1 June

Life can be quite boring sometimes when you have no friends, no money, and daddy issues. My mom thought the move from Cali to Maryland would get my mind off her divorce, but I don't know if it's working. After all, when my mom and dad split, he decided to lock her out of their shared bank account before moving back to India, causing my mom and I to get two jobs each to even afford our new house. School starts in two days, and I still haven't rebranded myself. I was thinking about going blonde when I take my braids out, but I already cut my hair back in March, and I don't want my mom to yell at me for "doing too much". She already hates when I do literally anything; I can't even paint my nails red without her getting mad at meー

"Maggie!" My mom yells upstairs, interrupting my thoughts. "Dinner's ready!"

"Coming!" I shout back.

Ugh. I roll out of bed and head over to my dresser where I tie my braids up into a bun. My name is Margaret Khatri (but you can call me Maggie) and I'm 17, 5'6, and I'm half Indian and half black. I have thick, shoulder-length, kinky chestnut brown hair, hazel eyes, and a heart-shaped face. After I finish putting my hair up into a bun, I quickly wipe my face with a makeup wipe to remove the makeup I accidentally fell asleep in the night before. I slip out of my sweatsuit and put on some black leggings and an oversized t-shirt I borrowed from my dad. After looking in the mirror for a couple more seconds, I head downstairs for dinner."Oh, great, you came downstairs!" My mom said cheerily as if I wasn't already planning to come downstairs when she called me. "The neighbors came over to welcome us."

I get ready to put on a fake smile, expecting to see a married couple, but instead, I see two tall and smoking hot, skater boys. They looked about over 6 ft each and one had long blond hair tied back into a bun while the other one wore his dark brown, shoulder-length hair out under his beanie.

"Hi, I'm Kaden," the brunette said. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I replied awkwardly. "I'm Margaret, but most people call me Maggie."

"Hi, I'm Levi," the blond-haired boy said. "Welcome to the neighborhood."

I nervously giggle in response. The boys put down their skateboards and shake my mom and I's hands. I was expecting them to leave then, but then my mom says they're staying for dinner. Lovely.

"So, are you guys brothers?" I ask as I sit down at the dining table.

"Nah, just a couple of best friends who live next to each other," Kaden replies.

"Ohh, okay," I say. "So, do you guys go to North Hill High?"

"Yeah, we're seniors this year," Levi says with a forkful of spaghetti in his mouth.

Kaden slaps his arm and tells him, "Cover your mouth if you're going to talk with it open."

I can't help but laugh, and Kaden smirks at me.

"So, what grade are you in?" He asks me.

"Oh, I'm a senior, too," I say.

"Then, you need to come to the senior summer bash with us next Monday."

"What's that?"

"It's the annual pool party the school throw's for upcoming seniors," He explains excitedly. "My older brother went when he attended NHH, and he said it was amazing."

"Omg, then I need to go!"

I look over at my mom with begging eyes, hoping she'll let me go. She presses her lips tightly together, and I know she's going to say no. She forces a smile and shakes her head. Called it. My mom can be extremely strict sometimes ー I'm surprised she even let two boys into the house.

"Sorry, boys," My mom says. "She can't go, plus we're new here, so I don't know anybody's parents yet."

"It's alright," Levi says with an apologetic look on his face. "There are always other events to go to."

I sigh, looking down at my plate. She always does this. I hate how strict she is. I know she means well by being so overprotective, but I'm 17! When will I ever get to do what I want to do?

I look back up to reach for my glass and catch Kaden's piercing blue eyes staring at me. I stare back as I take a sip of my water. He has such a beautiful face. Evenly thick eyebrows, a sharp jawline, a perfect pair of pink lipsー

"Ahem." My mom clears her throat. "Did you hear me, Maggie?"

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I turn my head towards her, snapping back into reality.

"I said since we're all done now, go ahead and walk your friends to the door while I clear the table."

"Oh, but I'm not done yet." She gives me a look that tells me otherwise. "Nevermind!"

"Thank you so much for having us over," Kaden says to my mom and I. "I enjoyed the meal."

"Yes, thank you so much," Levi says as well.

"It was my pleasure!" My mom happily says. "Come over anytime."

"Yes," I add. "Please do."