"Who just dropped you off?" My mom asked me when I entered the house, scaring me. I honestly didn't even think she'd be home.

"Gina," I lied quickly, not wanting to continue this conversation.

"Gina drives a Prius," my mom pushed. "Who were you with?"

My eyebrows scrunched up. "Does it matter?" I didn't think she'd care.

She looked offended. "Yes. Of course it does. Last night, you left with a boy, didn't you?"

I laughed, confused. "Mom, you never ask about this kind of stuff. Why now?" I was pushing her away like she had to me so many times before.

The offended look on her face dropped. She cleared her throat. "You're right. I just know this is your first boyfriend."

"W-we're not dating," I stuttered. "Just—"

"Look," she cut me off. "Just be safe, okay? I was a teen mom and it wasn't easy." She started to walk away but I wasn't done talking.

My breathing started to pick up. "I'd have your support, wouldn't I?" I don't know why I asked that. I wasn't pregnant and didn't plan on being.

She turned around, her face held no emotion. "Parker, I'm done having this conversation. And if you're pregnant..."

"I'm not," I assured her.

"Okay then. We're done talking." She looked stressed.

-

Throughout the next week, I didn't expect to get any text from Florencio, but that didn't stop me from checking my phone constantly.

I wanted him to miss me. I wanted him to care.

I know he didn't which made whatever we had harder for me.

I put my phone down and continued to apply my eyeliner. I never wore it. I smudged the eyeliner for a smokey affect. I continued to do my eyebrows and face makeup. I pulled on a simple dress and ballet flats.

I stared at myself in the mirror. I never really dressed up. I didn't like to.

Gina called me.

"What's up?" I answered.

"I'm here," she said. "Hurry up."

I rolled my eyes. "Shut yo, G. You're the one who is late."

She scoffed. "Just hurry up."

I grabbed my purse and put it on my shoulder.

I left my room and unfortunately ran into my mom. She was watching tv in the living room.

She eyed me up and down. She smiled. "Where are you going?"

"Gina's older sisters, Sofia, is having a party at her new apartment." I didn't bother to hide where I was going.

She suddenly sat up straighter. "Is that boy going to be there?"

"What?" I was surprised she still cared about that. "No. We're not dating. He's just there." I looked away, uncomfortable.

My mom rolled her eyes. "And then you go to him when he's 'just there?'"

My face flushed with embarrassment, realizing that's exactly what I did. Every time. "I have to go." I left the house quickly.

I told Gina to drive fast.

-

Sofia had bright blue hair and crazy eyeshadow to match.

"Oh my god! Parker!" She hugged me tight when we entered her spacious apartment. It was full with people and loud music. She pulled away and I admired her black crop top and neon green miniskirt.

"I haven't seen you in forever. How's everything?" Her soft brown eyes bore into mine and I almost spilled everything.

"Parker has a boyfriend," Gina interrupted, grinning.

Sofia raised a blue eyebrow. "Oh? Who is he?"

I felt embarrassed. "No! I don't have a boyfriend." I nudged Gina hard with my elbow. "It's nothing. We're nothing." She never listened to me, did she?

Gina shrugged. "But she keeps running back to him."

Sofia laughed. "You wanna talk about confusing relationships, just come to me. I got you girl." She reached over and slapped my butt.

I jumped slightly. "Yeah. Sure." I cleared my throat. "How's college?"

Sofia was twenty one years old and still switching majors like crazy. "You know what, good. I'm pretty settled on the idea of becoming a teacher." She smiled widely. "I think that's what I really wanna do. I mean, my crazy look will have to go, but I don't mind." She shook her head. "Enough about me, what's going on with you? Anything new with school?"

"No." I played with my purse strap. "I'll probably sign up for the fall semester at the community college. See where that goes." I wasn't really thinking about that but I needed to answer the question.

She nodded. "Hey, no judging here. I graduated three years ago and I just figured out what I wanna do."

Sofia hit Gina's shoulder. "This one though, she needs to get her shit together."

"Hey! I very well have it together," Gina defended herself.

"Yeah, screwing your boyfriend everyday isn't having it together," Sofia muttered.

Gina gasped. "Yeah, okay. Just because you're a virgin—"

Sofia slapped her hand over Gina's mouth. "Alright, shut up before I tell mom you're here drinking."

Gina rolled her eyes.

Sofia left us to hang out with some of her friends. Gina dragged me to the kitchen and I was shocked at how new everything was.

"Yeah, I know," Gina muttered. She grabbed two beers from the fridge and gave me one. "My parents said they'd help pay for a new apartment if she got serious about college. It wasn't even that bad having two roommates. She's so dramatic."

"Tuition is paid and so is a majority of her rent?" I took a small sip of the beer. I didn't like the taste. "Your sister is living the dream."

Gina nodded. "My parents promised me the same thing. They're not too pleased with assistant lifeguard job."

"Gina," I laughed. "You suck a swimming. You know that guy only hired you because you're hot."

"But I have a job," She pointed out.

I nodded, agreeing with her.

My mom had promised to pay for my tuition at any college I wanted to go to. It was the only time she was enthusiastic talking about me.

Gina downed the rest of her beer and I hesitantly took more sips.

The rest of the night was me making sure drunk Gina didn't hurt herself and that she made it to bed safely.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Sofia asked at the end of the night.

"No," I replied, a smile on my face. "Thanks for the offer though."

"Alright." She hugged me and told me to make it home safe.

When I got home, I felt drained. Going out with Gina didn't help how I felt. I still felt lonely. Florencio carved apart of himself in me and I couldn't replace it with someone else, no matter how hard I tried.

My mom wasn't home and I was grateful for that.

I scrubbed off all my makeup that ended up making me look like a raccoon, brushed my teeth, and took off my ridiculous outfit.

I had just laid down for bed when my screen lit up. I felt like an idiot when I quickly picked up my phone.

The unsaved number I had grown so close finally reached out to me.

Get ready.

I wanted to throw my phone out the window. He expected me to just listen to him. I felt like a puppet.

Although I was waiting desperately for his texts, a phone call, I put my phone down. I turned on my side and tried to fall asleep.

-