The Gardens

I popped a bubble and laughed.
" You want ME to go to the Gardens?!"
" We don't want you to go to the Gardens, we're making you go," Dad said.
I ignored him, counting my cash and chewing on my gum. " I need three more bedlars to get my lip ring."
" You are certainly NOT getting a lip ring, America," Mom cried,hrsr face pale with the horror of having her youngest daughter maul herself in that way.
I smirked. " Why, Mom, I never thought you hadn't understood till now."
" Understood?" she repeated.
" Yes, all of us are getting a lip ring," I said, referring to my group of friends.
Mom scowled. " You need to get better friends, America."
" No, I think I'll stick with the ones I have already. Which is why I'm not going to the Gardens," I said calmly.
Dad cut in. " Will you go if we let you have a lip ring?"
I popped a bubble.
" Mark!" Mom stood up.
" Yeah, sure," I said, thinking that I could easily not keep my part of the deal.
" You can get it tomorrow then, now go pack up," Dad stood and walked away, Mom yelling at him about how he couldn't do this.
I bounced up the stairs and grabbed some random clothes, stuffing them in my shoulder bag, pretending to back up. If Mom would check she'd find the clothes, mascara (which is the only type of makeup I wear), and gum. I put my laptop in it's bag, then took a shower and crawled under the blankets and fell asleep.


***

I cursed at my parents a thousand times until they finally gave my the money. I took it and ran up the the road to Ginger's, where body piercings were done. Wearing a red-and-black mininskirt, black silk shirt, silver bracelets, and silver loop earrings, I stepped in and greeted Ginger. Giving her the money, I sat down to wait.
I looked in the catalog and decided to get the plain silver ring and the skull one. Mom would freak out. I chuckled to myself. The door opened and I walked inside.


***

Mom freaked out. But it was Dad who tricked me into it.
I barely stepped in when Dad yelled that one of my friends called and told me to meet them on the bus at Pat Street in two minutes. It was a strange request but I turned around and ran back to the place. Sure enough, a crowded bus awaited. I wondered why they chose this place to meet at, but stepped on. I noticed too late. The doors closed and I looked around all kids were staring at me.
" What are you doing on the Gardens's bus?" one yelled.
The bus started moving. "Get into a seat, don't want you flying out," the driver called to me. I wanted to fly out. And to fly all the way to Dad just deliver his death. Kids must've seen my death glare, 'cause they all leaned away as I passed by them. I sat in the back and cluched the seat so hard it hurt.
I was on my way to the Gardens.