“Okay, last pit stop before we head over to Beckham’s house.” Alli puts the car in park and cranes her neck to Priya and I in the backseat. “Seriously, Priya, who told you to chug the entire cup of Sprite before we left my house?”
“It was McDonald’s Sprite, try it and you’ll understand.”
“Understand that you have to pee every five minutes?” Grant huffs out.
Priya slaps Grant on his head, making him clutch onto it.
“Guys, stop the cat fighting. Priya, hurry up before you piss your pants.” Alli’s voice breaks through the noise.
“Serena, come with me,” Priya notes, pulling me out of the car before I could even answer.
We stumble into 7-Eleven with her racing to the bathrooms, leaving me to walk up and down the candy aisle. I find myself standing in front of the display, scanning the colorful packages with absentminded interest.
Lost in my thoughts, I reach for a bag of gummy worms, my mind far away. Distracted, I bump into someone, the candy almost slipping from my grasp.
“Oh, sorry!” I apologize, trying to steady myself.
“Owie!” a small child yelps, sending her bag of Skittles to the floor.
I crouch down instantly to help her pick up the candy. I quickly observe that the little girl has a high ponytail with a giant glittery bow attached. I could tell she’s a cheerleader just by the makeup remnants on her face. It’s a sight that tugs at my heartstrings, evoking bittersweet memories when I used to wear glittery makeup like hers. “I’m so sorry, are you okay?”
“My mom says not to talk to strangers.”
A voice, familiar yet distant, responds, “It’s okay, dear.”
I freeze.
Slowly, I look up, my heart pounding in my chest, and I find myself staring into the eyes of a woman who feels both unknown and achingly familiar.
“Mom?” the word escapes my lips before I can stop it, a rush of emotions surging within me.
She smiles softly, a mix of emotions flickering in her eyes. “Serena… it’s been a while.”
The bag of candy slips from my fingers, forgotten, as a whirlwind of thoughts and questions floods my mind. “I need to go.”
“Serena, wait–” the woman–not my mother, she lost that title the day she walked out on me–tries to reach out for my arm to stop me.
I reel back like a snake just bit me. “Don’t touch me.”
Priya’s voice calls out in the distance, but it feels like the world around us has frozen, leaving just the two of us in this suspended moment. I run out of the store and slip back into the car with Priya following behind me in a light jog. I school my face, but my friends spot my change of mood instantly.
Alli, Grant and Priya exchange looks with one another, but Alli approaches me first. “Serena?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“We don’t have to go to the party,” Alli says, her voice coated in concern.
“Just drive to Beckham’s house. Please.”
Chapter 31
Tyler
The after-party flows with high-energy vibes and hype at Skyline’s homecoming win. Music spills out from the open door, blending with the murmurs of conversation and bursts of laughter. The room is an electric mix of hazy lights, living room turned dance floor, and scattered clusters of friends catching up over sodas and snacks.
I weave through the crowd, looking for her. I see my friends wave me over, slight chin nods to greet me, but my eyes catch Serena’s figure in the lively crowd. She’s by the snack table and engaged in conversation with friends. The subtle sway of her movements hints to me that she’s been drinking.
I wave back at my friends, then make my way towards her. As I inch closer to her, I soak in her stunning appearance. The oversized black leather jacket adds a touch of chic to her appearance. It’s casually draped over a blueish-gray shirt that complements her rosy cheeks.
