"Hey, Kamryn." Cara approached me at my locker with her posse. "We were wondering that since you're older than 18 and we're still 17, you could sneak us into the club tonight?"

I hesitated to answer her and really wanted to ask her If she had bumped her head on something hard lately. "Umm... I don't think that's a good idea." I whispered.

"Girl, you don't have to whisper." She said biting her bottom look. "If you can get us in tonight, you can hang with us and we can be bestfriends." She grinned.

Okay, Well it can't be too bad to just sneak out for a few hours and be back for school. At least I get a friendship out of it. "Sure," I smiled. "But we can't be out too late."

"Don't worry," She smiled. "You won't be thinking about the time when were out." She winked.

"Umm, Okay." I shrugged.

"We'll pick you up at nine" she said.

"Nine!? Are your crazy?!" She jumped. "That's way passed my bedtime." They all shared a laugh but I was serious.

"Girl, you still got a curfew?" She laughed. "Aint chu grown?"

"Well, I guess you'll have to find a new way to into the club." I raised my eyebrows, rolled my neck, sucked my teeth, and crossed my arms.

"Chill, just ask If you can stay at a friends house tonight." She said.

"And If it don't work?" I asked.

"Lemme know. Here's my number." She gave me her number and walked away.

------

I get home from school and brace myself for the question Im about to ask my mother.

"Hey, mom" I greeted her as I step into her room.

"Hey, Baby. " She said in a raspy voice. "How was school?"

"It was fun," I said. "I ate lunch with Cara and her friends. They want me to spend the night, tonight." I admitted.

"You mean, you want to go, and that's what you're asking right?" She said with a stern voice.

"Yes, ma'am." I said in a low voice.

"I want to say no. I would say No, I could say No, and I should say No. But Im not going to." She sat up and turned on her lamp to look at me in the eyes. "You're grown, Kam. You'll have to see what life is about for yourself now. I can't make choices for you anymore and neither can your father. So, don't let these girls get you into trouble, you hear me?" She spoke sternly.

"Yes, ma'am" I nodded.

"Now, think about If you really want to go spend the night, on a school night, out of the blue, with some girl that teased you and humiliated you when you just got here. But you're friends, now? Im sorry, it don't add up to me. If you go spend the night, I don't want you coming back here until school is out tomorrow, you got that?" She demanded.

"Yes, ma'am" I nodded.

"Come, here. Give momma a hug." She embraced me in her arms and I can tell that she was silently crying. "I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Momma" I told her.

------

I packed up all my clothes and stuff for school tomorrow and the dress and shoes to the club tonight. I know my momma cares about more than anything but I want to see the world for myself. I want to try new things and If this is my shot at friendship, I want to go for it. Cara texted me and I checked my phone before gathering my stuff.

Cara: We're outside.

Me: Okay, I'll be right out.

I headed towards the door and before I walked out, I thought about saying goodbye to my mom but I didn't want her to be mad at me so I Shut the door and locked it behind me.

There was a truck parked outside of my house and Cara was in the passenger seat. I put my things in the truck and sat behind Cara. There was a guy driving and some of his friends, plus Caras posse was in the back with me. I felt a little uncomfortable but I shook it off.

"Wassup, ma" One of the guys in the back row said. Hes cute but I don't think he's my type.

"Hello" I said with a faint smile. He licked his lips and before I knew it, we were at Cara's house.

We got out the car and went inside the house, it wasnt as big as mine and it was in the ghetto. I felt very uncomfortable. The house looked beat up but livable. Everyone sat down in the living room and all except Cara, That guy from the car, and I who wasnt coupled up. I wasnt interested and they both were interested in me. How more Awkward could this get?

"Umm, where do I put my stuff?" I asked.

"Come on," I followed her to her room and set my stuff in her closet. "If you want to get changed for the club, the bathroom is right down the hall."

"Okay, thanks." I said. "Do you mind if I stay in here?" I asked.

"No, go ahead." She smiled and left the room.

I sat on my phone for a few hours and she didnt have a tv in her room so I just watched netflix off of my phone. I kind of feel bad for Cara. I didnt know she had it worse than I did and I was complaining about being bullied. She probably has to work for everything and I get my things handed to me although I know you have to work for it.

"Hey, we're going to walk to the store, you wanna come?" Cara asked peeking into the room.

"Yeah, sure." I looked at my heels and thought that it would be a good idea to be walking in these expensive shoes in this neighborhood and be the only one. "Do you have some flats that I can wear?"

"Yeah, in the closet." She said. I found the flats and put them on.

"Thank you," I said as we walked out the door.

On the way to the store, I felt like an outcast. Everyone knew everyone in the neighborhood and I was just awkwardly standing there. Latino guys were whistling at me and saying innappropriate things in Spanish to and about me. We walked pass a house that had alot of guys standing on the porch and I swear I seen August. The closer I got, the more it looked like him and then we made eye contact. Yeah, that's August. His eyes widened and he jumped off the porch.

"Aye, Kamryn. Lemme holla cha real quick!" He shouted.

I walked over towards his and the store was a few houses down on the corner so they kept walking while I talked to him.

"Hey, August." I smiled but he didn't smile at all. He actually looked upset.

"Don' 'Hey' meh, what is ya doin out chea in da ghetto?" He scolded me.

"Im here with a friend, I'll be fine." I said unsure myself.

"Nah, ion think so. But I ain't gon force ya. So jus be careful." He said concerned.

"Okay, I will." I assured him.

"Chris gon kick ya ass and im not gon tell him." He said smirking.

"Please, don't. He'll be very upset with me and we just made up, you know his temper." I pleaded.

"Yea, I kno. That's why I ain't gon tell him. But don do nun stupid, cause I be everywea." He said. "Gimme a hug, text meh when ya get to da house."

"Okay," I hugged him. "I'll call you tonight."

"Don forget." He said as we parted ways.

I like how he is concerned about my well being and we barely know each other. He's really sweet and I would honestly not hesitate to trust him with my life.

------

I finally finished getting cute for the club and I got on a black dress (Multimedia) and my heels and I put my hair in a bun. Everyone packed in the truck and we drove to the club.

"Everyone has their fake ID?" Cara asked everyone except from me as we got out the truck.

They made me walk infront of them and the guy let us all through. The club was packed and everyone was having fun. I followed their lead and they began drinking at the bar. I don't drink so I was just sitting there by myself watching them. The pulled me to a back room that was filled with smoke and more drinks. I picked an empty spot on the couch and just sat there. It was slot of people that I seen today in the neighborhood here tonight but I didn't think nothing of it.

"Drink this." Cara handed me a blue drink that had candy and stuff decorating it. It was really strong with the alcohol smell but I just wanted to try it and took a sip. I took Another sip After another and soon finished the whole thing.

I felt a little funny but then again I felt good and Cara handed me some water but I didn't realize that it wasn't water until it was burning my throat on the way down.

"Take a hit of this" Cara handed me some marijuana and I tried it and began choking on the smoke but wanted some more.

Sooner than Later, I was drunk and high at the same time. I couldn't balance or focus. Some cute guy came up to me and we began talking.

"Lets get out of here," he whispered in my ear and I got up as he held my hand and led me to the back door. I felt a hand grab my other arm and Yank me towards them.

"Kami, what the hell are you doing!?" Chris growled. The guy left and got away.

"Get off of me, Chris." I demanded but he wouldn't let go. He pushed me out the door and made me follow him to his car.

"Get in the car." He demanded unlocking the doors.

"I ain't going No where." I said about to walk away but her opened the door and threw me in the passenger seat. He put the child safety lock on and slammed the door Shut.

"Since when do you drink, smoke, and party?!" He shouted.

"Theres a first time for everything." I said laughing.

"Yeah, and a last. Im taking your ass home." He hissed.

"No! I can't go home. She told me not to come home tonight." I begged.

"That's too bad. You should've thought about that before you decided to go to the club." He said.

"I hate you, You stupid son of a bitch! Youre not my fucking boyfriend! I don't have to listen to you!" I shouted.

"I dont want to be your boyfriend! My God, you're so stupid! Tell me what sense does it make for me to keep picking you fall and your a grown ass woman? GROW THE FUCK UP!" He shouted.

I felt sick to my stomach and vomit splattered all over the windshield and dashboard. Chris stopped the car instantly and push his hands over his face in frustration.

"Get out." He said.

"I don't even know-"

"Get out." He repeated.

I attempted to open the door but it wouldn't open and Chris sucked his teeth.

"Story of my fucking life, man." He muttered as he continued to drive. I slowly passed out.