FREEDOM!! Sweet, wonderful FREEDOM!!

Well, actually, I'm not free. I have a time limit on the computer now. e.e Grrr.

This chappy isn't my best because I haven't updated in awhile. I'm just going to have to get back into the swing of things, which might take me awhile. XD

10, I repeat, 10 reviews!!! THANKS YOU GUYS!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!! (Non creeper, like, of course.)

Playlist For Chapter:

Follow Me - Uncle Cracker
Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry
I'm A Believer - Smash Mouth
The Hamster Dance - Hampton The Hamster (My theme song at the moment. XD)

"My mom didn't freak," Nikki said, trying to convince me that it was all right. "She thinks I'm going to go see Mel, my sister."

"Renny doesn't have a sister," Ivy pointed out, as she swung back to look at us.

"Yeah. I don't." My voice was shaky; my dad and mom could yell pretty loud. . . . "Hey, how long are we going for?" I asked.

"I said two months," Nikki said, grinning as she wiggled her red eyebrows. "You know my extremely easy going parents. They probably won't care if I was going to Vegas to be a stripper."

Ivy laughed. "I said three, and I agree Nikki; your parents are more easy going than Renny's."

I sighed. My parents were far from being easy going when it came to me leaving the state. "You guys are no help. Well, see you on the other side," I mumbled.

I slowly got out, the hot air hitting me like a semi. I breathed it in, taking in my house for what might be the last time for quite a while.

It was white with dark shingles, and the green of the front lawn made it look extremely pale, like it was an alien or some sort of alien-like thing. Of course, there were no trees, and the only thing that was making any noise was the wind chimes that blew with the hot breeze.

I slowly walked up the concrete side walk, and up the two steps to my front door. I breathed in hugely, and I opened the door, swinging it widely.

My house was mainly living room when I first walked in–I was greeted with black leather sofas, a wooden coffee table, lamenate floor, and a T.V. that was fairly sized. To the left, was a door way that lead to the yellow-themed kitchen. The walls were painted a light white in the living room, and yellow, I knew, in the kitchen.

"Hey, Renita, I'm in the kitchen!" My mom's voice greeted me before I could even say anything.

"Frickin' mind reader," I grumbled, pulling off my sneakers before I slowly crossed through the living room, and into the kitchen.

"And I told you not to say that," My mom chided. She was in the middle of the yellow kitchen–the counter's were a strange black stuff, the fridge and stove were stainless steel, and there was a stainless steel sink that was right beside the stove–and she was up to her elbows in some sort of batter that smelt like chocolate.

"Would you rather me say fu–" I stopped when my mom gave me a look that could kill birds in mid flight. "Okay, okay, point cha' making?"

"Chocolate drop cupcakes," she replied, smiling at me. Her laugh-wrinkled face that reminded me so much of myself was spread into a smile, and her dark brown hair was piled in messy curls upon her head. "What are you doing?"

"Coming in to ask you a few questions," I said, my voice dropping the joking tone. My stomach felt as if it were about to explode, and I hoped that today she might be in an easy going mood.

My mom raised her eyebrows. "Okay. Shoot." She pulled her hands out of the dark brown dough so she could place them on her hips.

"Well, let's say someone wanted to go somewhere, and invited me to come with. But that somewhere, is like, really far away. Could I still go?" I was grinning sheepishly at the end of the few sentences. The butterflies in my stomach flew around, making me want to double over and puke.

My mom's eyebrows furrowed together. "Let me guess. Ivory–who never asks anything of you–asked if you and Nikita could both go somewhere with her–let's say Washington–and you were wondering if you could go."

My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. "How the hell do you know that?"

My mom playfully slapped my arm. "Watch the cusses, Renny."

"How do you freaking know that?" I asked again, being stubborn.

"It's called a little bird told me." My mom grinned at me. "Actually, Ivory's mother called shortly before you came, knowing that Ivory would probably ask you and Nikita to come along with her. I talked it out with her, then your father, and it seems harmless enough."

Someone must have put something in my mother's coffee this morning, and it sure as hell wasn't me. I stared in disbelief. "So I'm allowed to go?"

My mother nodded, her face calm and understanding. "It's not like you were planning to do anything else this summer."

I raised my eyebrows, wondering."But where's the yelling, the 'I never want you to go anywhere!' that should be coming out of your mouth at this second?" I asked, my curiosity edging to a peak.

"Ren-Ren," she said, using my childish nickname. She reached over and embraced me; she smelt of flour and flowers. "Your such a good kid; you've never gotten into any major trouble–besides the one time you kicked three boys in a vain attempt to help Ivory–and you always help around the house. You deserve to go somewhere nice." The pure truth slipped into her voice, and I could tell she wasn't angry with me at all, and that I was going to be able to go without any problems. "That and I think Ivory needs you to look out after Nikita."

"Thanks, Mom," I said, tears of happiness filling my eyes. I was still quite surprised that she hadn't yelled at me yet. "You won't regret letting me go!"

She let me go. "Now go pack. You need to pack everything from swim wear to thick sweaters."

I nodded. "Thanks again, Mom."

She tapped my nose with one flour-covered finger. "You'll always be my little girl, Renita."

A faint thought ticked in my mind, and I had a brain wave."You'll always be my mom, Mom. Oh, and hey, one other question."

"Yes?"

"Can I pack a pot?"

"Nikita grabbed a bunch of mac and cheese again?"

"Yup."

"There's a yellow one under the sink."

The air was colder as it hit me. I was exiting the house with my mom and my trail, drilling me with questions about what I packed–a bunch of jeans, shirts, sweaters, one bikini that Nikki made me buy, tampons, and the canary yellow pot–and I had to tell her every thing I had packed. She helped me get the suite case into the trunk of Ivy's car. Once we were finishing hauling my purple suite case, my mom embraced me once more, tightly.

"Be back in two months. You here me? Two months." My mom was trying to be stern, but her voice was shaking.

"Yes, Mom," I said, my voice quivering too. I could feel the tears filling my eyes.

"I love you," she said, pulling away. "Take care of yourself, and of each other."

"I will. Love you too," I said. "Are you sure this is okay with dad and you?"

"For the last time, yes. You deserve it." I felt a wave of relief wash through me again as she said that.

"Thanks, again." I grinned. "See you."

"Take care!" My mom cried after me as I slid in the back seat of Ivy's car. It took me a few times, but I managed to slam the door shut on the fourth.

Nikki was belting out a string of yells beside me. "Yes! Whoo! We're going to Washington!"

I laughed, my eyes focusing on Ivy's best up fabric seats. Ivy was laughing too, her pale hair shimmering in the dimmer, sunset light. She started up the car–it sputtered and groaned in protest, but started anyway–and we pulled away from the curb. I could see my mom waving from the sidewalk, and I grinned, and waved back.

"TO WASHINGTON!!!" We all screamed at the top of our lungs.

Ta-da! Here it is!!!

Thanks for dealing with my absence!!! THANKS FOR READING!!

Review please!!