Always Yours

I hadn’t settled since I got home. My stomach was in knots. Filled with nerves or butterflies I wasn’t quite sure, but I couldn’t seem to calm myself. If I didn’t show tonight that, was it between Franko and me.

Did I want that?

It shouldn’t be this hard. I knew it was better if I didn’t show and yet I wanted to. I wanted to show up and show him I cared. The knock on my bedroom door diverted my attention.

“Aubrey”. My mom popped her head around the door. “Are you working tonight?”.

“Not tonight”. I answered.

“Then wash up dinner will be ready soon”.

As she closed my door, I fell back against my headboard a sigh falling from my lips. When did my life become so complicated? Oh, that’s right the minute Franko Mendez took an interest in me.

Why me?

He could have anyone he wanted and yet I was at the top of his list. Pushing myself from my bed I went to wash up and change my clothes. It was early but pjs were a safe choice and my parents would just think I was having an early night.

Wait, was I really thinking about doing this?

I had never snuck out before and yet here I was thinking it was a clever idea.

All just to spend time alone with Franko.

No, I couldn’t do this.

Grabbing my pillow, I held it against my face and screamed into it.

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“You’re quiet”. My mom spoke. “Is everything okay? How was school?”.

School that I didn’t attend.

“Passed my maths test and found out I have to write a book report for history”. I lied.

“Oh, and what’s the topic for your report?”.

Shit.

I shrugged. “It hasn’t been decided yet”.

“That’s strange”. She frowned. “Why would the teacher tell you to write a book report but not give you a topic?”.

“I don’t know mom maybe so we can prepare for what’s to come”.

She made a face. “And how are you doing in your other classes?”.

“How’s the car?”. Dad asked.

“Great”. I grinned. “And fine mom you know I put in the work I need to”.

“That’s all we ask”. She smiled. “Good grades lead to good futures”.

Good grades weren’t worth anything if you didn’t know what you wanted to do with your life. I had no idea what I wanted to do after school. I wasn’t even sure I still wanted to go to university.

No idea what career path I wanted to take.

A sigh fell from my lips. I had plenty of time to decide. Freaking out about something that was years down the line wasn’t worth it. Finishing the last of my dinner I put my plate in the sink and poured myself some water.

“Are you both still going away this weekend?”. I asked.

“Yes, is that still, okay? We can cancel if you want?”.

“She’s old enough to look after herself Lorraine”. My dad sighed. “We both agreed on that, and the independence will do her the world of good”.

“She’s still my baby”. My mom frowned. “And if she’s not comfortable being here on her own then we’re not going”.

“No, don’t cancel your trip I’ll be fine I promise”.

“See she’ll be fine”. My dad winked a smile on his lips. “We have nothing to worry about”.

“As long as you’re sure Aubrey”.

“I’m sure mom”.

They deserved some alone time together where they didn’t need to worry about me or their job. And my dad was right I could look after myself.

..

We were all sat in the living room watching tv together. Some old western film but I wasn’t really paying attention. Every so often my dad would laugh, and it would knock me out of my thoughts.

Of course, all I could think about was tonight and Franko.

“Go to bed if you’re tired sweetheart”. My mom spoke.

I nodded. “I’ll see you both in the morning”.

I couldn’t sleep even if I wanted to. I tossed and turned, tried to read a book but couldn’t concentrate. He had really messed me up by saying what he did.

Was he bluffing?

I heard my mom come to bed and not long after I heard my dad lock up and follow. Time was pushing on and I was still indecisive on what to do. If I snuck out and got caught, I’d be grounded for life, and they’d probably take away my car.

But if I didn’t and Franko was true to his word, we would no longer see each other. I wanted to sneak out. For once I wanted to do things I wasn’t supposed to do.

I had never been in trouble with my parents. I lived my life the way they wanted me to and that was the problem. They shielded me from the big bad world.

Pushing my covers off I got out of bed and tried to be as quiet as possible. I grabbed my jacket from the closet and gently pulled open my door. I could hear the snores coming from my parents’ bedroom.

It was now or never.

Making my way downstairs I grabbed my cars keys before pulling on my sneakers. Was I really doing this? I paused at the front door. My stomach was in knots I wasn’t sure if I was going to throw up with nerves.

Holding my breath, I unlocked the front door making a face when it squeaked as I opened it. It had never squeaked before. I was dead if they caught me. I could already hear the disappointment in my head and let’s not forget the looks of disapproval.

The questions that would follow.

Why are you sneaking out of the house?

Where could you possibly be going at this time of night?

I started to fill with dread. They would never trust me again and they had only just started to give me a little bit of freedom. But I wanted to do this. For some reason I had to.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I closed the door behind me and made a beeline for my car.

..

I felt like an idiot. I was an idiot.

I waited for 30 minutes, and he didn’t show.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I felt the tears well in my eyes. I wanted to be angry but if anything, I was embarrassed. Why would he stand me up like that?

Why would he put so much pressure on me to show and then not show himself. Wiping my cheeks I started my engine and took off down the road.

Franko Mendez wasn’t worth my tears.

He wasn’t worth anything and it was time I realised that before it was too late.

I had bigger problems than Franko. When I returned home the porch light was on and my dad was sitting on the steps a mug in his hand.

Shit, shit, shit.

I had been caught red handed and it was all for nothing. But on the bright side I was glad it was my dad and not my mom. Switching off my engine I got out and made my way up the driveway.

“It’s late Aubrey”.

“Is mom awake?”.

“Where have you been?”.

“I couldn’t sleep”.

“So, you decided to sneak out of the house and go for a drive? It’s almost 1am”.

“I know I’m sorry. Are you going to tell mom?”. I sat beside him on the step.

“Are you in any trouble?”. He asked.

“No”. I frowned.

“And you’re doing, okay?”.

“Yeah”.

“Then your mom doesn’t need to know a thing”. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders placing a kiss on the side of my head.

“Thanks dad”.