THE LIFE I NEVER EXPECTED

It was pitch black when I opened my eyes. My head was beating like drums — loud, heavy, like someone was actually drumming inside my skull. I instantly regretted it. I totally regretted following my friends to the after-football party. I am usually not a party person. Like, at all. I'm the girl who brings a book to a party. But how could I say no when it was Janea and Suki Sandra? My best friends since forever. They have that look that makes you say yes even when you know you'll regret it. And I did regret it. I drank a lot last night. So much that I don't even remember how I got home. My memory is just... blank. I let out a long sigh and forced myself up from my bed. My whole body felt heavy. Just then, my mum's voice cut through the house. "Mia, get up! Aren't you going to school? You are going to be late!" "I am up, Mum, I will be down in a minute!" I yelled back, my voice still sleepy and rough. I dragged myself to the bathroom. 15 minutes later, I came out after a nice hot bath. The steam helped. My head was finally a little clearer. I went to my wardrobe and picked out my comfort outfit — a pink top, a dark blue mini skirt, and my favorite boots. I looked in the mirror for a second. I felt okay. I felt like me. I am 18 years old, with blonde hair and a slender figure, but today I just looked tired with dark circles under my eyes. Classic Mia after a party. I grabbed my backpack and went downstairs. My mum was already at the dining table, setting the food like she always does. She never misses breakfast. I sat down and wrapped my hands around my coffee cup. The warmth felt good. "How was your night?" my mum asked me. She was looking so pretty this morning, so put-together. I swear I took most of her genes, just not her ability to wake up looking perfect. "My night was great, what about yours?" I tried to sound normal. "Mine was good, same as yours," she said with a small smile. "I will be going to work soon and I won't be back until 6:00 pm, so I left some money for you in your drawer. Let me give you some money for dinner." She reached inside her bag and brought out a $50 bill and handed it to me. "Thanks, Mum," I said and stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Mom, I will head out now. Love you." I took my bag and car key and went straight for the door. "I love you too, honey," my mum yelled out to me. Outside, I walked to where my car was parked. My little Jeep — my 18th birthday gift. My baby. I got in and drove off, trying to shake off the last of the headache. When I got to school, the parking lot was already buzzing. People talking, music playing from cars, lockers slamming. I scanned the crowd and spotted them immediately — Janea and Sandra. They were with their boyfriends, Mike and Jace. My people. I quickly got out of the car and walked towards them. Mike was the first person to spot me, and soon the others followed his gaze. "Hey girls," I said and they both ran to hug me. "Oh my God, babe, you..." And at the exact same time, Mike and Jace realized they were in trouble. I don't know what the girls whispered, but the boys' faces went white and they ran for their lives. Literally ran. "You better come back here!" Sandra yelled at Jace. "I am very sorry, I really didn't mean it!" Jace said, while Sandra held his arm tight and wouldn't let go. "So your brain was malfunctioning when you said that just now if you didn't mean it?" Sandra glared at him and kept hitting his arm playfully but hard. Janea and Mike had already disappeared, so I couldn't see what was going on with them, but I'm pretty sure Janea was giving Mike the same lecture. Poor guys. Great. That meant I would have to go to class by myself. I went to my locker and took out my books and a few other materials for math class. First period was definitely going to be long as hell. I honestly didn't want to come to school today — my bed was calling me — but I had to. I didn't want to fail if there was a surprise test. My grades are the one thing I actually care about. I closed my locker and when I turned around to go to my first class, I bumped into something hard. It wasn't a wall, but a chest. A very hard chest. "Ow, ahh..." I rubbed my forehead. That hurt. "Can't you see where you're going"the voice said,I was about to say say sorry then I saw who it was. And I froze. I was so speechless ---