I look at myself in the mirror and just stare at the prominent bags under my eyes, hoping that maybe if I just stare long enough they would go away. Even the many layers of concealer I was wearing couldn't cover up how utterly exhausted I was. I sigh and grab my sunglasses and the duffel bag carrying my necessities before making my way downstairs.

"Hey, where you heading off to?" My dad asks, looking up from the newspaper he was reading.

"A birthday party," I reply bluntly.

"Really? Who's?" My mother looks and sounds surprised as she leans against the wall near the kitchen. I can't blame her. I...