Page 88 of Giving In

He opens his mouth multiple times trying to say something, but nothing comes out.

“Please say something.”

“No–Yes...I don’t know!”

“I want to do this with you,” I say as I grab his hands and pull him towards me. “I trust you. I want this. Please don’t do this to me, don’t walk away.”

He raises his hands and cups my face on both sides before dropping a kiss on my forehead.

“I’m not walking away. But you can’t do it just to do it. Our age difference is hard enough on my conscience to add the fact that you’re a virgin. We should only do this if you’re ready.”

My heart skips a beat and I finally relax.

Oh, I am so ready for this.

“I’m ready. I promise you, I’m ready.”

Just as we start kissing again my phone rings. I ignore it once, twice and the third time he pulls away.

“Just take it.”

I grab my phone on the table and my eyes widen at the name on the screen. Mom. I pick up in a hurry, worried something might have happened but the voice on the other side is not too happy to hear me.

“Jamie. Alexa. Williams! Where the hell are you? I just received a call from school saying you didn’t show up to classes today.”

My stomach twists in terror and embarrassment.

“Mom, I can explain.”

“I thought I could trust you, Jamie. Skipping class? How can you do this to me? I’m coming back right away.”

“No! Gosh, mom no! I was feeling so ill this morning and I tried to go to school but once I got there, I felt even worse, so I just headed back home. I didn’t want to text you and get you all worried, I thought I’d just wait and see if it passed. Please don’t be mad.”

Her voice changes drastically from angry to worried and I feel awful for lying to her.

“What’s wrong sweetie? Is it the nightmares? You know Doctor Swift is always a phone call away.”

Ha. As if we could afford a Stoneview therapist now that dad’s work wouldn’t pay for it anymore.

I gulp and look at Nathan to check if he’s heard but he isn’t looking at me. He’s putting his clothes back on instead.

“No, no that’s fine. I’ve had a horrible stomach ache. But I’m starting to feel better. Promise.”

After a few minutes of reassuring her, she finally lets me go, promising she’ll stay in Tennessee as long as her sister needs her.

I turn to Nathan as soon as I’ve hung up and he gives me a small smile before handing me back my clothes.

“You should go home, ‘Me. I don’t want you skipping school and lying to your mom for me. It’s not like you.”

I knew the conversation with my mom would put him off. It makes us both aware of the fact that he’s twenty-one and I’m still a high school student. I nod as I grab my clothes and quickly put them back on.

Once we’re both dressed, he takes me in a tight hug. “I really like you, Jamie. We don’t need to rush anything.”

His words put a balm over my heart. “I know. I really like you too.”

“Do you need a ride back?”

“I can take the bus.”

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