| PART 3 I walk around my new neighborhood. I don't want to go to far, because I'm still new here and don't want to get lost. Not only that, if my father finds out that I'm missing, I would lose my escape route, I think bitterly to myself. I find a park and walk around it for a while. I finally sit down on a bench to watch the sun set. I never realized how amazing a sunset looked. Then again, it's kind of hard to see it through the city smog. I look around and realize all the things that I've missed out on, being the outcast of my family. I see two children playing with their dad, smiling and laughing to my left. In front of me I see a mother and daughter walking their dog. To the right, I see three guys about my age playing basketball. I've never had that. Why would I? Every time my mom looks at me, all she probably sees is my father's infidelity. I mean, I'm the creation of an affair my father had with his intern 16 years ago. I don't blame my mom for not truly accepting me, but I've never understood why my own father and my brother don't want me. Max, he's definitely a reproduction of our father, in every sense of the word. He hates me as much as our father does. I don't understand that. I never did anything to him. There was never any competition between us because he always had all the privileges. I remember a time when I was growing up. I did everything to make my father and brother accept me, to make them proud. I now realize that I just wasted my time. It's even a waste of time to dwell on it now. Realizing that the sun has been down for hours, I get up and head back to the house. ************************************************************************ I have just finished my last assignment, when I hear Maria barge in. I look up at her then glance at the clock. "Where have you been?" I ask her impatiently. She huffs and sits down. "I told my mom your excuse and it seemed like she was going for it, but then when I was in the middle of packing my overnight bag, she told me that she wanted to see what I was packing," She says, exasperated. "What, she actually went through your bag?" I ask. I can't believe her mom would stoop that low. She nods her head. "I think she was purposely trying to make me late. I have a feeling she knew we are going to the club. I guess she figured that if I got here late and since you're suppose to help me cram, we wouldn't be able to go to the club," she says frustrated. "I guess we can't go because I have to pass my test tomorrow so my mom doesn't think I'm lying to her. I'm sorry, Liz. I know you really wanted to go," she says dejectedly. I look at her feeling sorry, but I'm not about to miss a night out. I need to unwind. Especially if I'm going to have to deal with stuck-up rich New Yorkers just about all day tomorrow. Just thinking about it is getting me annoyed, but all I can think about is that it will look good on my college application. I get up and sit next to Maria. "Listen, here's the plan. It's only 8 o'clock. We'll get dress and cram for 3 hours. Then we go out," I say insistently. "Look, Liz, I can't, okay? You may not care what your parents think about you, but I do," she says to me heatedly. "Maria, will you listen to me?" I say quietly, but forcefully. Even though I may take her for granted sometimes, she is the only good friend I have. When I finally get her attention, I continue to say, "You'll pass your Chem. exam with an A when I get through with you. All I need is three hours now and a crash course at lunch. Going out and having fun will only help relax you more so you can absorb information quicker and easier." She looks at me, somewhat skeptical. "You wanted to know how I do well in my classes, didn't you?" I ask her inquiringly. She nods her head and I smile at her "Well I'm about to give you a crash course on studying 101. First, I study hard. Second, I go out, have fun, relax, and stop thinking about school and homework. Thirdly, I sleep and I'll wake up refreshed. Before my test, I skim over my notes and everything I studied the night before comes back to me, and voila, I pass my test. It's that easy." Maria looks down at her hands and sighs. She just has to agree with it. She just has to. Then all my hopes are dashed when she shakes her head and says, "No." At first, she says it a little too quietly, but then she speaks louder. "I'm sorry, Liz, but I told my mom I'm going to pass this test and I'll study all night long if I have to, with or without your help," She says miserably as she gets up and heads for her backpack. I look up trying to calm myself down. "I'll help you, Maria. You know I'll always be there for you when and if you ever need me," I say trying to sound as calm as I can. "Come on, grab your books, and let's get started," I say, a little too gloomy for my taste. We head upstairs towards my room, and I sit on my bed while Maria sits on the floor, gathering all her notes and books to prepare herself for studying. I should be proud of her. She hardly ever attempts to study, but me being the selfish person I am, I can't help but be depressed. I stand up, walk towards my window, and look out at the town. Wishing I was anyplace but here. I wake up from my self-pitying to the sound of rustling papers. I look over at Maria and sigh. I walk over towards her and sit next to her. "If you want me to help you study then you'll have to learn to study my way," I say cheerfully. I don't want Maria to think that I don't want to help her. Maria smiles and we begin on our late night cram session. |