Kassandra and I was nearly done food shopping when she stopped me and looked at the cart of food. "I forgot to get cigarettes." she said. "we have to make a second trip after this."

I groaned. Only a few more years to deal her as a driver. She's 21 but acts like she's this really stressed out adult. Drinking and smoking like the world was so against her. Maybe it was, but boy was it dramatic having her as an older sister.

"Shut up, what do you have to do today?" She pushed the cart forward to the registered.

"I wanted to explore the area before you threw this stupid house party," I said. "We just moved here a few weeks ago. Why are you throwing a party so soon?"

We got in line where the lady welcomed us to Aldi's with the most robotic voice I've ever heard. I walked over to the card machine and waited for the cashier to be done scanning our items. After Kass paid, we went to bag our own groceries. 

"Are you kidding me?" She looked at me. "We finally get out got our first house! An actual house. Not a small roach infested trailer park out in the middle of nowhere. I've never thrown a party before and I want give the people what they want. A night that can be about me. Every other chick in Pine Oaks threw one. My turn."

I didn't get it and I didn't get my sister. We go to a school where everyone sucked and she would rather be recognized by the most crappy people. Honestly, I didn't know why she wanted attention. That school doesn't have the greatest reputation. I couldn't imagine how this party would go down.

"I just don't get why you want to have it so soon," I said again. "We just got there and the basement isn't even swept up."

We picked up all the bags of food off the counter then headed out of the store. After her stop at the corner store, she entered the store with two packs of cigarettes. "Kass!" I cried out. "I thought you'd stop soon?"

"Estherrrr," she rolled her eyes. "I said, I'd try." She struggled to put her seatbelt on with a cigarette in her mouse. "besides, unless you want to room next to the basement then don't complain. The pipes are so loud for no reason. I haven't slept good in a week."

"Wait, really?" I asked. The room above from the basement was away from the other rooms upstairs. That meant mom and dad couldn't possibly be bothered by all of my guitars. "Let's trade! Right after your party. I didn't unpack everything."

"Really?" She blew a puff of smoke out the window and smirked at me. I don't care what anyone said or how unattractive smoking may have looked to some. Kassandra was hot. Greased black hair that messily rested in the back, light brown eyes, cute freckles, and she was the only person I knew that wore leather in the summer in too. It was her aesthetic. I only wished to be like her. I had dark hair that I cut short just to have my sides shaven. It made me sort of cool looking. Mom said I was too young to dye it red but she'd let me do it on my 16th birthday next week. Who knows, maybe I'd ask Kass and mom to get me some leather jackets and black pants too. I wasn't copying Kass's style-more of me wanting that cool rockstar look.

"Let's make it happen, bean," she had said to me with a smile.

***

I ended not exploring like I wanted, but helping Kass clean up and set up. Mom and dad made snacks in the kitchen and was pressuring Kassandra to remind people to drink water tonight. Dad and Kass made a deal that everyone could hang in the basement and on the patio but no one was allowed in the living room because he had to do some publishing work. I asked if I could join him but dad said I should ask if I could play my guitar for the guest.

"Absolutely not," I waved my hands at dad. "never."

Mom laughed while passing by. "You need to get out of your shell. How are you going to be a rockstar without performing for others?"

I laughed. "Maybe once I switch from YouTube tutorials to a private instructor then maybe."

Dad scoffed. "Well, good point. I can't afford it." He looked at me and winked. "It's a feeling though. Learn and be good at your own pace."

*** 

Something about about dad's talk inspired me. I took a few guitars and my amp downstairs. Maybe I could do a quick Nirvana song or two for the crowd. Besides, they were the only songs I knew how to play on an electric guitar. I had to admit to myself that I was nervous about the move, but this could really be a new beginning. I was used to struggles and seeing my parent's slave over money. This is the first time I saw my mom and dad in the house together just because either wasn't working. Things were starting to work out.

So it seemed...