Page 67 of Breathe Me (Breathe Duet 1)

His face is stoic as he passes my scowling father, and if looks could kill, then the one my dad is giving Carter is a death sentence waiting to happen. I wish I was as courageous as Carter seems to be, but the minute he leaves the room, I bow my head away from my dad and scramble to pick my textbooks off the floor. It’s the only thing I can come up with in order for me not to face my dad’s disapproving glare head on. A gentle hand squeezes me on my shoulder, halting my frantic effort, and I look up to see that the anger in my father's face has morphed into a feeling I’m all too familiar seeing in his eye—worry.

"That can wait, kiddo. We need to have a serious talk right now," he exclaims with a sever tone.

I pull myself off the floor and sit on the edge of my bed. This feeling of guilt and shame is unfamiliar to me. But then again, I’ve never seen my father disappointed in me either.

"How old are you, Val?"

My brows crease in confusion. "I'm fifteen. Are you so angry with me that you forgot how old I am, Dad?"

"No. I just needed you to say it out loud so you can hear yourself. You’re fifteen, Val. Too damn young for what I just saw."

"We were only kissing," I mumble.

"No, you were doing much more than just kissing. That boy was trying to get to second base. With my daughter, under my roof, while I was in the house!" he shouts, his anger taking the best of him with each statement he utters. "Not only was it disrespectful of me, but it also wasn’t very respectful of you either.”

"Dad, I think you’re making this a bigger deal than what it is. It was a kiss. Nothing more," I insist, hoping he can see past his fury and realize Carter and I weren’t doing anything wrong.

He looks incredulous at me, letting out a long exaggerated exhale after a long pause.

"I can’t believe I'm saying this, but you’re grounded, Valentina."

"Grounded? You can’t be serious?!"

"I'm afraid I am very serious. For the next month, you go to school and then come straight home. No movie nights with Logan. No messing around with Quaid after dinner, and definitely no studying with Carter."

"Dad, I think you're blowing this out of proportion! It was only a kiss!" I yell frantically.

"No, baby girl. It was the beginning of something that you are just not ready for. Not mentally, at least.”

“Dad, I’m not a child!” I counter, my body trembling with rage.

“Yes, you are! You’re my child!”

Both of us stare at each other, and I realize this is the first time my father has ever shouted at me. It’s also the first time I’ve ever been mad at him too, so I guess this night is full of firsts for both of us. He can’t keep me away from my friends. Just the idea that I won’t be able to spend time with the boys outside of school is crippling. He can’t keep us apart like this—over one harmless little kiss. Especially since I’ve kissed Carter, Logan, and Quaid many times before. Not that I’m inclined to share this information with my dad though.

I turn away from him and crawl up my bed, facing my wall, too angry to look him in the eye. It’s my silent way of telling my father I’m done talking, but unfortunately, he is just as stubborn as I am, walking over to my side of the bed and sitting down beside me, letting me know we are going to have this conversation whether I want to or not.

“I know you’re angry, kiddo, but believe me, it’s for your own good,” he whispers.

“Right,” I reply back bitterly.

“You might not think so right now, but it is.”

I sit back up, cradling my knees into my chest. “It was just an innocent kiss, Dad. Can you honestly sit here and condemn me for something you probably did at my age?”

His gaze turns soft, but that tinge of concern that I’m beginning to resent is still reflected in his golden specks.

“I was never in the same situation as you are, kiddo. The choices you make will not only affect you, but they will also affect the people you love. Give yourself time to grow and know your mind before you act on your impulses. I know that right now your hormones are doing most of the talking, and they will for the next few years, but I want you to make good decisions, Val. Being swept in the moment will do you more harm than good, especially since you have to consider the hearts of more than one person. Tell me, how do you think Logan would feel if he walked in on you and Carter like I did? How do you think Quaid would feel?"

"I don't know," I lie.

"Yes, you do. Don't make rash decisions when you haven't factored in all your heart’s wants and desires."

"I still think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill," I hush, even though my father’s logic is starting to trickle into my heart, even if I’m doing everything in my power to shove them away.

"And until you see the severity of your choices, then you will remain grounded."

"That's not fair!"

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