Page 27 of Protector

“Stop pretending to read. I can hear your thoughts from here, and they are not about biology.”

I huff out a loud breath and drop the heavy book on the table.

“Although maybe there is one side of biology I should be teaching you.” Her eyebrows raise, and I furrow my eyebrows.

In my confused silence, a small smirk appears on her face.

“Like what happens when one starts having thoughts about someone else.”

My mouth pops open whilst my cheeks flame in embarrassment.

“Maria,” I start, not actually knowing what to say next.

“Do you want to talk about it? Do you have any questions?”

“Woah.” I stand, my palms growing clammy.

“I’m just being cautious, dear.”

“I’m fourteen!” I exclaim.

“And you’re growing up, feeling new feelings. I just want to make sure you know you can come to me,” Maria says softly, nodding back to the chair for me to sit back down.

“Maria, I don’t think it’s necessary,” I whisper, tucking my chair back into the table.

“You might not, but it’s important you know how to manage these feelings and urges.”

“Oh God, Maria, I don’t have any urges. We only kissed for the first time yesterday. I'm not having sex with him.”

As soon as the words slip out of my mouth, my cheeks get hotter, and I want nothing more than to curl up into a ball.

This wouldn’t normally be a problem. We’ve had the sex talk already, and as embarrassing as it was then, I didn’t think we’d be going over it again, when she’s talking about me with her son.

“Bonnie,” she starts softly, her hand reaching out to clasp mine. “Look, I know it’s a little bit weird because Puck is my son, but my responsibility for him is just the same for you. I’ve known you since you were a very little girl, Bonnie, and if I didn’t say anything, well, I feel I’d be doing an injustice to your mother. I know if I had a daughter who didn’t have a woman figure to talk about this kind of stuff with, it would break my heart.”

My heart slows right down at the mention of my mother. I never get sad over her because, honestly, I don’t remember her, and I’ve always been lucky to have Maria there in her place. But it feels different now, hearing her talk about her this way.

Recently, there have been more moments that I could’ve done with having her with me.

“Unless,” Maria starts again, letting go of my hands and collecting the papers in front of her. “You want to talk about it with King.”

My eyes widen, and Maria laughs out loud.

“Exactly.” She winks, getting up.

Standing next to me, she places a gentle hand on my shoulder and kisses the top of my head.

“I know you’re okay, Bonnie. I just want you to know you can come to me about anything, at any time. Okay?”

I nod, and with that, she leaves the room. I close the giant biology book and put it back on the shelf before running for my room.

Later that day, I’m sat in front of the window on top of the stairs, looking out over the driveway.

The very same spot I stood on the day of Puck’s arrival.

And here I find myself still waiting for him.

Their school day finished nearly three hours ago, and they still haven’t returned home. I have no idea where they are and can’t get a hold of either King, Dax, or Puck. So instead, I’ve resorted to sitting in front of the window, waiting for them to return.

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