The Girl in the Love Song (Lost Boys 1) - Page 31
“Yes. Since it’s become clear to me that I can’t keep track of which boys come to your room at night, better safe than sorry.”
“Good idea,” I said, my face burning. “I might lose track, myself.”
Mom sighed. “I’m just being realistic. You’re seventeen now, and I know how the world works.” She pursed her lips. “Should I have done it sooner?”
God, I wanted to sink into the floor. “Uh, no, Mom. I haven’t even been kissed. Going on birth control is overkill, don’t you think?”
“Oh, honey,” she said, regret swimming in her eyes. “You work so hard, and I know we haven’t been around as much as we should. Not like we used to.” She cupped my chin in her hand. “I’m just trying to do the mom-thing and take care of you. Okay?”
I mustered a smile. “Okay. Thanks.”
She smiled back with pained amusement. “You were supposed to say, ‘No need, Mother dear, I’m saving myself until marriage.’”
“Seeing as how I’ll never get married, that’s a little too long to wait.”
“I hope that’s not true, though God knows we haven’t set the best example.”
I swallowed hard. “You used to. You and Dad used to be…so happy.”
She stiffened. “Yes, well. Things have come up.”
“Mom…?”
She blinked and patted my hand. “I’ll make that appointment. Have a great first day.”
Shiloh and I didn’t have any classes together until History that afternoon. I met her on the expanse of grass in front of the shaded cafeteria tables at Santa Cruz Central High School at lunch. My friend wore a loose bohemian-style dress over her slender frame, and her dark hair was box braided in hundreds of tiny braids, the ends flowing loose and wavy over the light brown skin of her shoulders. Chunky bracelets, necklaces and rings—most of which she made herself—completed her look that I called Earth Goddess Chic.
Everyone couldn’t stop telling me how I’d “blossomed” in recent years, but Shiloh Barrera was a natural beauty largely because, like everything else, it came so naturally to her. I’d never met anyone as confident as Shiloh. Comfortable in her own skin.
“Hey, you,” I said, flopping next to her. We hugged, and I smelled sweet perfume that she made herself out of flowers from her grandma’s garden.
“What’s with you?” she asked, studying me. “You don’t look like your usual First Day of School self.”
“Mom’s putting me on birth control, and I’m beginning to suspect there’s no money for my college. How was your morning?”
It took a lot to shock Shiloh. Now her eyes widened. “Sorry…what?”
“It’s more of my parents’ drama. Forget it. How was Louisiana?”
“Hot,” she said. “And do not go changing the subject after dropping little gems like birth control and… Really? No college fund? I thought that was a done deal.”
“So did I. Dad denies it, but Mom suggested I look into scholarships. But what if it’s worse than that? What if they’re broke?”
“Your dad still has his job, right? Your mom still drives the Jag?” She gave my arm a squeeze. “It’s probably not as bad as you think.”
“Maybe. But God, I wish they’d just be honest with me. I’m going to apply for merit-based scholarships anyway. They’re competitive as hell, but I can’t sit around and do nothing. And if there is a situation they’re not telling me about, I should help out.” I inhaled and exhaled easier. Making plans and following a course of action always made me feel better. “I’ll do what I have to do.”
“Of course, you will,” Shiloh said. “Now let us revisit the Birth Control Situation. What gave your mom the idea that you needed to get on the pill, you hussy?”
“My parents busted into my room last night, and I had Miller over.”
“Did you two…?”
“No,” I said, ignoring how Shiloh looked almost disappointed. “You know the deal with us. My mom’s paranoid because Miller comes over all the time and because I was assigned to the Whitmores as a Patient Care Volunteer.” I lowered my voice. “River’s mom is sick.”
“I heard.” She brushed her h
ands off on her lap. “Okay, tell me the real deal. You and Miller. You and River. What’s going on with…all of you?”
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