So I'm (15F) turning 16 in a few weeks, and my parents said I could have a little party in our backyard with some of my close friends. I’m not super popular or anything, but I have a group of 6 girls that I’m really close with, and we’ve been planning the whole thing together — like what food to have, games, the playlist, everything.

Here’s where the issue starts: my aunt (mom’s sister) has a daughter, Emily (13F). She’s not awful or anything, but she’s SUPER clingy around me. Whenever there’s a family event, she follows me around, tries to copy what I’m wearing or saying, and she even once told one of my friends that she’s my “best friend,” which was just kinda awkward because… she’s not.

Anyway, my mom told my aunt about the party, and now my aunt is texting me like “Emily is SO excited! She’s already picking out an outfit!” And I was like… what?? I never invited her.

I told my mom I didn’t really want Emily at the party because it’s supposed to be just my friends, and I kinda want to feel like a normal teen for once without babysitting someone younger. My mom got mad and said I was being rude and that "family comes first" and "she’s just a kid who looks up to you."

But I feel like I’m allowed to have one party without having to include someone who’s not even part of my friend group. My friends already know about how clingy Emily gets, and I’m worried it’ll just be uncomfortable for everyone.

Now my mom says if I don’t invite Emily, she might cancel the party altogether because I’m “not being inclusive.”