We must be our own before we can be another's. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

My entire family got out of jail just in time for my high school graduation (so much for a ten year sentence). They clapped and cheered proudly when I walked across the stage with my honors sash draped over my gown.

All the kids loved me. Though I was never there and didn’t participate in the lunchroom politics I was voted prom queen. There’s something about being a sixteen year old drug lord that makes you incredibly popular.

Nicky and I were having an afternoon rendezvous when I remembered prom was that night. That was when I asked him if he would be my date. I got them mixed up. I forgot that Tommy was the only one who knew I was in high school.

“Prom?”

“Uh, I flunked out of high school so I just went back to get my diploma.”

“I thought you were in college.”

“I lied. I didn’t want you to think I was dumb.”

“Honey, I think you’re… I love you.”

There’s something about love that used to really freak me out. When Nicky, who was still just a friendly friend, told me he loved me I wanted to run. If I hadn’t been naked at the time maybe I would have.

“Why are you going to prom with a bunch of strange kids though? Won’t that be weird?”

I shrugged. When I was named prom queen I think he was suspicious but I didn’t care at that point. I kind of wanted to tell him I was sixteen just to freak him out. I was so uncomfortable around him after the whole love thing came out. Nicky Martinez loved me, how strange.