I just love my life, mind if I say that? I really do... Everyday is filled with pleasure, it seems, from when I wake in late afternoon until I drift off, exhausted, sometime round dawn. And to think I was so...scared when it all began.
I remember I was sitting in the quad outside my last college class, reading a book and sneaking a cigarette, after band practice while I waited for my folks to pick me up. Dad must've been running late getting out of work, Mom I guessed was still at her "PTA thing". I had just turned 18, and a freshman. Frosh, we were called, back then. I think they just call em "targets" now, right? JOKING! Geez, where's your sense of humor? Anyway, I was sitting there minding my own business when this van pulls up, and honks, some young chick, not much older than me, sticking her head out the window and waving me over. I figured, hey, where's the harm in talking to another student, and walked over. Best damned thing I've ever done.
We chatted for a while, about various things, and she offered me a ride, so I grabbed my instrument case - I play the flute, you know? Not half bad, either. Anyway, I grabbed my stuff, and hopped in the back. Next thing I know, we're tooling along, and she's all like, "So I know where this GREAT party's gonna be, this weekend". And I'm like, "Yeah?" and she's like, "Yeah, wanna go? I can give you a ride, you know?" so I'm like, "Sure!" and stuff. So anyway, we're discussing important details like what we're gonna wear, when she pulls up in front of the house, and I get out, casually slam the door, and grin at her. "Um, hey.. I still don't know your name, woman. I'm Tabby." I said as I stuck out my hand, and she grinned and winked, called herself Shawna, and shook it. Told me she'd see me on the weekend, round 7ish.
I walked into my house, to find Mom just now getting in the back door, juggling groceries, so I helped her out while she asked me where Dad was. Told her I was clueless, and that a friend gave me a ride. Oddly enough, I didn't mention the party, knowing damned well she'd never let me go, manufacturing instead some looming Big Test on Monday, saying Shawna and I were gonna meet Friday night to study at her place. Mom, only barely paying attention as she raced to get dinner going, said Yes.
So anyway, skip the crap and on to the party, right? Right! So Shawna shows up more like 7:30, but I'm not too worried, since I wasn't quite ready, myself. I had my party clothes crammed into my backpack, and my sweats on, but I was still fishing under the couch for my missing left sneaker, which eventually turned up in, of all places, the hall closet. Mom and Dad slipped me a little cash for "study munchies" and we left, the assumption being we'd spend the night at Shawna's. We got in the van, and I climbed into the back to change as we giggled together at how damned gullible parents could be. Shawna pulled into a parking lot down the street, and got changed herself, then we hit a McSleazeBurger for a snack before heading to the fun.