Hushed

Chapter 12: A Party For Two

    I’m not looking forward to this. My parents invited all the people who don’t like me, which pertains to every kid in the town and they made sure to invite at least thirty people which means that I’ll be surrounded with attention and people, both I hate.

    “Honey, what are you wearing?” Mom asked when I went down for the party. I was wearing sweat pants and long sleeves and had my hair up in a messy bun.

    “What’s wrong with my clothes?” I think it’s perfectly fine; this is literally what I wear every day, I grew up knowing that I don’t have to dress up for other people.

    “It clashes with our theme,” she said, pointing at the living room. Dad and butthole Ryan is watching the television, wearing tuxedos, the theme is Hollywood. “Go back and change,” mom said and I had no choice but to wear something according to the theme.

    The house was filled with noise by the time I finished changing. I really don’t want to go down but I had no choice, again, I don’t want to be grounded.

    “Honey, go change your clothes,” my mother said as soon as she saw me. “Why? It’s appropriate to the theme,” I argued.

    “It’s not,” she said.

    “How can it not be appropriate? I’m wearing what dad is wearing; I just have my hair down.” I’m not a rebel, I’m just being realistic. Plus, a woman can wear whatever they want, it’s called freedom.

    “Alright then, go to the front yard and greet some guests,” she said in which I immediately obeyed. I stood in front of the house, like a guard, not greeting people. I mean, they should be the one who should greet me since they’re coming to my house, shouldn’t they?

    I looked inside the house, mom, dad and butthole was laughing, they look so happy. They don’t need me; they’re having fun without me.

    I walked to the abandoned playground and sat on the bench. Max and I used to sit here every time and just embrace the silence. We found out about this when I was nine and we were running around and just declared this as our secret spot.

    “Happy birthday,” someone said from behind me. I looked back and there was Max, he was wearing a suit just like mine and is holding a paper bag in one hand.

    “Thank you,” I said. He sat beside me and gave me the paper bag. I opened it and it was a throw blanket. “Thank you, I actually wanted a new one,” I said. Stupid Ryan took mine when he saw it for the first time.

    “I’m sorry,” he apologized.

    “So you believe me now?”

    “I don’t know what to believe. I just don’t want to ruin our friendship because of all that’s happening.”

    “I’m sorry too,” I said.

    “For what?” He asked.

    “For doubting you. You were just in places that you shouldn’t be.”

    “You hate your brother don’t you?”

    “It’s not hate, it’s more like jealous. Mom and dad just gave him everything he wants and they can’t even give me their attention. They also look like a perfect family, it’s like I’m not even part of the family. Also, they never bothered calling me or anything when they were in the city. It’s like they completely forgot about me.”

    “I think you should be proud of yourself. You grew up without your parents and you still turned into who you are now, a brave and nice woman.”

    “How do you always make me feel better?”

    “I don’t know, I just tell you everything I have in my mind.”

    “Tell me what you’re thinking of,” I said, facing him.

    “Well, I think that you prioritize others safety and happiness more than yours,” he said, staring right into my eyes. Why is he so nice to me?

    "You’re a really great person.”

    “What else?”

    “I want to do this,” he said and moved closer to me, our faces were inches apart. I closed my eyes, waiting when I felt his lips on my forehead.