Page 101 of Searching for Nova

“About how great last night was. I know we didn’t do much, but I liked just hanging out with you.”

“I liked it too. So when will I see you again?”

She’s asking to seeme? That’s a first. I’m always the one asking to see her.

“I’m not sure. I’m supposed to go to a party tonight for Kevin’s birthday. You met Kevin. He was there that night at the diner.”

“Then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at the rink.”

“Yeah.” I want to see her tonight. Tomorrow seems too far away. And she’ll be working. I’ll see her, but won’t be able to talk to her.

“I need to get to the bus stop. Maybe we can talk later.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

“Easton,” my dad says, knocking on my door. “I need to talk to you.”

Great. Here comes my punishment. I can’t wait to go to college where I’m not under constant surveillance and having to follow my parents’ rules.

I open the door. “What do you need?”

My dad comes in my room. I shut the door and stand next to it, my arms crossed.

“Your mother and I are very disappointed in your behavior last night,” my dad says. “We understand that you’re 17 and trying to assert your independence, but while you’re living in this house, you will do as we say.”

“Yeah? So what does that mean?”

“You’re grounded for a week, which shouldn’t be difficult for you since next week is Thanksgiving. Your grandparents arrive on Tuesday and we expect you to be here with them and participate in all the family activities your mother has planned.”

My mom makes a big deal out of Thanksgiving and Christmas. She makes us do family stuff the entire week, like game nights and movie nights. Jenna and I liked it when we were younger, but now we dread it. We’d rather be out with our friends than home playing Monopoly with our parents.

“Kevin’s birthday party is tonight,” I say. “I told him I’d be there.”

My dad pauses a moment, like he’s considering letting me go. He’s friends with Kevin’s dad. They play golf together. And my mom is on a fundraising committee with Kevin’s mom. It wouldn’t look good if I didn’t show up to Kevin’s party.

“Okay, fine,” my dad says. “You can go to the party, but I want you home by midnight. And the rest of the week you will not be going out. Have I made myself clear?”

“Not really.”

“What else do you need to know?”

I walk up to him. “Is this about me being friends with a girl who doesn’t have money?”

“It’s about you staying out all night and lying to us.”

“What if I’d spent the night with Paris? Would I still be grounded, or would you just tell me not to do it again?”

“Easton, I’m not debating this with you. You’re grounded. Period.” He walks to the door. “Your mother is getting breakfast ready. Be downstairs in five minutes.”

Five minutes later, I’m still in my room. I’m not having breakfast with them. I don’t even want to see my parents right now. They’re punishing me for being with Nova, not for being out all night. If I’d been with Paris last night, I’d get a lecture, but I wouldn’t be grounded. My parents have only grounded me one time, when I was 13 and tried to drive the neighbor’s car. It was parked on the street and had the keys in it. I really wanted to drive and was only going to take it down the street and back. I accidentally hit a mailbox and dented the guy’s car. My parents grounded me for two weeks, but back then I didn’t really go anywhere so it didn’t matter. The point is, they almost never ground me, and they wouldn’t be doing it now if I’d spent last night with a girl they approved of.

They’re not keeping me from seeing Nova. They took her from me once, but they’re not doing it again.

25

Nova

Last night wasthe best night I’ve ever had. Sleeping next to Easton, being held in his arms. I felt safe, cared for, maybe even loved. I want to believe Easton loves me, but I don’t, not yet. He’s just starting to get to know me again. How could he love me after just a few weeks?

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