Momma scurries into my room, all smiles, large aluminum cosmetics case in hand.
“It’s almost time!” she exclaims, depositing the case next to me and promptly beginning my beautification process.
“You are so lucky. I didn’t have much growing up. Momma barely earned enough money to buy the bare essentials. All my clothes and shoes were hand-me-downs or from the thrift store. The uppity bitches at school bullied me every day. I wanted a better life and your father was an easy target. I seduced him and have no regrets.”
A sour taste slithers along my taste buds at her selfish admission.
“But you betrayed your sister,” I whisper.
She bends down until we’re eye to eye. “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You’re young, but one day you’ll realize the world is a cold place. If you want something, you have to take it by any means necessary. Everyone is expendable, including family.”
Nolan appears in the doorway. “I’m heading out.”
“You look devilishly handsome,” Momma raves, giving his designer outfit a once-over. “Have a great time.”
“I will. See you in the morning,” he says before strutting down the hallway.
Momma grabs the blush palette and sets to finishing her task. My curfew is lifted for tonight, but Nolan is always free to come and go as he pleases without question, even when he was my age.
“Flawless.” Momma beams, spritzing setting spray over my face.
Ding-dong.
“That’s him,” she breathes, her eyes sparkling like a schoolgirl about to meet her celebrity crush. “Hurry up and get dressed, and remember what we talked about.”
I nod, blinking away the tears threatening to spill free.
“Coming here is a colossal mistake,” Jiminy gripes, trailing behind me into the building.
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. He bitched the entire walk here. I usually avoid school functions, but Zilphia’s going to be here tonight. I need to speak to her before I lose my nerve.
We stroll down the hallway, bypassing a few kids tucked in corners doing only God knows what. I haven’t seen an adult yet. They probably wouldn’t care anyway. Most turn a blind eye to the shit that goes on around here. They do the bare minimum to keep their biweekly checks coming in.
“We’re parading straight into the lion’s den,” he adds, continuing his gloom and doom narrative.
A giggling couple darts past us, undoubtedly seeking privacy to engage in some teenage debauchery.
“You insisted on coming, remember?” I remind him. “I told you to stay your ass home.”
“Who else is going to have your back when things go south, hmm?” he asks, pursing his lips into a paper-thin line.
“You know, silence is a virtue,” I deadpan.
“Excuse me for trying to talk some sense into you,” he huffs, flinging his arms up in exasperation.
“Positive thoughts equal positive results,” I tell him.
Jiminy scoffs. “You’ll be singing a different tune when Nolan and his henchman beat the brakes off you.”
“Well, at least you’ll be right beside me, getting the brakes beat off you too,” I joke, flicking his earlobe.
He smacks my hand away. “Oh, you think putting our lives in jeopardy is funny?”
“Relax, no one’s dying tonight, except maybe you, if you don’t chill the hell out.”
“Can’t wait to say I told you so,” he grumbles under his breath.
I ignore him and squeeze through the crowd mingling near the gymnasium entrance. All dressed to impress. Me? Same threadbare jeans and scuffed sneakers that scream “nobody.” I’d love a steady job, but there aren’t many positions available in town, and public transportation is nil. If I had a car, finding work would be a breeze.
