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“You’re not co with us?” My mother tilted her head with concern etched on her face

“There’s a graduation party I won’t stay long, I promise, but this is my last chance to see some of my friends” I reached out and took my mother’s hand “I’ll be home soon”

“Okay, but no drinking” My mother squeezed my hand

“She’s almost twenty-four years old, Linda If she wants to have a drink, she can” My father rolled his eyes and sighed “I’m sorry, honey Go have fun with your friends You see us every day”

“I love you both” I sroup of friends that aiting for me

My ood intentions, but she had always been extremely protective of me—so and while I would always be his little girl, he understood that I had to grow up one day Moving away and being on , but I was pretty sure that I wasn’t going to stay in Cedar Grove I always drea in an office with an a a wonderfullike what I saw on television, but I still needed to have a taste of the adventure If it didn’t work out, I could always come back to Cedar Grove It would always be home, no matter how far away I went

“Do you want to do shots now, or wait until we get to the party?” My best friend, Gwendolyn, put her arm around me

“I’ shots” I shook ht over there—currently talking to your parents”

“My parents gave raduation I don’t think they’re going to iggled and pointed in her purse where I saw a flask peeking out

“Did you already start drinking?” I tilted my head to look into her eyes

“I just had a little bit” She giggled again

“Okay, then I’ my car keys out of my purse