Chapter 11: There's a First Time for Everything

“So you're telling me he didn't accept your apology?” I was currently talking to Stephanie on the phone, telling her what happened, like I promised.

“What did you expect, Steph? I told you he was an asshole. And to think I bought ice cream for him?”

“You did what?!”

Oops, did I say that out loud?

“Kay?” So she was waiting for me to reply.

“Alright, yes. It was part of the apology, but that jerk just dropped the whole thing on my head.”

“He did what?!” She was laughing now.

“Yes, he did the same thing he did with the soda the other day.”

“So what did you do?”

“What could I do? At that moment, it seemed like i had lost my ability to speak. The words just vanished from my mouth.”

She continued to laugh, like she always does.

“Steph, stop laughing.”

“Okay okay, so what are you going to do? You know, about the project?”

“I don't know. Steph, I don't know”, I sighed exasperatedly.

“I'm sure we'll figure something out. Don't worry”.

“Thanks baby”

“So, about the party?”

“I haven't asked my parents yet. I plan to ask them during supper”.

“Oh okay”

“Speaking of supper, my mom is calling me, I think the table is set.”

“Okay, I'll talk to you later. All the best”.

“Thanks. Bye”.

I hung up and joined my family downstairs.

I was waiting for the right time to ask them. Today, both my mom and dad were present for supper so it's really going to be difficult getting them to agree to me going to a high school party.

I finished my food quickly and set my fork down. My parents were still eating.

“Kayra, you've finished your food pretty fast today. Were you that hungry?” My mom asked.

Here it goes.

“Mom, Dad, I want to ask you something.”

This time it was my dad who spoke,” Kayra, is anything wrong?”

“No, no dad. It's just, one of my schoolmates is throwing a party on Friday and I want to go”, I hesitated a little, perhaps to say a little prayer, and added, "please.”

“A party?”

“Yes Dad”. I was quick to add,” I won't do anything stupid. I promise.”

There was silence for a minute, and then he spoke up, “You're not going.”

“Huh? But Dad….”

“No buts. You're not going to that party.”

“Please dad. You and Mom never let me go anywhere. It's just a party. I'll be back home at whatever time you wish. Please, Dad, let me go”, I tried to persuade him.

“Kay, I said you are not going to the party.”

“Mom, please say something”, I turned to her. Maybe if she agrees, he'll listen to her.

But she was on his side,” Kayra, your dad's right. I don't think it will be a good idea for you to go to that party.”

“Mom, you too? Why? Why can't I go?”

“What do you mean why? You are not going to the party and that's final. Now clean up and go to your room”, my dad ordered.

Why do I have such parents? I'm seventeen for God's sake, why are they still treating me like a freaking nine-year-old?!

*****

“So what do we do now?” Steph asked at lunch break the next day, after I told her my parents did not agree to me going to Britney's party.

“You mean, what do I do now? Because you're not the one whose parents won't allow you to go to a common party!”

“Chill sis. Okay, fine, what are you doing to do?”

“I don't know, Steph. I don't know”, I sighed.

“So you're not going?”

Suddenly, I had an idea.

“Oh, I'm going to that party”, I smirked.

“But you said your parents didn't allow you.”

“Who cares? I'm almost eighteen. I can do what I want.”

“Kay?”

“What?”

“You're not going to sneak out to the party, are you?”

That's precisely what I am going to do.

I looked up at her with my smirk still on.

“Kay!”

“What?!”

“You know if your parents find out, you'll be in big trouble.” She stressed on 'big'.

“It's just a party, it's no big deal. And besides, they won't even find out.”

“What's going on here, ladies?”

“Gale, Kayra wants to sneak out of the house to Britney's party.”

“Whoa!”

“I know right. Please help me talk her out of it.”

“Wait, wait, wait. No one's talking me out of this. I'm going to the party," I stated.

“Well, I don't see why she shouldn't go. I think it will be fun. Every teenager has to at least do something adventurous once in a while. And if that's sneaking out to a party, why not? I'm all for it.”

“Gale!” His girlfriend reprimanded him.

“Look, Steph, even Gale supports me.”

This time, she sighed," Are you sure want to do this?”

“Yes, I'm a hundred percent sure. In fact, Gale, come pick me up.”

“Sure.”

“Cool. I'll text you”.

“You guys!” We both looked at her with an expression that said, 'What?!'

“Fine. I won't talk you out of it anymore because I know you won't change your mind. Just don't get caught.”

“I won't get caught Steph, trust me”

As if on cue, the lunchtime over bell rang, and we went to our last classes for the day.

*********

I was currently having supper with my parents. My party clothes were neatly laid on my bed. I just needed an excuse to go upstairs and to keep my parents out of my room for the night.

Fortunately, my mom spoke first

“Kayra, we know you're upset that we didn't allow you to go to your friend's party. We're your parents, we know what's best for you”, she said in her 'caring parent tone'.

Yeah, right.

If she wasn't my mom, I would have rolled my eyes, but I didn't want to throw away the manners this same woman taught me, so I remained quiet.

“Kayra?”

“I'm fine, mom. I have no problem.”

Now's my chance

“In fact, you did good because I suddenly have a terrible headache and even if I were to go to the party, which I'm not…”

Yes, I am

“… I wouldn't be able to. Um, can you please excuse me? I think I should rest now before my headache becomes worse.”

“Oh I'm sorry, honey, should I get you some medicine”, my mom offered.

“No, thanks mom. I think I just need some sleep. I'll be okay."

“Oh okay dear.”

“Yes, and you don't need to come to my room because I'll be asleep.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I am. Good night Mom. Good night Dad.”

“Good night, Kayra", they said simultaneously.

So that was easy. I didn't expect it to go so well. Why have I never done this before?

When I got to my room, I quickly changed into the clothes I had laid on my bed. Now I had to wait for my parents to go to their room, so I can sneak out. That didn't take long because they usually watched a movie in their room every Friday night when my mom was not at work.

I had a text from someone. It was Gale.

Kay, I'm here.

I arranged my pillows to look like a sleeping person and covered them with my blanket, just like they do in the movies and cartoons. I looked out and Gale's car was parked on the other side of the road, just as we had planned.

I said a quick prayer before making my way out quietly through the window.

Once I was safely on the ground, I ran as swiftly as I could to his car.

'Wow. Kayra Summers just snuck out of the house", Gale teased.

“Shut up, Gale. And drive before someone sees us.”

“Aye aye captain.”

I can't believe I actually pulled this off.