Being the oldest isn’t easy. I didn’t have these kids, why am I the one taking care of them? I didn’t ask for this, and I am certainly not getting paid for it. Pfft, I can’t imagine my parents paying anyone, let alone me. I’m just Anna. Anna who will do anything that’s asked of her; Anna that will quietly do what she’s told when she’s told, without making a fuss.

That stops today.

If they want to go out and drink, let them. I’m not staying here to miss out on my high school glory days with my rugrat siblings.

“Hey Aunt June, can you come watch the kids for me? I have to meet up with Sarah to finish a biology project.”

“Sure thing sweets, I’ll be there in fifteen.” Click.

YES! One night to get out. One night to be young. I start getting ready to meet Sarah, my friend from school. She’s got the best parents. They let her go out, and they even let her have her first drink at a dinner party they hosted. Sometimes I wished I lived with her, instead of Alan and Maxine, the alcoholics who created three kids they didn’t want anything to do with.

I heard our aunt come in as I was pulling a hoodie over my tight tank top…there’s a lot to think of when you’re trying to trick someone, especially when you’ve never done it before. I stuck lip gloss and short shorts in my bag, said hi and bye to aunt June, and headed to Sarah’s.

As I got closer to her house, I could tell that the party was happening there. I thought we would be going into town, but apparently the back field at Sarah’s was good enough for a bunch of tipsy teens.

“Anna!!” Sarah screeched. “I’m so glad you’re here!” I could smell beer on her breath as she gave me a hug and it made me gag. Beer was the liquor of choice for my parents, and I learned quickly enough that it didn’t always end well when beer was involved.

“I brought you a drink, it’s just a bud light,”

“No thanks, I’ve got something.” I pulled a joint out of my bag and lit it, while Sarah stared at me. We hadn’t hung out much outside of class, so I’m sure she wasn’t expecting to see me smoking weed.

“I do it all the time, don’t worry about it.” I reassured her. I held it toward her, but she leaned back, obviously uncomfortable with the offer. “I don’t do that.” She muttered.

I shrugged and we walked toward the bonfire behind her house. There were about 15 people there. I recognized them from school but I didn’t really know them. I guess that was about to change.

Within minutes my joint was being passed around, and so was a bottle of vodka. It mayo have been the weed, or the friends, but I found myself curious and taking a gulp out of the bottle. It stung as it went down, but it made my head warm and fuzzy. Those weren’t feelings I was used to. Maybe I was finally experiencing what every other high school girl does. Maybe this was the beginning of my story.

————————————-

Something was tickling my foot. And my hand. I felt cool grass on my hand, and I wiggled my toes to feel something furry down there.

“AH!” As I looked up I saw that it was just Hannah’s dog, Ash. “Hi buddy, what are you doing out here?”

As I started to sit up I felt pounding in my head, and noticed the dryness in my mouth. Here’s to all kinds of firsts, I guess. I squinted in the morning sun, trying to get my bearings. There was Sarah’s house, and I could see the remnants of the bonfire a few feet away. Just then I realized Sarah was across from me on the grass.

“Hey! What the hell happened last night?” I yelled. She didn’t budge. I crawled over to her to shake her arm, and that’s when I saw the blood. Not just a few drops. A lot of blood.

I flipped her over to her back saw her lifeless eyes. There was blood all over her head and the side of her face. Her arm was strewn above her head and her hand lay motionless in the dewy grass.

“Help, please someone help!”