The next morning I wake up like I'm in a different world. I'm so happy as I walk down to the kitchen to make a bowl of cereal, and dad is on his computer looking at the news. "Good morning." I say as I pour milk in the bowl. He turns his chair around, and pulls off his glasses to look at me.
"Morning kiddo." He stands up, and strolls over to the stool next to me and sits down at the island. "Mora, I know this is uncomfortable but at some point we have to talk about it. You're older now, and going out all the time with a boyfriend..." he and I both sigh together before he continues. This really isn't something I wanted to discuss over my breakfast. "It's not that I don't trust you, but hormones and feelings are something you can't control so I want to know you're taking all the precautions if you are sexually active."
I can feel my face blaze with heat. "Dad, I'm not having sex."
"I'm not accusing you have having sex Mora, I just want you to be safe when the day comes that you do."
"Dad, isn't this something maybe mom can talk to me about?" I ask. I'm so uncomfortable talking to him about it, and I can tell he's uncomfortable too.
"Your mother and I already discussed it last night on the phone. We are both on the same page, and she supports everything I'm about to bring up." he says and I know that I have to listen so might as well let him talk and get it over with. "Now, like I said I'm not accusing you of anything, but one day it will happen and you need to know all of your options. Condoms are a great preventive tool, but they are not one hundred percent protective against pregnancy and diseases. If you ever think you will become sexually active, I don't want you to be afraid or embarrassed to come to your mother or I. We will have a doctor provide you with better protection, and also just because you haven't had sex doesn't mean that your partner hasn't. They could have something that they don't even know about. Asking your partner for test results or to be tested is not wrong, and you should never feel pressured into it either if you don't feel ready, or comfortable. It is okay to say no Mora." he is speaking slowly, and moving his fingers back and forth on the island anxiously. I just stare down at my cereal unresponsive, already losing my appetite.
"I know." I finally squeak after a few seconds of silence; keeping my eyes down on my breakfast.
"Okay. Good. I just want you to be able to come to me for anything and I'm proud of you always sis. You coming to me for help on issues like this will not change my mind or feelings about you. I just want you to trust in that, and trust me." He pats me on the shoulder then pushes the stool out, and stands back up. Still not looking up, I think to myself how not only am I embarrassed but in a way grateful that it was my dad who gave me this talk. He spit out everything he needed to say in less than a minute. My mother would have had pamphlets, and diagrams I'm sure. It must have been just as painful for him as it was for me, and I take pleasure in that.
Once all my ducks, and thoughts are in a row I walk over to him, wrapping my arms around him in a hug. "Thanks dad."
"For what?" he asks, rubbing my shoulders.
I look up at him. "For caring."
"Of course. That's what I'm here for." He grins and gives me a wink before letting me go so he can get back to his computer.
I'm watching the morning weather, when I hear Aiden honk his horn to pick me up for school. I throw my backpack on and lock up the house. I notice walking up to his jeep that he's in a collared navy polo shirt, and when I get in I see that his jeans are pressed, and he's wearing brown leather dress shoes. Usually he's in converse or vans and t-shirts.
"Wow, you look nice." I say, but curious why he's so dressed up.
"Yeah? Thanks." he leans in and kisses me before pulling out of the driveway.
"What's the occasion?" I ask, and his eyes widen and he stops backing out before staring at me.
"Mora, today is the college fair at school." Oh shit. I totally forgot about that. I'm just in jeans, and a t-shirt. "Ahh, I forgot!" I chime, and he drives forward back into the driveway.
"I didn't want to say anything about your outfit, but I was wondering if that was what you wanted to wear." he laughs.
"Do I have time to run inside and change?"
"Yeah. I think so." he answers, and I quickly leap out of the jeep and run inside. Once I'm in my closet I notice that I didn't do laundry, so I dig in the back of my closet until I finally find a maroon blouse that buttons up to a bow tie at the top. I can't help but sigh at it in annoyance before pulling it off the hanger. Scarlett bought me the blouse last Christmas. I didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't my style, but today I don't have many other options, so I throw it on and shake off my Roxy shoes. After another minute of throwing shoes around my room, I find and slip on some light beige suede heels, and run to my bathroom to grab my makeup and straightener. I'll just do my makeup on the way, and finish my hair when I get to school.
"Dang, that was fast." Aiden glances over at me while I pull down his sun-visor where I can see myself as I pull out my makeup bag. "That's a nice blouse."
"You think?" I pause what I'm doing momentarily and look at him.
"Yeah, that color looks really good on you."
"Scarlett got it for me. I literally just took the tags off of it."
"Do you think she'll notice it?" he asks knowing that I haven't talked to Scarlett since the fight.
"I'm sure of it." I sigh wishing I would have just thrown on a dirty shirt instead.
Aiden turns up his radio listening to Matchbox Twenty while I apply my makeup. I brush a brunette shadow on my eyes, and auburn lipstick to compliment my top.
We pull up while I'm applying the last of my makeup and we get out at the same time. He walks around and throws his arm around my neck when Josh, and Shawn sprint up behind us.
"Hey!" Josh yells, and Shawn puts out his hand for me to fist pump, but I ignore it. I'm hoping Josh won't speak to me.
"Ouch! That hurts Mora." Shawn chimes, and I just lift my eyebrows up at him.
"What's with you?" Josh interrupts, and I don't say anything, but Aiden does.
"Bro, you hooked up with Scarlett Jansen, and didn't tell me?" I love how straight forward he is.
All the color washes out of Josh's face, and Shawn stops walking ahead of us, and Aiden and I run right into the back of him. "What?" Shawn yelps out and I'm starting to realize that no one knew but Scarlett and Josh.
Josh ignores Shawn, and looks directly at Aiden freezing me out. His voice is low and guilty.
"How do you know that?"
I step forward some, answering for Aiden. "Scarlett's boyfriend told me... you know, my brother!" I can't help but get snappy with him, and Aiden doesn't say anything. He knows this is a battle he needs to stay out of.
"Shit." Josh groans loudly. It's like a light bulb just went off in Shawn's head, and he grows from excited to uncomfortable as he remembers that Conner is my brother.
Josh puts his hands in his pockets casting his face towards the ground, then back up at me. "Mora, I'm sorry - I didn't know she was going to tell Conner."
"What? It would have been okay if she didn't tell him?" I'm questioning him when I see Scarlett drive up across the parking lot. "Listen, there's your girl now. Go talk to her about it." I say, and I start to walk off ahead of Aiden. Now walking alone, I can hear Aiden say something but I'm not close enough to understand. A few seconds later Aiden is at my side again.
"That was hot." he is grinning at me.
"No it wasn't. It was infuriating, and why are you smiling." I snap at him and he pouts out his bottom lip.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"What did you say to him when I walked off." I demand.
"I told him that was a shitty thing to do, and that I needed to stay clear of him for a few days until you can get over it." I gasp at the thought of it.
"Who said I was getting over it!"
"Oh Mora. As soon as Conner has a new girlfriend, and you forgive Scarlett you'll be over it."
"Pshh." I respond in annoyance, and keep walking forward.
Aiden changes the subject. "So, what school are you looking at today?" he asks as we trot into the cafeteria. We sit at a small round table in the corner that usually sits empty but he knows I'm not ready to sit with his friends right now.
"Texas A&M in Corpus for sure, and probably some local schools in case I can't get into A&M." I set down my bags and phone out on the table. "What about you?" I decide to change my tone because even though I'm upset with Josh, and Scarlett it's not Aiden's fault, and I'm also curious what his plans for school are.
"Well I think I want to study to be a family counselor. I'm not really picky on what school I go to as long as it offers courses for that. I've thought a lot about Texas A&M too though." he pauses and gulps. "... I know that you might consider it because of your mom and brother, and I think it would be cool if we can go to the same school." his words snug me and I beam at him.
"Really?"
"Really." he takes my hand into both of his, then rubs his fingers over my knuckles.
"Both sound like a great idea! You would make a great family counselor, and going to school with you would be sort of cool... I guess" I grin, and he rolls his eyes at me.
"But I'm going to check out everything I can." he ignores my sarcasm.
"Dido." I reply, and can't keep my smile hidden as I kiss him. This guy is amazing, and I still don't know how it all happened, but I'm so glad it did.