"The house has been awfully quiet since you've become a cheerleader," says Mom as we're eating supper: mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and buttery garlic green beans. "Are you too popular to talk to me? She bites into the chicken wing. "Yeah," I joke, sipping my grape juice. Mom laughs. Mom and I have been dining alone since the day she found out Dad was having an affair with his secretary. I was thirteen at the time. Dad remarried a day after he and Mom finalized the divorce. I lost all respect for him for cheating on Mom, and I wanted nothing to do with him. But Mom, having a good heart, doesn't want me to resent Dad. So, I'm under pressure every holiday to visit him and his homewrecker wife, Viola. "How are you liking being a cheerleader?" Mom goes on to ask. "Good," I say, and an awful feeling rises inside of me. I loved being a cheerleader, but I hated being told to do things that don't come with being a cheerleader. ***** I video-called Samantha as I was in my room, lyin

Searching through my closet, I grunt loud enough for Mom to hear downstairs."Jaylee, are you okay?!" she yells."I'm fine, Mom!" I yell back.Amber's party is one day away, and yet I've found nothing to wear."Too ugly, not good enough, also ugly," I toss all the clothes that were unappealing for the party.I stopped at a pink bodycon dress my mom bought for me five months ago. I was happy when I got it, but also suspicious as to why she decided to buy me a fitted dress when she refused to get me one at the mall when I begged. I found out later that evening that she was using the dress to bribe me to attend Dad and her homewrecker's anniversary. I roll my eyes, upset, whenever I see the dress in my closet."What are you searching for?" Mom comes into my room."Clothes, dah," I say with an eye roll."I know. What I mean is, What outfit are you looking for?""Something sexy to attend Amber's party tomorrow." I say this as I'm still searching."And at what time is her party?""8pm.""No

"You've sure been in a bad mood the entire practice session," Amber says as she approaches me as I'm closing my bag.Unable to hold it in any longer, I ask, "Were you the one who told Samantha that we're unable to be friends anymore?"Amber folds her hand, then straightens her body."No, I didn't," she says soberly.I examine her for any signs that she's lying, but I see none."How long did you think your lies would backfire on you?" Amber goes on to ask.Tears engulf my eyes."She figures it out on her own when she approaches me yesterday, asking if the cheerleading meeting is over and needs to speak with you." "And I wasn't going to lie for you?" Amber says."You caused it on yourself," Amber says, walking away.Hot tears pour down.I called Samantha when I went home, but the phone call went straight to voice mail. I sent a few text messages apologizing over and over again, but it seemed she had blocked me.***At lunch break, I'm staring at Samantha as she sits with her chess team.

"Leave me, right here." I stopped the taxicab a few minutes away from home.As the taxicab goes off, I survey the surroundings to see if anyone is watching, and I hide my new outfit between shrubs.As I walk away, I reach for my phone, calling my aunt.She answers."My mom's going to call you in the next few minutes; please make sure to answer your phone," I say quickly."Okay," she responded."Also, remember to play along with my plan that I'll be staying at your house tonight.""No problem."The phone call ends, and I'm already at home.I stand at the door for a while before going inside to get myself in a bad mood so my plan can go smoothly.Mom's coming from the kitchen; she has a cup of her favorite tea, chamomile, as I enter.Right after giving her an angry look, I slammed the door.By the aching noise, her hand goes to the temple."I'm having a terrible headache, and I cannot deal with you right now," Mom says."I don't care. And I'm going to stay at Aunt's house tonight, since

The bag I'd carry was at the back of the shrub. When the party is over, I will collect it."What's your name?" A security guard asks as I arrive at the gate."Jaylee," I say.He checks the list, and soon he's going to open the gate. As I'm walking behind him, I see him eyeing me. I smirk that the outfit's working.My mouth falls open at the sight of Amber's white mansion. It's beautiful, and an outdoor water fountain is right in front of it. I halt for a while, admiring its beauty, and soon I'm making my way to the door.Nervously, I take a deep breath and exhale before knocking on the door. The door opens, and I'm greeted with blaring music along with a maid attired in a black and white uniform.She allows me to enter, knowing that I'm here for the party. As I did, I noticed the huge hallway.There's a huge portrait of Amber and her parents. She looked happy as they both stood by her side. I've never seen Amber smile that way before. It looks genuine instead of bogus."Please follow