Mickyyy: Mrs Smith rlly did us dirty. Alllllllll the work for dis.

Despite Micky's dreadful way of texting, I couldn't disagree with his words. Basically, the entire class had been feeling the same way since yesterday---the day we were swindled into giving our projects out.

Usually, we presented them to the class on the due date, reading out whatever we had and getting graded from the project itself and our mode of presentation.

It was nothing like that this time around. Mrs. Smith did us one worse by taking all of our projects and sticking them in the black hole of her desk drawers, where nothing she seized ever returned from.

To put the cherry on top, she announced---while watching our miserable faces turn even more miserable behind her squinty eyes and thick-framed glasses---that presentations were to happen a week from now, without the hard-copy assignment sheets we submitted.

It was a wonderful way to start the weekend, don't you think? From all the students in Mrs. Smith's biology class humming 'Thank God it's Friday' to themselves and immediately switching it up to 'Fuck what you say day' by the end of the day.

Marie's birthday was the only thing that kept our hopes for a pleasant weekend from dying out, and on Saturday morning, the group what flooded with an endless stream of birthday wishes.

That was until Micky's last text.

Laura.aura: Work? Micky you're worse than Rowan when it comes to cheating

Mickyyy: but did any of u let me see ur work? No. No talkie about cheatie then.

KevinBaller: since it's all over do we delete the group or?

Me: No.

Forever_Parker: no

Laura.aura: and this is my cue to leave

I didn't realize the meaning of what Laura responded with, but as soon as I got the intended meaning of giving Parker and I privacy, I had to let out a deep exhale.

Marie_biscuit: I think we should keep it too

Cerealkiller: Marie you didn't even like being here in the first place

Marie_biscuit: so?

Mickyyy: yh so? it's Marie's bday today so u don't have to point out her shortcomings, Rowan. dats just awfully rude

Marie_biscuit: I'm intentionally ignoring you, know that. Anyway are y'all gonna make it to the party? It's at 8.

Laura.aura: wouldn't miss it for the world!

Kevinballer: of course, can't miss a sista's big 18

Mickyyy: im there as long as there's food.

Marie_biscuit: Honestly, I don't care if you're NOT there.

Mickyyy: u wound me.

AkitoChan: I'll drop by @Laura.aura

By noon, everyone had given their response. We were all attending, except for Anisha who was going on a trip to see her family. And by 8pm, I was securing Marie's birthday present in the passenger seat of my father's old Honda.

The box contained a birthday card, a variety of hair products, and a ridiculous amount of hair accessories, the latter being something Marie adored extensively, and the former being something she always complained of. She was of Puerto Rican and Black descent, and had a hair texture similar to mine---except it was much more delicately and comparatively harder to take care of. I hoped she would appreciate the present.

My mother hadn't hassled me as much as I had expected when I told her I was leaving. She only stared at me with a disapproving look and told me my hair wouldn't do, then proceeded to gel down every strand---from the longer ones at the top, to the undercut ones which were cropped close to my scalp.

I had endured her harsh brushing without a word, but when she asked me, "Why are you wearing that ugly shirt? And those shoes... ¿Estás saliendo de la casa así?" I knew I had to get out of there.

Yes, I was leaving the house like this, and I had. Because if I had given into her demands, I definitely wouldn't be leaving at all. We'd go through my entire closet to find a shirt that fit her standards of perfect. Her virtually unattainable standards.

Using the mirror on the sun visor, I tousled my hair with both hands until it no longer looked like someone had glued it to my scalp, then I wiped the excess gel off tissues.

I had agreed to pick up Laura from her house a few blocks down so we could leave together, and as soon as I put the car in park, she was already out the door.

"Dressing to impress, are we?" I commented, admiring the red dress she wore. It was form-fitting and complimented her light complexion, layered with ruffles and sequins that glimmered when light hit them just right.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, knowing exactly what I meant.

"I know you like Ann Marie."

"Why would you say--- " Laura tugged at the ends of her hair and looked to the side, probably to hide the blush that reddened her face. "Okay, I do. So? I also know you like Parker, but you don't see me blatantly saying it."

Now it was I who had to look away. "Should we just... go?"

"Yeah, we should probably leave."

Neither of us said a word until we were at Marie's house, wishing her a happy birthday while Laura kept trying to hide her flushed face from Marie and I, while I kept looking out for Parker Thompson.