After school the next day, I went home. Mason was watching TV with Mom and a girl from our school, Jamie. I hopped over the couch and sat. Mom gave me the "you-know-better" look and I shrugged.

"Oh, hey, Emma," Jamie waved.

"Hey, Jamie," I said.

"Yeah, um, we're dating now," Mason said.

"Oh, wow. Since when?" I asked.

"Yesterday," Jamie said.

"Cool. Congrats," I said.

"Emma, we need to talk," Mom stood and went to the kitchen.

I followed her into the kitchen and folded my arms.

"Why are you this way?" She asked.

"What way?" I shrugged.

"This whole sneaking out, party animal, wild child," she said.

"Every other girl in school's the same way," I said.

"Carrie's not. Jamie's not," Mom said.

"Look, Mom. This is me. Sorry I'm not a golden child like Mason," I said.

"Now hold on just a minute--"

"Everything okay?" Mason walked in.

"Yes," Mom said. "We'll be right out."

He left and I rolled my eyes.

"Emma, I know you hate me. I don't know why, but I'd like to know why," Mom said.

I leaned against the counter and shook my head. "I don't hate you, Mom. I actually love you."

"Then why all of this acting out? I'd like to think I did a decent job raising you and Mason," Mom said.

"I don't wanna talk about it," I left the kitchen.

"We're not done talking," Mom said.

"I am," I said going into my room.

I always hated it whenever my mom tried to shrink me like that. She didn't need to know why I was the the way I was. It wasn't her business. I grabbed my computer and opened it to my Facebook.

What a hoe.

I saw Emma and Liam ditching school the other day. She's probably pregnant know. Like if you think so too!

She's so skanky.

Emma is actually pretty cool. A slut, but cool.

I closed my computer and laid down. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I turned on my side. A message popped up on my phone and I looked at it.

Carrie: Hey girl what's up?

I wiped my tears away and sat up.

Me: not much. You?

Carrie: not much. Just chillin haha.

Me: same. Mason and Jamie are watching TV with my mom

Carrie: are they dating now?

Me: Yep.

Carrie: they're cute together!

Me: I guess.

"Emma? Can I talk to you?" Mason walked in.

"Shouldn't you be with Jamie?" I asked.

"She went home," he sat on my bed.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"You to quit acting like your life sucks," he said.

"I happen to really like my life, thank you very much," I snapped.

"Sure doesn't seem like it," he said. "Mom has done everything she can--"

"I know, I know. She's superwoman," I said.

"Then what's your deal?" He asked.

"Like you or Mom care," I rolled my eyes.

"We do," he said.

"Look, I don't want to talk about it. So please leave. And there's a party on Saturday if you want to go," I said.

"No and you're not going either," he said.

"Yes I am," I snapped.

He walked out and shut the door.

Carrie: excited for the party Saturday?

Me: you have no idea.