I
turned 14 today. No big deal. My mom worked like she does everyday. My
dad gave me twenty bucks as he walked out the door. We haven't communicated
much since I got out of Juvie six months ago which suits me fine. My mother
is angry that I testified against my brother in court. She feels it's
partially my fault that he's in jail. It's really not, though if it were
I'd gladly take credit. I hate him and I wish he'd never come out.
Anyway,
the only one that took notice of me was as usual, Marcela. She called me on
the cell phone. In fact this was my early birthday present – my own phone.
She used it to interrupt my history lecture in the fancy private high school
she's got me going to.
"I'm in
class," I whispered into the phone as Mrs. Burke gave me a dirty look. Our
phones are suppose to be off during school hours. Rules.
"Sorry," Marcela said, "but I want to let you know I'm picking you up after
school and we're going out tonight. "
"Where?"
"Trust
me, birthday girl," she said.
Mrs.
Burke walked up to my desk, and put one hand on her hip and the other she
held out so that I'd place the phone on it.
I did.
She
read Marcela the riot act, and ended with "I don't care who you are, do not
call my students during class time."
Later
that night Marcela said the woman was a bitch.
I
laughed.
She and
George took me to a pirate dinner show. Sort of cheesy, but it was nice to
be with the two of them. George is super cool, and Marcela probably doesn't
deserve him, but I'm glad they're going to get married soon.
At
first I wasn't so excited about the two of them getting together. I figured
after she got engaged, she'd forget all about me. Not that I needed her or
anything. I mean I've done okay without her for thirteen years . . . I'd be
okay without her again. But still, it's nice not to have to. We've become
pretty good friends. Even if she is OLD. She's sort of like a big sister.
That's how I look at her. When she gets too bossy or tries to tell me what
to do, I just, you know, tell her to mind her own damn business.
Since I
don't do anything wrong these days, there's not much for her to bitch
about. The only thing she constantly bugs me about are my grades. I don't
want to tell her that that school she sends me to is really hard. But it
sort of is. The public high school I used to go to didn't teach all that
much. And what they did teach, I barely listened to. I ditched all the
time and slept through class or doodled. I wasn't a straight A student to
begin with, you know. So now this private school is kicking my butt.
I'm
trying. I don't know why. I mean, what am I going to do with this fancy
education? Those rich girls at my school all have parents that are going to
send them to the college of their choice and bank roll whatever they want to
do. When I'm finished with school, I'm on my own. So a lot of good it's
going to do me.
Anyway,
my birthday ended up being pretty fun. One of the pirate dudes who served
dinner was sort of cute. He kept smiling and joking around with me because it
was my birthday. George teased me, saying that he liked me. Marcela frowned
and gave him the evil eye. I'm not really supposed to notice guys or think
they're cute. You know, because I'm so young. Marcela cracks me up. If she
only knew.
Besides, the guy I'm really interested in is Ryan Nash. He works at The Vibe.
I'll write about him another time, Diary. Right now, I'm dragging and need to
get to bed. And I get to do so as a fourteen year old – yeah! Four more years
and I'm officially an adult. Can't wait.
