“Because I’m not going.”
“So, I don’t need you there,” I say angrily. I can’t believe the nerve of her.
“We never go without each other.”
“Yes, we do. We didn’t go last year together, you went with Brody.”
“Yeah, but we were still there,” she argues.
“Are you guys not going?”
“No, we aren’t.”
“Well I am, so if you don’t mind, I need to finish getting ready,” I say heading towards my dresser to finish my make-up.”
“What is your problem lately?”
“You,” I snap.
“Me, what did I do to you?”
“Are you serious right now?” I seethe.
“Yeah.”
“I can’t go because you aren’t going to be there, seriously? I’m so tired of you acting like you’re so much better than me,” I practically shout.
“I don’t act like I’m better than you,” she says looking innocent.
“The hell you don’t. You always have and I’m tired of it,” I holler.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” she states looking annoyed.
“Really? How about the time I wanted to wear my princess dress to school, you knew which one was my favorite and you just had to put it on once we got to school and show off. Or how about the time when Ryan Miller liked me, you had to go swoop in and date him for a week. Then we have the whole ‘hey guys, oh yeah that’s just my twin, I’m the fun one bullshit?’ If you want me to get worse I can,” I snap not caring anymore.
“Can I help it if you were shy and scared and I wasn’t?”
“Oh my God, do I look fucking scared?” I argue, getting into her face.
“So you’re growing a back bone for once. It’s about damn time.”
“A back bone, here’s a freaking back bone for you, I’m not going to West Virginia with you,” I shout.
“What?” she yells, “You aren’t going to college?”
“Yes, I am going to college, just not with you.”
“And where do you think you’re going?” she asks in a cocky attitude.
“Michigan.”
“No, you aren’t.”
“Yes, I am. I got my acceptance letter a few weeks ago.”
“Why am I just now hearing this then?”
“Because I knew you would try to change it and do the ‘pity me’ shit.”
“You seriously aren’t coming to West Virginia?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Just wait until Mom and Dad find out, they are going to be pissed,” she says looking smug.
“They already know.”
“What?” she asks stunned.
“I’m done being your stupid shadow. Now you get to go and be who you want, without using me to make yourself feel better.”
“You act like I treat you like crap.”
“There are many times you have. I’m your twin sister, not your stepping stone.”
“I didn’t realize you felt that way. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way,” she says changing tones.
“But you do. You have to be the center of attention, so you will do whatever you need to do to make yourself look good. I can’t stand it.”
“I said I was sorry,” she yells.
“I hear you, but it’s not going to change my decision.”
“Fine, go to a different school. Good luck with that,” she says, before walking out and slamming my bedroom door.
When I get to the party, the bonfire is going strong. People are everywhere and cars are parked throughout the place. One of the guys we graduated with throws a bonfire every year at his house. His parents monitor it and make sure it doesn’t get too out of hand.
Usually alcohol is snuck in, but I try to not get out of hand with it and since I’m driving, only one or two for me tonight.
It’s only 8:00 p.m. and people look drunk and are falling over. I can’t help but stare and wonder why they didn’t pace themselves.
“Hey Haley,” my friend Ashley says.
“Hey Ash, this looks crazy.”
“Oh my gosh, is it ever. Let’s go grab a drink and hang out.” I follow Ash and we each grab a can of beer before taking a seat in some of the chairs.
“You know your sister isn’t here right, but Brody is,” Ash says surprising me.
“What? She said they weren’t coming.”
“Apparently there’s trouble in paradise,” she says, as she nods in the direction of Brody. He looks drunk.
“He didn’t drive, did he?”
“No, Matt did.”
“Okay good, because he looks a little drunk.”