re about to turn the corner, I look over my shoulder and he winks at me.
When I know I’m out of sight, I squeal in excitement. “Oh my God! He’ssohot.”
“Should we go back and introduce ourselves?”
“Noooo!” I say overdramatically.
