Chapter 1

I never believed in love, or should I rather say I never understood it. I never understood how someone could instantly fall in love with another person the first time they saw them. What is it called again? Love at first sight? Pfft! As if! How is that even possible, I can understand that you might find someone attractive at first sight but love? Nah. I've never been in love, I'm not very good with emotions and I cringe easily at the simplest things. Besides I didn't have time for messing around, I had too much I wanted to achieve in life.

Living in a tiny two room house was not it, however I am thankful but still. We kept one room as the bed room with two beds, one for my mom and one for my sister and I. The other room was basically the kitchen, we had an outside bathroom in our small yard. At the age of 18 I had so much I wanted to do, I wanna make sure my mom and sister are more comfortable than they are now.

Today is my graduation and of course I'm super excited. Five years of nonstop blood, sweat and tears, broken friendships, depression and nasty tasting canteen lunch, we deserve to celebrate. Overly excited friends and families gathered, taking pictures together and congratulating the graduates.

"Ashanti smile..." mom raised her camera and took another picture of me in my gown.

"Kia stand beside her sister, let me get a picture of you both" my sister wore a simple white dress that I owned when I was her age. We took several pictures together just as I saw my best friend Tiana and her boyfriend Asher.

"Come let me get a picture with you guys" I grabbed Tianas' hand and pulled her beside me. Mom took a few shots of me with Tiana and Asher then afterwards I took some with mom, Tiana and Kia.

"Mom you and Kia can head home now. Asher, Tiana and I will head to the after party"

"What party? I wanna come too" Kia frowned and glanced at mom and I.

"You can't Kia you're not even 13 as yet, besides the party is only for the graduates" Tiana ruffled her hair and chuckled.

"Next time when you're older kiddo" Asher smiles at her.

"They're right Kia anyways make sure you're home before 12 or if you're sleeping over Tianas' place let me know" mom grabbed her hand bag from the table as she got ready to leave.

"Ok mom see you later" I hugged them both and we waved goodbye as we went our separate ways.

"Asher isn't that your dad" Tiana pointed at the older version of Asher. He was laughing wholeheartedly at the people who surrounded him. His dad was a well known business man who owned many different companies around the world, did I mention that he comes from a very very veeerrrry wealthy family?

"Yeah....pops! Pops!" Asher signaled his dad, Mr. Mitchell. When he saw us he bid them goodbye and walked over where we were.

"Good evening ladies" he smiled genuinely at us.

"Good evening Mr. Mitchell"

"Oh come on now Ashanti, you know you can call me Anthony. Damn you make me sound old"

I laughed and shook my head. "Sorry about that, Anthony"

"Ahh now that's better and you look beautiful" I smiled and thanked him.

"Tiana how are you?" He greeted and pulled her in a hug.

"I'm great and you?" She hugged her father-in-law tightly.

"Doing well my dear. My boy here wouldn't stop talking about you yesterday, saying how beautiful you would look in-"

"Dad!! Come on" Asher shouted obviously blushing.

We all laughed and spoke a bit before Anthony had to leave.

We all returned our gowns by the front desk and Tiana and I went by the girls bathroom to fix our dress and makeup. Tiana wore a white dress with pearls on it and a white wedge heels while I wore a black mermaid tail dress with diamonds on it and a black six inch heels. As we left the bathroom, Asher was speaking on his phone overly excited.

"Are you serious? When? You'll be there? Okay great I'll see you then. Yeah later"

"Who was that?" Tiana questioned her excited boyfriend.

"Oh my uncle, he reached home today. He was in Dubai for the past year so I'll finally get to see him tonight"

"Which uncle is that? I thought Anthony didn't have any siblings" I asked as we went by Ashers' car.

"Oh he actually does have a brother, maybe you've never heard me spoke of him but yeah"

"Oh okay"

"So....who's ready to get wasted" Tiana grinned.

~~~~~

When we reached the hotel (Ecstasy Hotel) it was 9pm on the dot. I was overwhelmed and excited, this was my first time at a hotel so my eyes widen at how huge it was.

"Trust me, this isn't enough half of it" Asher chuckled and placed his hand around Tiana who held my hand.

"You've been here before?"

"Yup"

It took about 5 minutes to reach where the after party was being held. Loud music blaring, multicolored light shining around and everyone was jumping around. Since we are soon to be college students they decided that we could have a few to drink. Surprising right? I could smell the liquor in the atmosphere. You know the saying "give an inch and they take a mile" yeah that's the situation here.

"Tonight Ashanti my baby, is the night you let loose" Tiana squeezed my cheeks gently.

My eyes widen at what she meant by let looses.

"And before you disagree, let me just say there's no need to be the stuck up goodie two shoes who's the perfect daughter that everyone wants. Tonight's the night you get drunk and loose your virginity"

"Hell no!" my eyes widen and I pushed her hands away.

Asher laughed loudly along with Tiana.

"And I'm far from perfect"

"I'm joking girl chill, but honestly though...at least have a drink. And the neighboring school will be here so go talk to some of the boys there"

"No thanks" I mumbled as we squeezed through people to get by the mini bar for drinks.

"Three shots of tequila please" Asher told the man at the front.

I gave him a look and he shrugged.

"Tiana says you're drinking tonight so you are"

I groaned loudly as he placed the shot in front of me.

"Come on guys this tastes awful"

"How do you know that? You've never drank" Tiana rolled her eyes at me.

"Just drink it quickly, you'll hardly taste a thing" Asher influenced me.

"Fine" I rolled my eyes and counted to three before downing it.

"Sh*t!" I coughed loudly as it burned my chest.

"Yaayyy" they both cheered and did the same.

"So Ashanti how was you first drink?" Asher smiled and asked me.

"Round two baby" I smiled.

"Straight up. Heyo another round please"