turning eighteen tomorrow or in two months? And if it’s in two short months, how does that still make me a child? Do you think there’s some magical change that occurs on the stroke of midnight on my birthday?”
“I’m not trying to be mean, Thallirin. All I want is for you to realize that turning the big one-eight isn’t going to change who I am. My body will look the same. Well, maybe a little fuller if I keep eating all the junk food in this house, but I’ll still be this same person I am now. I’ll still be me.”
“I know.”
“Then stop trying to not look at me. If you want to look, look. It doesn’t make you a pedophile because I’m not a child. I should have never said that to you. If having you look at me upsets me, I will tell you. But, right now, it’s more upsetting having you act all weird around me. I was starting to like the you before you saw my boobs.”
He grunted.
“Does that mean we’re good and you’re going to stop pretending like I don’t exist?”
“I know you exist.”
“Good.” I went back to the movies and picked something fun.
When I turned, Thallirin was watching me. This time, he didn’t look away. I smiled and sat beside him. He handed me my snacks, and I spent the next little while happily crunching away. When it started to get dark out, I paused the movie.
“We better head over to Mom’s for dinner,” I said, standing.
He stood slowly, crowding into my space when I didn’t back up. I tilted my head to look at him.
“Do you want to come to dinner with me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you mind if I sleep here, again, afterward?”
“No.”
I smiled my thanks but didn’t move, my pulse hammering in my chest again. I didn’t know what I wanted from him. But, I wanted something. A touch? Some affectionate words? None of it felt right yet, but thinking of walking away felt wrong, too.
He seemed to be in the same place because he didn’t move either. His gaze dipped to my lips, and my heart stuttered for a moment.
“Go get your jacket, Brenna,” he said.
I quickly stepped around him and put my stuff on.
The walk to Mom’s was quiet, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Like the evening before, I rang the doorbell. Uan answered it with a grim expression.
“No more doorbells,” he said.
“Um…okay. Why?”
“Because this is your damn house,” Mom said from the kitchen as I took off my jacket.
She was scowling when I entered the kitchen. Ignoring it, I went to her and kissed her cheek.
“I know this is my house. I also know that you two love birds are in a new phase, and I’m trying to respectfully give you some time and space.”
She looked only slightly appeased.
“Have you seen Zachy?”
“He’ll be here. He’s hanging out at Garrett’s, I think.”
“Do you want me to find him?” Uan asked, coming to stand by Mom. He rested his hand on her shoulder, and she reached up to cover it with her own. When she looked up at Uan, her expression softened. She might be afraid that her kids were pulling away, but it was very clear she was happy with her choice.
I glanced at Thallirin and found him watching me. This time, I was the one to flush because I was wondering if I would be as happy if I did someday give in to Thallirin.
We didn’t need to wait long for Zach. He showed up with Garrett in tow.
“I brought a friend,” he said. “Mom, this is Garrett. Garrett, this is my mom, Nancy.”
Garrett said hello.
“Garrett has a game console and some multi-player games to go with it. Can I stay over at his place tonight?” Zach asked as they hung up their jackets and joined us at the table.
“Just for tonight,” Mom said. “This is still your house.” She passed the veggies to me, and I helped myself to a large portion.
“I know,” Zach said. “But this might be the last working game console on Earth. My teen-boy blood can’t turn its back on that.”
Mom rolled her eyes.
Knowing that Thallirin and Uan wouldn’t care for the veggies, I half-stood and passed them over to Garrett. Because seating was a little squished, my boob brushed against Thallirin’s arm again. I pretended not to notice his bent fork or his slight shiver.
Dinner progressed nicely, and it was fun to have a full table. When we were done, Mom suggested