I got home, depressed that I didn't make any friends.

Who would have known that it takes longer than one day to make and form a friendship?

"Hey, honey! How was 'Project Friendship'- Day 1?" My mom asked, genuinely curious as I walked through the door.

"Not good, some witches were total a-holes to me at the mall, and this guy at the library thought I was a total creep..." I muttered dejected, walking over to my mom and sitting next to her on the couch in the living room.

Honestly? I just had a long day. My best friend left this morning, I got into a fight with some 'Mean Girls' wannabe's at the mall, and I was rejected by someone who I don't even know.

"You went for the populars and the nerds, didn't you?" She said looking at me sadly, I only nodded in response. "Oh, honey, just go to Taco Bell next time, you will find a nice friend who likes you for you." She tried to comfort me as she put a reassuring arm on my shoulder. 

I knew I should have went to Taco Bell- but no.

"Wait." My dad said as he entered the room, Taco Bell?" He asked, "Did someone bring home Taco Bell?"

How did he only hear 'Taco Bell' out of that entire conversation? I have no clue.

"No darling." My mother corrected him, "I'm cooking tonight, remember?"

"You're what?!" I gasped, the mere thought of eating one of my mother's home cooked meals making a shot of fear rush through me, making me forget all about my bad day.

"I'm cooking dinner tonight." My mother repeated.

"B-But, you can't cook!" I remind her.

My mother's eyes narrowed, taking my insult as a challenge. "Watch me." She hissed before storming out of the room and into the kitchen.

"Look what you did, V!" My dad complains, "Now we're going to have indigestion for weeks!"

"Lucy is forcing me to make a friend." I said, trying to earn sympathy and make him forget I messed up.

If there's one thing that I know about my dad; it's that he gets distracted easily. 

        My dad laughed out loud, "Sucks for you!" He choked out, like a child. After laughing for another 5 minuets, his eyes lit up like he got an idea

Oh no. Anyone in my family getting an idea is not a good thing.

"I know!" He enthused,  "You can be friends with the new neighbors! I think they have a son your age! Just moved from New York, I got to help them unload their trailer this morning." He bragged, pointing his thumb at himself with pride.

"That's great!" I said sarcastically, not in the mood to make any friends today. 

I'm all friendshipped out.

"I know what to do! I'll go invite them to dinner tomorrow night!" He said as he ran out the front-door, probably going to talk to the neighbors.

My eyes widen as I realized my parents had officially joined my army of friendship making.

Maybe I can actually pull this off?

"Damn it!" I heard my mother yell from the kitchen.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! 

Ah, I was waiting for the familiar sound of the fire alarm.

............................................  

    "Please, Lucy!" I begged over the phone, "I can't do it! This friendship thing isn't for me!"

Dang, who would have guessed trying to make a friend would put me through such mood-swings? 

       "V..." Lucy deadpanned, "It's been one day since I left..."

      "Luce! I can't!" I whined in protest.

      "Didn't you say something about new neighbors?" She asked confused, referring to what I told her earlier in the conversation.

      "Yeah, but what if he doesn't like me? What the fudge cakes do I do then?" I worry.

      "Do you really care?" Lucy responded, sounding annoyed.

      "Ummm, no?"

      "Then why are you worrying?" She asked, giving me her famous 'duh' tone.

      I sigh, closing my eyes, "I want to make you happy, Luce... If I can make a friend- you'll be proud of me! For once..."

       "V! That is ridiculous!" She exclaimed

      "Sorry, Luce... You know it's true! Name one time you were proud of me!" I prompt her, knowing she won't be able to do it.

      "Ummm, when you at that 1-foot hot dog in one bite?"

      "Seriously? You were proud?" I ask, skeptical of her lame answer.

"Of course I was!"

I sigh in annoyance, "Luce! You said, and I quote, 'Ew, don't ever do that again you embarrassment of a friend.'"

      She goes quiet, obviously trying to think of something else. "Um- uh... Well... I was proud when you... when you... uh... When you tackled that fat lady for stealing my shoe off my foot at McDonald's! I was so proud because you... uh, got my shoe back." She finally answers.

A smile falls on my face as I remember that day, "Were you really proud of that?" I ask, smiling slightly, knowing full well that she wasn't actually proud of my actions.

"Uh, yes?" Lucy answers, making it seem as if she was asking instead. I can tell she is sweating bullets through the phone- even though I can't see her.

      "Thanks, Luce! You have made me feel a lot better! I don't need make anymore friends!" I decided, milking her words for what they're worth.

      "No," Lucy suddenly screams pops my bubble of happiness, and ear-drums "You still need a friend." She finishes at an appropriate noise-level.

       "Dang." I grumbled angrily.

      There was yelling at the other side of the phone, signaling that Lucy would have to hang up soon.

3

2

1... "I gotta go, talk you ya later, V!" Lucy says right as predicted.

      "Talk to you later..." I mumbled disappointed that she had to leave so soon. I hung up the phone and laid back on my bed. My gaze unconsciously made it's way to my bed-side clock.

       5:20. Maybe I should get ready? I mean, the new neighbors are supposed to arrive around 6... I looked down at my pajamas and sighed in dismay.

Yeah, that's right. It's 5:20 and I'm still not ready for the day yet- what are you gonna do 'bout it? Nothin'? That's what I thought.

      I dragged myself out of my bed and to my drawer and pulled out a suitable outfit- a blank t-shirt and pair of washed-out skinny jeans. After I pulled myself into these clothes, I walked- dragged myself- out my room and into the bathroom at the other end of the hallway. I frowned at the nest on my head replacing my hair. I slowly brushed out all the tangles, watching as my dark brown hair slowly turns presentable.

After I finished getting ready, I flew downstairs and collapsed on the living room couch.

      It was 5:30... I got 30 minuets to myself. I leaned back on the couch and turned on the TV, finding something to watch, I allowed myself to relax.

..................................................

      "Violet!" The voice of my mother cut into the episode of Spongebob I was watching. "They're here!" She enthuses just as the doorbell rings.

      I sigh and turn off the TV.

      I'll come back to you, my love. I'll always come back...

       After confessing my love to the TV, I cautiously make my way to the front door, quickly dusting off my pants as I went. I made my presents known when I spotted my parents, who were greeting a middle-aged couple at the door. 

      "Oh, and this is our daughter, Violet!" My father says with a grin, being the first to spot me.

     "Hello!" I respond with a cheesy smile, just waiting to get meet a potential new friend and get this night over with. 

      "Oh my! You look so beautiful!" The middle-aged woman enthuses happily, her eyes doing a quick scan over me. "My name is Barbra!" She gestures to herself before lazily pointing at the middle-aged man, "This is my husband, Mike."

      I shake both their hands, trying to be as polite as possible. 

      "And this," Mike says, pointing at the girl beside him whom looked to be around 10-12-years-old. "Is our daughter, Emily."

      "Nice to meet you all!"  Emily cheers over-enthusiastic with a fake smile.

      You could tell by our forced expressions, me an Emily were just faking for the adults.

      My father gives an annoyed sigh, closing his eyes in disappointment "I'm extremely sorry, but my son seems to think he is 'too cool' for us again... Lets just give him a minuet to realize he is abandoning us!" He yelled the last part up the stairs trying to catch Lee's attention. My father tries to play it off as a joke, but he is clearly sweating bullets as he waits for Lee to come down stairs.

     Mike and Barbra shared a look of pure relief "Our son too..." Barbra said with a small smile.

       "I'm sorry I'm late! I couldn't decide what tie to wear!" My brother exclaims as he rushes down the stairs, not even wearing a tie.

Liar.

The lying idiot is introduced to the new neighbors and we all stand around awkwardly, awaiting their late son.

      After a few minuets, he appears out of the darkness.

      "Hey. Sorry, I was kinda late... I completely forgot." He said honestly as he casually strolled in.

      His voice, where have I heard it? As if nature was trying to answer my question, he looked in my direction and we both freeze, caught in a sense of deja-vu.

      We speak simultaneously, "You!"

Everyone looked in our direction in shock by us having already met, but my mother- of course- breaks the silence. "How great!" She enthuses, "You two already know each other!"

................................

      We spent the entire dinner avoiding each others gazes, too embarrassed to speak to one another. On the bright side- our parents seem to be hitting it off!

     After dinner, I started to pick up everyone's plates, but my mom stopped me, "Darling, I got it! How about you take our guest to see your room?" She said, nodding her head to him and flashing me a wink.

Oh God. She's trying to be my wing-woman again, isn't she?

      "Mom-" My protest was cut off my Barbra

      "What a great idea, Mary!" She smiles, "That way the adults can talk."

      I sigh in defeat, I look to my dad, hoping he will save me from spending time with him.

     Come on! Go all protective dad and demand we can't be in my room alone!

      My dad sees the look I'm giving him and he clears his throat, prepared to save me. "If you are going to be alone in V's room- make sure you close the door. I really would not like to hear whatever nasty stuff your doing."

      Why am I not surprised?

     Everyone's jaws drop in surprise at my father's bluntness.

      "What?" My father defends himself, "we were all thinking it! I was just the one who said it."

      All the adults reluctantly nod in agreement.

      "I agree with John! Now shoo!" Mike says.

      I roll my eyes before I start to leave, I stop and turn back around, "You coming, sports geek?" I ask awkwardly. 

      He sighs before he stands, "After you, Ms. Desperate."

.....................................