I think we've established that I hate holidays. I understand the whole making new memories thing that Mom keeps stressing. But that doesn't change the fact that holidays have always sucked.

Plus, Thanksgiving isn't for two more weeks. Why do we need to have a second one- a 'friendsgiving'? The concept sounded dumb.

Mom had decided that she wanted to have a friendsgiving. Basically a Thanksgiving, but with friends, not family. So, she invited Callie, April, and Teddy over and was cooking a meal like you would eat on Thanksgiving. The turkey, the stuffing. All of it. She's crazy.

On top of that, Mom wanted me to invite my friends. No way.

"Olive! Can you come help me please?"

Mom had woken me up early and requested that I get dressed. She had already been dressed, and went to start cooking. She said we didn't have a lot of time since her friends were coming at 11:30.

I came out of my room, "What do you need help with?"

Mom had a tray with a turkey on it in her hands. "Can you open the oven?"

I did so, watching her place the turkey in.

"Ok, now for the stuffing. You look beautiful, honey." She kissed my cheek. "Come on, wash your hands."

"Thanks, so do you," I flashed her a smile. As much as I didn't enjoy holidays, I didn't want to ruin it for Mom. She was excited. I washed my hands, and she gave me the task of cutting up potatoes.

"You're sure you don't want to have some friends come?" Mom asked.

"I'm sure." I nodded quickly.

"Why not, honey? It'll be fun!"

"Mom, I said no." I said a little too aggressively.

Mom paused. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, just continuing to cut up the potatoes, keeping my eyes glued to what was in front of me.

"Olivia..." Mom stepped closer to me.

"Please just drop it. I don't want to have friends over, ok?"

Mom frowned, nodded and went back to what she was doing.

Mom ended up turning on some music, clearly upset by the silence. I wasn't trying to upset her. I just really didn't want to talk about it.

It seemed odd to me. Was I supposed to tell my friends my mom was gay? How do you say that? Them coming here would mean they would find out- Callie would be here. It just seemed like a hassle. They didn't need to know. I didn't want Mom to take that as me not accepting her, though. So I stayed quiet.

I was cutting up cheese for the cheese and cracker platter when Teddy got to the apartment. Mom let her in, and I continued what I was doing while they chatted and hugged at the front door.

Teddy came in and hugged me. "There's my girl. I think you've gotten taller!"

I shook my head, "I don't think so," I laughed a little.

She smiled, "Mom put you to work, huh?" She stood next to me, picking up a slice of cheese.

"Hey! Not yet!" I faked a pout, and she put it down. I smiled, pleased. "Let me finish, then you can eat it."

"Ok little miss bossy," Teddy smiled. "What can I do, Zona?"

"Uh. Wanna clear off the coffee table? I kind of have no where else we can sit" Mom laughed.

"Got it. Where do you want me to put the stuff?"

Mom looked around. "My bedroom is fine."

By the time April and Callie got here, all of the food was ready- all we had to do was heat it up. So, Mom turned on the TV, and we put out the cheese and crackers.

"You did a nice job, Liv." Teddy said.

"I just put it on the platter." I laughed a bit.

"It looks nice!" Callie added.

Teddy smiled at that, and nodded her agreement.

"Thanks for having us over, Zona!!" April said. "It smells good in here, I'm excited to eat yummy Thanksgiving food!"

I sat on the couch, just kind of listening. I wasn't really into the whole holiday thing.

Maybe I was being a little dramatic, but isn't that my job as a teenager, anyway?

My lack of involvement in conversations definitely didn't go unnoticed by Mom, and I knew she might be upset with me later. But I just didn't see a point.

Besides, the four of them seemed to get along fine. Callie fit right in with Mom and her best friends, which was good.

I could tell April and Teddy really liked Callie.

At some point, before we ate, I ended up in my room. Not in an intentionally rude way, I was just taking a break, I guess.

But, as expected, someone came and found me. It was April.

"Livs," She stood in the doorway.

"Sorry, my phone died I just needed to charge it." It wasn't a lie, my phone was charging. But, I wasn't that addicted to my phone. I could've very easily left the room while it was charging.

"You seem off." April said softly.

I shrugged.

"Why didn't any of your friends come?"

"I didn't invite them."

"Why not?" April tilted her head.

"I dunno. Didn't want to."

April nodded, sensing I didn't want to talk about it. Thank god.

"Why don't you come on out?" She held out her hand for me to take.

I sighed. I knew I had to just suck it up- before I ruined this day for Mom. I took Aprils hand. She smiled at me, leading me back into the kitchen, where Mom, Teddy and Callie were all talking and laughing.

"Look who I found!" April leaned against the counter, pulling me in front of her.

"Liv!"

"Olive! I was wondering where you went off to." Mom smiled.

April wrapped her arms around me. I think I had made my annoyance a little too obvious to her.

I stood there, semi-involving myself in the conversation about how the local mall was already starting to decorate for Christmas. Over the years I had learned that sometimes adults- even super young ones- had really random conversations.