5 weeks earlier…

Sneaking around behind friends is never easy, especially when dealing with mine. The week had flown by with the speed of a leer jet, leaving me in a daze. Since the kiss, we had been inseparable. Meeting in between classes, during classes just to be with each other. We would sit in the northeast stairwell and talk. Thats it, just talk. Well sometimes we talked with our lips but the simple act of actual talking satisfied my ache for her.

You wouldnt believe how many times Ive been to the Empire State Building. With my friends, on class trips, with my grandparents every time they came to visit. Believe me, its not all that exciting, she laughed.

Her laugh, it had always caught the attention of my ears with its low alto sound. I honestly could be on the other side of the cafeteria and be in the middle of a conversation when that low seductive sound would travel to my ears. Ears that somehow seemed to be waiting. When being up close and personal, watching the beginning of it in her smile, the anticipation of her laugh gave my heart palpitations.

We shared a silence, taking the opportunity to let all things said between us be absorbed. I had learned so many things about her in those first few days. Her dislikes of cream soda, my favorite, he dislikes of moving form the east coast, leaving all that she had ever known in New York; friends and family. And the things she just couldnt live without… her guitar, her journals, iced coffee, her little brother ( well sometimes) and proudly her newest obsession…me.

Ever since you kissed me, I cant get you outta of my head. The bathroom scene plays continuously like a song stuck, she admitted.

She does that a lot. Talking openly. Ive never encountered someone, other than Tina, who talked that way. Some people rethink their thoughts to many times before the words come out of their mouths. And even then, you think to yourself, they should have thought some more before letting that stupid statement free.

Wow, was all I could think to say.
Yeah, I know. Wow, she sighed, This is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me.
Wow, I repeated.
Cant think of any other words besides wow, she laughed.
Wow, I said a third time smiling.

Leaning forward, she kissed me. Our twenty second kiss in five days. Yes, I was counting.

*****

I sat in the passenger seat thinking about how sweet her lips tasted and ignoring the fact that my other sat next to me ranting over my three day suspension. But getting caught with my hand down Lindseys pants and my lips on her neck gave me such an adrenaline rush that I sought the thrill again. To busy reliving the feel of her skin, I hadnt noticed we were in the driveway. Or that my mother was talking to me.

Evan, Im talking to you.
Huh?
Just get in the house before I do or say something Ill regret, she ordered.

I didnt hesitate climbing out the car. I just wished I hadnt encountered Tina so soon after opening the door.

Evan, what are you doing home?

Before I could answer, she did it for me.

Suspend. Three days.
Three days? For what? Tina asked swallowing a spoonful of Rocky Road.

I stood in front of Tina sensing her impending disappointment.

Ill let you tel her why.

Oh great. Thanks, I thought to myself.

I got caught…in the girls locker room.
And they suspended you for that?
Thats not all. Her and Lindsey were in there together, she answered closing the door behind her.
Together, Tina repeated.

It took a minute for the word together to fully register.

Oh…together.
I was called out of an important meeting to pick up my sexual deviant daughter.
Did you? Tina asked me.

I had been looking at the floor but when she asked me did I have ***** with Lindsey, I looked her in the eye.

No, I said firmly.
Okay.
I would tell you if I did, I said honestly.
Okay, she repeated.
I dont know whether to be angry at you for almost having ***** or for getting suspend, my mother admitted, This will be on your permanent record.
Mom, Im sorry, I offered.
Oh, you will be, she scoffed.
Bette, Tina sighed.

In that short of time, my mother had thought up a punishment.

For those three days, you will wash every window in this house, inside and out. You will clean out the garage and do whatever Tina or I ask you to do without any arguments.
Bette, youre treating her like a servant.
And she will be. After those three days, she continued, you will not be allowed to see or speak to Lindsey. You will come straight home from school. No stopping at The Planet. No stopping at the skate shop. You will come straight home and will not be able to use your computer until further notice. Do I make myself clear?

I didnt put up a fight. I knew I was wrong for doing what I did so I acknowledge her.

Yes, I whispered.
Oh yeah, your cell phone, she demanded holding her hand out.

I was hoping that she had forgotten about it. I reached in my back pocket and pulled out the small phone. I deposited it in her hand.

Go to your room, she instructed.

And so I did.

*****

I threw my messenger bag against my desk chair causing it to fall over making a loud thud. I stayed still hoping not to hear my mothers angry voice or Tinas questioning one. I didnt. Instead I heard them arguing. I thought I had closed my bedroom door. I didnt. I pulled off my hooded sweatshirt walking closer to the semi- cracked door.

Bette, Tina sighed.
No. There is no discussing this, she said.
Fine, I heard.
I dont know what to do now.
You could go in there and talk to her. Talk . Not you talk and she listens.

Please, no, I thought.

But, Tina paused, go back to work. Thats what you want to do anyway, Tina finished.

I could tell by the tone of her voice that Tina was fed up. She had had enough of my mother putting her work first.

Thats not what- my mother began.
You wont be missed. Its not like we see much of you anyway, Tina interrupted.

She was right. We didnt see much of my mother anymore. Besides the drive to school in the morning, I was usually asleep by the time she came in at night. Whatever time that was.

Tina, my mother tried again.
Go, she interrupted again.

First I heard Tinas footsteps coming closer to my room and as I hid behind my door, with on eye peeking out, I saw her walk into their room, closing the door.