I completely forgot it was a long weekend, and my birthday together. Probably because I still have the alcohol running through my veins. My birthday has always fallen on the long weekend, which kinda sucks because most kids go away. But not this year, since my birthday falls on a Sunday, and most kids come back today or already have. And kids wanna come back early since I'm having another rager, and after last year.... People wanna come badly.

"I hope things don't suck like at my 16th," I confess to Casey as I lean my head back on the headrest in the black SUV.

"It won't suck because THIS year we're not inviting certain people," Casye sighs as she does the same. She's referring to when our ex-friend got with Leo, at the time we were dating. Or in his words 'hanging out'. This happened at my birthday party, in front of everyone. So yeah pretty wild right?

"I invited Leo..." I say, gritting my teeth.

"You did what?!!!!"

"He practically begged me to come, and I felt bad after what I posted on my story.

You know me and Carl... So now he's coming!" I tell her let out a deep sigh. I do hope that this party actually celebrates me and not Leo and that skank who was one of my best friends.

"Why the fuck do you feel bad for him! He fucked you over on his birthday, and not to mention anything that Savannah did-" Casey below starting to get fed up with the subject. She feels angry about this than I do now. To be honest, I'm kinda happy I'm done with Leo, he was bad for my mental health anyways.

"Well, Savannah is not coming. No way in hell. I sent security a photo of her, in the pretty high chance she crashes," Explaining to her as I look out the window. We're now on the highway close to the mall. If I'm going to celebrate my 17th tonight, I may as well look hot as shit in a new outfit.

"So Casey... Since you planned this party that I had and have no idea about. What's the theme?"

"Anything but clothes," She rushes out fast which takes me a moment or two to comprehend what she just said.

"Anything but what?!" I respond scared of what the answer will be.

"Anything but clothes, you have to wear like materials like trash bags-"

"Cass, I know what the theme is... But why? You realize my mom will be there and-"

"Let me stop you right there. Your mom is busy with Frank's party planning. And I have a free base, no one will be home. So the rager will be at mine," Casey barks back explaining to me she elaborate perfect plan.

"You really have it planned out," I mutter as I give a smile of gratitude.

"Yep, security will handle the entrances and windows, just in case if any unwanted guests like Savannah show up!" Casey shares as she uses her hands to mimic the security guards.

"I'm so grateful for you," Expressing as I lean in and give her a hug of gratitude.

https://youtu.be/-81e7wXSvt4

Oscar immediately turns up the music as our song plays.

"This song will really fit the mood for tonight when Leo sees you looking hot as balls tonight," Casey laughs knowing Leo will try to make a move. Whenever I'm not with him, he always tries to get with me, and whenever he sees with me with another guy he get's upset and mad. It's a toxic cycle.

"Don't let me get with Leo tonight, that's a L," I utter to her knowing she'll agree with me. She hates Leo, she always has.

"So why are we going shopping if we're not even wearing proper clothes?" I ask confused about why we're not going to the market to pick up something to wear that's not actual clothing.

"Well for you, we have to go to the dollar store to buy a happy birthday to wrap you in. And for you, I'm wrapping myself in caution tape. Leo will know to stay away from me and my fists when he sees the caution," Casey giggles to herself which makes me roll my eyes trying not to snicker myself. I don't like it when she's mean to others, but Savannah and Leo are the exceptions.

"It's a heartbroken bitch, high heels 6 inches in the back of the club sipping champagne," Casey hums.

"I DON'T TRUST ANY OF THESE BITCHES THAT I'M WITH, IN THE BACK OF THE TAXI SNIFFING COCAINE!!!" I sing my heart out.

"Drunk calls, drunk texts, drunk tears, drunk sex,"

"I was looking for a man who was on the same page!!!!" I yelp referring to Leo and also the lyrics to the song. A year ago, I never thought this would be a song I would ever relate to, but here I am 17, and one of the songs I can resonate with.

"Wow, I never knew how depressing his song is," Casey says as Oscar turns down the music a bit so we can hear ourselves talk.

"Welcome to my world," Grunting as I let out a little smile to show her that I'm fine.

"Don't worry, this year you will drink and dance your worries away. It'll be fun, I promise!" Casey promises and she squeezes my thigh with sympathy. I hope she's right. I hope I won't replay my 17th birthday party over and over in my mind, every day. When that moment happened, everyone, seeing them, dragging me into the middle to watch it happen. It felt unreal like I was in the middle of a movie. It's hard to explain, I can't really remember it to be honest. I drank away my sorrows that night.

"Since you planned it, I know it will be," I wink at her as Oscar pulls up to the dollar store at the west entrance of Chicago Mall. It's a pretty warm day considering a few weeks ago there was a snowstorm. I have a thin denim jacket on and sweats underneath. I look like a homeless person with this outfit, but it's my birthday so no one is allowed to judge. I'm kinda surprised my mom didn't wake me up with kisses and hugs this morning like every year. Maybe she was so involved in her own shit she forgot about her fav time of year. My birthday. At least she didn't forget my 18th.

I step out of the car and look up at the beaming sun peeking through the light grey clouds. There's a light breeze, which makes me snuggle more into my jacket. Maybe I should've worn something thicker. Then again Carl was distracting me. Oh god, Carl. Thinking about our parents getting married, and living together makes me wanna yack.

"In here," Casey instructs me as she holds open the door for me to enter through. I say thank you to Oscar, then he scurries away in the car. As I walk through the door Casey is holding open for me, I notice that it's pretty dead inside. Good. No awkward interactions today.

Casey suddenly grabs my hand and leads me to aisle 9, which has party decorations and stuff. I notice a silver happy birthday banner in rainbow letters, made out of thin tinsel. Once Casey sees my eyes on it, she grabs it off the rack.

"Just over a dollar, right in my budget," Casey yelps as she adds the banner to her basket I didn't see her pick it up.

"That's so tiny!" I tell her with worry in my voice. I don't want to show my ass to my whole party.

"It says it's 8 feet long, so may actually be a little big. Might have to cut it," Casey hums as she skips along the aisle looking around for anything else in this section. She grabs a couple of metallic balloons, and a 1 and 7 rose gold balloons. Usually my mom buys those balloons but today Casey is like my mom in a way. Planning and buying things for my birthday.

"How will I ever thank you for doing this," I ask her with gratefulness of having such a good best friend.

"By allowig Debbie and Carl to the party," Casey says nonchalantly not even turning around to look at me.

"Excuse me? Don't tell me you invite Debbie," I hiss at her as I grab onto her shoulder trying to get her to face me to see if she's joking.

"And Carl..." Casey informs me with a nervous look painted across her face. My stomach drops in confusion and nervousness. I'm confused about Carl, I don't think I should see him again. Especially after last night. I almost got arrested because of him!! I clearly can't control myself.

"You mean my new stepsiblings?" I yelp with a pissed off tone. What Casey is doig for me is really nice. But something tells me she is throwing this party as an excuse to have a party at her house where she can invite whoever she wants.

"You'll love Debbie she's so much fun," Casey expresses to me as she flips her curly hair over her shoulder. She rounds another corner and I follow her. We're now in the halloween section, so Casey will probably find some caution tape here.

"Ah here we are," Casey sighs as she reaches and grabs a caution tape roll off the rack. But she continues walking down the holiday aisle.

When she makes it to the christmas secretion she grabs a couple of stockings off the hook.

"Debbie wants to follow the holiday theme," She explains as she adds the collection of stockings to the basket.

"So she's going to tape a shit ton of stockings together?"

"No Liv, Fiona, her older sister, can sew. I don't know if she's good, but Debbie says she fixes old clothes and shit," Casey explains finally turning around to face me as she tells me about Debbie's personal life. So Carl has another sister. Ugh, why am I even thinking of him?

"So you weren't kidding. They're coming," I emphasize meaning that Carl will be attending with his other sister.

"Yes, my house my rules," Rolling my eyes at her is my only answer to her statement. She's right, it's her house. But I mean I should have control over some of the guests at my own party.

"So what is Carl gonna wear?" Asking curious to see what I can picture him in tonight.

"Oh right. Debbie texted me to get Carl a garbage bag, he'll just cut some holes in it," Casey claims as she begins exiting the aisle.

"Leo should be wearing that because he's trash,"

"Funny. And yes. I agree garbage bag is kinda basic," Casey murmurs as she thinks to herself, probably thinking of a better fit for Carl.

"I never said basic..."

"Shhh, I'm thinking," Casey hushes me as she closes her soft brown doe eyes to think to herself. She's a smart girl when it comes to these kinds of things. Social things.

"We're going to the liquor store," Casey informs me as she flashes her eyes open. Before I can introject she grabs my hand, her other hand holding the basket. Then whispers to me, "Get ready to sprint,". She then lets go of my hands and takes off into a full-ass run. Her form is incredible, thus being a track star. After a few seconds, I follow suit. I run as fast as my legs can take me. I'm not a track and fielder, but I do play field hockey and volleyball. So I can run. Just not fast.

My heart pounds as I pass the cash register. I don't look back, because I know if I do. A worker will yell at me, then call my parents. Or worse the cops. So I keep dashing until I make my way out of the glass doors. Outside, I look to my left and right looking for my crazy friend of mine. At that split second, I see Casey's familiar long brown hair dart into the main mall entrance a few doors down. Damn, she's fast.

When I reach her, I'm panting my heart out. God. That was the first time I've sprinted in a while.

"Wh-what. The. Fuck," I hiss through my panting. I almost collapse on the floor of the mall. But I catch myself remembering how dirty the mall ground is. I'm not trying to get sick on my birthday.

"Didn't feel like spending my mom's credit card today," Casey shrugs as she begins stuffing the items she bought into her hoodie. Somehow it fits, just making her look pregnant.

"Casey you're a millionaire, you can afford 5$,"

"I didn't want my mom to see I'm spending money on weird shit. She'll ask Oscar questions. And Oscar can't lie to her, he'll confess about the party to her," Casey explains which kinda makes sense. But I could've still bought those things. I have more than 5$ in my bank account.

https://youtu.be/0nF69UTw99E

The faint mall music hums in the background of our conversation.

"So where are we going?" I inquire not wanting to argue with Casey about the shoplifting.

"To get Carl's outfit of course!" Casey tells me that I'm an idiot. She grabs my hand, the other grips her stomach careful that her 'belly' doesn't fall out.

"Can't he get his own outfit?" I ask confused why we're doing the shopping for the siblings.

"Debbie asked me to get them stuff to wear," Casey explains as she turns the corner of the busy mall. She's still gripping my hand as people our age pass us. A guy looks me up and down. Not even trying to cover up that he just checked me out. When he's behind us, Casey turns around and flips him off.

"I hate boys who sexualize women like that," Casey grunts frustrated with those guys' actions. At least he didn't harass me like some other boys my age do.

"Don't excuse his behavior, Olivia, we don't do that to men. So why do they have the right to do that to us?" Casey exclaims raising her voice which makes some people around us eye her. But Casey couldn't care less. She likes it when people listen to what she has to say.

"Very true," Agreeing with her I keep an eye on my peers around me. Making sure it's no one I know personally.

"In here," Casey instructs me as she leads me into an alcohol store. Casey and I have fake ID's but we've never used them at a government-run store. Just local pubs and clubs. You know the chill stuff. I wonder what her plan is.

I follow Casey to the back of the store, where there are boxes and boxes of beer. She grabs two packs of Corona's. 

"Here take one," She informs me as I grab a box out of her hands. She carefully holds the other box, making sure nothing falls out of her shirt. We confidently make our way to the cashier. We aren't gonna be stealing these beers. Not when there are cameras all around.

Laying down her box first, Casey grabs her stomach in pain initiating the start of the act.

"Olivia, can you put these down for me? The babies coming," Casey says grunting through the fake pain.

"M'am it's recommended that you don't drink with-" starts the worried cashier.

"Oh don't worry, these are for my husband. It's football Sunday after all. He must have his beer!" Casey says smiling her sweet and persuasive smile. I must say she does look of age, even with no makeup on. But that's the thing, in Chicago, we grow up fast.

"Oh I understand, he's over the age of 21?" He asks as he states at Casey's fake belly.

"Oh, I married older hunny, gotta love that good old cash," Casey grins, trying to hold back her laugh.

"Do you need help carrying the things to your car, stepmom?" I interfere throwing my best poker face on. The poor cashier must be 25 or something. Looked so confused.

"Are you married too or?" He asks as he scans the beer boxes.

"Nope, single for now," I smile at him trying to stare him in the eyes. Some might say my eyes can rizz up anyone I want. Some meaning Casey.

The cashier starts writing something down on the second beer box with a sharpie he found lying by. Then looks back up at me and opens his mouth to say, "He's my number," then winks. In shock, I close my mouth and look away. I may be 17, but there's no way I would go for a 25-year-old. The guy has facial hair and doesn't shave it. Which just makes me cringe. One of my icks is untamed facial hair, that doesn't look good.

"Oh she's not into boys, but thank you anyways," Casey expresses in reaction to my reaction to the phone number. Carefully, she inserts her silver credit card, and types in her pin making sure the creepy cashier guy isn't looking at her pin. The rest of the transaction is silent. When the dude gives hands Casey her receipt he gives one last wink to her and says to us, "I'm a man, not a boy,".

As we walk out of the store I get this overwhelming instinct to shout, "And I'm 17,". Then we're off on the run again. But this time we're carrying 10 pounds each of beer, and Carl's costume.