To Fall So Deep

Nina paced around in her small rectangular room, kicking the desk chair in the process. Large enough to fit a twin size bed, a desk, vanity, and a bookshelf, the room that Nina escaped to became her sanctuary. Nina sat at the edge of her bed, contemplating ways to get herself to that party. She grabbed her phone, pressing the circle button, and watched the screen glow. A missed call from Joleen popped onto her screen, and within the second she was calling her best friend back.

"Hey girl hey!" Joleen exclaimed from the other end of the line. "Please tell me you've found the best outfit for the party tonight!"

"Joleen, I got some bad news," Nina began, but before she could continue Joleen quickly interrupted.

"Did your mom say no?"

"Bingo! She doesn't want me going out to Carmel to some crazy party!"

"Bullshit Nina. You're going to that party, and I don't care what your mom says. This is a mansion party. At Melanie DeLaurentiis' house! She lives a block away from Clint Eastwood! This party is going to be huge, and you're nobody if you don't go,"

"But how am I--"

"Sneak out. It's as simple as that," Joleen declared.

"But--"

"No buts Nina. Don't you want to impress Gabe? If you go to this party you'll show him that you're not just some smartie pants who always has her head in the books. Come on, Nina. Live a little! Don't be that lame loser virgin who didn't go to that party! You might even get your first kiss tonight."

Nina sat on her bed, biting her bottom lip in nervousness. She's never really disobeyed her mom before, let alone snick out. She did have a huge crush on Gabe, and knowing Joleen, who always had guys fawning over her, knew what she was talking about when it came to the opposite sex. What could it hurt? She'll be gone for no more more than three hours, and be back before anyone would notice.

Suddenly, there was a knock that interrupted Nina's train of thought.

"Nina," it was Arianne, and Nina jumped, "open the door anak."

"Leave me alone, please," Nina coldly answered.

"Listen, I'm sorry, but I just don't trust Joleen,"

"It's not Joleen you don't trust, it's me. You know mom, I'm not some teenaged slut who had a one night stand at sixteen," Nina gasped. She went too far, and everything around her grew eerily silent.

Nina unlocked her door and opened it, hoping to find her mom on the other side. However, as Nina peaked her head out the door, she noticed the door that led to her mom's room close shut, leaving Nina alone in a darkened hallway. A bright glow emitted from her hand, as a vibration tingled her palm. She looked down at the phone she held and read the screen: Joleen. Backing into her room, and closing the door, Nina answered answered the text.

Getting ready. Pick me up at 9.

Nina sighed; not in relief, but in amazement. Even, she couldn't believe she was going through with this plan. But as Nina slid her closet doors to the side, and pulled out an appropriate outfit, she was beginning to feel confident about the whole thing. Nonetheless, the pit in her stomach grew larger every moment her thoughts drifted back to her mom. She hurt her feelings, and pinched a nerve. It was uncalled for, but Nina figured she would make it up to her in the morning. Flowers, breakfast in bed, and several apologies on her knees would do the trick.

Dressed in a pair of distressed, high-waisted jean shorts, a plain black cropped top, a dark green oversized cardigan, and combat boots, Nina was ready to party-- well, more like talk to Gabe, the boy of her dreams. Another vibration from Nina's phone caused her desk to rattle. A text from Joleen revealed that she was down the street waiting.

Ok. I'm coming!

Nina threw her phone into her purse, flicked off the lights, and using the outside lights that snaked its way through her curtains to guide her steps, she started towards the small window above her desk. She opened the window, and using a protractor, she loosened the screen. It popped out of its pane, and carefully and quietly, she propped it against her desk.

"You got this Nina," she exhaled to herself. Counting to three, she jumped out the window.

Quickly, she crouched down and looked around. The light in her Kathleen's room was dim, but casted a silhouette of her sister against the lavender curtains. Nina continued to crouch forward as she ran around the back of the house to the side gate. Passing her mom's room, she noticed the light was shut off. Not even the flicker of a television lit the room. Nina frowned.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Nina knew it was Joleen calling her phone. She ignored it, unlatching the gate, and escaping to the other side. She jogged down the driveway, and down to the end of the street. Parked against the curb was a silver Mercedes Benz, and like a spotlight, a bright glow emitted from a phone, illuminated a girl's face-- Joleen. At 18-years old, and a senior at Monterey High, Joleen Quiroz was one of the girls who naturally radiated with confidence. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and had a talent for manipulation. She was gorgeous, and everyone knew this. Her fashion sense was a little out there, but with both her parents being successful business partners who often traveled the world, would spoil their pride and joy with fashion pieces from Tokyo, Madrid, Paris, and New York.

At times it confused Nina as to why Joleen would want to be her friend. Why a beautiful, rich senior would want anything to do with Nina was beyond her, but having such a confident friend meant having a body guard to defend her when she can't defend herself.

Nina knocked on the glass window and Joleen turned her head. She smirked, and rolled down her window, "you look great! I knew that top would look good on you. Now get in bitch, time to party!"

Nina followed Joleen's orders, and walked around to the passenger side. She slid in, and with the bass thumping through the speakers, the two girls headed to the party of the year.

Notes