I Was A Teenager Once.

We pull up to the party. I can’t believe these idiots are throwing water balloons in to the street, right next to the police officer directing traffic. Fourth of July is the busiest day of the year in our little town and these fools are drawing attention to a house full of drinking teenagers.

Kathy and I laugh about it – until sirens and lights surround the house.

“Run!”

That’s exactly what we do. We run!

Kathy takes off across the school soccer field. I hear her shouting for me to follow her, but I don’t. I head down a little alley, in between the school and the next house over.

“Stop!”

I beg my feet to please run faster, praying I can make it to my house a few blocks away.

I said stop, right now!”

I know I’m busted. I stop in my tracks. My 15 year old self, is petrified.

The police officer walks me back to the party house. He sits me in the circle of delinquents, on the front lawn. Here we sit, all with a defeated, scared, slightly intoxicated look on our faces, as people drive by gawking at us. No one is talking.

Two officers are standing near by, chatting and keeping an eye on us. The other officer is leading kids inside the house, one by one, and having them call their parents.

Parents are showing up, furious and embarrassed. Lisa gets pulled to the car by her ear. Brian, the guy that should have graduated three years ago and always buys the beer, just got slapped across his face by his mom.

I’m playing out in my head, what I think my mom will say. Something catches my eye and I look up. I see Kathy! She’s walking right by all of us. That bitch! How did she pull that off?

I hear my name being called to the house. I’m a nervous wreck. I sit down at the table and the police officer makes me call my mom.

I call and confess. She gives me a verbal lashing and asks to speak to the officer. She explains she can not drive and will he please give me a ride home. He agrees and back outside, to the circle of shame I go. I have to wait for every single kid to get picked up. I get the evil eye from every, single parent.

Finally, I’m being driven home. The officer walks me up to our second story apartment and makes sure to touch base with my mom. She scolds me in front of him, making it known I will be punished. The officer gives me one more short lecture and leaves.

I am speechless, just staring at my mom.

I’m suddenly startled.

Kathy jumps out of the bathroom, shouting, “I told you to follow me!”

The three of us bust out laughing, breaking the awkward silence.

My mom is definitely not ok with what just happened. However, as we re-enact the details of this crazy night, mocking the kids darting off in every direction like scurrying ants and the parents arriving, one after the other, plucking their child from the ring of rebellion – she can’t help but shake her head, and laugh with us.

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This is my submission for Yeah Write’s weekly writing challenge. Will it make it on the invitational grid or will I receive another love letter from the editors? Either way, I look forward to reading, writing and learning with the Yeah Write community every week. Click the badge to learn more about Yeah Write and the supportive writing community they have created.